South Seas Plantation Rates

[Nacho Boat]

This past summer, we spent a few days at the South Seas Planation Marina (Captiva, FL), and just loved it. The dockage was a little pricey, but the amenities made it worthwhile.

I talked a few friends of mine into heading back to South Seas over Labor Day Weekend...Boy, was that a mistake.:smt021

When we called up for a reservation, the Dockmaster demanded we pay for at least three nights at $5.00 PER FOOT PER NIGHT (And a 30' mininum charge). :smt013:smt013:smt013:smt013:smt013

Sorry, but I thought this was a little outrageous...and certainly not boater friendly.

Anyone else have this kind of issue with South Seas???

 

[ChuckW]

There is a lot of complaining about SSPM from the cruisers I bump into in the area ever since the rebuilt after Hurricane Charley (2005). Have you tried Tween Waters Inn Marina? It's on Captiva, just a bit south of SSPM. I haven't, but have been told, "It's twice the fun at half the price of SSPM."

 

[Fishnut]

There is a lot of complaining about SSPM from the cruisers I bump into in the area ever since the rebuilt after Hurricane Charley (2005). Have you tried Tween Waters Inn Marina? It's on Captiva, just a bit south of SSPM. I haven't, but have been told, "It's twice the fun at half the price of SSPM."

:grin::grin::grin:

I would endorse this alternative.

 

[Nacho Boat]

There is a lot of complaining about SSPM from the cruisers I bump into in the area ever since the rebuilt after Hurricane Charley (2005). Have you tried Tween Waters Inn Marina? It's on Captiva, just a bit south of SSPM. I haven't, but have been told, "It's twice the fun at half the price of SSPM."

ChuckW,

Thanks for the suggestion. However, when I called Tween Waters, they were already fully booked for Labor Day.:smt009

Are boaters out there willing to $5/FT?????

 

[Asureyez]

The most I have ever paid was $3.50 a foot at Miami beach, and I stayed the night and pulled out the next day and went to the anchorage off Elliott Key for ten times the fun for Free!

$5 bucks a foot is simply price gouging. pass them by, never pay such rates. No business will temper their greedy nature.

Go on the hook off of North Captiva, take a dingy to dinner at SSP and save the dock fees for an champagne!

 

[FSUDave]

$5/ft seems high. We are headed to Hawks Cay next week and are paying $2.70/ft with 35ft min, no length of stay required. This is a special they have going now. There normal rate when I had checked before was $4/ft.
Try Useppa Island. I have not been there in a long time, but my parents used to go often and loved it. http://www.useppa.com/marina.html
Cabbage Key is also supposed to be nice.
http://www.cabbagekey.com/rates/
If you scroll down to other details they are showing a rate of $1.85/ft transient.

 

[ChuckW]

ChuckW,

Thanks for the suggestion. However, when I called Tween Waters, they were already fully booked for Labor Day.:smt009

Are boaters out there willing to $5/FT?????

Not in this area. Top dollar is $3.00 in this neck of the woods. $2 to $2.50 is more the norm.

The most I have ever paid was $3.50 a foot at Miami beach, and I stayed the night and pulled out the next day and went to the anchorage off Elliott Key for ten times the fun for Free!

$5 bucks a foot is simply price gouging. pass them by, never pay such rates. No business will temper their greedy nature.

Go on the hook off of North Captiva, take a dingy to dinner at SSP and save the dock fees for an champagne!

2nd that, Pelican Bay on the inside of Cayo Costa is an excellent anchorage.:thumbsup:

 

[ChuckW]

ChuckW,

Thanks for the suggestion. However, when I called Tween Waters, they were already fully booked for Labor Day.:smt009

Are boaters out there willing to $5/FT?????

What are your "must haves" at a marina? And must it be on Captiva? Open to other places in the area. Let me know your needs and I can suggest some places in the area.

Check out marinas.com or marinalife.com as well to research marinas, ammenities, etc.

 

[Nacho Boat]

What are your "must haves" at a marina? And must it be on Captiva? Open to other places in the area. Let me know your needs and I can suggest some places in the area.

Check out marinas.com or marinalife.com as well to research marinas, ammenities, etc.

ChuckW,

Thanks! We have boated in this area before, and we really enjoyed the amenities at SSPM. The pools, beach, and overall atmosphere makes this a great spot (but not at $5 per foot!).

We have stayed at Palm Island, Cape Harbour, Burnt Store, Marco Island Marina, and Fishermans Village. If you have any other suggestions, we'd love to hear it! Thanks again for the advice, I will certainly try again for Tween Waters.

 

[ChuckW]

ChuckW,

Thanks! We have boated in this area before, and we really enjoyed the amenities at SSPM. The pools, beach, and overall atmosphere makes this a great spot (but not at $5 per foot!).

We have stayed at Palm Island, Cape Harbour, Burnt Store, Marco Island Marina, and Fishermans Village. If you have any other suggestions, we'd love to hear it! Thanks again for the advice, I will certainly try again for Tween Waters.

You've hit many of them.. The pool is a big limiting item. So hear are some thoughts:
1.) Useppa Island - heard great things about it, never been, hard to get into I hear.
2.) Cabbage Key - fun, but chaos with all the day traffic, no pool. Been there.
3.) Tarpon Lodge - good option for that secluded spot, with pool. Shallow channel to get in, but your 290 should be fine. Been there.
3.) Matanzas Inn - In the heart of Ft. Myers Beach. Pool. Easy walk to all sorts of stuff to do. Party crowd. Been there.
4.) Boca Grande - nice, up scale area, no pool, shopping though. Been there.
5.) Naples Bay Resort - new facility, excellent location, Shopping, dining, pool, spa. It has it all. Been there. http://www.naplesbayresort.com/marina/marina.asp


There are tons of other facilities up and down that coast, but these are some I've either been to, or plan to.

 

[lisathomps]

My family and I have been vacation at South Seas since 2000 so we've been there for all the changes post-hurricane Charlie.

We have 12 timeshare weeks there but this Thanksgiving we are going to take our 340da down from St Petersburg. (We have previously brought our 19' Century fishing boat) The rate I was quoted was $2.50/ft. for the DA--This price includes all resort amenities. For those of you who have not been here the marina is beautiful and the amenities: showers/laundry etc are v. new due to the build out post hurricane. The pool area is great and to save $$$ a lot of boaters utilize the free grills and usually spend the evening watching the sunset from the beach & then in the common area at the marina.

As for major summertime holidays, the price I do believe doubles $5/ft so it makes sense that you were quoted such. The staff that answers the phone is usually not who you deal with out on the docks who are much more friendly and better educated to boaters needs.

During the summertime holidays there are many 340DA (usually 4-6 of them) and a fair share of 50+++ft yachts. I imagine this increase in price is a way to profit over the holidays. Not endorsing it but it's a business right?

What I do suggest is to go during non-holiday times bc I think you will love it.

If you have children SS is really becoming more family friendly with daily and nightly activities for children. All of which is included in the price of your slip.

Additionally, for those "couples" You can take South Seas trolley for free to Andy Rosse Lane and watch the sunset on at the Muckey Duck beach, listen to the outdoor music and enjoy a frozen margarita. We love that street. Try RC Otters for the best breakfast/lunch/dinners! AND REASONABLY PRICED includes live outdoor music too!

Have fun and if anyone wants to contact me regarding South Seas feel free...we were married there in 2007 so it will always be special to me :smt038

 

[Nacho Boat]

My family and I have been vacation at South Seas since 2000 so we've been there for all the changes post-hurricane Charlie.

We have 12 timeshare weeks there but this Thanksgiving we are going to take our 340da down from St Petersburg. (We have previously brought our 19' Century fishing boat) The rate I was quoted was $2.50/ft. for the DA--This price includes all resort amenities. For those of you who have not been here the marina is beautiful and the amenities: showers/laundry etc are v. new due to the build out post hurricane. The pool area is great and to save $$$ a lot of boaters utilize the free grills and usually spend the evening watching the sunset from the beach & then in the common area at the marina.

As for major summertime holidays, the price I do believe doubles $5/ft so it makes sense that you were quoted such. The staff that answers the phone is usually not who you deal with out on the docks who are much more friendly and better educated to boaters needs.

During the summertime holidays there are many 340DA (usually 4-6 of them) and a fair share of 50+++ft yachts. I imagine this increase in price is a way to profit over the holidays. Not endorsing it but it's a business right?

What I do suggest is to go during non-holiday times bc I think you will love it.

If you have children SS is really becoming more family friendly with daily and nightly activities for children. All of which is included in the price of your slip.

Additionally, for those "couples" You can take South Seas trolley for free to Andy Rosse Lane and watch the sunset on at the Muckey Duck beach, listen to the outdoor music and enjoy a frozen margarita. We love that street. Try RC Otters for the best breakfast/lunch/dinners! AND REASONABLY PRICED includes live outdoor music too!

Have fun and if anyone wants to contact me regarding South Seas feel free...we were married there in 2007 so it will always be special to me :smt038

Thanks for the reply. I have stayed at SSP before, so I knew what the amenites were.

I have never paid anything close to $5/FT before (including trips to the Keys and the Bahamas). So, at that price, all you are doing is pi$$ing off your potential clients.

 

[lisathomps]

Yeah, I totally agree. They tend to gauge everyone, even those of us who go several times a year.

Word is that Blackstone, the equity group that bought the property after the hurricane, is still looking to sell it. (Hilton was suppose to buy it but never heard anything other then rumors??)

Blackstone made amazing changes post Charlie (the reason we got married there) and are known better for turn-overs then they are for long term management.

Hopefully someone will buy it and manage it a bit better-- which would hopefully include a clear-consistent fee schedule for the marina! :huh:

 

[jeffk]

Been there twice, once with a group, don't rember the prices being that high. Also, a month ago they ran a special, it was reasonable, but not $5.00!!!

 

[Moose]

Try Tween Waters when you can get in. Great friendly atmosphere, good, but limited dockage.