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The Blue Marlin - Beachfront Oasis with Private Beachside Pool & Boat Dock

Photo gallery for The Blue Marlin - Beachfront Oasis with Private Beachside Pool & Boat Dock

The Blue Marlin's living room offers panoramic views and two comfy couches.
The Blue Marlin is located on a sugar sand beach with gently sloping shoreline.
Beautiful views from very angle when you first walk in.
The reading alcove (left corner) is tucked into the corner of the living room.
The reading alcove is a favorite place to enjoy a book, a nap or movie night.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 102300 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

Map
Captiva, FL
  • North Captiva Island Beach
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Cayo Costa Beaches
    ‪325 min walk‬
  • Useppa Island
    ‪243 min walk‬
  • Fort Myers, FL (FMY-Page Field)
    ‪206 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Abacos

1 Queen Bed

Bunk Room

4 Single Beds

Captiva

1 King Bed

Rookery

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Dining area

About this property

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. )

Property manager

Kelly Bares
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 9:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

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.

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.
Map
Captiva, FL

What's nearby

  • North Captiva Island Beach - 7 min walk - 0.6 km

Restaurants

  • The Mucky Duck
  • Tarpon Lodge
  • Green Flash
  • Starbucks
  • RC Otter's Island Eats

Frequently asked questions

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.

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.

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.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 81 out of 81 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 81 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 81 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 81 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 81 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

David D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation getaway

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 7 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jill M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise

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.
Stayed 11 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely amazing

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.
Stayed 13 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kris M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing House

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
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katie G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful, peaceful natural sanctuary

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.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous!

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!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely Perfect

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.
Stayed 10 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy F., Addison Illinois

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay!!

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!!
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

DeEtte M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing stay

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.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nicole P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property

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 !!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tammy T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Time

We had an amazing time ! Sandy and Charlie were wonderful hosts. Definitely will return.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

IRENE M., BRANTWOOD, WI.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

heaven on earth

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.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2020
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kerry G.

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!
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

Loriann B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Binckes Family Vacation

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!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

WENDY Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stunning property and great management

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.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Joseph C., Princeton Junction

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent

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!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Shannon L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect get away!

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!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Julie I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect

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.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debbie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing family vacation!

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!! ❤️❤️
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Barbara N.

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
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Joseph C., Princeton Junction

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!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

karen v.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Such a beautiful house

Loved this house!! Kelly has stocked it to the max, we really didn't need to bring anything besides our clothes and food we wanted to eat. With that being said, the house is beautiful and beautifully decorated, amazing views, nice towels, bedding, etc. My daughter and her boyfriend loved taking the kayaks out and hanging out with the dolphins. Already planning our next vacation to come back! Thank you Kelly for everything..
Stayed 11 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Taylor R., Maine

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Must experience this property to truly appreciate the beauty!

Unbelievable vacation and nothing shy of perfection from the house, amenities and views! We experienced breath taking sunrises and sunsets and saw dolphins everyday, all day long right out front! This is a stand out property and truly all you need to bring is food, clothing and sunglasses!!! This is a great location for pool side fun, beach side fun and if you like fishing... most the charter boats will pull up onto the beach and pick you up! Highly recommend Captain Johnny Riggs or Captain Bill! We will definitely be back and be planning for 2 weeks next time!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kristina C., Kokomo, IN

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Thanksgiving Getaway

My family has been visiting North Captiva for 30 years and this may have been our best trip yet! The house is absolutely perfect for a large family, the views are priceless and the amenities well thought out. It was wonderful having our own dock and we spent most of our time on the private beach and spacious decks. Sandy was a joy to work with and answered my multitude of questions leading up to our stay. The house is well-stocked with paper products, soaps, cooking basics (oils, spices) and everything you need in the kitchen to prepare Thanksgiving dinner! If I could re-book every single year, we would because everyone in our family thoroughly enjoyed staying at Sea Urchins!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Courtney D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect vacation!!!

We couldn’t say better things about Sea Urchins. Sandy was an amazing host! She was so responsive with a few hiccups that we had. The property was amazing; I’m willing to bet the best on the island. The house was so well equipped! Toys for the kids, every paper product you could think of and plenty of spices and cooking products. We definitely could have brought much less with us than what we did. This is definitely a 5 star property!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2021

About the host

Hosted by Kelly Bares

Host profile image

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