Construction at south seas in captiva?

Question

Hi we are considering a trip in March - wondering if there is still construction happening around the island? I’ve read conflicting views - welcome any input!

Answer

Short answer: yes — there is still active redevelopment work connected with the South Seas property, but the resort and much of the island are open to visitors. The resort has re-opened a number of amenities and is marketing a new “Captiva Landing” area that is slated to open in late December 2025, while larger rezoning/permit approvals for the full redevelopment were only finalized in mid-2025 and major hotel/residential construction is expected to be phased in over the next few years.

What that means for a March visit (practical points):

Some construction zones remain on or near the South Seas site. The owner/developer has said parts of the property remain under development and some areas may be limited or modified while work continues. Expect visible construction activity, machinery, and occasional noise around the resort footprint rather than island-wide continuous building.
Portions of the resort and amenities are open. South Seas has reopened selected outlets and guest areas after Hurricane Ian and subsequent rebuilding, and they publicized phased reopenings (including Captiva Landing in late-2025). That means you can likely enjoy beach access, many restaurants/amenities, and resort programming — but some facilities or rooms might still be closed or limited.
Major new hotel/residential construction is just getting permitted. In August 2025 the Lee County Commission approved rezoning that allows the biggest portion of the redevelopment (two hotels + residential units) to move forward; the developer has said realistic opening for large components is still years away (estimates of 2028 and beyond for the full build-out have been reported). That means the island won’t be transformed overnight, but you’ll see the planning/permit/early-construction phase continuing.
Other island rebuilding continues. Captiva & Sanibel recovery after Hurricane Ian has been ongoing — beyond South Seas you may notice construction or repair work on private homes, businesses, and infrastructure in places around the islands. However, most of the visitor-facing businesses (restaurants, shops, parks) aim to be open for the high season.

Visitor tips and recommendations so your March trip isn’t surprised by work sites:

Call the resort or your accommodation before booking/check-in: Ask what areas (if any) will be closed, whether there will be daytime construction hours near your room, and whether the property has a map of active work zones. The resort’s official updates are the most reliable for guest-facing changes.
Request a room away from active work areas: If you book at South Seas, ask for a building / unit that is explicitly away from the redevelopment zone or any visible staging areas — front-desk staff can usually note this on your reservation.
Plan shore activities away from heavy work sites: The island’s beaches, restaurants, and nature spots (lighthouse, small shops, boat tours) remain attractive and generally unaffected — build your days around those rather than walking through construction areas.
Expect intermittent traffic or detours: Large redevelopment projects sometimes require staging areas and temporary road changes — allow a little extra time for local drives and check local visitor forums or the Captiva/Sanibel news sites if you’re driving in.
Check for legal appeals/changes: There have been local objections and appeals around rezoning decisions — while that usually doesn’t affect short-term visitor amenities, it can change timelines for big construction phases, so check local news if you want the latest on project schedules.

Bottom line — is it still worth visiting in March?

Yes. By March most visitor services on Captiva and Sanibel operate for high season and you can have a perfectly lovely trip concentrating on beaches, boating, wildlife, and dining. If you plan to stay specifically at South Seas and want a completely construction-free feel, call ahead and confirm which parts are fully open and ask to be placed away from active work. If “no construction around the resort” is a deal-breaker, consider booking a hotel or rental on nearby Captiva neighborhoods or on Sanibel (both offer easy access to the same beaches and island atmosphere but may be less immediately adjacent to the resort’s redevelopment zones).

Construction at south seas in captiva?

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