Captiva, Florida Short-Term Rental Market
Captiva Island STRs averaged $301/night at 48.8% occupancy in April 2026 with $4,163 average monthly revenue.
Quick Answer: Captiva, Florida is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 49%. average monthly revenue is $4,163. average daily rate is $301. the top operator is Roelens Realty & Property Management with 611 listings. market score is 48/100 (grade D).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Captiva Island sits within unincorporated Lee County on Florida’s Gulf Coast, a low-density island destination accessible only via bridge from Sanibel. The market is characterized by high-end accommodations and a well-defined peak season from December through April. As of April 2026, the average daily rate was $301 and occupancy was 48.8%, producing average monthly revenue of $4,163 per active listing. RevPAR came in at $147.09.
The market carries approximately 19,750 active listings. Entire-place properties dominate at 19,050 units (96.5% of total), with 684 private-room listings and 7 shared-room units. By bedroom count, 3-bedroom properties are the most common at 7,116, followed by 2-bedroom (5,474), 1-bedroom (3,310), 4-bedroom (3,013), and 5-bedroom (814).
Channel distribution reflects strong VRBO presence relative to other markets: 12,026 listings appear on both Airbnb and VRBO, 4,376 are Airbnb-only, and 3,339 are VRBO-only. This dual-platform saturation points to a mature, professionally-oriented inventory.
Year-over-year, occupancy declined 2.92% while ADR rose 4.87%, resulting in a near-flat revenue change of -0.19% versus April 2025. This pattern, where rate growth offset occupancy softness, suggests pricing power remains intact. The market’s revenue growth score of 76.36 out of 100 reflects the multi-year upward ADR trend visible in annual data.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 67% | $231 | $3,722 |
| Feb | 82% | $256 | $4,514 |
| Mar | 80% | $280 | $5,315 |
| Apr | 53% | $250 | $3,530 |
| May | 50% | $215 | $2,892 |
| Jun | 60% | $242 | $3,561 |
| Jul | 62% | $230 | $3,724 |
| Aug | 44% | $205 | $2,661 |
| Sep | 40% | $188 | $2,061 |
| Oct | 52% | $206 | $2,453 |
| Nov | 59% | $210 | $2,778 |
| Dec | 61% | $241 | $3,292 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Captiva
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roelens Realty & Property Management | 611 | 8,126 | ★ 4.58 |
| 2 | Evolve | 445 | 11,614 | ★ 4.62 |
| 3 | Vacasa | 312 | 4,497 | ★ 4.45 |
| 4 | Sun Palace | 278 | 3,965 | ★ 4.60 |
| 5 | Royal Shell Vacations | 251 | 1,889 | ★ 4.64 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Captiva?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 3,310 |
| 2 bed | 5,474 |
| 3 bed | 7,116 |
| 4 bed | 3,013 |
| 5 bed | 814 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $308 |
| Luxury | $546 |
| Professionally Managed | $365 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $3,766 |
| Entire Place | $4,249 |
| House | $4,382 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 22.2% |
| vrbo | 16.9% |
| both | 60.9% |
Investment Analysis
At a typical home value of $1,217,126 (Zillow estimate, April 2026) and average monthly STR revenue of $4,163, Captiva properties produce a gross annualized revenue of approximately $49,959, implying a gross yield of roughly 4.1% before expenses, management fees, and vacancies. This is a luxury-entry market where yield is modest relative to purchase price; appreciation and portfolio diversification typically drive investor interest alongside income.
Tier comparisons reveal the rate premium available at higher price points. Luxury-tier properties averaged $546/night versus the market-wide $301, an 81% premium. Professionally managed properties averaged $365/night, outperforming the overall average by 21%. Houses averaged $4,382 in monthly revenue, entire-place listings $4,249, and apartments $3,766.
Housing data shows a median list price of $1,563,333 against a typical home value estimate of $1,217,126, indicating the listed inventory skews above the median estimated value. For-sale inventory stands at 112 units. Sale price data was not available in the April 2026 snapshot.
The market’s investability score is 69.09 out of 100. Revenue growth scores strongly at 76.36, and this aligns with the ADR trajectory: the annual average ADR has climbed from $185 in 2017 to $260 in 2025. The primary risk factor is the market’s seasonality score of 53.94, reflecting a wide gap between peak and trough months.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Captiva Island bookings arrive an average of 63 days in advance as of April 2026, with a typical stay length of 5.71 nights. The 63-day lead time is consistent with a destination market where guests plan deliberate vacation trips rather than opportunistic weekend getaways.
For pricing strategy, the 60-day booking window is the critical decision point. Rates that are too high past that horizon may reduce occupancy, while under-pricing early bookings in peak season (particularly February-March) gives away the highest-demand nights. Dynamic pricing tools should be calibrated to the 60-75 day window for this market.
The 5.71-night average stay is close to a 6-night booking, suggesting most stays span a full week. This is consistent with the 7-night minimum under Lee County code. Operators benefit from reduced turnover relative to short-stay markets, but gap-fill between longer bookings requires attention to prevent dead nights, particularly during shoulder periods in April-May and October-November.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Captiva Island operates under a state-driven regulatory framework through unincorporated Lee County. The primary licensing requirement is a Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License, required for any property rented more than three times per year for stays under 30 days. License types are Vacation Rental Dwelling (single-family or up to four-unit building) or Vacation Rental Condominium. The first-year combined cost is approximately $230 (state application fee $50, Hospitality Education Program fee $10, annual license fee approximately $170).
No separate unincorporated Lee County STR permit has been confirmed as of May 2026. Operators must register with the Lee County Clerk of Court for the 5% Tourist Development Tax (TDT) on all rentals of six months or less. Florida state sales tax at 6% also applies, for a combined guest tax burden of 11%. Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit both taxes on behalf of hosts.
A 7-night minimum stay applies to Captiva condos and homes under Lee County code. No owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement exists at the county level. Individual HOAs and resort communities such as South Seas Island Resort may impose stricter rental restrictions; buyers should review HOA documents carefully before purchase.
Enforcement is minimal, primarily tax-compliance focused. Florida state preemption under F.S. 509.032(7)(b) limits Lee County’s ability to add new restrictions. Hurricane Ian (September 2022) significantly impacted Captiva Island’s property inventory and permanent population; some properties are still in various stages of reconstruction or sale.
Market Comparison
Captiva Island’s April 2026 occupancy of 48.8% is below the US STR median of approximately 55%, reflecting the island’s pronounced seasonality and premium positioning. Its ADR of $301 is significantly above the US median of roughly $220, consistent with a luxury Gulf Coast destination. RevPAR of $147 is competitive despite lower occupancy, driven by the high-rate base.
The overall market score of 47.78 is below average, dragged down by seasonality (53.94) and rental demand scores (59.60). Revenue growth is the standout at 76.36 out of 100, reflecting steady ADR appreciation over the past eight years.
Operator concentration is modest given the market size. Roelens Realty and Property Management leads with 611 listings and 8,126 reviews (average rating 4.58). Evolve holds 445 listings with 11,614 reviews (4.62 rating). Vacasa manages 312 listings with 4,497 reviews (4.45 rating). The top three operators together account for 1,368 listings, or approximately 7% of the roughly 19,750-listing market, indicating that independent operators hold the vast majority of inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions About Captiva, Florida
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