The composition is built on a low viewpoint that places the viewer close to the sand. Three horizontal layers divide the frame: the beige beach at the bottom, a band of muted green water in the middle, and a light blue sky with white clouds filling the top half. Stalks of sea oats rise from the foreground, cutting across these layers and reaching toward the upper right corner of the frame.

The tallest stalks cluster on the right side, while shorter ones trail off toward the left, creating a sense of depth between the plants and the distant horizon. The desaturated tones of the sand and sky emphasize the quiet atmosphere of Captiva Island mentioned by the artist. Light and shadow are soft across the scene, with the pale colors blending into one another at the water's edge.