A walk down the streets of the Isles of Capri brings out a number of feelings in me, but the foremost sense I get is one of tranquility. It is wonderful to feel, even for just a short time, a feeling of complete serenity. It’s amazing how much the mind can "let go" when the environment is right. The therapeutic effects are instantly self-evident.

You can get a sense of the peacefulness of the Isles of Capri even before you arrive on the first island (aptly named Island one). Shortly after you cross US 41 heading south on 951, you come upon the wetlands that surround the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary. Along this stretch of road, there’s an interesting mix of manmade structures and protected wild areas, which eventually changes to mangrove shoreline as the homes and businesses fade from view.

Just before the first signs of Marco Island appear around the bend, you come to the light at Capri Boulevard, the only road onto (and off of) the Isles of Capri. A left at this light would promptly drop you into McIlvane Bay, so a right turn is your only realistic choice.

The surrounding flora thickens immediately as you drive through a mile-and-a-half of mangrove canopy. The sense of being deep in the mangroves is quite real. Suddenly it seems unrealistic to think that a community of homes and businesses is going to emerge from the dense mangroves ahead. However, no sooner does that feeling arise then the mangrove canopy clears and the entrance to the Isles of Capri emerges.

The Isles of Capri are comprised of four small islands that are lined up end-to-end, and linked together with manmade land bridges. You can learn more about the history of the Isles by visiting our history page. Islands one, three and four have homes and condominiums on them, and Island two is reserved for the Isles’ businesses. The vast majority of the homes on the Isles are on the water, and of those that are not on the water, many have a water view. The Isles population is made up of about 50% year-round residents, and 50% seasonal residents, rental homes, etc. The businesses on the Isles of Capri are comprised of four restaurants, two marinas, a handful of real estate offices and ship’s stores and assorted small enterprises. And then, of course, there’s Tarpon Bay General Store. With its palm tree growing through the center of the store, and breakfast every morning at six, the TBGS is a fixture on the Isles. Stop in and see Kay & Lou, owners of the TBGS and long time members of the Isles’ community. The island has its own Fire Station complete with a MedFlight helipad and an on-island ambulance. And in a beautifully renovated building in the center of Island two, resides the Isles of Capri Christian Church.

Once you’re settled on the Isles, you can begin to take in the surroundings - you can almost breathe the tranquility. With a minimum of on-island traffic, and the nearest off-island thruway a mile-and-a-half away on the other side of the mangroves, the island is refreshingly quiet. Apart from the faint drone of the marina’s forklift hard at work and the occasional Harley passing by, the breeze and the seagulls is all you hear most of the time. It’s about 1.5 miles from one end of the Isles to the other, so walking is a favorite way to get around. As you traverse the island chain, you walk past neatly manicured homes, palm trees, and water which laps up to the edges of the road in some places. There is a sense of openness on the Isles of Capri, an airy feeling created by the vastness of the Gulf and the shoreward breeze that blows regularly.

And of course, boats are everywhere. The marinas provide all of the services and materials a boater needs, as well as providing a means to get boats into and out of the water. From the first light of dawn (a bit before, in fact), the fishing boats can be seen leaving the docks for the morning. Like clockwork, the rustic crabbing boats of the Capri Fisheries head out to sea in the morning, and return with equal regularity at sunset. Sport fishermen, sightseers, water sports enthusiasts and nature lovers can all be seen in boats ranging from 35-foot offshore trawlers to kayaks, heading out on the water to enjoy everything this area has to offer.

At the end of Island four, you can look across the Marco River to Marco Island, only about a hundred yards away. Marco, a city of about 50,000, has all of the conveniences of a larger community, with shopping centers, gas stations, banks, grocery stores, hotels, and restaurants. This is a good thing to have nearby since the Isles of Capri has no grocery stores or gas stations. Marco also offers many opportunities for activities with a number of thriving tourist businesses like charter fishing companies, para-sailing and sightseeing charters, boat rentals, etc. Tigertail Beach and Residents Beach offer clean white sands and plenty of open space, and the local "cinema-plex" has enough screens for even the hardiest movie buff. One of the real hidden blessings of Isles of Capri is having the convenience of Marco Island nearby, yet preserving the serenity of a separate, secluded island community.

Nighttime brings about new elements of the Isles’ character. The absence of street lights on the Isles makes for a rare and rich nighttime atmosphere. The stars are so clear and bright, and silhouettes of the surrounding mangroves islands are striking against the moonlit waters. It’s interesting how city lights can dampen the view of the nighttime surroundings. Even in a small city like Naples, considered to be a community that is close to nature, the ambient light at night can make the stars practically invisible. What a pleasure to walk the Isles’ streets without all that light! And don’t think for a second that this was some kind of oversight. The members of the Isles’ community have made it a point to keep those streetlights away, and in so doing, they have preserved a richness that is rare indeed. One surprising pleasure you'll find on the Isles is a handful of wonderful places to go for dining and drinking. Even though the islands have few businesses, we have been blessed with a number of excellent waterfront restaurants and "chickee" bars that make for an entertaining evening out. See our dining page for information on the Isles' restaurants.

Serenity, nature, activities, wonderful people, and beautiful surroundings make Isles of Capri a hidden treasure in Southwest Florida, a little piece of paradise that inspires, relaxes, and heals both mind and body. Come see for yourself. But be careful. Once you arrive, you might not want to leave!

The Isles of Capri was once a series of mangrove islands rising from the waters bounded by the Marco River and Tarpon Bay to the south, and McIlvane Bay to the north. The only known resident of the Isles prior to 1956 was a "Mr. Hudson". He lived a hermit’s life in a little shack on what is now Dolphin Circle. Although he never became famous, and evidently had no desire to, his daughter was Estelle Taylor, a very popular movie actress who was married to the world-renowned boxer Jack Dempsey.

Leland L. "Doc" Loach was born in Dunlop, Tennessee on September 7, 1907. In 1945 after a hitch in the U.S. Navy, Doc moved to Ft. Lauderdale to find his paradise in the sun. Since Doc was seeking an engaging enterprise, he decided to try his luck in the real estate business. Doc eventually purchased 275 acres on the outskirts of the city, and called it Chula Vista, a combination of native Indian and Spanish words meaning "pretty view". By 1955, Chula Vista had become a viable community and Doc’s work was done so he was anxious to move on.

Arriving in Marco on a daylong fishing trip, Doc decided to check out the real estate on this lesser-developed coast of Florida. Three weeks later, he responded to an offer for 600 acres in a group of Mangroves near Marco, carrying a price of $350 per acre. Doc purchased the Isles of Capri that same day.

Doc returned to Marco and set up an office, a dirt-floor flat he found for $100 a month. He would be working from there until he could build his own office on the Isles of Capri. He also purchased two wooden boats to ferry his prospective buyers around the Isles.

It was 1956 when work began to carve the Isles of Capri out of this wilderness. The first major project was to conduct an aerial survey so work on maps could proceed, and to begin the long task of dredging the wilderness around the Isles.

For 5 years, twenty hours a day, the dredge pumped. After Island 1 was filled, Doc finally built the first home on the Isles of Capri and moved his wife and daughter in. This home was located on the Marco River where at the time waterfront property was selling for $5,000 per lot including bulkhead and seawall.

His next task was to improve access to the Isles. Doc petitioned the Board of County Commissioners, who eventually granted him permission to pump in a causeway across McIlvane Bay, and to develop the 7 miles of road which then became known as the Isles of Capri road or State Road 951.

The next basic requirement Doc had to meet was to provide potable water for a community that was in its early stages of development. Doc drilled hundreds of test wells in an effort to find a source of fresh water, and when he did, he formed a joint venture with some other Capri residents to form the Capri Water Works, Inc., which was finally purchased by the County in 1981.

Telephone lines and electric supply came in soon thereafter, and by 1968, street signs and house numbers were provided and house-to-house mail delivery became a reality.

In the years that followed, Doc slowly succumbed to Parkinson’s disease, and in 1987, he passed away having accomplished his dream - his place in the sun - in spite of so many setbacks that, no doubt, would have discouraged a man of lesser character and determination.

Although the Isles of Capri has very few businesses, we are blessed with four wonderful restaurants that are as charming as they are convenient. And of course, they're all on the water. Their menus range from peel 'n eat shrimp and chicken wings to elegant duck and veal specialties, and most have waterfront 'chickee' bars with live music and great fun.

Tarpon Bay General Store

298 Capri Blvd.

Isles of Capri

(239) 642-3499

 

"The General Store" is truly a Capri landmark. With its palm tree growing through the middle of the store and extending through the thatched roof, the General Store offers a unique island dining experience for breakfast, lunch or dinner take-out. Make sure to introduce yourself to Kay & Lou, the owners of the General Store, and two of our good friends and neighbors here on the Isles. In addition to their excellent down-home cooking, the General Store offers everything from milk and bread to cigars, bait & tackle, and video rentals. Their hours are 6am-9:30pm Monday through Thursday, 6am-10pm on Friday & Saturday, and 6am-9pm on Sunday.

 

Backwater Nick's

231 Capri Blvd.

Isles of Capri

(239) 642-5700

 

Backwater Nicks is a waterfront restaurant and chickee bar that has a delightful menu and a great atmosphere. Live music often plays on the weekends, and boats can pull up and tie-off to join the warterside fun. Their menu includes simple fare such as seafood baskets, shrimp, sandwiches, wings, etc.

 

The Blue Heron

387 Capri Blvd.

Isles of Capri

(239) 394-6248

 

The Blue Heron is truly a world-class restaurant. With a case full of local dining awards such as six straight Platinum Plate Awards, a Highly Recommended status from Frommer's Travel Guide, and Continental Cuisine Best Continental Restaurant 2000, the Blue Heron offers waterfront dining at its finest and most elegent. The menu features fresh seafood dishes, lamb, duck, veal and beef specialties, and award winning homemade desserts to finish your meal. The Blue Heron will cost you a bit more than the other restaurants on the Isles, but you'll quickly realize that the exceptional food and rich romantic atmosphere make it all worthwhile.

 

Capri Fish House

203 Capri Blvd.

Isles of Capri

(239) 389-5555

 

Capri Fish House is a waterfront restaurant and chickee bar that offers casual family dining with great food and great views. The atmosphere is quiet and friendly and the prices are reasonable. Live music in the chickee on the weekends makes for great after-dinner fun. A boat dock is available if you want to cruise up for lunch or dinner, or just to enjoy a cocktail and the beautiful Capri sunset.