The Green Flash - Captiva Island

The "green flash" is a rarely occurring natural phenomenon where there is a flash of green color just as the sun disappears over the horizon.  It happens over water most often.  The Green Flash is also the name of a restaurant on Captiva Island.

The Green Flash is located on the western, bay side of Captiva Island.  They offer free dockage for boaters who have a meal at the restaurant.  More than enough reason to give it a try.

The enjoyment of lunch was enhanced by having a beautiful boat outside the restaurant window.

It did not take long to realize that the restaurant was special.   The Oysters Rockefeller was not only delicious, it contained a pearl (upper left).











Two of the house specialties were selected: crunchy grouper sandwich and the Captiva salad, which had shrimp, scallops, and salmon.







If proof of the tastiness is needed, the empty plate that once held the Captiva salad should be a good clue.  Green Flash proved to be an outstanding restaurant with traditional menu items well prepared and many unique and delicious items created.




They also have a sense of humor at the Green Flash.  The men's restroom is located next to the bar.  So you don't loose the view of your drink, there is a window over the urinals allowing you to see into the bar.  Very handy.  When women enter the room with their gender on the door, they are greeted with a guy standing in the corner.

Captiva is a skinny island, about 300 yards wide.  So, it is a short walk to the beach for fresh, salty breezes and good shelling.  A friendly Blue Heron posed on the beach for photos.

The unusually warm winter has the Ospreys on their nests early.  This pair has a nest next to the restaurant. They are magnificent creatures that always seem to have an eye staring directly at you.

Not far from the Green Flash a stilt home stands over the water.  It is a place where Doc Ford would feel at home.


An enjoyable stop along the coast in many aspects.

With the namesake restaurant on the island, many people go to the beach to catch the sunset in hope of observing the green flash.  It was not to be on this day.