Thirty-five years ago, when Steve and I decided we needed a southern U.S. base we drove the Florida east coast route from Port St. Lucie down to the Keys and up the west coast to Captiva Island – in search of the perfect destination resort. It was quite an eye opener as we visited one location after another – finding beautiful beaches but no harbors where we could keep boats, a great harbor but rinky-dink motels or no housing at all ashore – or a combination that worked but with a low, fixed bridge in the path to open water. 

South Seas Island Resort's pool and fishing pier viewed from Pine Island Sound

Then, running out of time, we came upon South Seas Plantation (now called South Seas Island Resort) on the tip of Captiva Island.  Tired, and feeling like we needed to think twice about Florida, Steve had earlier called the resort and was transferred to the harbor master who said the resort only had 50 rooms and the marina was full. He was a power boater, we found out later, who referred to sailors as “ragmen” (“rag” for sails). But we made one more call on the advice of a beach vendor at the then Marco Island Marriott, and reached the manager of the resort who said “I know who you are, come on up!  We’d love to have you.” Turns out he was at Out Island Inn in the Bahamas when we opened a racing program there in 1971. It is a very small world when it came to hotel managers.

We had dragged our scrapbooks full of articles about Offshore Sailing School all over Florida and didn’t need them at this perfect home for Offshore Sailing School.  The 17 mile drive down Sanibel Island and ont0 Captiva was arched with Australian Pines gently blowing in the breeze. We saw our first Osprey and thought it was a Bald Eagle. Thirty-five years ago, the resort had condos and hotel rooms facing the marina, a small ante bellum style hotel sitting on the bay, and a bunch of little fishing cottages that dated back to lime plantation and fishing camp days.  The historic Kings Crown Room was where we ate our meals, overlooking gas burning tiki torches that cast shadows on majestic coconut palms.

Over the years, the 330 acre resort grew from a couple hundred rooms to over 500 but has maintained its unique village style with two themed

areas and an atmosphere that invites learning, relaxing, exploring and total rejuvenation. Now a Luxury Resorts property, South Seas Island Resort’s ambiance, accommodations and amenities are absolutely top of the line. There are wonderful kids programs, and educational sessions for adults as well, plus fishing, jogging and bicycle paths, kayaking, golf, tennis, a gorgeous pool with private cabanas, broad white sand beaches loaded with shells, spa and fitness facilities and a Nature Center – all right on the property. You never need to use your car, as golf carts and Trek bicycles are available to rent and a trolley travels back and forth on the 2.5 mile Plantation Drive.

Best of all the sailing is terrific; with the Gulf of Mexico to the west and Pine Island Sound to the east. The sunsets overlooking a horizon that stretches all the way to Mexico are spectacular. We’ve even seen the “green flash” there! It’s a beautiful place all year round, and a fantastic fall/winter/spring getaway when snow’s on the ground and the wind is howling through tall buildings and plains up north.

Offshore Sailing School fleet at South Seas Island Resort

At this location you can take just about every course Offshore Sailing School has to offer: Learn to Sail, Fast Track to Cruising, Live Aboard Cruising, Bareboat Cruising Preparation, Performance Sailing and our annual Offshore/North U Race Week, plus Coastal Passage Making. It’s a favorite of all who visit, so plan your next vacation now – because our courses fill early and so do the rooms.

As South Seas says on its website – http://www.southseas.com/ - the resort is all about “Family. Nature. Comfort.” Offshore Sailing School is all about giving you the best learning vacation you’ll find.

So I urge you to take a look at this touch of paradise and check out www.offshoresailing.com for more information on a vacation that will set you on a

whole new lifestyle.

Yours truly,

Doris Colgate – a very happy sailor!

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