Overview
Redfish Pass is Captiva Island's most northern break, a sand-bottomed beach break that peels both left and right. It tends to run smaller than the rest of the island, but when the wind cooperates it can come in cleaner than the breaks further south. Nobody is making the trip here purely for the surf, though the setup holds potential on the right day.
When It Works
The break draws swell from northwest through north to south-southwest (NW-N-SSW). It is usable from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 1.8 m / 6 ft, and the season runs through spring, autumn, and winter.
Wind and Tide
Offshore winds come from the east-northeast (ENE), cleaning up the faces. Beyond that there's a workable wind window running from north through east to south-southeast (N-E-SSE). The bank works on low and mid tide, with a rising tide the better call.
Local Tips
This is a spot for intermediate and expert surfers on a shortboard. The lineup stays quiet, and the atmosphere is friendly when it's on.
Access
Getting in is tough. Redfish sits at the exclusive South Seas Plantation resort, easy to find by driving north up the island but hard to actually access. Your best options are a boat or paying for a room. Tread and park carefully, since the main hazard here is getting thrown out or towed.
