Airport, Fort Myers, FL (RSW-Southwest Florida Intl.)
Rooms & beds
4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)
Bedroom 1
1 King Bed
Bedroom 2
1 King Bed
Bedroom 3
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 4
1 Single Bed
3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom
Bathroom 1
Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 2
Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 3
Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 4
Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Garden
About this property
Manatee Haven: Screened-in Pool, Spa and Elevator! 2 Golf Carts
Summary: Manatee Haven has been fully rebuilt and renovated post Hurricane Ian. The house is spectacular. Manatee Haven Beach House is located on the exclusive barrier island of North Captiva Island, Manatee Haven is an upscale, non-smoking, beach-view home that offers four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms with an elevator to all three levels. It is professionally decorated, has a swimming pool and hot tub located under a 3,200 sq. foot private screened-in pool deck that includes a full outdoor kitchen.
The Space: Our home offers every amenity for our guests, including paid access to the private North Captiva Island Club facilities and a private beach access just 500 feet away. Your rental includes two golf carts. We do not allow pets in our home.
GROUND LEVEL You'll think you walked into heaven as you enter Manatee Haven. The lower level pool deck is where most spend their time when not out at the beach or hiking the island. This level is fully screened in and features a 15' x 33' heated pool that is one of the largest on the island, a large hot tub, a full outdoor kitchen (includes 36" gas grill, sink, refrigerated drawers and ice machine), two dining areas, a 52" television, a Sonos speaker, a large outdoor shower, and a shell cleaning sink. There is a half bath inside the garage. Swim laps, play pool games of basketball, volleyball, or just sit and relax in the spa.
BEDROOM LEVEL The first level of Manatee Haven has four bedrooms with 4 beds (two kings, one queen and a queen/twin bunk bed). Each of the bedrooms is fully tiled and beautifully appointed with island themes. The bedroom level includes a full ensuite master bath, and a shared full bathroom in the hallway. There is also a private screened lanai connected to the master bedroom that overlooks the pool area. A laundry closet with large washer and dryer is also located on this level.
LIVING LEVEL The second floor has a fully-equipped kitchen with granite countertops and a bar for an enjoyable breakfast or light lunch. Appliances are refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, range and trash compactor. We have all small-wares you'll need from coffee maker and blender to waffle and ice cream makers. You'll have plenty of room to relax and great conversation or watch television from our Natuzzi leather sectional. The dining area is off the kitchen and has large farmhouse table with seating for 8. There is also full bath with shower on this level. A 275 square foot lanai is just off the great room through the stunning glass sliders and faces the Gulf where you can take pleasure in the view and relax with the Gulf breezes. The lanai features a dining table for 6 along with a small sofa and chairs for enjoying the ocean breeze.
OBSERVATION DECK From the screened lanai there is a spiral staircase that leads to an observation deck, 49 feet above ground, with a grand 360-degree view of North Captiva Island, the Gulf, bay and surrounding islands. A telescope is available to view the night sky. The views are breathtaking. Our observation deck may be the highest on the island.
ENTERTAINMENT We offer a full game closet with a multitude of board and card games. We keep many books. We have a DVD collection with over 700+ DVD's, stored in eleven 3-ring binders in the living room. The living room has a 55" SmartTV with Soundbar. The pool deck also has a television. We have Sonos speakers throughout the house so you can easily stream your favorite music. Streaming services are available on all televisions in the house and include Hulu Live, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime. Additionally there is access to our iTunes Movie collection with another 600+ movies.
The Neighborhood: North Captiva Island remains one of the few places left where man and nature coexist in complete harmony. North Captiva was separated from Captiva October 25, 1921 when a hurricane carved out Redfish Pass. Hurricane Charlie separated North Captiva temporarily August 13, 2004 but has since been filled back in with sand and new vegetation.
North Captiva Island is located North of Captiva Island and South of Cayo Costa. Part of the Charlotte Harbor barrier island chain, North Captiva is approximately four miles long and one-half mile wide at the widest extent.
Accessibility to this tropical retreat is just 15 minutes by boat from Captiva or Pine Island. In addition, a 2000-foot, privately owned grass airstrip provides landing space for pilots of light aircraft. Known for its pristine white sand beaches, lush tropical vegetation, extraordinary bird watching and shelling, and unbeatable salt-water fishing.
North Captiva is one of Florida’s few places left which survived unscarred the early days of land grabs and bulldozers. In fact, it is one of the few places where the delicate balance between man and nature has gracefully withstood the passage of time.
Today the osprey still wheel overhead, fish teem just offshore in the Sound, gopher tortoises plod across the savannah, and otter sport in the harbor. These days, North Captiva is home to a growing number of residents and visitors, drawn by the vibrancies of her beauty and unspoiled island atmosphere.
Getting Around: North Captiva Island is only accessible by private plane (for homes that have use of the runway - ours does not) and boat/water taxi. There are two scheduled water taxi services that serve the island. We recommend you use Island Girl Charters to avoid the masses at North Captiva Island Club (NCIC).
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air conditioning
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We generally rent full weeks only. If you need a stay shorter than one week, please reach out to us. Check in is after 3pm. Checkout is at 9:30am. ...
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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 and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
About the area
Captiva
Located in North Captiva, a neighbourhood in Captiva, this holiday home is in a rural area and near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at North Captiva Island Beach and Sanibel Island Southern Beach.
Mainstay North Captiva & Barnacles Bar - 1 min walk
The Bubble Room
Tarpon Lodge Restaurant
Mangos - 5 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Does Manatee Haven: Screened-in Pool, Spa and Elevator! 2 Golf Carts have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool. Pool types include heated pools.
How much does it cost to stay at Manatee Haven: Screened-in Pool, Spa and Elevator! 2 Golf Carts?
As of 15 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Manatee Haven: Screened-in Pool, Spa and Elevator! 2 Golf Carts on 1 May 2026 start from £685, 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 Manatee Haven: Screened-in Pool, Spa and Elevator! 2 Golf Carts pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Manatee Haven: Screened-in Pool, Spa and Elevator! 2 Golf Carts?
Check-in begins at 3:30 PM.
What time is check-out at Manatee Haven: Screened-in Pool, Spa and Elevator! 2 Golf Carts?
Checkout is at 9:00 AM.
Where is Manatee Haven: Screened-in Pool, Spa and Elevator! 2 Golf Carts located?
This family-friendly Captiva holiday home is located by the sea, steps from North Captiva Island Beach and within 6 mi (10 km) of Alison Hagerup Beach Park and Captiva Beach. Turner Beach and Blind Pass Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Highly recommended! Two families split this house and had an incredible week on the island! Can’t wait to come back!
scott s.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Mar 2020
Hi Scott, we are so happy you all had a great time at Manatee Haven. We really do believe we have the best amenities of any house on North Captiva Island. The new full outdoor kitchen on the pool deck really puts the cherry on top for us. We’d love to have you all back.
The Swinfords
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Lisa M.
16 Jan 2017
Awesome vacation!
This was the perfect place for our vacation. It was relaxing, private and amazing. Our caretakers were the best, they went above and beyond for our needs, as this was our first trip to an island without a grocery around the corner. We had one of the best vacations! We usually travel outside of the United States, but this was so much better! We loved this house and this island!
Lisa M.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Mar 2020
We are so happy you all enjoyed your stay at Manatee Haven. North Captiva Island is such a treasure and it always warms our heart when we can help make our guest's vacations memorable for all the right reasons.
We hope to see you all on the island again in the future.
Mike & Piper
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Melissa N.
2 Mar 2019
Wonderful home with tons of amenities! Beautiful island experience!
Manatee Haven is well equipped with everything you need. Loved the beach towels, laundry detergent, and quality bathroom necessities. Beds were comfortable. We were able to play games while we waited for the rain to pass.
Melissa N.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Mar 2020
Hi Melissa,
We are so happy you enjoyed your stay at Manatee Haven. We always wonder what guests think of all the amenities. Between the games, DVDs, books etc - even a rainy day is a great day at Manatee Haven. Let us know when you'd like to come back.
Manatee Haven is the best of the best. The house is perfectly situated on the island and has everything you could possibly need for a wonderful vacation. The communication leading up to our stay was above and beyond, and the North Cap Crew was wonderful. This being my 3rd visit to the island, I knew how important a reliable golf cart was, and ours was quite enviable among other guests.
We would definitely stay here again (and probably will).
Kim S.
Stayed 10 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 31 May 2022
Kim, thank you for the wonderful review. We hope your honeymoon was everything you wanted it to be on North Captiva Island and at Manatee Haven. Congratulations again. We hope to see you back in the future.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
William K.
2 Mar 2019
Excellent for family!
Our family of 7 stayed at Manatee Haven and had the time of our lives. The house is perfect for families and the amenities made the stay so easy. The owner has thought of everything. We had 2+ days of torrential rain and were not bored for a minute. There are so many movies and board games to keep everyone entertained. We definitely plan to go back and highly recommend it!
William K.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Mar 2020
We are so happy you all had a wonderful time at Manatee Haven. We truly do strive to make our guests feel at home and have all the amenities needed to be comfortable. We'd love to have you all back, just let us know when you'd like to come.
First visit to North Captiva in almost 20 years and even better than I remembered it! The house was a fantastic home base from which to enjoy the island. AND the house itself is wonderful! The enclosed pool deck, pool, hot tub and outside kitchen area were great places to hang out when we'd had enough time at the beach or community pool. Looking forward to coming back in the future! The upstairs decks, especially the one off the main living area got lots of use daily. It was truly a great place to relax and unwind.
Hope S.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Joel E.
26 Apr 2017
Great house for families
We had a great week at Manatee Haven. The house was clean and well maintained. We've stayed in North Captiva Island Club houses previously and they are run more like a business. Manatee Haven is more personal and accommodating. We also like the customer service at Island Girl Charters better than NCIC. We had great communication with the house owners and Jeff and Jane were very responsive and helpful on the island. You really can't go wrong with this rental, but book early because it's tough to get the peak weeks.
Joel E.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Mar 2020
We are so happy you had a wonderful time at Manatee Haven. We always strive to make our home as comfortable for our guests as we expect for ourselves. We'd love to have you back next year.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Julie P.
4 May 2011
Perfect Get-Away!
We stayed at this beautiful home in April and it was just what we needed. The owner, Kay made sure we did not want for anything. The home has EVERYTHING from up to date DVDs, CDs, and internet access. The managers meet you at the pier, escort you to this home and unload your luggage/groceries. We had never rented on the island, however Kay's detailed info made it easy. If you want peace & quiet with one of the most beautiful beaches close by do not hesitate to rent this home.
Thanks so much for sharing your island home with us - Julie & Brian
Julie P.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Mar 2020
We very much appreciate the kind words. We strive to provide the necessary amenities so that the client can relax and enjoy their stay.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Stephen H.
21 Mar 2014
GREAT VACATION PLACE
WHAT A GREAT VACATION PLACE ! THE HOUSE WAS AWESOME-IT HAD EVERYTHING IN IT...THE BEACH SUPPLIES WORKED OUT PERFECT,WE SPENT ALOT OF TIME THERE (30 SECONDS AWAY). WE USED THE HEATED POOL/HOT TUB ALMOST EVERY DAY...WE RENTED A BOAT FOR A FEW DAYS AND ZIPPED AROUND TO THE OTHER ISLANDS (GETTING LUNCH) AND FISHING. THE VIEWS FROM THE CROWS NEST WERE BREATH TAKING IN THE EVENING . WE WERE ABLE TO SPOT LOTS OF DOLPHINS AND A PAIR OF MANATEE IN SAFETY HARBOR ...JANE AND JEFF MADE GETTING TO THE HOUSE FROM THE DOCK AND LEAVING A BREEZE . OVER ALL A GREAT RELAXING TRIP-WITH LOTS OF ADVENTURES AND A SUPER HOUSE TO STAY AT !! THANKS
Stephen H.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Mar 2020
We are pleased that our guest confirmed what we strive for, by stating "the house was awesome - it had everything in it", in the first sentence.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
sheila d.
23 Mar 2017
Best family vacation spot with the kids!
House has everything you need, very clean, great location on the island, close to beach. Make sure to order enough groceries, plan your meals, snacks , etc....then maybe order a little extra. I went into the Publix website to see what brands they offer when placing my order. The restaurants on the island were nice, but we really enjoyed eating at the house. And the kids ate all day---so again, order enough food. The house was beautiful, the pool was great. We enjoyed sunrises on the roof top deck with coffee and sunsets on the roof top deck with drinks. We played games with the kids at night, went to the beach during the day, swam in the pool too. We got kayaks from the club and kayaked out to a sand bar in the gulf and found so many shells and sand dollars. We drove the golf cart around the island and explored. We bought icecream for lunch one day from the ice cream shop. This really was the best vacation. Very laid back, the best family time, I would recommend this house and vacation to anyone.
sheila d.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Mar 2020
We are so happy you all had a wonderful time on North Captiva Island at Manatee Haven. Isn't that sand bar the best? So many great shells and always plentiful with sand dollars.
We hope to have you back in the future.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lesa O.
2 Mar 2019
A weeks stay at Manatee Haven
This is our 4th trip to North Captiva. We have stayed at a different house each time.
The house is nicely maintained. It has everything you need to enjoy the island. I love to cook and try to remember what spices to bring as we plan meals. There is a cupboard full of spices. More than I have at home. Love the screen enclosed pool. We were able to enjoy the pool and hot tub well into the evening. There are beach toys, chairs, floatys and anything you need to enjoy the beach. Love the upper deck for when we didn't go to the beach to watch the sunset. Actually saw "the green flash". There is an excellent selection of movies ( 600 or so) and games. This is not a huge house, compared to others we rented. but is a great value. We were trying to save a few bucks because our kids are heading to college. So we ran into each other in the kitchen a bit. We have 3 adult kids. There was a recommendation for a charter boat that we used and we caught enough snapper for 3 meals. Beach is close. It was a great stay. Thank you .
Lesa O.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Mar 2020
Hi Lesa,
We are so happy you all had a great time at Manatee Haven. We hope you'll come back to our little sliver of paradise sometime in the future. We are currently installing a new outdoor kitchen on our pool deck area that will include state of the art gas grill, a sink, a wonderful drawer refrigerator and an ice maker. We think it will be the cherry on top of our pool deck. Sounds like you all had a great time with Captain Tedd - you can't beat fresh snapper.
Mike & Piper
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Penny L.
3 Apr 2013
Paradise
We spent a week at Manatee Haven and did not want to return to the reality of the real world. On North Captiva we felt like we were away from all the troubles of the world. There is nothing Manatee Haven does not have. The house is better stocked than our home. The kitchen has every appliance you could need. Movies oh my, amazing. We played many games by the pool many we had not played before. We worked puzzles by the pool also. Ate almost every meal on the screened in porch off the family room. What a view to have while enjoying a meal. My son loved the telescopes and looking at the moon and starts at night. The beach was peaceful and beautiful. My son loved riding around the island with Grandpa on the golf cart. No traffic no smog no honking horns no sirens. As I said Paradise. Kay is a wonderful host and answered all my questions quickly. It was a last minute vacation for us and she was great at putting me at ease about the house and island. If you are looking for a relaxing peaceful laid back vacation Manatee Haven is for you. Our Miniature Australian Shepherd also loved Manatee Haven. He loved the screened in porches as did we.
On the ferry ride back my 7 year old was asking when we could go back. That is enough for me.
Penny L.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Mar 2020
The review gives us great pleasure and boosts our confidence knowing that our goal has been met. Our basic goal is to provide a clean and well-furnished home so our guests have a memorable experience.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Lindsey M.
29 Nov 2016
Wonderful
Our extended family of 5 adults and 1 child recently stayed at Manatee Haven. The owners and local property managers were all easy to work with, and the house exceeded our expectations. The house is well-equipped throughout (beach chairs, towels, toys for kids, pool toys), we were supplied with ample basics (e.g., paper towels), and the kitchen was better equipped than any I've stayed in such that we were able to cook a significant number of meals without a problem. The house is also well stocked with basics such as spices, ketchup. The island was relaxing - nice beach walking opportunities, fun boat trip excurions (we did one to Cabbage Key and surrounding areas), and the house had plenty of fun activities for all family members. The only thing I'll note is that for those not as comfortable with stairs (elderly, young), the kitchen, dining, and family room are on the top floor, where the bedrooms are on the floor below. We were fine since there was an elevator to be used, though it did make things less convenient for those needing to take the elevator. Not a big deal at all, just important for those who may have limited mobility to know.
Of all the rental houses I've stayed in, the owners of this provided far more advance information with details on how to get groceries to the island, what to expect on the island in terms of restaurants, etc. plus tons of details. There was nothing I didn't know in advance that I needed to know.
The owners were very responsive and the house had everything promised in the listing. Golf carts and pool were great. The only thing I would recommend is if you can pick up your own groceries prior to getting in the water taxi I would do so as opposed to the delivery service.
This was as described in the listing and the area was a special "old Florida" coastal environment. This is a must go to property that will enhance any vacation of get away. A walk on the beach, a sunset at the beach, a sunrise or a sunset in the Crows nest, and more. An excellent outdoor kitchen by the pool was a definate bonus. We wil come again to this place.
Stayed here for 2 weeks with my dad, sister, brother-in-law, 2 year old nephew and dog at the end of August. It is a great house, very comfortable and well-equipped. We didn't ever really want for anything. The pool is awesome & huge and has so many pool toys. The outdoor kitchen looks brand new. The bedrooms are large and comfortable. A minor issue is that the washing machine leaked a little and the fridge was missing a shelf but it wasn't a big deal at all. Overall for an island property it is maintained well and we were very happy with it.
The location is amazing, just 5 mins walk from a beautiful and secluded beach where I was often the only person in sight. Overall the whole island is just lovely and so relaxing if you want a low key vacation. There are only like 3 restaurants and no groceries on the island so it takes some advance planning.
We were there in August so it was very humid and hot outside and we had a few storms in the afternoons; we were fine with it but we have a pretty high tolerance for hot weather. Also SO MANY MOSQUITOES - TAKE ALL THE BUG SPRAY YOU CAN CARRY. The house is all screened in but they still get in. But overall we had an amazing time notwithstanding!
Our experience with the property managers was fine - 3/5 stars. We ran out of detergent and they brought it right away, and they were on time for pick up and drop off. We noticed that mosquitoes were hatching in the collected rainwater of some plants kept on the pool deck and when we informed them they came to dump them out right away (you may want to check this when you arrive because unless they were swapped out for draining pots after we left, it can happen again after any time it rains).
On the other hand, in the time leading up to the vacation, I didn't find them particularly responsive and had to chase them quite a few times to get certain info e.g. grocery logistics etc. They also said they weren't able to call internationally so I had to delegate all of that to my sister who has a local number (so I am not sure what you would do if everyone in your party was coming from abroad). Lastly, we had requested a crib 1 month in advance and on the day of arrival they said they couldn't find it. We escalated to the property owner and they brought it the next day so it was resolved quickly. We didn't have much other interaction with them besides above so I would say it was a bit mixed on this specific front but still overall a 5/5 experience.
Our first time at NCI and will not be out last. Manatee Haven met all our expectations and so much more. The home is situated on a quiet street with a very short walk to the beach. The screened in pool was a perfect respite from the beach with toys galore. The kitchen was fully equipped with any and every appliance we desired. Property managers and home owners were very responsive and accommodating . We would look forward to future visits at Manatee Haven and would strongly recommend to friends and family.
Iara M.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified
4/10 Poor
sara B.
31 Mar 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location
Disliked: Check-in
Would not go again
The check-in process to load the ferry was a bit confusing because no person is on the dock giving directions (I guess this has more to do with the ferry charter than the home).
Once we were introduced to our property manager on the island we were taken on a tour. Our guide, Mike, did a fantastic job showing us around but I think a map of the island would have made it easier to note the places of interest that were shown to us. One place that probably should have been added to the tour would be the private beach that the home owners pay to have access to.
The home is currently for sale (March 2021) and the home is in desperate need of major maintenance. The deck around the pool has rotten boards and the railing going up to the bedroom level (outside) has rotten spots on the handrail.
The bathroom shower on the kitchen level is out of order and appears as though it will be indefinitely (there were a stack of 15+ printed "this shower out of order" signs in a drawer beside the dining room table.)
One member of our family recently had knee surgery so taking a shower in a tub would not work. She had to take showers all week on the pool level with only moderate privacy available.
On Friday we received a text message letting us know that we would need to have all of our items out of the house and on the ground level deck by 9AM. We then would need to do a walk through with property manager and then we would be driven to the dock to get the ferry back to the main land. Management decided to give us a "late checkout" without notifying us. We ended up waiting for almost 2 hours to get picked up to go to the ferry. Letting us know we were getting a special checkout time would have been appreciated.
Because we were picked up so late, we were not able to get onto the main ferry that does not require passengers to navigate steps (our family member that recently had knee surgery is not able to navigate steps) so our family was split into two separate ferries. If we would have been brought to the dock on time, that would not have been an issue.
Overall the house was nice and we had a great time together as a family. I believe the issues with the home are common for a home so close to the water, it is just too bad that the repairs are not completed in a timely manor. The excuse "things move slower on the island" and "island time" were often used.
Home repairs should still be completed in a timely manor regardless of where the home is located.
sara B.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Apr 2021
Wow, we are shocked by this review. We always maintain Manatee Haven to the highest standards and constantly make improvements from new furniture, outdoor kitchen and more. The interior of the entire house was freshly painted in late 2020. All living room furniture was replaced in late 2020. We’re one of the only homes that boasts a full-sized outdoor kitchen that was just built 3 years ago. We’d like to speak to the comments made in this review:
- The check in process with the water taxi is the same for everyone coming across to our beautiful bridgeless barrier island. Guests of hundreds of rental properties, including ours, navigate this weekly with no issues. First complaint we’ve heard about this process ever. Is it primitive compared to a resort on the mainland? Yes, but that is what you are coming to.
- Information on our Private Beach access is contained in our very detailed Upcoming Visit document sent to every guest prior to arrival. Reading that document clearly answers that question.
- We’re not sure what the home being for sale has to do with anything. No showings nor any inspections occurred during these guests stay. Half the homes on the island are for sale at any given time. However, we have pulled the house off the market because we love it and have decided not to sell.
- This review makes it sound like the entire pool deck and stairs are in disrepair. They absolutely are not. All homes in coastal regions and most especially barrier islands constantly fight wood rot due to the combined conditions of water, sun, and the salt air. Are there some boards that need replacing? Yes. Are they scheduled to be replaced? Yes. Is there an egregious amount of rot? No. To stop and do this type of maintenance during the busiest season of the year is not feasible – it would require disturbing guests with construction workers being on site during their vacation, or canceling vacations that have been booked a year or more in advance. We have multiple designated maintenance windows each year that we dedicate to working on all maintenance projects. Major issues like power, water etc are addressed immediately to not interfere with a guest’s vacation.
- The upstairs shower is indeed out of order. Its drainpipe disconnected from the shower at the beginning of February 2021. The repair of this shower will take several days. There were two options. Place the shower as “out of order” or cancel someone’s vacation. Since there are 3 other showers in the house and the upstairs shower is the least used, we chose to place it out of order and have it repaired in mid-May 2021 during our next scheduled maintenance window. Do we have multiple backup “out of order” signs? Yes. Since our cleaning crews do not carry computers and have no way to make and print out signage, we made extra signs for each week the shower could be out of order so the cleaning team could replace in case the sign was removed. Without a sign, use of that shower risks damaging the house.
- In hindsight when the guest asked if we would install an ADA toilet prior to their arrival, that should have been a warning sign to us. Vacationing on a bridgeless barrier island with someone recovering from any surgery, or limited mobility is not a great decision. The outdoor shower that is located on our enclosed pool deck that was used is fully enclosed and private.
Check in at our home is at 3:30pm day of arrival and check out is 9:30am day of departure. This information is clearly spelled out on Page 1 of our rental agreement that all guests, including this guest, sign when booking their stay. It should not have been any shock to receive a text letting them know to have their luggage ready for the caretakers to pick up and take to the water taxi by 9am the morning of departure. Again, reading everything we send to our guests would have prevented this issue.
We have noted the communication issues regarding departure and have conveyed to our property caretakers. Not having good communication on a late departure is unacceptable to us. For any guest staying with us – we publish our phone numbers and are available any time for any issue – and we convey that in our communications. Not once during the stay, nor during their checkout issues did the guest reach out to us. One phone call and they would have had someone immediately working on a resolution for them.
As to the “excuses” about “island time” and “things move slower” on North Captiva Island. Those are not excuses. Those are a reality. If you choose to vacation at any home on North Captiva Island you are changing your geography from the “mainland” to a bridgeless barrier island. There are no plumbers, electricians, HVAC companies with offices on the island. Every contractor must get to the island via boat. It’s the way things are.
To recap. Our home is fantastic, and we put 110% into making sure Manatee Haven is in great shape and has any amenities most guests will appreciate, as our other 70+ 5-Star reviews will attest. Was this the best destination or home for this guest? Obviously not. When you vacation on North Captiva Island, you are choosing a wonderful “off the beaten path” destination with pristine beaches, no automobiles, loads of wildlife and a much slower pace.
We had a great week at Manatee Haven! The house was excellent/as advertised, and very well stocked! We opted to use the grocery service option to order and stock all our food & beverage's prior to our arrival, which was seamless & wonderful! The heated pool was a fantastic feature in January, which we enjoyed time in every day (along with a dip in the hot tub to warm up further if needed!). We will look at returning next year!
Property was great for getting away during Covid Pandemic. Kitchen & whole house was very well stocked with everything you need! The pool & hot tub were wonderful. Lots of fun family games. Lots of towels & beach chairs & toys. We rented an extra golf cart from home owner which was very nice. We hiked the state park & took the golf carts to the beach every day. The beaches were quiet & not crowded. We rented a boat from Boats and Fun for a day, went to Cabbage Key For lunch, then on to Cato Costa, saw manatees & fished. Great day trip. North Captiva Island Club was very close & had a lot of fun to offer. We played tennis , took out Kayaks & ordered food for carry out at Mangos. The property managers, Laurie & Duncan were great help & we ordered fresh seafood through them. Highly recommend for a getaway And it was very safe during Covid.
Our stay was a unforgettable one at Manatee haven.
Every process is conducted so efficiently just like Mike said.
I was nervous in the beginning with the steps but,once everything is complete it really does go smoothly.
The grocery pickup is easy to use but we had a 24 hr delay due to the covid and the system was over loaded with shoppers in the area.
But our worries were taken care of by the management at publix and a wonderful shopping team delivered our groceries for us .
I will set up a grocery delivery service next timeand pay a extra fee and have no worries about picking it up at the store.
Our house was perfect for us. The pictures are very accurate.
The kids loved the pool and our golf cart rides around the island made it the best vacation.
Mike and Piper have everything you need...from soaps and shampoo to laundry detergent and spices at your fingertips. We had a great stock in toilet paper and paper towels also.
We did bring oil with us and parchment paper and HEAVEY DUTY aluminum foil to make our trip easy cleanup. We cooked our fish on the aluminum foil on the grill...was absolutely perfect. And no mess.
We ate in every night and I had each meal planned out. And we ate like kings.
All of our entrees came from the fish market..outstanding.
Alcohol was all purchased prior also.
We had a short 30 sec walk or 10 sec golf cart ride to our private beach.
Gorgeous...
Or we ventured up the beach path with our cart and enjoyed the next beach and sandbar.
Just get ready cause you will find beautiful shells and sand dollars..pack them well) for the plane home.
We also enjoyed our kayaking and the boys enjoyed the biking.
Saw Manatee, dolphins, tons of geckos and tons of adorable turtles. Also, saw black snakes crabs and tons of fish..including sand sharks.
We had a unexpected ear infection happen but, it was smoothly taken care of after we had a script called in.
Laurie and Duncan our property managers completed every task within minutes. It really impressed us.
Even our transportation was awesome and precise from the airport to the ferry.
And the boat ride with island girl charters was excellent also. The captain and crew mate was on top of everything.
Enjoyed our talks with them.
Thank you Manatee haven for the wonderful trip. We will definitely return to north captiva island.
I visited with my brothers family (8 people in total) and had an amazing time. Responsive managers, great location, house has everything needed for an amazing trip to North Captiva. Will definitely return!