Entire home

On a Whim Captiva Island Beach Cottage

Photo gallery for On a Whim Captiva Island Beach Cottage

Living area
Property grounds
Living area
Living area
Living area

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View map
Captiva, FL
  • Place, Captiva Beach
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Jensen’s Marina
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Alison Hagerup Beach Park
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Airport, Fort Myers, FL (RSW-Southwest Florida Intl.)
    ‪64 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Common Space

1 Double Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony

About this property

On a Whim Captiva Island Beach Cottage

Life doesn't get much better than staying for a week or longer at "On a Whim". Our newly renovated Captiva Island cottage is located in the Village area of Captiva, just a short walk to the beach, bay, shops, and restaurants. We are located on a quiet street called Mango Ct. There is a ground-level area with seating to relax and enjoy a meal in the fresh air. The inside of the home has been completely renovated with new furniture, flooring, paint, and much more. There is a spacious living area with a flat panel TV, a dining area, and a full kitchen. An open deck stretches from the living area to the master bedroom, and a screened lanai area with seating is just off the living room. The master bedroom has a king-sized bed and en-suite bathroom, while the guest bedroom features a queen-sized bed and full bathroom just across the hall. There is a queen-sized sleeper sofa in the living room for additional guests. We look forward to welcoming you to "On a Whim" very soon! One small dog may be considered with owner approval and an additional non-refundable pet fee.

Important Note: This rental does not include beach chairs or umbrellas. Instead, we’ve partnered with VayKLife to provide you with a credit toward beach essentials like chairs, umbrellas, coolers, wagons, and more—so you can pack light and still enjoy everything you need for a perfect day at the beach. While some of our homes may have beach gear on-site, availability varies, and we cannot guarantee specific items will be provided. With VayKLife, you get to choose exactly what you need, and they’ll deliver it right to your door for added convenience. Your booking confirmation includes a link to VayKLife’s site, where you can browse their full selection and easily redeem your credit. It’s just one of the ways we help make your stay as seamless and enjoyable as possible.

***Due to the aftermath of the storms Helene and Milton, the island is currently in a restoration phase. Please be aware that amenities may not be open or readily accessible during your visit, including limited restaurant options and activities. Additionally, nearby ongoing construction may create noise and other disturbances that we have no control over.***

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 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
No dangerous breeds. One dog under 50 lbs
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 7869705
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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Captiva

Located in Captiva, this holiday home is near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at North Captiva Island Beach and Sanibel Island Southern Beach. Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation and Bailey - Matthews Shell Museum are also worth visiting. With kayaking, windsurfing and power boating nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.
Map
Captiva, FL

What's nearby

  • Jungle Drums - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • McCarthy's Marina - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Captiva Beach - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Jensen’s Marina - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Alison Hagerup Beach Park - 11 min walk - 0.9 km

Getting around

  • Fort Myers, FL (RSW-Southwest Florida Intl.) - 64 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Green Flash Waterfront Restaurant - ‬15 min walk
  • Mainstay North Captiva & Barnacles Bar
  • ‪The Bubble Room - ‬3 min walk
  • Mangos
  • ‪The Mucky Duck - ‬10 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is On a Whim Captiva Island Beach Cottage pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at On a Whim Captiva Island Beach Cottage?

As of 11 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at On a Whim Captiva Island Beach Cottage on 11 May 2026 start from AU$506, 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.

How much is parking at On a Whim Captiva Island Beach Cottage?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at On a Whim Captiva Island Beach Cottage?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at On a Whim Captiva Island Beach Cottage?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is On a Whim Captiva Island Beach Cottage located?

Situated by the sea, this holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Jungle Drums, McCarthy's Marina and Jensen’s Marina. Captiva Beach and Captiva Chapel By the Sea are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

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. 16 out of 22 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 22 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 22 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 22 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 22 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

6.0/10

Amenities

6.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

9.2/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

David L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Was an excellent host. Great communication and place was as advertised.
Stayed 15 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Feb 2026
Thank you so much for the 5-star review! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed the stay and found the communication helpful. We strive to make sure everything is exactly as pictured for our guests. You were a pleasure to host, and we’d love to have you back anytime!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Samuel R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We’ve stayed here two years in a row. Conveniently located and the property had everything we needed.
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Oct 2025
Thank you so much for this wonderful feedback! We are absolutely thrilled to know you chose to stay with us for the second year in a row—that's the highest compliment we could receive. It's fantastic to hear that our convenient location and the amenities met all of your needs. We look forward to welcoming you back for your third visit!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

MARY ANN K.

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

Lovely stay

Wonderful home. Great location! Would stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Aug 2023
Thank you so much. Our entire team works very hard to make sure each guest enjoys as perfect a stay as possible.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura W.

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

Exactly what we were looking for. Comfortable and great location.

Loved it!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Aug 2023
Thank you so much
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary A.

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

Perfect location

Fully stocked kitchen. Nice enclosed porch.Great location.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Jan 2025
Thank you for your kind review! We're so glad to hear you enjoyed your stay and appreciated the well-stocked kitchen, enclosed porch, and prime location. We strive to provide everything our guests need for a comfortable and enjoyable experience, and it's wonderful to know that you found these aspects to be highlights. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Loren M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property was amazing. The house was clean and very comfortable.the screened in porch was a great amenity. The landscaping was absolutely beautiful. Convenience to both the beach and shops/restaurants was perfect…short walk to all. Like always with Vrbo,checking in and out was a breeze! Can’t wait for my next trip!
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such an amazing time and enjoyed the clean, comfortable house and the screened-in porch. It means a lot to us that you appreciated the beautiful landscaping and the convenience to the beach, shops, and restaurants. We work hard to make sure our guests have a seamless and relaxing experience, and we're so glad that the check-in and check-out process was a breeze for you. We can't wait to welcome you back on your next trip!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

ilya k.

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

Great week

Just show up a have a great time!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Apr 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled you had such a positive experience and found our property to be a place where you could "just show up and have a great time." That's exactly what we aim for!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nicole S.

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

Very nice beach home

Modern and located centrally around the village area.
Stayed 31 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Aug 2023
Thank you so much for your review. Our entire team works tirelessly to earn five star reviews. We’ll look forward to welcoming you back again soon
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael J.

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

Quiet stay

We needed time away from a hectic work schedule down the road in Naples. This was Perfect! The best location on the Island! Thank you
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Dec 2024
We're so glad you chose our property for your much-needed escape from the hectic pace of Naples! It means a lot to us that you found it to be the perfect place to unwind and recharge. And thank you for the compliment about the location! We agree, it's hard to beat. We strive to provide a peaceful and convenient base for our guests to explore all that Sanibel Island has to offer. We hope you left feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, and we welcome you back anytime you need another island escape!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Desiree B.

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

Stay at on a whim

Nice place, great location. Sufficient for our needs. Contact with management by text for issues was good. Responsive and helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Nov 2023
Thank you so much for your support
Verified

8/10 Good

Jill B.

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

Small home on Captiva

Home was in a great location. We loved the back porch and air conditioner worked wonderful. A few challenges..because the home was older,,some bugs, sheets on beds were not cotton so not super comfortable and master bed too soft. A few upgrades in the home would go a long way..but otherwise a wonderful stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Aug 2023
Thank you for the review. Our linens are upgraded and a blend. Most guests love them but it’s tough to appease everyone no matter what you may do. We do have quarterly pest control and with the tropical environment, it’s a constant battle against the bugs. We’d love to welcome you back anytime!
Verified

4/10 Poor

Keven

Disliked: Communication
You failed to identify that the property was directly opposite a live construction site operating from 7am- 7 pm
Stayed 10 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

4/10 Poor

pat s.

Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

Whim

Porch and stairs are unsafe. Bathrooms need updating. Bug infestation throughout.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 11 May 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. I'm so sorry to hear about the issues you encountered during your stay with the unsafe porch and stairs, outdated bathrooms, and bug infestation. Guest safety and satisfaction are my top priorities, and I apologize that your experience fell short of expectations. I take your feedback very seriously. Here's what I plan to do to address these concerns: Porch and Stairs: I will schedule a safety inspection of the porch and stairs immediately. Any necessary repairs will be made as soon as possible. Bathrooms: I understand the bathrooms need updating. I'm already exploring options for renovations and will provide an update on the timeline soon. Bug Infestation: I will be contacting a professional pest control service to address the infestation and prevent future problems. I understand this may not change your recent experience, but I hope these actions demonstrate my commitment to providing a safe and comfortable environment for all guests. Would you be open to discussing your experience further? Perhaps there's something else I can do to rectify the situation. Thank you again for your feedback.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Colleen B.

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

Clean, new, convenient!

What a lovely week! This house is clean, new, and convenient to town and Doc Ford’s/Starbucks- it’s in the perfect walkable spot! The property manager Nicole was incredibly helpful and responsive the whole week. The only thing we would have missed is cable (no bowl games or national news) and a pool, but luckily our parents have a timeshare on South Seas so we rented bikes and shared their pool. The beds/ bedding were super comfortable and this was a very relaxing vacation in a beautifully maintained house! Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Aug 2023
Thank you so much for your review. The home does have cable TV service. It may have been on the wrong input. My apologies you had any issue with that during your stay.
Verified

6/10 Okay

Stacy D.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

On a whim

The place wasn’t cleaned when we arrived. Prior guest had a dog and there was dog hair everywhere. I called management and they sent cleaners right away. So that was great. Location is awesome! We walked everywhere. The Mucky Duck food was not good at all. And they only serve beer and wine. Captiva is still rebuilding after Ian.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Apr 2024
So sorry for any cleaning issues. The property was cleaned prior to your arrival, however, with the pet staying before you, the cleaners must have missed certain areas. We did get them back right away to rectify any concerns
Verified

8/10 Good

richard c.

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

captva

overall this place was very spacios,location was good and quiet. They did not mention that the washer and dryer is outsde,which was inconvenient.And NO extra lines at all.Thy had pillow shams on the bed which were very drty and no pillow cases.We asked for extra bed sheets and they said no.They had bedspeads on the beds which were very dirty.Only downside to ths place!! Please do away with the dirty pllow shams and just use clean pillow cases and bedspreads that are clean!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 10 May 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're glad to hear you found the place spacious and appreciated the good, quiet location. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience regarding the outdoor washer and dryer and for the issues you encountered with the bedding. That is certainly not the standard we aim for, and we are truly sorry that the pillow shams and bedspreads were not clean and that we were unable to provide extra linens. Your comments are invaluable, and we are taking them seriously. We will be addressing these concerns immediately with our cleaning and maintenance teams to ensure these issues are rectified and do not happen again. We want all our guests to have a comfortable and pleasant stay. We hope you might consider giving us another chance in the future to provide you with the excellent experience you deserve.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Markus Gabler

DREAM VACATION in PARADISE <3 Fast and flexible conversation and always replied fast.

DREAM VACATION in PARADISE <3 Fast and flexible conversation and always replied fast. Best service
Verified

8/10 Good

Betsy S.

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

On a Whim

Cute house, but didn’t have the amenities we wanted. We rented in Sunset Captiva as well. We enjoyed their pool and pickleball courts.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Aug 2023
Thank you for your review. It’s disappointing that we would get a four star review based on not having amenities such as a pool and tennis. We clearly state that our home is a private home without access to those amenities. While you may want those amenities, it would be advisable to book something that includes that instead of booking a home without and being let down that it doesn’t include what was never offered. Our entire team works tirelessly for five star reviews. When we don’t hit the mark, it’s disappointing, but especially when it has nothing to do with the actual property.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey P.

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

Captiva Experience

The property was exactly as projected. It was in a beautiful, quiet neighborhood centrally located to all the restaurants & activities. We loved the large living room, large bedrooms, and screened in porch.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Aug 2023
Thank you so much for your review. We’ll look forward to welcoming you back again soon
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Kathy Walterhouse

N

Nice property with everything that is needed for a nice stay Excellent service!
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Bettina Fischer

We had a great time with our kids, great space in this home, very well located and wonderful interio

We had a great time with our kids, great space in this home, very well located and wonderful interior. One door to the balcony didn’t work and it was repaired promptly- sorry for my bad English!!!! We love Captiva & Sanibel and enjoy those islands every year since 2014 ...
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kyle L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your review

About the host

Hosted by Dream Vacation Rentals

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Premier Host

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