Redfish Pass Surf Guide

Redfish Pass Surf Guide

Often called the Gulf's answer to West Palm, the beaches from Sanibel/Captiva Island through Naples are where money and escapism combine in a more residential setting. Lacking the population centers of Tampa and St. Pete, not only are there less people, but most of them are well beyond the median age of your average wave-rider. Furthermore, these beaches are separated from the Tampa area's coastline, which cuts down on visits from the traveling bands that rove between Venice and Bradenton. And while this may be the least crowded stretch of the southern Gulf, there are still surfers, and they can be protective of their keep, especially around sensitive areas like Sanibel.

The Sanibel area is also notoriously private; in fact, there's only one road in and out, to discourage the hoards of wannabe visitors. Take Highway 867 off Highway 41 and follow it west, through the usual assortment of resort retail businesses, and onto the island. Surfers are one of the few groups not taken with Sanibel, which is surprising because it hides a bunch of good potential for hard-breaking insiders. Those who known, like their little secret, as do the residents, so tread softly and park wisely.

Captiva's most northern break, Redfish will be smaller than the rest of the island, but it has the potential to be cleaner, depending on the winds. It's easy to find -- just drive north until you get to South Seas Plantation -- but hard to get in, because this ritzy resort is quite exclusive. Your best option is a boat, or the equivalent cash to buy a room for a while.