Captiva, Florida Short-Term Rental Market
Captiva's Lee County STR market posted $226 ADR, 38.2% occupancy and $2,411 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Captiva, Florida is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Cape Coral/Fort Myers market area is 38%. average monthly revenue in the Cape Coral/Fort Myers market area is $2,411. average daily rate in the Cape Coral/Fort Myers market area is $226. the top operator in the Cape Coral/Fort Myers market area is Roelens Realty & Property Management with 611 listings. market score is 48/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the Cape Coral/Fort Myers regional market, which includes Captiva. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Captiva.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile uses data through September 2026. Performance figures for Captiva are tracked at the Lee County, Florida level, a market shared with neighboring island and mainland communities. Every performance number below describes the Lee County STR market rather than Captiva alone. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Captiva, so this profile omits them.
In September 2026 the Lee County STR market averaged an ADR of $226 and occupancy of 38.2%. Average monthly revenue per listing was $2,411. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 8.4%, ADR rose 7.5%, and revenue rose 8.1%. September is the seasonal low point for the region, so the soft occupancy reflects the calendar more than a slowdown. The multi-year September average is 39.7% occupancy at an ADR of $192, and this year’s reading sits close to that level while ADR came in well above it.
Revenue varies by property type. Entire places averaged $2,472 a month, houses averaged $2,543, and apartments averaged $2,222. The entire home ADR was $234, a little above the all-listings figure. Adding the twelve seasonal months gives annualized revenue of $40,824 per listing for the region.
Captiva itself is a small island community. The profile lists a population of 318, and the island is reached only by bridge from Sanibel. South Seas Island Resort occupies the northern two miles of the island, and visitors come for beach recreation, shelling, wildlife viewing, kayaking, fishing and boat tours. Peak season runs December through April. Hurricane Ian in September 2022 caused significant property damage and reduced both the permanent population and the available rental inventory. The typical home value is $1,195,478.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 67% |
| Feb | 82% |
| Mar | 80% |
| Apr | 53% |
| May | 50% |
| Jun | 60% |
| Jul | 61% |
| Aug | 43% |
| Sep | 40% |
| Oct | 52% |
| Nov | 59% |
| Dec | 61% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Captiva are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Cape Coral/Fort Myers market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Cape Coral/Fort Myers market as a whole, which includes Captiva, so these counts are not Captiva-only figures.
| # | 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 nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Captiva are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 22.2% |
| vrbo | 16.9% |
| both | 60.9% |
Home Value Trends (Captiva)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Captiva are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Captiva — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals are permitted on Captiva Island, which is unincorporated Lee County. Florida state law governs most of the framework. Under F.S. 509.032(7)(b), local governments cannot ban vacation rentals or restrict rental duration or frequency unless a local ordinance predates June 1, 2011. Enforcement severity is rated minimal.
A Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License is required for any property rented more than three times per year for stays under 30 days. The two license types are Vacation Rental Dwelling and Vacation Rental Condominium. The state application fee is $50, the Hospitality Education Program fee is $10, and the annual license fee for one unit is about $170, which puts first-year cost near $230. The license renews annually. 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, which applies to rentals of six months or less. Florida sales tax of 6% also applies, so the combined guest tax burden is 11%. Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit both taxes on their platforms. Enforcement focuses on tax compliance and is administered by the Lee County Clerk of Court Inspector General.
A 7-night minimum stay applies to Captiva condos and homes under Lee County code. There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement at the county level. Zoning generally allows STRs in residential, resort or commercial, and mixed-use zones under Article IX of the Land Development Code. Many properties sit within HOAs or resort communities, such as South Seas Island Resort, that may set stricter rental rules. No new county ordinance for Captiva has been identified, and the effect of the Protect Captiva legal effort is unconfirmed.
Market Comparison
The Lee County STR market gives a mixed picture for September 2026. Occupancy of 38.2% reflects September being the seasonal low. The ADR of $226 is below the entire home ADR of $234 and the luxury ADR of $441.
The annual view is stronger. For the first nine months of 2026, the region averaged 56.9% occupancy with an ADR of $279. In 2025 the region averaged 56.1% occupancy and a $260 ADR. Monthly revenue of $4,276 in 2026 so far compares with $3,888 for 2025.
The pattern is a rate-driven market. Captiva and its neighbors earn their revenue through higher nightly prices and a strong winter season, not through year-round occupancy. Winter months at 66.6% to 82.4% occupancy lift the average, while September at 39.7% pulls it down. Top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Captiva, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Captiva, Florida
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