Beaches

The uncrowded beaches of Englewood are only a 45-minute drive away with excellent facilities. Just south, you'll find Blind Pass Park, a fantastic place for shelling and finding shark teeth. Manasota Key Beach is nice but has a smaller parking area and can be hard to find a spot. Blind Pass Beach has a large parking area. There is plenty of room to enjoy the beach supplies at the house. The southern point is Stump Pass State Park. As a state park, there is a $3 per car fee but the beach is worth it. 

Boca Grande is a serene and naturally beautiful area, but there is no shortage of things to keep you and your family amused during the daytime. The Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum is an interesting and educational trip. For the art lovers, the Paradise Island Gallery has some stunning pieces of art on display and is worth a visit. For a little more excitement, hike through the Cayo Costa State Park. This excellent location has miles of stunning beaches, acres of pine forests, and water that is rich with sea life.

Here are six reasons why it’s worth the 1-hour drive and $6 toll to visit Boca Grande:

1. There’s a scenic bike and golf-cart path that runs 6.5 miles, the length of the island, past some great scenery.

2. The historic downtown is full of quaint old homes, churches, and stores. We particularly love Whidden’s Marina, a ramshackle waterfront complex that is on the National Register of Historic Places.

3. The fishing has been drawing anglers for more than 100 years. It is one of the best places in the world to fish for tarpon.

4. The beaches have white-powder sand and are good for shelling.

5. There are two picturesque lighthouses, one of which you can tour.

6. You can have lunch at the elite Gasparilla Inn dining room or Pink Elephant Restaurant to experience a place that hosts presidents and celebrities or choose another of the excellent restaurants on Gasparilla Island.

If you are looking for a livelier beach, head to Fort Myers Beach. If possible, it is always fun to travel by boat and anchor just offshore and walk in. The boat ride beats the traffic on the bridges especially during busier season. 

Obviously, Hurricane Ian has changed Fort Myers beach for years to come. Please be informed and support those business in need.

Protecting the tip of a peninsula where Little Alligator Creek meets Charlotte Harbor, Ponce De Leon Park is a city park on the edge of Punta Gorda. It is a short bike ride from the house.

Enjoy dramatic sunsets over the harbor from a “stretch of beach” created to showcase the waterfront. We are a canal town so there is a concrete wall at the water’s edge. The raised boardwalks are great for a short hike and to observe wildlife. There is a popular fishing pier as well. Most of the park is a mangrove forest, which you drive through to enter the park

The Peace River Wildlife Center, a volunteer-managed bird rescue and rehabilitation facility, caring for injured shorebirds and other wildlife, is located within the park. Make sure to meet Bella the Great Horned Owl.

Fishermen's Village Waterfront Mall, Resort, and Marina offers something for everyone. Shopping, dining, live entertainment, and water adventures await locals and travelers. With over 30 boutique shops there are great options for buying something unique, simple souvenirs, or meet a realtor and buy a house like we did. There are 5 different restaurants with something for everybody and great views of Charlotte Harbor especially at sunset.

The waters in Southwest Florida are considered one of the most interesting for cruising and fishing in the United States. If you want a relaxing day on the water, enjoy a secluded beach, or fish in one of the most prominent fishing destinations in the United States.

They provide boat rental and can even deliver the boat directly to the house dock for a small price. 

They also have fishing charters available. 

If you don’t want to fish off the dock or fishing off the dock got you hooked, there are great fishing charters throughout Punta Gorda. The snook are great in the canal, but red fish and tarpon are common in the harbor. Boca Grande Pass is known as “The Tarpon Capital of the World”. Hundreds of thousands of hungry tarpon migrate to the pass and its surrounding areas to breed.

“Silver King” or Tarpon fishing is one of the most exhilarating fishing experiences! From the second it takes them to bite, to when you see the tarpon flying out of the water, to the minute your captain releases your fish, this fishing experience will leave a memory with you will never forget!

The store is chock full of unique and interesting products from over 3,500 consignors, vendors and local artists. The original Punta Gorda store is 10,000 square feet of fun, and is located at 204 E.McKenzie Street. A truly unique shopping experience and a place to get some great items. We filled the car with great finds as we decorated the house.

Our local dive bar. If you want to hang out with friendly locals while enjoying a beer and listening to or participating in random Karaoke, this is your place. The singing gets better the more you drin

Punta Gorda Mercantile, is an eclectic shopping destination with over 100 different vendors and consignors. They specialize in home décor and furniture. There are tons of great small items. We filled another carload of unique items to decorate the house. Our favorite find was the driftwood sea gull on the tall table by the garage.

Find something for everybody. Punta Gorda is a great town with lots of activities. The Chamber keeps a great list of local activities and events.

We provide bikes at the house and Punta Gorda is known as, by far, one of the most bicycle friendly cities in the United States. Punta Gorda Pathways connect throughout the city to provide a bicycle friendly transportation network. The city provides several great routes. Try part or the entire route. The link below leads to the route maps.

Take a drive and enjoy the Old Cracker Trail and countryside of Central Florida.  Although a bit of a drive, 90 minutes, it is the closest and best true winery. Family owned and operated, they opened to the public in November 2019 right before the pandemic hit. They do not offer a formal tour. However, guests are free to come visit part of their 30-acre farm. Guests are welcome to walk through the muscadine vineyard or visit the big blue barn that holds a tasting bar and gift shop. 

There is NOT a cover charge to come on the property.

Their "wine tastings" are exclusively offered inside the barn at the Garden Bar. You will be able to choose 6 wines from their wine list and receive 1 oz samples of them along with a winery background & history, pairing notes, and souvenir glass for $14. For the same price you have the option to do a flight where you don't have to listen "to the spiel" and get (4) 2 oz samples and the souvenir glass to enjoy on the patio.

Embark on a maritime adventure and explore the stunning beauty of Southwest Florida’s coastal treasures. As a family-owned and operated business based in picturesque Punta Gorda, FL, they take pride in delivering exceptional private charters and unforgettable experiences tailored just for you.

They even offer pick up services at our dock.

Specializing in private charters to Gasparilla Island, Boca Grande, Cayo Costa Island, intercoastal cruising, and mesmerizing sunset cruises, they offer a range of options to suit your desires. Captain Eric Spatola, a USCG licensed captain with 26 years of boating experience, ensures your safety and provides experienced navigation through the enchanting waters of Charlotte Harbor and beyond. Their charters, ranging from 2 to 8 hours, cater to groups of up to 6 passengers, ensuring an intimate and personalized journey.

You have multiple options in both Englewood and Fort Myers for parasailing. Our kids have tried several and we would recommend Parasail Englewood for their great service and quality equipment.

Parasail Englewood is the area’s premier parasail destination. They are the only US Coast Guard certified and inspected parasail boat in Englewood with a 100% safety record.

While flying high above the Manasota Key, you’ll experience a one of a kind feeling of excitement and exhilaration mixed with a quiet peacefulness that is unique to parasailing. As one of Englewood’s most popular attractions, parasailing is safe and fun for all ages. Enjoy views of beautiful beaches as you gently glide above Florida’s scenic coastline. As you parasail, it’s not uncommon to spot dolphins, manatees, and countless other native Florida wildlife. This surreal experience will have you feeling like a pelican soaring through the sky-high above Manasota Key.