The Blue Marlin - Beachfront Oasis with Private Beachside Pool & Boat Dock
Since 2017, "The Blue Marlin" has provided sea-loving families with the ultimate North Captiva beachfront retreat. This unique property includes over one acre of land and offers a private beachside pool and private boat dock. With panoramic water views and a gently sloping sugar sand beach, it is a gorgeous, relaxing setting for your family vacation. "The Blue Marlin" is located on North Captiva Island, a bridge-less, car-free, crowd-free paradise. Sea kayaks and paddle boards are kept right at the house and can be easily taken down to the shore for paddling adventures. Dolphins are often encountered and are typically sighted daily from the house's expansive decks. A protected dock at the back of the property is a great place for fishing adventures or mooring your boat. The private beachside pool is a favorite place to play or relax. This one-of-a-kind property extends to Safety Harbor along its western border, Salty Approach Airstrip along the north, and the pristine Pine Island Sound to the east.
Come to this peaceful haven for your family vacation. Watch dolphins frolic offshore and pelicans glide past your porch throughout the day. Enjoy breathtaking sunrises as you sip your coffee on the wrap-around decks and marvel at the beauty of the universe as you star gaze into the dark night sky. Fall asleep to the rustle of palm branches and the peaceful lapping of waves along the shore. Explore the amazing coastal waters by sea kayaks or paddle boards which are included in the house rental. Beautiful and rare wildlife abound-- from shorebirds to manatees, and sea turtles to sawfish. Miles of pristine beaches are available for beach combing on North Captiva Island or nearby Cayo Costa. A private beachside pool and a private boat dock with 2 slips are included.
"The Blue Marlin" was designed to accommodate families who love the sea. It embraces the spirit of the islands with its relaxed, comfortable, family-friendly design. The house is divided into private and gathering spaces, with expansive wrap-around porches. The main part of the house includes a large family room and a functional, fabulous kitchen and dining area. A massive kitchen island includes 6 barstools and an heirloom kitchen table, crafted from reclaimed marine timbers, which seats 8. The Gulf of Mexico, Captiva Pass, and Cayo Costa Island can all be viewed from the kitchen sink and stove. A large 55" television is mounted over the fireplace and can be viewed from any seat in the room. Two plump, cozy sofas and a reading alcove with a queen-size mattress offer comfy places to relax. An old seaman's chest is stocked with cards and board games for family game night.
The second part of the house includes private bedrooms, bathrooms, and a large laundry room with a high-capacity washer and dryer. The Abacos bedroom has a queen-size bed and attached half bath with a French door leading out to the deck. Large windows offer stunning views of the Sound. The Captiva bedroom next door shares the panoramic water views and also has a French door leading to the wrap-around deck. It has a king-size bed and a large master bath with a walk-in shower. The Rookery bedroom across the hall has a queen-size bed and a French door leading to the deck and the outdoor shower. The outdoor shower also has beach views and views of the spectacular star-filled sky at night. Over 1,480 square feet of elevated deck wrap around the house and offer many choices for sunbathing and relaxation. The bunk room has 4 twin-size beds perfect for the young and young at heart. A large guest bathroom has double sinks, a shower, and a shallow tub for the little ones' bubble baths.
Much of "The Blue Marlin's" charm comes from its vintage furnishings and reclaimed architectural details. The reclaimed heart-of-pine flooring dates back to a 1800's Kentucky whiskey distillery; the vintage ship lights were salvaged from old passage ships; much of the furniture was created from recycled boat wood; and even the giant 12' Marlin that hangs above the kitchen cabinets was a Pine Island garage sale treasure (refurbished by a local taxidermist). "The Blue Marlin" sits on a historic piece of land that was once used by native Caloosa people, claimed by the King of Spain, used by early coastal pioneers and fishermen at the turn of the century, and cleared by the Kinsey family for use as a sand airstrip that once ran north to south along the coast. Even though it is newly constructed, "The Blue Marlin's" Florida-style design and sea-loving spirit offer a nostalgic nod to the past. A portion of each rental is donated to local charities that work to protect wildlife and marine and coastal environments.
"The Blue Marlin" is located on North Captiva, a bridgeless subtropical barrier island with over five miles of pristine, sandy beaches. The island is traffic-free, car-free, and carefree. Electric golf carts, bicycles, and feet are the only modes of transportation and shoes are optional. The southern part of North Captiva includes over 350 acres of protected state park land. Transportation to North Captiva from the mainland is provided by Boats and Fun Water Taxi, Island Girl Charters, Just For Fun Ferry Boat, private charter, or your boat. A private beachside pool and private boat dock are included with the house rental. Guests of "The Blue Marlin" will receive a voucher which can be redeemed with Sandy Wheels Cart Rental for the use of a 4–4-person golf cart during their stay. (Please note that if you have more than 4 guests in your party, you will be required to rent a second golf cart in order to redeem the golf cart voucher. )
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Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
The Blue Marlin only rents to family groups.
Repeat renters/guests are subject to approval by host. If host has had bad experience with previous guests, reservation will be denied/cancelled.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Captiva
Located on the beach, this holiday home is in North Captiva, a neighbourhood in Captiva. The area's natural beauty can be seen at North Captiva Island Beach and Sanibel Island Southern Beach, while Barbara Sumwalt Useppa Island Historical Museum and Barbara Sumwalt Museum are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Does The Blue Marlin - Beachfront Oasis with Private Beachside Pool & Boat Dock have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool. Pool types include heated pools.
How much does it cost to stay at The Blue Marlin - Beachfront Oasis with Private Beachside Pool & Boat Dock?
As of 8 Apr, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Blue Marlin - Beachfront Oasis with Private Beachside Pool & Boat Dock on 23 May, 2026 start from S$1,493, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is The Blue Marlin - Beachfront Oasis with Private Beachside Pool & Boat Dock pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.
How much is parking at The Blue Marlin - Beachfront Oasis with Private Beachside Pool & Boat Dock?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at The Blue Marlin - Beachfront Oasis with Private Beachside Pool & Boat Dock?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The Blue Marlin - Beachfront Oasis with Private Beachside Pool & Boat Dock?
Checkout is at 9:00 AM.
Where is The Blue Marlin - Beachfront Oasis with Private Beachside Pool & Boat Dock located?
Nestled on the beach, this North Captiva holiday home is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from North Captiva Island Beach.
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Amazing location and view, house had everything we needed for our family vacation. Regularly saw dolphins, manatees, herons, chameleons, and more while on the island. So nice to be walking distance to Mainstay Barnacles too, for the NYE fireworks.
My family absolutely loved this house. It was in a great location, well-maintained and stocked with everything we needed. Kids loved the pool and the beach. We’ll definitely be back.
This was the best trip we have ever been on! The pictures do not do this house justice. The view is so beautiful and relaxing. They have everything there for you (Kayaks, paddle board, swimming pool) My kids spent most of the time outside! We did lots of fishing and got to see dolphins and manatees. We have already been talking about when we could go back!!
We were already in love with North Captiva and the Blue Marlin made us love it even more. The location was great, the housing beautiful, and we had everything we needed and more.
Overall was a wonderful experience and directly ad described. No shortage of things to do and was stocked with chairs, and amenities. The view itself is of course worth it but the Blue Marlin made you feel at home and in luxury as well with the gorgeous deck overlooking the inter coastal. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an on the water experience.
Stayed over Thanksgiving and had a wonderful stay. The island is still working on cleanup from the storms, but the house was in great shape. Owner was super responsive with a couple small issues and we can’t wait to return. Thanks
The property and the island were so relaxing and peaceful. Not overcrowded at all, really a great place to get away. The property managers were A++ helpful for coordinating coming and going for a property that requires a little more of that to get to by boat.
Thanks to Sandy and Charlie! We had an unbelievable time at Sea Urchins. We would highly recommend this house. It has everything one would need to make this a perfect vacation.
DeEtte M.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Jul, 2021
Dear DeEtte,
We are so happy you were able to visit with your granddaughters! We loved hearing about your charter fishing trip and how you were able to make a feast out of your catch. It was a pleasure having you all stay and we hope to have you back again. Thank you for taking such good care of everything and for being such nice guests!
All the best,
Sandy and Charlie
We had a great stay at The Blue Marlin! The house is so clean and equipped with everything you might want for a beach vacation. Owners were quick and responsive to all communications and house manager Billy, helped to make our stay spectacular from beginning to end! We are already planning when we can return!!
Nancy F.
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Nov, 2021
Nancy, Thank you for staying at The Blue Marlin. We are very happy to hear about your wonderful stay. We look forward to your family returning to The Blue Marlin. Sincerely, Kelly and Scott
We loved our stay at the Blue Marlin. It was so relaxing and peaceful . Thank you Kelly and Billy for your hospitality and your guidance on our maiden voyage to North Captiva. We will definitely be back !!
Nicole P.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 27 May, 2022
We are so happy that you enjoyed your stay at The Blue Marlin. We can't wait to see you and your back on Noarth Captiva.
Loved everything about this property. The location was unbeatable and the property managers did a great job with communication and making sure we had everything we needed. We’ll be back!
wonderful stay at sea urchins, location is great, saw dolphins daily, caught some fish. found sea shells, starfish, sand dollars on the gulf side. would definitely go again.
IRENE M.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar, 2020
Dear Irene,
We LOVE that you find Sea Urchins to be a slice of "Heaven on Earth". We love the location too, and we are so glad you were able to enjoy your vacation fishing, dolphin watching, shelling, beach combing with your family. Because it is a bridge less island, and has over 5 miles of pristine beaches North Captiva is the perfect place for beach-loving, sea-loving families like yours. We look to having you all back again!
Wishing you all the best!
Sandy and Charlie
Our stay at Blue Marlin was absolutely perfect. The view is spectacular and the house is comfortable and well cared for by the owners. Our only problem was that it was too difficult to leave.
Mary P.
Stayed 10 nights in Apr 2024
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Kerry G.
30 Oct, 2017
Great place for a family trip.
We loved the island of North Captiva. Sea Urchins is the perfect choice for anyone who loves beaches and the ocean. The home is very well equipped with everything you could possibly need. We will be back!
Kerry G.
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Mar, 2020
Dear Kerry,
It was great having your family stay at Sea Urchins-- 4 generations vacationing together, that is very special! We are glad you found the house equipped with everything you needed, and that you were able to take advantage of the grocery delivery service also. You are right, Sea Urchins is for sea-loving families and we are so glad yours enjoyed the house, the island and its beautiful beaches. Thank you for being such terrific guests--we certainly look forward to having you all back again!
All the best, Sandy and Charlie
This property was awesome. It was the perfect house for our family of 8 plus 2 furry friends which was a bonus that they were able to vacation with us. The pool was a perfect touch, as well as, the outdoor shower. We will definitely be back!
The Coopers were like family friends guiding us all the way, including when we were nervous about a tropical depression. The house was clean, well supplied and gorgeous. The beach was perfect and just as advertised. Everything was amazing. Best vacation ever.
WENDY Y.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Sept, 2021
Dear Wendy,
Thank you for rating your week "Best Vacation Ever"! That means so much to us and we really appreciate having you all stay. Thank you for being such wonderful guests!
Sincerely,
Sandy and Charlie
This was our 2nd time staying at Sea Urchins, it is a great property and location and I highly recommend it. The owner, Sandy, is very proactive and communicative and goes the extra mile to make sure her guests have a good experience. We hope to return again in the future!
Joseph C.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Mar, 2020
Dear Joe,
Thank you for your kind review. We were so grateful to have your family back again for the second year in a row. We consider it our highest compliment to have repeat guests and we hope to have your family back to Sea Urchins again soon! Wishing you a healthy and happy 2020!
Sincerely,
Sandy and Charlie Cooper
My family had the best week at Sea Urchins. The house was just as listed and beautiful. The combination of the private beach, private pool, and private dock made this listing 5 stars! We’d love to come back! Thanks, Sandy!
Shannon L.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Sept, 2021
Dear Shannon,
Thank you for your five star rating. We are glad the private beach, private pool and private dock were a perfect combination for your family! We would love to have you all return and we are grateful to have had you all as guests!
Sincerely, Sandy and Charlie
The house was beautiful and very comfortable. The views were amazing. We loved being able to flop into the warm, calm water at any moment.The beds were comfy and there were tons of towels. We paddleboarded every day. We saw a few dolphins right out front. And we loved watching the birds!Also, the restaurant "Over the Water" was fabulous! Definitely go. We shopped and brought all of our food over. It was a bit of a pain, but the ferry guys were great about all the bags we brought. There is almost nothing at the local store, so I definitely recommend bringing all you need.Check-in was easy, and the management company was very responsive to any little issues or questions we had. It did take us a long time to figure out how to use the stove, and it was difficult to cook with. But overall, it was a beautiful house. And I've stayed at a LOT of vacation rentals. This place was pretty top-notch.
Jill C.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Sept, 2025
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the comfort of the house, the incredible views, and all the time spent paddleboarding and spotting dolphins and birds. We’re also glad our team could make your check-in smooth and help along the way.
We appreciate your feedback on the stove and will look into making it easier for future guests. And thank you for sharing tips about shopping and the local restaurant, great advice for future visitors. We’d love to welcome you back anytime!
The Blue Marlin is an amazing property. We enjoyed the sunrise views from our deck every morning and spent a great deal of time on the deck throughout the day. We saw dolphins, manatee, a variety of birds, boats and airplanes from this vantage point daily. The home is well appointed, decorated and maintained. Walking down the steps and out to the shore is always a great feature. The online description is very accurate. The homeowners were very helpful and responsive to any inquiries we had. The property managers were helpful in assisting us with our needs during our stay. We look forward to returning.
We had another wonderful time at Blue Marlin! We have stayed here before and would not stay anywhere else on the island. The location is absolutely perfect and the house is beautiful. Thank you Kelly for making everything perfect and being so responsive. We will be back as soon as we are able.
Julie I.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Apr, 2023
We are always happy to have your family at The Blue Marlin! Thank you for the great review Julie and we can't wait to see you back on the island soon.
Beautiful Sea Urchins was our home for one week! Six adults and two children enjoyed our stay so much! First time on the island was so amazing! Biking, golf carting, swimming, beach shelling, enjoying the pool, enjoying our family!! Sandy & family were wonderful hosts and answered all our questions. Would love to come back again!! ❤️❤️
Debbie S.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar, 2020
Dear Debbie,
We are so happy you loved your first vacation on North Captiva and that you all would like to return! Because it is a bridge less island, free from cars and crowds, North Captiva is a perfect place to connect with family and make lifelong memories together. We are so glad you had an amazing week and we look forward to having you back. Thank you for being such delightful guests and for your very kind review.
Wishing you all the very best!
Sandy and Charlie
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Barbara N.
11 Sept, 2018
We thoroughly enjoyed our 2 weeks at the Sea Urchins. Everything was just lovely. Owners are super!
The house was extremely clean and had all the amenities that we needed. The pool and the commercial ice maker were a thrill to have for the 2 week period.
We would definitely like to return again next year.
Barbara and Floyd
Barbara N.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Mar, 2020
Dear Barbara and Floyd,
We would love to have you back next year! After 30 years of returning to North Captiva for your vacations, we are so happy you found Sea Urchins and we would be honored to have you return. Thank you for being such delightful guests!
All the best,
Sandy and Charlie
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Joseph C.
11 Nov, 2018
Great vacation house
This is an excellent house and location, very private but still just a short walk or golf cart ride away from the few restaurants on the island. The owner Sandy was very helpful and responsive to questions leading up to our stay. The house is practically brand new and is in immaculate condition and very nicely decorated. Kids enjoyed the pool and the water was perfect for kayaking. We utilized the dock and rented a boat for the week and explored Cayo Costa state park, Cabbage Key, Boca Grande, and Captiva all of which are easily accessible if you have basic boating skills. We definitely hope to visit again!
Joseph C.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Mar, 2020
Dear Joe,
Thank you for your very nice review. We love that you and your family were able to explore the nearby islands by boat. (We were out to Cayo Costa today and it was absolutely perfect. We found so many shells and the water was beautiful!) So glad you got to use the dock for your rental boat and that you got to see so many of the amazing coastal areas. (Charlie said you all saw a group of manatees the day before he got there too!) Happy the kids enjoyed the pool and you all were able to kayak right off the beach by the house. We would love to have you all back again soon! Thank you for being wonderful guests!
All the best,
Sandy and Charlie
About the host
Hosted by Kelly Bares
Why they chose this property
"The Blue Marlin" is located on over an acre of land. More than half of the property is set aside as preserve area, that was restored to native vegetation when the homesite was prepared. A boat dock was carefully constructed along the Safety Harbor, and guests of "The Blue Marlin" can use the protected dock space for their boats, rental craft, or private charter. It is also a good place to fish, sunbath and watch for friendly dolphins. As part of of State permitting requirements, the home was built on pilings at elevations more than 17 feet above sea level. The result is a breathtaking views of Pine Island Sound and the surrounding Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve. Safety Harbor, the Gulf of Mexico, Captiva Pass, Cayo Costa Island, Cabbage Key, Use, and the historic fishing shacks of Pine Island Sound can all be viewed from the house. "The Blue Marlin" is located adjacent to Salty Approach, the grass airstrip, and typically, once or twice a day small airplanes land or takeoff. Because of the house orientation, landing aircraft pass right by the porches--it is thrill to watch! The waters right in front of the runway are a favorite hangout for dolphin families and they are sighted daily playing and fishing along the beach. Occasional pods of manatees are also sighted along the shore and off the dock in Safety Harbor. Shorebirds abound and ospreys and pelicans drift past the house porches on the sea breezes. "The Blue Marlin" is like no other property on the North Captiva or anywhere else--we look forward to sharing it with you!
What makes this property unique
Here are some quotes from our reviews on this site (each from a different review). We think these sum it up nicely!
"heaven on earth" "we would love to come back" "even more gorgeous than what the pictures show" "unbelievable vacation and nothing short of perfection" "all you need to bring is food, clothing, and sunglasses" "my family has been visiting North Captiva for 30 years and this may have been out best trip yet" "this was our 6th visit to the island and our best vacation stay" "this has been our favorite family vacation by far" "it was absolute paradise" "we didn't want to leave" "making it a yearly tradition" "the location is just unmatched" "most relaxing family vacation ever" "outstanding property with all the amenities" "location on the island couldn't be better" "definitely will return"
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests