We're at the New York Times Travel Show!

We just got to New York City for the New York Times Travel Show and it's snowing like mad! Now this is something us Sanibel Islanders are NOT used to! We're staying bundled up and gearing up for the start of the biggest and best travel show in New York! Come to the show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center on West 34th Street and explore over 500 destinations from around the world, enjoy live performances, tastings, travel seminars and more. There are exclusive deals and getaways just for convention-goers!


For the best deals come to Booth #954 to see us and learn about 'Tween Waters Inn, The Castaways and Beachview Cottages. You can even register for a free stay at one of our properties! We'll be there from February 26th to 28th and we're looking forward to meeting you at the show where we'll be bringing a little bit of the tropics into the snow!

Visit us at the Boston Globe Travel Show right now!

Anyone in the Boston area? Come on down and see us at the 2010 Boston Globe Travel Show at the SeaPort World Trade Center. We're there from February 19th to 21st in Booth 334 under the Visit Florida banner. We are visiting with our sister property, 'Tween Waters Inn, from Captiva Island, FL. Stop by our booth and register to win a FREE 4-day, 3-night stay at 'Tween Waters Inn - or winners can choose to take their stay at The Castaways, of course!


With over 200 exhibitors, show-only travel deals and giveaways, and all kinds of fun activities, the 2010 Boston Globe Travel Show will have something fun for everyone. Some of the fun includes cultural performances, exhibits from SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, celebrity chefs, exotic foods from all over the world, US Passport services and more!

We're looking forward to meeting you so stop by and say hi! It's New England's biggest and most comprehensive travel expo so how can you stay away? It's the perfect time to explore your travel options and learn about the gorgeous island that we call home!

It's a beautiful Castaways wedding!

We had another gorgeous wedding in paradise today! Stefan & Edina Scheichl from Ontario, Canada, tied the knot on The Castaways beach as the sun set over the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. The happy couple traveled a long way to begin their life together and we're honored they chose The Castaways as their wedding destination.







Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Scheichl! Wishing you a wonderful journey as you build your new life together!

Have you booked your sunset-dolphin cruise yet?

When you think of a Florida island beach vacation, do visions of sunsets and dolphins jumping in the waves come to mind? You can make this scene a reality on your next trip to Sanibel Island when you stay with us! Captiva Cruises offers exclusive sunset/dolphin cruises for guests of The Castaways, Beachview Cottages and 'Tween Waters Inn. These cruises run every other Wednesday up until Easter and leave from the 'Tween Waters Inn marina, which is about 2 miles from The Castaways.


The cruises depart at 5 pm and return about two hours later. Guests will watch for dolphins that swim alongside the Lady Chadwick as the boat cruises toward beautiful Redfish pass to enjoy a spectacular view of the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. Cheese, crackers, fruit nibbles and a cash bar are available on board. Inside and outside seating make this the perfect way to end a day of fun in the Florida sun.



The bottlenose dolphins that live in the waters around Sanibel Island love to play in the wake of the boat giving guests some amazing photo opportunities. We've even seen mother dolphins swimming with their young calves and teaching them how to jump in the wake of the boat.



Tickets are available for purchase by Castaways guests in the front office upon your arrival. Please call The Castaways at 1-800-375-0152 for details and pricing.

The Grand Re-Opening of Blind Pass

The Castaways is happy to announce that Blind Pass is now open for boaters! The dredging to re-open the pass began in December 2008 and it's finally complete!


The Lee County Commissioners and the Tourist Development Council, the Captiva Erosion Prevention District and the Department of Environmental Protection joined efforts to complete this important project. The ribbon cutting for the Pass was held on January 15, 2010, and was attended by representatives from all involved agencies as well as Castaways staff and management.


The restoration consisted of maintenance dredging of Blind Pass, Wulfert Channel and portions of Roosevelt Channel. Approximately 150,000 cubic yards of material from Blind Pass and interior waters were removed to restore a flushing connection to the Gulf of Mexico; 11,000 cubic yards were disposed of upland; 32,000 cubic yards were placed in the near shore zone and 105,000 cubic yards were placed directly on the beach.

Tony Lapi, President and CEO of Rochester Resorts and Chairman-Elect of Visit Florida
In the beach fill area, the shoreline was extended 100 feet. The Channel is 10 feet deep and 330 feet wide in the Gulf of Mexico and narrows to 160 feet wide under the bridge - just perfect for guests who bring their boat to The Castaways or even guests who rent a sea kayak from our marina.

Grand Opening Certificate
Because of the impact to mangroves in one area, mangroves were planted in Clam Bayou. Because of the impact to the Sea Turtle nesting area, mitigation efforts involved removing exotic vegetation from another area on Captiva Island so as to enhance the opportunity for nesting.


The re-opening of Blind pass is vital to maintaining the wonderful water system and environment in our community. Habitat for birds and Marine life are restored to allow nature to grow and thrive. The experience for our citizens and visitors is enhanced with more gateways to nature through kayaking, canoeing and other boating opportunities. The beaches are made stronger by placing sand along the shoreline that otherwise would be lost in the channel of Blind Pass.

Castaways guests are already taking advantage of the great fishing, kayaking and boating passageway into the Gulf! Come on down and see it for yourself.

Welcome to The Castaways New Blog!

The management and staff of The Castaways are excited to debut our brand new blog! This will be a fun way for us to pass on timely information about our resort and share news about beautiful Sanibel Island, Florida.


Special thanks to David Waggstaff, a return guest and amateur photographer from Westgate, England, who took this photo earlier this month of The Castaways office.

Isn't it time for you to visit and take your own pictures in paradise? Hope to see you soon.