Escape to South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, Florida

Located off of Florida's Gulf Coast on picturesque Captiva Island, South Seas Island Resort was recently recognized as a top 10 best place in the world to experience local wildlife. Offering hands-on educational programs through the Sanibel Sea School, access to indigenous wildlife, sea plane and kayaking nature tours and the new family friendly ScoutAbout program, South Seas Island Resort is the perfect family retreat for animal and nature lovers of all ages.

Considered a protected wildlife sanctuary, South Seas Island Resort has a multitude of creatures residing in the waters and on property. From bottle-nosed dolphins and West Indian manatees, to great egrets, white ibis and Cuban anole lizards, every inch of sea, land and air surrounding the resort teems with beautiful indigenous wildlife. A classic multi-generational family retreat, South Seas Island Resort features a bevy of eco-inspired and family-friendly options that bring guests close to nature's flora and fauna, including:

• Sanibel Sea School – this non-profit organization offers an assortment of experiential, sea-based educational programs and a variety of hands-on workshops. Select from more than 30 courses focusing on shorebirds, fish, mangroves, dolphins, manatees and more. Each session allows children to immerse themselves in the thrill of ocean discovery, and includes an orientation, educational discussions, an art project and plenty of time "out in the field” to explore, touch and discover.

• ScoutAbout – fun and educational, this program allows guests to experience nature like never before as they take a self-guided journey to discover points of interest on and around the resort island village and surrounding 330-acre wildlife preserve. It is a hands-on family program with a quest that promises exotic creatures, hidden secrets and delightful discoveries. Guests earn colorful wristbands along the way and a chance to become the fan of the week on the resort's Facebook page.

• Sunny Island Watersports – participants embark on an array of aquatic adventures with South Seas Island Resort's newest addition, Sunny Island Watersports. Connect with the family on a thrilling banana boat ride or on a waverunner in the tropical waters of the Gulf of Mexico or opt for the ultimate fitness experience: paddleboarding along the shoreline, while keeping an eye out for bottle-nosed dolphins.

• Kayaking & Sea Plane Tours – families can learn about Captiva's indigenous plants, wildlife and sea creatures through nature-bound kayaking tours and shelling on the world-renowned beaches of Captiva Island, which feature over 400 species of shells. Active travelers can choose a kayaking tour through the area's mangrove estuaries and watch for spoonbills, egrets and even loggerhead turtles. Other outings include nature tours by sea plane around the island, fishing excursions, fishing contests, bicycle rentals for exploring and family cruises for dolphin-spotting.

South Seas Island Resort offers a variety of accommodations and rates starting at $199. Seemingly set adrift off the Florida Gulf Coast, South Seas Island Resort is an engaging unspoiled haven, encompassing a wildlife preserve and two-and-half miles of shell-strewn beaches, lapped by turquoise tides. Recently recognized by MSNBC as a ‘Top 10 Best Place in the World to Experience Local Wildlife', South Seas Island Resort is a 330-acre resort village and wildlife sanctuary with boundless opportunity for adventure and relaxation. The resort boasts a “Family. Nature. Comfort.” approach to hospitality, which is why for decades generations of families have made the resort village the destination of choice to share treasured moments and make lasting memories. Following a multi-million dollar revitalization, this tropical oasis is the ideal setting for an unforgettable vacation offering a variety of accommodations including villas, condominiums, cottages and homes. Enjoy world-class shelling along the beach and a round of golf on the newly designed 9-hole executive course, play at H2Whoa! Water Park, discover South Seas through ScoutAbout and enjoy a bevy of family-oriented water sports, activities and interactive educational programs through the Sanibel Sea School. Ideal for events, this resort features a variety of venues and over 31,000 square feet of flexible function space. All amenities are designed to take full advantage of the existing landscape, allowing guests to discover and experience native Florida, while relaxing at a Parents Magazine "Top 10 Beach Resort for Families."

For more information on the resort and current package information, please call 866-565-5089 or visit www.SouthSeas.com.