The Pelican Brief on North Captiva Website: Www.Pelicanbriefrental.Com

• Quiet, relaxing...

  Quiet, relaxing...

  • Guest NovaScotia
  • Date of stay 03/09/13
  • Review Submitted 04/04/13
  We enjoyed a very relaxing week at Pelican's Brief in early March 2013. The owner was extremely helpful in the planning of the vacation, always responding to our queries quickly and with great suggestions. He was even able to connect us with a neighbour who was able to provide locally caught fish for meals! The house was very clean and comfortable, and the beach was a safe place for our 5 and 7 year olds to play. The water was too cold in March for us parents to swim, but the children did take short dips. We enjoyed watching the dolphins swim by, and one afternoon even spotted a manatee! Although the beaches on the other side of the island have better sand, the privacy at Pelican Brief can't be beat! Due to it's location, the only people we encountered on the beach were those who were staying in one of the houses along the strip. We were all alone on the beach most days. The same cannot be said for the other side of the island. A highlight for us, and we would recommend to anyone visiting North Captiva, was the evening spent fishing with the "Fishing Lady of North Captiva". Joanne is a lovely lady with a true respect for nature and a wealth of fish knowledge, not to mention the amazing recipes she provides for preparing your catch. Our girls still speak of their fishing adventure, right off the docks along the beach in front of Pelican Brief. One advantage of staying at Pelican Brief for us was, when our youngest became too tired to continue fishing, we were able to put her to sleep in the house, yet the rest of us could continue fishing. Clearly, a very, very safe community. We would recommend Pelican Brief for anyone looking for a brief escape from a hectic life...

  Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway.

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• Midwest Family of 5

  Midwest Family of 5

  • Guest Mom of three
  • Date of stay 03/16/13
  • Review Submitted 03/25/13
  My family of five plus one friend enjoyed an extremely pleasant stay at the Pelican Brief. The house offers all the amenities our family needed for a relaxing vacation. The photos of the Pelican Brief are extremely accurate. The open concept living room and kitchen area made for pleasant evenings with our large group and we even had a few other families from the island over to visit. The multiple, oversized sliding glass doors were always open so we could enjoy the ocean sounds and breeze. Our children simply couldn't give up their technology for the week and the Pelican offered reliable Wi-Fi access and plenty of TV options to choose from. The outdoor living space is also ideal at the Pelican. If you love to relax on the beach or fish this is the house for you. My sons and husband spent hours fishing from the Pelicans dock and nearby docks. If you are a lover of nature, you will enjoy the daily visits from Pelicans, Snowy Egrets, Kingfishers and many more types of birds. We saw Dolphins playing daily in the water, much to the children's delight. The Crows Nest at the Pelican offers the best sunrise and sunset views, allowing one to view the entire island. Take a long walk through the Nature Preserve located on the south end of the island. Look for the eagles nest while you meander through the preserve which leads you to an untouched beautiful beach. If you wish to truly relax, the Pelican Brief on North Captiva is an excellent choice.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

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• Old Faithful (the Pelican never disappoints)

  Old Faithful (the Pelican never disappoints)

  • Guest Luke & Brenda
  • Date of stay 04/07/12
  • Review Submitted 07/09/12
  We spent our fourth trip to the Pelican right around spring break, only you would have never guessed. This place (North Captiva) has this isolation factor that pulls you out of the rat race and puts you in down time mode better than any place I have ever been to. The weather is always great. The dolphins visited us every day with at least one "swim by", saw manatees, enjoyed world class shelling, enjoyed great fishing right off the dock, woke up with awesome sunrises and welcomed great nights with breathtaking sunsets, grilled lots of fresh fish, cruised the island like nobody's business and simply unplugged for our time there. To some, my list may not seem to exciting, but if you're into pure rest and relaxation at a beautiful home (awesome owner) on a private beach and all you want to do is enjoy your family, this is it. Other reviews that we have written say much of the same, but we can't help but gush over the islands beauty. It never gets old. In fact, we keep extending our trips so we can stay longer each year. We want more! We decorate our backyard oasis in Northern Ohio with shells from the island, Pelican stuff, dolphin stuff, etc. to serve as a constant reminder of our favorite place. As always Jim was cooler than the other side of the pillow and Mirna is as sweet as pie. They are wonderful hosts which contributes to the overall spectacular experience. With each trip that goes by, we are building what we feel are the very best vacation memories for our children that will last for their lifetime. Can't wait until the next one. Thanks Jim and Mirna - you and the Pelican are Awesome! Luke & Brenda Mazur and children (Lainey, Katie, Grace & Lukie)

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• Back for more and better than the last time!

  Back for more and better than the last time!

  • Guest Brenda M.
  • Date of stay 04/14/11
  • Review Submitted 07/16/11
  We went to the Pelican in 2010 (first time) and were blown away. See previous review from Luke and Brenda. After that, it was an automatic as to where we were going to spend our 2011 vacation. Once again, we were blown away, only this time we were familiar with the island. The mainstays of waking up to a gorgeous sunrise and putting to rest a fabulous day by witnessing gorgeous sunsets from the many decks were money. We didn't see a car for 10 days while at the Pelican. There's something to be said about that. Where can you go where you won't see a car for 10 days! We knew that the dolphins came around the place around 9:30 - 10:00 every day. So, every day we would eat a nice breakfast in the Lanai and head to the beach to wait for "our buddies". They didn't disappoint. In fact, they would show up and swim by for a few of our sunset viewings. On three separate days, we had a school of Manatees swim by. What's so special about this place is that every day presented a new, cool experience. We saw sarfish, large crabs, live conchs, all sorts of fish hanging out... We shelled like it was our job. Holy Toledo - so many shells. The kids loved it. After a full day of shelling, chilling on the beach, we would hop in the golf cart for a venture to the ice cream shop. After that, back to the beach. Just rest and relaxation. After a full day on the beach, grill fresh seafood under the house while watching the kids play even more on the beach. The kids would fall asleep on the big leather couches watching their favorite shows on TV while mom and dad had a few cocktails on the decks overlooking the ocean. Caught many types of fish off of the dock too. You see, if you want to relax and let go of the every day grind, this is the place to go. The world stops here. We actually gave our four kids the option of Disney or the Pelican and without hesitation, the kids collectively said they want more of the Pelican. So, we're coming back again. We've never been more relaxed in our life and have never witnessed a place as laid back and beautiful as N. Cap. Jim's a great host and a great man and we recommend his place if you are looking for the perfect vacation. Jim, thanks buddy, we can't wait to get back to the "Pelican". Luke & Brenda Jim is awesome. His place is awesome. If you need R & R and are into

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, people with disabilities, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

  Owner response: We are so happy to share our paradise to great folks like these and the fact that weve made lifetime memories for their children is even a great plus

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Perfect Family Getaway

  Perfect Family Getaway

  • Guest terceso
  • Date of stay 03/14/11
  • Review Submitted 04/11/11
  Our family decided to take a last minute Spring break vacation to South Florida with our three boys, my neice and my elderly mother. Unable to find suitable lodging at our first choice, Longboat Key, we focused on North Captiva. We are so glad that we did!! The island is the perfect place to spend quality time together and Pelican Brief offers every comfort. We explored every inch of the island together and watched the most beautiful sunsets imaginable each night from the observation deck. We were lucky enough to be there during a period of time when the moon was closer to the earth than it had been in 17 years....AMAZING! North Captiva is the ideal location if you seek a peaceful and relaxing vacation. The only nightlife stirring are the creatures that live there. The Pelican Brief will not disappoint. The large great room offers veiws from every angle and space for everyone to strech out. The very private master suite makes up the entire second story with wrap around decks. Simply perfect. A few words of advice: bring ALL your own food. If bringing your own boat, be sure to allow yourself and hour or so of light to make the trip over. Water Taxi service is well worth the price. I would not hesitate to reccomend this home to friends and family. We will definitely be back!!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, pet owners, families with young children.

  Owner response: these folks will always be welcomed back, a great family :)

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Mr and Mrs. Scott Shadel

  Mr and Mrs. Scott Shadel

  • Guest mary
  • Date of stay 02/26/11
  • Review Submitted 04/10/11
  This March I was fortunate enought to spend a week at the pelican brief on North Captiva island. What a fantastic trip for my family. Walking the beach, watching wildlife, fishing and just enjoying this beautiful place made this trip a fantastic and memorable week. The house is outstanding, with three bedrooms, three baths, laundry a full kitchen and plenty of space for everyone. The views from the top deck make sunrise and sunset something to behold. I would highly recommend this property to anyone who wants a peaceful getaway on a gorgeous island.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

  Owner response: we aim to please :)

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Better than I remember

  Better than I remember

  • Guest Terry
  • Date of stay 03/25/11
  • Review Submitted 04/01/11
  We stayed here ten years ago before kids, this time they came with. It was even better than I remember. Kids had a blast, we had a great time. We saw all the wildlife the island has to offer, close up and multiple times. I think the stingray swim along the shore every day. After checking out the rest of the island, I believe the Pelican Brief has one of the best locations/beaches on the island. We had one issue and the owner responded within the hour with quick resolution. Jim & Mirna, thanks for the week at the Pelican Brief, this was a truly great and relaxing family vacation.

  Recommended for: Tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Our pleasure :)

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• A vacation that felt like home

  A vacation that felt like home

  • Guest Jane
  • Date of stay 12/20/10
  • Review Submitted 01/02/11
  For the first time ever, my family and I truly felt like we were at home while on vacation. All of the house's facilities were very well equipped, clean, and comfortable. We did, however, run into a problem with some cockroaches in the two downstairs bathrooms and one adjoining bedroom. We were informed that this is quite common on the island. The incident was isolated to one part of the house and we were too busy enjoying ourselves outside, so this didn't pose a big problem for us but please be advised. The island is beautiful, and the porch provides a great panoramic view of the ocean where you can see dolphins swim by every day. We were at the Pelican Brief for Christmas, and we had a great Christmas dinner delivered to our door by the Safety Harbor club. Even in late December, it was warm and sunny almost every day and there were some great tanning spots on the upstairs wrap-around porch and the widow's walk! My husband, daughter, and I rented fishing rods and bought bait at the island tack store in hopes of catching some big fish, but sadly the dock isn't quite far out enough for bigger catches. Perhaps it was our beginner skill as well, but we were still quite happy with a few saltwater catfish! The island is great for walking along the beach and collecting shells. There is a trail through a nature conservation area that is great to explore as well. Mr. Long, the owner, went above our expectations and was very considerate in furnishing the house to make us comfortable. All in all, it pains me a bit to write this review, only because we don't want anyone else to know how great this spot is--we want to keep it for ourselves!

  Recommended for: Age 55+, pet owners, families with teenagers, families with young children.

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• Best things in life...

  Best things in life...

  • Guest Marla
  • Date of stay 09/03/10
  • Review Submitted 10/01/10
  can be found walking on the smooth sand of Captiva -besides a harvest of sea shells in many colors, shapes and sizes. I even found a lucky sand dollar. Our family stayed there for the Labor Day week. I felt that I was recreating the Little Prince story where he just changes positions to see the sunrise and the sunset in his little planet. Early in the mornings, I breathed in -while doing my yoga stretches- one of the best sunrises. Later in the afternoons, I just went to the "widow walk" and witnessed the most amazing brushes in spectacular sunsets. I thought it was me the one from the whole family who enjoyed The Pelican Brief the best, but looking at the pictures of Angel -one of our dogs- smiling, running around and swimming like a fish, there is no doubt it was him the one who was the most in ecstasy. Thank you Jim for giving us this opportunity! p.s. sitting at the bar and chatting with bartender Andrew -while sipping one of his drinks' creations - was also a pleasure.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Im so glad you and your family had a great time

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

• Disappointments in Paradise

  Disappointments in Paradise

  • Guest Adam L.
  • Date of stay 06/26/10
  • Review Submitted 08/24/10
  Our fourth week’s stay on North Captiva turned out to be a bit disappointing. Everything about the island was, as usual, magical. However, our first (and last) stay at the Pelican Brief was speckled with disappointment. The golf cart provided with the house broke before the first day ended. The owner suggested I call his “guy” on the island to take a look. After the end of the second day, the cart was gone, and replaced with a very shabby golf cart. It got us around, (slowly,) and we weren’t going to let that get us down. The original cart was back a couple days later, seemingly fixed. We were excited to find the cart was faster than the others on the island, and all were very pleased to get it back. One day later it was broken again. No replacement. Justifiably frustrated, the owner was very difficult to deal with, and refused to offer any sort of compensation or solution. The door in the downstairs bathroom fell off the hinges mid-way through the week, requiring us to access the main restroom through one of the bedrooms. Please be advised that the pier is very shallow, and not adequate for dockage. We had a 21’ bowrider and it sat on the sand most of the time it was tied to the dock. In the end, we moored the boat just off the dock with anchors… not something that makes me feel too confident in the midst of the strong tidal currents. The house is an amazing vacation find. It’s a shame it has to come attached to such an owner/manager that is so difficult to deal with. There are many options on the island, and we will not rent from this owner again.

  Owner response: i had 20 rentals this season and this is the only tenant that broke the bathroom door and abused the golfcart, and then would call me several times a day about the cart. i spent $1750 to repair the cart, and even rented him a replacement, all without appreciation. He told me hes been on this beautiful island 4 times but never at the same residence twice. Now i know why :)

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/11

2500 to 3500Season rates: 3500/week plus tax (March-April)
Off-season: 2500/week plus tax (January-Feb-May-Aug-Sep-Oct) The first three week of Nov )
Summer Season: 3000/week plus tax June- July  The last week of Nov and the last two weeks of December)

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.