Watch: Coyote goes for a swim in Captiva's Redfish Pass

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

People fishing along Redfish Pass off Captiva Island captured video of a coyote swimming to the beach from North Captiva.

Tarpon Boatworks said the coyote spent nearly 15 minutes looking out at Captiva Island, and it made it about a quarter of the way across before the current led it to change its mind and head back to North Captiva.

According to the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, coyotes are present in all 67 counties in Florida and live in every state except Hawaii. FWC said coyotes are in Florida due to natural range expansion from western states.

Coyote sightings have been increasing across Southwest Florida, especially in urban areas. In November 2025, a coyote was seen standing on the ledge of the Luminary Hotel parking garage in downtown Fort Myers, garnering attention from bystanders.

Video from April 2022: Coyote swims across Blind Pass to Sanibel

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