In 1950, the Isles of Capri consisted of a group of 4 quiet mangrove islands, when a man with tremendous vision, called L.L "Doc" Loach first recognized the islands' development possibilities and laid plans to build a fishing retreat in an early Florida setting alongside the Ten thousand Islands.

During that era, nearby Naples was booming with activity as the railroad arrived and factories were established. Across the Marco River on Marco Island, the clam industry was helping produce the community's fist major economic boom. To "Doc" Loach, the Isles of Capri, with its tropical beauty and abundant fishing, was an opportunity he couldn't pass up and he purchased the land from the Jones, Benson and Pulling families of Naples in 1955. With a vision of an Olde-Florida style fishing village firmly implanted in his imagination, he began the long process of plotting and planning his dream community.

It took many years to dredge, reshape and join the islands together, to form the single landmass that we know today. During that time Loach laid out and placed for sale a total of 700 residential and commercial lots. Until the county road 952 was built, the only way to reach the shores of the Isles of Capri was by boat, but that wasn't a deterrent to those who were eagerly seeking the combination of a refuge from harsh winters and the ultimate fisherman's paradise. In search of the prize game fish teeming off the Isles of Capri including snook, redfish, amberjack, snapper, pompano, flounder, puffers, sand perch and trout. Northerners came in their fishing goats and Loach's dream of building a secluded fishing community slowly became a reality.

In the early 1970's construction began on a toll bridge to Marco Island, which brought more visitors to the area, and county road 952 linked the Isles of Capri to the mainland state road 951 leading down to Marco Island. Many visitors to Marco were captivated by the peaceful Isles of Capri and it was then that Loach's expectation were completely fulfilled and the lots of the Olde-Florida fishing village were sold
Sales of the 700 home sites did not happen overnight, however. Without the aid of a sales program or national advertising agency, it wasn't until Capri is one of the few water front communities left in SW Florida that has retain3d the quiet unhurried atmosphere of a small town

The Isles of Capri offers a truly unique island community nestled amid the bays and tidal waterways just inside the shell beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and across the river from Marco Island.

Homebuyers in search of an informal island lifestyle might want to take a look at Isles of Capri. Just a few minutes off the beaten path, the four islands of Capri are surrounded by water, yet easily accessible by boat or car.

" The proximity to Naples and Marco Island, the direct accessibility to the Gulf and backwaters, along with the quietness and down-to=earth attitude of the islanders themselves, are what draw people to Capri,"

The entrance to Isles of Capri is at the intersection of State Road 951 ( Isles of Capri Road) and County Road 952 (Capri Boulevard). Whether you are coming by boat or car, the time is the same, under 5 minutes to Marco Island and 25 minutes to Naples. Avid boaters will be interested to know that all waterfront properties on Capri have direct access (no bridges to contend with) and the access time is very short; ranging from one to ten minutes to reach the Gulf and one to five minutes to the backwaters.

Boating enthusiasts have a choice of offshore and backwater fishing, sailing, scuba diving, shelling, beach combing, waters sports and boating to their favorite restaurant or "chickee". The quaint community of Isles of Capri is very accommodating to all of these, and they start from the property owner's backyard.

Many Isles of Capri homes were built in the 70's and 80's and are modest in size - 1.400 to 1,800 square feet. As a result, many of today's buyers purchase them with an eye toward renovations, or buyers will tear down the home and rebuild to suit their desires.

There are also three waterfront condominium complexes totaling 324 units: La Penninsula, Marco Towers and Tarpon Village. Amenities include tennis courts, boat docks, heated swimming pools and some of the best dock fishing found anywhere

At this time, commercial endeavors include two convenience/general stores, four restaurants, three full-service marinas, a waterfront motel, an antique shop, Forbes Real Estate, Fire/ EMS station and the Capri (non-denominational) Christian Church. Restaurants include the award-winning Blue Heron Inn, The Pelican Bend with outdoor chickee bar, the newly opened Capri Fish House and dockside Backwater Nick's. The Isles of Capri falls under the jurisdiction of Collier County for services and utilities.

The development of the Isles of Capri has come a long way since 1955 when LL Doc Loach, single-handedly went to work turning the 700 acres of mangrove islands into a fishing retreat. Today, the population is approximately 800 year-round residents which increase to 1,400 during "season"

Capri is one of the few waterfront communities left in SW Florida that has retained the quiet, unhurried atmosphere of a small town. Those who choose to settle here have something in common, their love and respect for the water and the life that surrounds it. Make sure to explore the beautiful Isles of Capri lifestyles, waterfront lots, homes, condos and great restaurants.

The History of Isles of Capri

When L.L "Doc" Loach discovered the secluded shores of the Isles of Capri, he immediately recognized the islands' development possibilities and laid plans to build a fishing retreat in an early Florida setting alongside the Ten thousand Islands

Nearby Naples was booming with activity as the railroad arrived and factories were established. And across the Marco River on Marco Island, the clam industry was helping produce that community's fist major economic boom. To Loach, the Isles of Capri, with its tropical beauty and abundant fishing, was an opportunity he couldn't pass up

Loach purchased the land from the Jones, Benson and Pulling families of Naples in 1955, and with a vision of an Olde-Florida fishing village firmly implanted in his imagination, he began the long process of plotting and planning his dream community.

After more than two years of dredging and reshaping the untamed lands, Loach laid out and place for sale a total of 700 residential and commercial lots. At the time, the only way to reach the shores of the four 7--=acre islands was by boat, but that wasn't a deterrent to those who were eagerly seeking the combination of a refuge from harsh winters and the ultimate fisherman's paradise. In search of the prize game fish teeming off the Isles of Capri including snook, redfish, amberjack, snapper, pompano, flounder, puffers, sand perch and trout. Northerners came in their fishing goats and Loach's dream of building a secluded fishing community slowly became a reality

Sales of the 700 home sites did not happen overnight, however. Without the aid of a sales program or national advertising agency, it wasn't until the early 1970's with the construction of the tool bridge to Marco Island, that Loach's expectation were completely fulfilled and the lots of the Olde-Florida fishing village were sold

Since that time, little has changed in this peaceful community which has been describes as "the isles of paradise'" The surrounding waters are still chock full of some of the most prized game fish found anywhere in the country and boaters still enjoy the ever-changing, untouched panorama of the surrounding Ten Thousand Islands. The Isles of Capri are not home to high-rise buildings or traffic jams, and the neighborly, restful pace of the islands inhabitants is well intact.

Capri Boulevard runs through the "heart" of town, which is comprised of just a few rustic shops and quaint restaurants and taverns. Most of the islands' residential area is built alongside canals leading to Johnson Bay, Tarpon Bay and the Marco Rive, all of which access the Gulf of Mexico and the Ten Thousand Islands.

In 1985, construction of an exciting village of Spanish Mediterranean-style villas and town homes began on the islands' prime piece of property along the Marco Rive. The community was names La Peninsula. In keeping with the Olde-Florida environment on the Isles of Capri, La Peninsula combines the beauty and elegance of Olde-World architecture with the luxury and quality today's buyers expect in a waterfront commu8nity

Step back to the early day of this Florida island haven - as majestic and peaceful as it was when "Doc" Loach first envisioned his nature-lovers' paradise.