Nearly three years after Hurricane Ian impacted Southwest Florida, South Seas will host a four-day Grand Reopening Celebration during Memorial Day Weekend that includes the debut of new amenities along with a charity fishing tournament.
The celebration runs May 22-25 and will highlight South Seas’ post-storm improvements, which include enhanced dining options, renovated pools, water sports, beach services, fitness amenities, The Clutch Golf Course, Bayview Pier, the Shops at South Seas and more. Amenities are available to guests with Club Captiva and registered South Seas Resort guests.
The Grand Reopening Celebration coincides with the second annual South Seas Tarpon Tournament to benefit Folds of Honor. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has provided educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members and first responders. Tournament proceeds will directly benefit local families in Lee County and the surrounding areas of Captiva Island and Sanibel Island. The inaugural event in 2024 raised over $200,000, the equivalent of 40 scholarships.
Weekend festivities include a “Feed the Fish” golf ball drive featuring ecological, biodegradable golf balls made of fish food, a kids’ fishing tournament, live music, a hydro battle, seafood boil, glow golf and more. For a full schedule of Grand Reopening Celebration events, and to register for the fishing tournament or become a sponsor, please visit SouthSeas.com/tarpon.
“Last year, we were successful in raising $200,000 to support educational scholarships for families who have sacrificed so much for our country and community,” says South Seas General Manager Shawn Farrell. “Providing a world-class fishing tournament that combines a spirit of competition with a sense of community, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved while raising awareness and support for the Folds of Honor Scholarship Fund, is an amazing way to honor those who served our country while celebrating our grand reopening. We look forward to this year’s tournament, to introducing the reimagined South Seas resort to our guests and building on the inaugural event last year.”
Teams of four people can enter the tournament for an entry fee of $1,000 per team, with only one captain per team. All monies collected from Tarpon Tournament entry fees are paid to the winners of the tournament. Proceeds from the Kids Fishing Tournament, Captain’s Meeting at Redfish Grill, Feed the Fish Golf Ball Drive, Patriotic Tee Shirt Dye, Kids Fishing Tournament, and other activities will be donated to Folds of Honor.
Throughout the weekend, families can enjoy new amenities and restaurants, sun-soaked beaches, island adventures and family-friendly activities over Memorial Day weekend, including honor guard, paratroopers, live music, military and first responder vehicles, face painting, a bounce house, food and more at South Seas.
Only 45 minutes, yet a world away, Captiva Island is connected to Florida’s mainland via Sanibel Causeway and a small bridge over Blind Pass, joining it to Sanibel Island. Tucked away at the northern end of the five-mile long, one-half-mile wide Captiva Island, South Seas is between Pine Island Sound and the Gulf of Mexico, ensconced by two-and-a-half miles of powder-white beaches lapped by turquoise tides. The resort offers a range of accommodations of varying types, each steps from the Gulf of Mexico, including beach villas, marina villas, tennis villas and beach homes that are now available for reservations.
For more information or to book Memorial Day Weekend stays, visit SouthSeas.com, call 800-237-6000 or follow the resort on Facebook at @SouthSeasResort and Instagram at @SouthSeasResort.
About South Seas
Presenting classic island charm, the 330-acre South Seas is nestled among mangroves with more than half of the resort a dedicated wildlife preserve and estuary. Outstanding golf, famed fishing, boating, yachting and discovering storied barrier islands, flavorful dining and memorable island adventures are among the unforgettable experiences of a South Seas guest. The resort has been a cherished destination for more than 75 years. As a new chapter begins, one that has been inspired by the many past generations of guests and thoughtfully recast for the future South Seas is dedicated to delivering a resilient, world-class resort. SouthSeas.com
About Folds of Honor
Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States armed forces. Beginning in 2022, Folds of Honor expanded its mission to include first responders. Its educational scholarships support private-school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12 as well as post-secondary tuition. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on GuideStar. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, an F-16 fighter pilot, who is currently stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, TX. For more information visit FoldsOfHonor.org.
