Folklore has it that Gasparilla Island was named for the infamous, and possibly fictitious, pirate, Jose Gaspar, who is said to have used the island as a base and allegedly buried his treasure here, though the Boca Grande Historical Society has something to say about that. Please contact us if you have any questions. ;-). The manatees in contrast to the lively dolphins attract attention by their rather sedatenature. This is a family favorite for families with kids or big kids that . Icing on the cake was seeing dolphins! Select one of the cruise options below to book your cruise adventure today! So did we miss any of your favorite things to do in Boca Grande? We happily did some of the research for you and found some of the best vacations rentals on Boca Grande steps from the beaches or the backwater bayou for awesome kayaking: This 2 BR townhouse on the south end of the island adjacent to Gasparilla Island State Park has amazing Gulf views and 1130 sq ft perfect for a family vacation. Once on the inside route, Jensens Captiva Island Beach and Marina Resorts, McCarthys Marina and the marina at Tween Waters Inn Island Resort & Spa provide easy access on shore as you explore picturesque Sanibel, Captiva and Pine Island Sound aboard your private fishing charter with Sanibel Custom Charters. Capt. Across the Boca Grande inlet from the lighthouse is Cayo . From dolphins jumping to private beaches and the best seashells you can find, we offer a variety of packages catered to your family and friends! Are there day (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Once settled in, let the fun begin. Through the ages, the local rivers like the Peace River drained the seas carrying fossils and other relics and deposited them along the shores around Charlotte Harbor, Englewood, and Venice. With your own private Captain and Tour Guide at your service, explore the ocean like never before. Longtime Captiva Island entrepreneur Sandy Stilwell Youngquist isnt a criernot even after seeing her properties post-Ian. On the other hand, if you plan to spend your time on the backside of Sanibel Island, a smaller boat would work well for the shallow waters of Pine Island Bay. We can help accommodate groups exceeding six passengers by reserving a second boat (or more) with our fellow guides. Once you have arrived, its a short 5 minute walk by the Gasparilla Inn Beach Club into the heart of town, where you will find multiple restaurants and markets. Im still here and resilient as ever, she says. These early Spanish and Cuban fishermen caught literally tons of mullet and other fish which they salted and exported to Havana and several other markets. As a tourist, at these temperatures even a T-shirt is toomuch to wear and you feel like bowing to the locals who with stoic composure rush towork at 95 degrees Fahrenheit with a suit and a tie. American fare. Book a custom Dolphin Tour around the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva. Gasparilla Adventures has reasonable rates on 4 or 6 passenger golf carts, and offer great service. Truly one of the best Boca Grande restaurants! An island that runs parallel to the mainland, a so-called barrier island. The structure feels more southwest Spanish colonial than islandy Boca Grande, and it gets even better once youre inside, and then outside again. This is why they are a popular place for marriages. The course will be held at the Pine Ridge Community Center, 15699 Pine Ridge Rd., Fort Myers, next to the fire station and across from [] (239) 472-1956 Florida is different. Remember to Stay in the Channels & Obey the Speed Limits. The Cayo Costa Beach was gorgeous, and the trip was the perfect amount of time.. Search for RV campgrounds. Beaches here are plentiful and some of southwest Floridas most beautiful beaches. Feel like trying something completely different? Schedule a water taxi to the historic Boca Grande, the most northern destination of the island tours offered from Jensen's Marina. Find pet-friendly stops. Even car traffic is not an issueon this island. As much as she loves Boca Grande, her heart is in Captiva, where she opened the inn in 1999. Reserve an exclusive Sightseeing Charter along the pristine waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Theres plenty of outdoor seating including umbrella tables on the beach, and its easy to watch a fiery sunset or enjoy a cocktail to views of the Gulf. High-rise buildings, night-life, booming street noise? Gasparilla State Park and the Barrier Island Parks Society operates four beach access points on the island. Sandy and her husband, Tim, often boated to Gasparilla Island with friends for breakfast or lunch at the Caboose, as locals called the restaurant. nice selection of appetizers and soups, fresh grouper, salmon, Mahi, and tripletailplus choice ribeye steaks and veal chops. This rich phosphate market combined with unparalleled fishing spurred development of the town of Boca Grande. So stop by there for dinner before returning the golf cart and taking the charter back to Pineland. 1591 E. Atlantic Blvd, 2nd Floor Doc Fords Rum Bar also has establishments on both islands. Boca Grande, Florida Contact Awards Travelers' Choice 2022 Suggest edits to improve what we show. Miller's Dockside. Theres a quality of life in some remote parts of southwest Florida that demands a slower pace the small towns and barrier islands that were slow to grow and develop along with the rest of Florida, but now find themselves richer from the lack of big infrastructure or tourism draws. Book a custom eco-tour. This is one of the best islands in Florida to watch the sunset. Refer to our Privacy Policy for full affiliate terms. Youre never at a loss for your own private beach on Boca Grande. Known as the original lighthouse, its a must-see. Boca Grande is a destination all its own but getting there from Naples is a bit of a roundabout. Boats cannot be beached anywhere on the Gulf side of Sanibel Island. If the problem persists, open a ticket on our support page and we will assist with troubleshooting. If youve been wanting to explore the barrier islands around Gasparilla Sound in southwest Florida, there are some fun and unique things to do in Boca Grande, although the true beauty of this island is found doing less, not more. Box 200 Pineland, FL 33945 Overnight Express Mail Cabbage Key 13771 Waterfront Drive Bokeelia, FL 33922 Phone Tel: (239) 283-2278 Email reservations@cabbagekey.com jobs@cabbagekey.com LGBTQ friendly. A golf cart rental is recommended if you want to explore the town. The tranquil back waters of Boca Grande Bayou are perfect for an early morning kayak adventure or stand up paddle boarding. Think about it. From there short drive down the road you will find Banyan Road- this picturesque road is famous for being the backdrop to family and wedding pictures. There are plenty of things to do in Boca Grande Florida, but we understand if youd rather not. As other job opportunities opened, she offered staffers an out to take better-paying positions to support themselves and their families until they could return to their old Captiva gigs. The Temptation Restaurant Boca Grande exudes an old school charm so authentically retro at 75 years old, its cool. greenflashcaptiva.com, Tween Waters Inn Island Rome2rio makes travelling from Boca Grande to Sanibel Island easy. The restaurant is famed for its titular dessert, with its two levels of decadence that contain a custard-like base and fluffy top layer over a dense, crunchy crust, with sweet and tart swirls of raspberry and Key lime sauces. Anotherdestination worth visiting is Naples. The historic town includes notable restaurants and a museum along with a cluster of shops and galleries. $297. Meet the talented couple behind Florida Gulfshore Ballet and their quest to create the first professional company in the region. A destination that ispopular not only with tourists. Dolphins can often be seen frolicking in and out of the boats wake. Miles of unspoiled sandy beaches in the Gulf of Mexico. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Vessels up to 24 feet We apologize for the inconvenience. Video tour of Fort Myers, Sanibel, and Captiva Cabbage Key Weather clear sky Sat 75F 72F Sun 70F 55F Mon 70F 55F Tue 73F An island that runs parallel to themainland,a so-called barrier island. Hopefully you are able to catch the sunset on the way back as a perfect ending to the perfect day! No hour motorboat rides down the ICW or channels to open water, Charlotte Harbor beckons, 10 miles in either direction literally as soon as we clear the short entry channel. Daily lunch, and afternoon cruises to Cabbage Key and Useppa Island from Boca Grande, FL. For a more secluded beach experience, one of the best beaches in the area Cayo Costa is a stones throw away from BG. We also can create custom packages just for you and your family. To list all thebeaches accessible by boat from your house is quite impossible. Both are accessible by land or boat. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Scheduling a water taxi to historic Boca Grande is a great way to enjoy island tours from Jensen's Marina. We look forward to hearing from you. Now in its 108th season, the resort offers 142 luxurious accommodations and a host of fun activities for families, couples, and groups that enjoy Florida as it was meant to be., The old dilapidated pier locals call Bocahenge. to Captiva. 6 hrs - $800 Fishing/Shelling Combo. The second Keylime proved so successful that Sandy is considering creating more outposts, with a small-scale version at Southwest Florida International Airport next on her list. Endless Summer Charters' website to book on-line! If the beach is designated as a swimming beach, the distance becomes 500 feet. Traveling with a dog or cat? gocaptiva.com, McCarthys Marina, Captiva A member of our team will be in touch with you within 24 hours! . In other words, if youre in Naples or Fort Myers, you need to drive north on I-75 or Rte. She informed employees at all six businesses that shed pay them to help with salvage and clean-up operations on the island. The Tween Waters Resort & Spa was established in 1931 offers fine dining, beach access, and many other family-friendly activities. There are more than enough of them all around Cape Coral. southseas.com orsouthseas.com/see-and-do/spa-and-fitness, Sanibel Taxi (for both islands) Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Looking south over Boca Grande toward Cayo Costa and beyond to the Lee county coast. This area also tends to be a busy stretch of waterway. With over 30 years of experience navigating Southwest Florida waters and barrier islands, our accommodating team makes your time with us comfortable, safe and fun! Its a special excursion to be premeditated for sure, but once youve arrived, odds are youll make the same effort to return over and over again, each time turning over a new leafor seashell, as it were. She kept the creamery, with the Loose Caboose Ice Cream Shoppe connected to Keylime Bistro Boca Grande. 847 Harborshore Dr #1, Boca Grande, FL 33921 is a 2,324 sqft, 3 bed, 3 bath Condo listed for $3,775,000. We have great boating for all types and sizes. 41 through Charlotte County then head west and back down south again to get there. There are 25.46 miles from Sanibel to Boca Grande in northwest direction and 73 miles (117.48 kilometers) by car, following the US-41 route.. Sanibel and Boca Grande are 1 hour 43 mins far apart, if you drive non-stop .. She expects all of her restaurants to be back by September. The town of Boca Grande sits at the southernmost tip of Gasparilla Island northwest of Fort Myers, the island jutting south into Charlotte Harbor surrounded by nothing but water. The Gasparilla Inn rents golf carts by the hour, half/full day, and week, as does Kappys Market on the north side of town. A largejunonia shell, for example, can bring $150 at a local shell shop; someone finds one nearly every week. The island has an Inn and Restaurant, built in 1938 by American playwright Mary Roberts Rinehart. Either way, watch out for manatees, which are plentiful throughout the system. Find the travel option that best suits you. A laid-back waterside sports bar. 1 price change: 11401 Old Lodge Ln 2/3.5 now $5.995M. Find the best . The grand Gasparilla Inn spurred the towns reputation as a prestigious getaway. Written by Yvonne 2. No matter how long youre here, the beaches of Boca Grande are one of the biggest reasons to come and youll have plenty of variety from which to choose! Then its multitasking tonguesucked the nutritious life out ofthat mollusk. Relatively long and narrow, they offer easy access to the Gulf of Mexico for serious offshore fishing adventures and open-throttle cruises. Either by ferry or your own boat. Sanibel Marina is a popular place in the area to dock your boat. Additional places to dine on Captiva include the romantic Mad Hatter, plus Old Captiva House at the oft-mentioned Tween Waters Inn. 5.0 Exceptional. bluecoyotesupperclub.com, Sanibel-Grandma Dots, Sanibel The sign outside reads Johan Fust Community Library but its unlike any library youve ever seen. Its 15 minutes from Pine Island as its just across the water from Bokeelia. One of the must Gasparilla Island things to do? From any of these, you can walk to the Gulf-side beaches, or grab a cab or bike to reach other destinations. Tom will pull into a public slip/boat ramp area that is typically known as the Pink Elephant Boat Ramp. Capt. From the few demi-round booths and rustic murals adorning the walls depicting early life on Boca Grande (complete with the names of the town citizens in them), to the adjacent old-fashioned bar and 1978 pull handle cigarette machine on your way to the restrooms, everything about this place screams nostalgia. The space seems destined to entertain, with its bright and nautical touches. Florida is diversity, in a way that canhardly be found anywhere else. You never know what will be on the end of your line! Plus, the outdoor setting under tall banyan trees rounds out a very nice setting. Highly recommend this company!, Took the sunset cruise departing from south seas plantation crew was awesome. Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, one of Boca Grandes gems, Gasparilla Island Lighthouse, the Range Light - 220 Gulf Blvd, Boca Grande, Port Boca Grande Lighthouse - 880 Belcher Road, Boca Grande. Listen to live music as you sip & snack from our bar menu. This morning, Ill look for shells. southseas.com/marinas/yacht-harbour-marina.com, The Lazy Flamingo, Captiva/Sanibel Views from the top are incredible and well worth the advance reservation. When youve finished collecting for the day, be sure to check out the Whiddens Marina is full of local nautical treasures. Boca Grande's Premier Boat Cruise! Of the 10 historic cottagesdating back to the 50sall but two had to be torn down. On the other hand, if you plan to spend your time on the backside of Sanibel Island, a smaller boat would work well for the shallow waters of Pine Island Bay. Since it's protected waters, we can sail when the waters outside Boca Grande Pass in the Gulf of Mexico might be too rough. Atlantic Coast Updates: Operation Sailfish, Five Outstanding Sunglasses You Need to See. Sanibel and Captiva islands are 8 miles to the south. . The Boca Grande restaurant runs much like the original on Captiva, with its worry-free beachy style and the sea breeze sweeping through the room. Our charter boat comfortably and safely fits 6 guests, plus your Private Captain and Tour Guide (8 total). Yes, we do! Unlike other barrier islandsin this area, Sanibel Island hasan east-west beach that trapssought-after shells from southernwaters, including the Caribbean. Built up by the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railway in the early 1900s and subsequently discovered by the Rockefellers, du Ponts, J.P Morgan and their ilk, Boca Grande and its legendary tarpon fishing made for a rich mans playground. Once back at the dock, all legal fish you keep will be expertly filleted and bagged for you to take home. This waterway runs between the mainland and Pine Island, which is very shallow and home to many marine life species. Sugar sand beaches and crystal clear water, Naples, farmers markets, shopping, NaplesFL1, Cape Coral, Wicked Dolphin, rum, distillery, day trips, tours, Gulf Coast islands thats accessible only by boat, southwest Floridas most beautiful beaches, Things to Do in Boca Grande for a Blissful Island Vibe, 15 Fun Things To Do on Sanibel Island, Florida, Castaway to 7 Southwest Florida Gulf Coast Islands Reachable Only By Boat. The clam was the victim of acarnivorous sea snail, and it wasnt Thatclam was murdered in cold blood. The beaches ofSanibel Island near Fort Myershave shell abundance and variety,including many murdered clams. If you click through and make a qualifying purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
