If you have just 5 people, the $3000 would be doable in a condo, but not a home. The first 2 weeks of April are still high season pricing and tougher to get, but there are a few 3 bedroom condos in that range on Captiva and some 2-3 bedroom ones on Sanibel. It will be tougher if want a beachfront unit and taxes and other charges included in that limit as the tax on rentals is 11% and most have booking fees and other mandatory fees.

This is one possibility for a home, but with tax will be over your limit and it's not waterfront. Owner direct with island representation.

www.marthasgladecaptiva.com/rentme.html

A 3 bedroom Gulf view condo townhome with great sunset views

www.captiva-island.com/amrc/capshore7a.htm

Also check out the houses in Sunset Captiva - a community of freestanding houses that function like condos, have community pool, tennis and bar-b-que - on

www.royalshell.com

www.captiva-island.com

They are very reliable agencies on Captiva that units in your range.

Looking at Royal Shell they have 2 units (8a & 8B) at Captiva Shores avaialble. I also see 2 units for a little more than we wanted to spend at Shorewood at Sanibel units 1D and 2C.

Can you help me with information on these locations?

8A and 8B were review here a short time ago, and 8A got glowing reviews and 8B just good. 7A got very good reviews as well and is also open in your time frame. It's with AMRC. Captiva Shores units in buildings 6 [standard 2 bedroom condos], 7 and 8 [duplex townhome style], are across Captiva Drive from the beach with great views. The bay is just steps away, so you can fish or watch for manatee.

Shorewood is a small complex on Sanibel's east end. This area is far more town like and crowded than Captiva, but the condos have more square footage. Deep setback. It's actually further from the beach than than the units at Captiva Shores, but there's no street to cross. The quality for the price on the furnishing is, in most cases, better at Captiva Shores.

Both are good choices.

Thank you for your help. What is the best airport to fly into. How long is the drive from the airport to Captiva?

Thanks again

One other question...

Should we be looking at places in Sarasota or Ft. Meyers? Better value? Thanks

If you want to look further north, see Anna Maria. Ft Myers Beach is less expensive, but far more crowded and commercial, but has got more nightlife. It's all a matter of taste. Captiva and Sanibel carry premium pricing, but the lack of high rises and 65% of Sanibel set aside as conservation land, even it's most 'crowded' is a relative thing. The area of Captiva you're looking at is near the tiny village where most restaurants and shops are.

To stay on Sanibel or Captiva or Ft Myers Beach, as well as Naples and Marco Island, use RSW - Ft Myer's International Airport. 35-45 minutes to Sanibel depending on traffic and then another 20-30 minutes to Captiva [low speed limits]. For Anna Maria, Longboat Key or Siesta Key up north, use SRQ - Sarasota Bradenton or TPA, Tampa.

You might check www.resortquestlongboatkey.com; they seem to have some things in your price range, and it's an area that the kids would enjoy. JetBlue has flights from JFK direct to Sarasota, at least in season.

We did Marco Island for spring break 2 years ago with 3 kids (14, 11 & 7) and it's very quiet after 7:00 p.m. and nothing to do on the weekends. We spent almost our entire time in Naples. Great houses to rent and less expensive than Marco Island. Ft. Myers is busy and lots of things to do there. The kids would not get bored. Naples was AWESOME - we rented a house on a golf course for a week and it was approx $2700.00 and it had 3 bedrooms, 3 bath and a great pool. Hope this helps a little!