however, most reset the bar with significant upgrades. A pair of hurricanes tore through here in the 1920s and Hurricane Charlie, a 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. 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. Downtown Cape Coral to Sanibel Island, for example, is about 14 miles, depending on your route; however, boaters must cross the . It is a quaint little town full of great restaurants and a beautiful beach. on shore as you explore picturesque Sanibel, Captiva and Pine Island Sound aboard your private fishing charter with Sanibel Custom Charters. a fair fight. Between these entertaining access routes, Sanibel stretches for roughly 12 miles while Captiva sprawls for another five. Your email address will not be published. Pensacola Beach has a lot. Embark from Captiva Island, Florida to a nearby island destination, relax watching the sunset or follow a pod of dolphins at play. Great ride, lots of dolphins. $195,000. (There's even a term"Sanibel stoop"for the position beachcombers assume while searching for prized shells.) But that is nothing compared to the experience of a boat trip that await the vacationers. Brandt will handle your catches for you, unless of course, you want to get your hands dirty! Beds. Today Boca Grande is a mecca for tourists and sun worshippers seeking a casual laid-back vacation in an out-of-the-way location by the sea. The locales homemade ice cream was so celebrated that actress Katharine Hepburn once pinned an appreciative note to the shops bulletin board. But, by February, the islands beaches were open, and old Captiva friends were showing up on the island. To tour by paddle power, head over to Adventure Sea Kayaks at Tween Waters Inn on Captiva and enter the small cove in Buck Key to find seahorses, jumping mullet and all sorts of bird life. The fried fish and shrimp platters couldnt get any fresher! Rememberit is illegal to remove live shells! The beaches of Sanibel Island have a strict policy against taking home living creatures. He will take you through Charlotte Harbor and 15 minutesinto the boat ride you will see the water turn into a bright turquoise! There are some fascinating relics to be seen however, like the pair of fishing boat fighting chairs that Zane Gray and Papa Hemingway himself reportedly once sat in to wrestle tarpon from Boca Grand Pass. Eons ago when the giant Megaladon sharks inhabited the shallow inland seas, they deposited countless teeth. After wooing Neapolitans with her Hotel Escalante and Veranda E, Mary Brandt debuts the transportive The MED restaurant in the Bayshore Arts District. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-53457823', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruises to Captiva and/or Sanibel? you ankle-deep in shells. southseas.com/marinas/yacht-harbour-marina.com, The Lazy Flamingo, Captiva/Sanibel Beaches here are plentiful and some of southwest Floridas most beautiful beaches. Relatively long and narrow, they offer easy access to the Gulf of Mexico for serious offshore fishing adventures and open-throttle cruises. Port Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 65 feet (239) 437-1660 portsanibelmarina.com. An island that runs parallel to themainland,a so-called barrier island. 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. Do you like to indulge in daydreaming about sunset escapes and wonderful days on the water? Long known for its premier tarpon fishing one of our SWFL bucket list activities it became semi-famous in the 90s when the Bush family (H.W. Wedged between Charlotte Harbor to the northeast and Estero Bay to the southeast, Sanibel and Captiva are the largest in a chain of barrier islands that come across as super-tourist yet surprisingly laid back. Pink street cruisers from the 60s sharethe highways with modern small cars. It is magnificent. Glancing at your charts, Sanibel and Captiva might look like nothing more than a couple of big sand spits, but they certainly pack a punch as standout boating destinations. For a growing family, this 3 BR detached villa is stunning with 1485 sq ft to enjoy. So, be sure and bring some mesh shelling bags with you to the beach. The historic town includes notable restaurants and a museum along with a cluster of shops and galleries. Yes, we do! Required fields are marked *. Sea trout, redfish, and snook abound inside Pine Island Sound. Info@Happycape.Com, Golf courses in Cape Coral: Sports under Floridas sun, Excursion destinations in Cape Coral and surroundings, Unsere Telefonnummer in Deutschland: +49 (208) 998 3337, Ihr Ansprechpartner in der Schweiz: +41 (445) 001 666. Contact us!. an afternoon or sunset., Family reunions, corporate outings, weddings and more, This is was one of the finest boat tours weve ever taken. Jensens Captiva Island Beach and Marina Welcome to your stunning bay front oasis in the highly sought-after community of Boca Bay! It was a great value and our tour guide Captain George was over the top, it is one of Captivas best attractions., We had a great trip to Cayo Costa to shell! American fare. Truly get on island time when you reserve the boat for a full 8-hour day. If the problem persists, open a ticket on our support page and we will assist with troubleshooting. The Boca Grande Pass is a world-famous fishing destination known for its resident tarpon and snook. HAPPY CAPE One of the must Gasparilla Island things to do? The cheapest way to get from Boca Raton to Sanibel Island costs only $35, and the quickest way takes just 2 hours. To access Sanibel Island, opt for either Sanibel Marina or Originally constructed in 1885 in the state of Delaware, the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1918 due to erosion, disassembled and then reconstructed on Gasparilla Island in 1927. By the 1940s the Gasparilla fishery had moved to Placida on the mainland, but in 1994 Florida also banned the use of entangling nets that caused a major decline to commercial fishing on Gasparilla Island. Dining at Keylime Bistro is what Sandy calls eclectic with a whimsical flair. Chef Nehru Williamswho has worked at The Sandals Resort in Jamaica, Captiva mainstay The Bubble Room and Sandys R.C. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The best way to get from Boca Grande to Sanibel Island costs only $16 and takes just 1 hours. Sanibel makes list of best beaches. Ft. 6020 Boca Grande Cswy Unit 58 Boat Slip, BOCA GRANDE, FL 33921. and snook can be caught at most passes. tween-waters.com, Yacht Harbour & Marina, Captiva . Travelers come to Boca Grande for something less, craving a slower pace of life for a while. Select one of the cruise options below to book your cruise adventure today! And, shes not staying quiet on Captiva, either. Anthony Torres; Sanibel, FL; 22 ft Bay boat 31 Reviews; Add To Favorites All your need is your sunblock and towels! The total distance and travel time between Sanibel Island and Cape Coral depends on your starting point. On average, it could take boaters about 20-30 minutes to go between Cape Coral and Sanibel Island by boat. 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. Florida is different. Not only will you be able tosee the beautiful white and black lighthouse, but you can enjoy the beach with its wonderful white sands and turquoise waters. Since there are no marinas residing seaward on the Gulf front, the vast majority of boaters approach from the ICW in Pine Island Sound. Tarpon Tale Inn 4.7 Superb. 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. Unlike anything youve read in travel guides about the US before. Our captain and crew were very knowledgeable and fun! From Punta Gorda, these destinations are all within a short distance from your back door! Getting to both Sanibel and Captiva is fairly straightforward. And if you want to try your hand at tarpon fishing, Boca Grande is the place to do it theres no better tarpon fishing in the entire world! Views from the top are incredible and well worth the advance reservation. Book a custom eco-tour. You can also actuallyget there, because the inhabitants are so proud of these small reserves that theylike to show them off to interested tourists. . There are more than enough of them all around Cape Coral. We suggest reserving your date as far ahead of time as possible to ensure the date and charter of your choice as our calendar fills up quickly. Of the 10 historic cottagesdating back to the 50sall but two had to be torn down. Boca Grande is a destination all its own but getting there from Naples is a bit of a roundabout. Get answers to your questions about Boca Grande. Vessels up to 120 feet The sign outside reads Johan Fust Community Library but its unlike any library youve ever seen. Boca Grand is the largest city of Gasparilla Island. Over the years, I have hired and fished with the best Tarpon guides that I know to gain more knowledge to provide the ultimate experience to clients wanting to catch a Tarpon in 'The Pass'. A largejunonia shell, for example, can bring $150 at a local shell shop; someone finds one nearly every week. water. Required fields are marked *. The earliest settlers came here to fish and by the late 19th century the fishing industry was well established. There are plenty of things to do in Boca Grande Florida, but we understand if youd rather not. Or if youve had enough fun in the sun, you can easily dine inside. About 2 miles south of the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse at the southern tip of the island, is the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse (1890), the oldest structure 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. Find the best . There are over 275 kinds of shells native to Sanibel and Captiva, waiting to be found. Crushin' It Fishing Charters. 1 Sq. The Tween Waters Resort & Spa was established in 1931 offers fine dining, beach access, and many other family-friendly activities. With your own private Captain and Tour Guide at your service, explore the ocean like never before. Germany +49 (208) 998 3337 The Caloosahatchee River is the winter home to manatees and other marine animals above and below the water. We see many of our regulars in Boca Grande now that word is getting out, Sandy says. , where they have 41 boat slips and dining. As you first drive into Boca Grande, this little gem shines brightly from its corner location. (239) 395-2233; shellmuseum.org, By Tom Schlichter, Southern Boating January 2018, Your email address will not be published. When she bought the Captiva restaurant, she took the booths into the parking lot and beat them with chains to erase the formality of the former locale. You've heard of places like Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Boca Grande, Little Gasparilla Island, Cabbage Key, Useppa, Pine Island Sound, Cape Haze, Cayo Costa, Lemon Bay and Redfish Pass. Boca Grande Marina - Boca Grande 220 Harbor Dr, Boca Grande, FL 33921, . No new or closed sales. But that is a long time ago. Its just as it sounds; you To see and to be seen thats what it is allabout here. mangrove ecosystems in the country. Even car traffic is not an issueon this island. One of them is theDolphin Cove Cafe, which is a Cafe, Market and they also rent golf carts! . IN KONTAKT KOMMEN She painted the space pastel purple, blue and green to channel the happy spirit of the islands. Vessels up to 24 feet While Sanibel and Captiva can be enjoyed year-round, March/April and October/November are ideal weather months and therefore see the most visitors. Find pet-friendly stops. Meanwhile, a well-timed endeavor equipped the entrepreneur to weather the storm. Gasparilla State Park and the Barrier Island Parks Society operates four beach access points on the island. Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum. cook em three different ways. At Sanibel Pilates and Ambu Yoga you can meditate on the beach or try SUP yoga. walk the beach gathering interesting and beautiful seashells. When you relax inthe evening by the pool of one of our villas after one of these wonderful tours you willfeel like you are at home. Then came Ian. On Sanibel, for example, youll find 25 miles of paved bike paths. Atlantic Coast Updates: Operation Sailfish, Five Outstanding Sunglasses You Need to See. Soon wealthy sportsmen discovered the incredible fishing in Charlotte Harbor, especially for world class tarpon. Unlike New York, unlike Los Angeles, unlike the Midwest. So stop by there for dinner before returning the golf cart and taking the charter back to Pineland. This influx of travelers brought the need for hotels like the Gasparilla Inn and restaurants serving the freshest local seafood. Or, if you have a boat, you can get to Boca Grande in about 30 minutes from Cape Coral or Sanibel. (484) 459-3971; sanibelpilatesyoga.com, Southern Instinct Fishing Charters Whatever cruise you choose, youll enjoy a beautiful adventure and take home memories that will last a lifetime. Five library spaces including separate Childrens and Young Adult libraries, and a rare book and reference library are accessed from the courtyard. Accoutrements aside though, delicious food and excellent wait service never go out of style. In other words, if youre in Naples or Fort Myers, you need to drive north on I-75 or Rte. Anglers, too, have plenty of options in these waters. The Feds Actions Appear to Be Working Or Are They? $297. The island has an Inn and Restaurant, built in 1938 by American playwright Mary Roberts Rinehart. Definitely a photo op! The Johann Fust community Library is a mini cultural and literary gem. Youre right; its ashell-eat-shell world out there. More than 250 varieties wait to be discovered here, some of which are exceedingly rare, of scientific significance or even worth a few bucks. Cabbage Key Useppa Boca Grande Tarpon Lodge Can You Beach Your Boat on Sanibel Island? Sandy boated back to Captiva two days after the storm to pick up her son, Erik Brown, who had stayed at her home there. Hunting for shark teeth is a big thing from Boca Grande up to Venice, where they wash ashore by the truckload. If theres something Sandywho has lived in Southwest Florida most of her lifeknows how to do well, its capturing the wind-in-hair, toes-in-sand, laidback vibe diners seek on a beach vacation. Daily live music fills the patio, shaded with big, light-strung umbrellas. 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! Today, you can tour the Range Lighthouse and even climb to the top periodically throughout the year. We have great boating for all types and sizes. 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. For more information contact our team today. . 3. Inside, she added an L-shaped bar splashed with Keylime Bistro trademark hues. Doc Fords Rum Bar also has establishments on both islands. Boat Dock rental available 4.9 Exceptional. As other job opportunities opened, she offered staffers an out to take better-paying positions to support themselves and their families until they, As much as she loves Boca Grande, her heart is in Captiva, where she opened the inn in 1999. The structure feels more southwest Spanish colonial than islandy Boca Grande, and it gets even better once youre inside, and then outside again. townsfolk are friendly, the marinas are professional, and the great outdoors are front and center every day, everywhere. OUR MOST POPULAR TRIP! Office: +1 (954) 522-5515 Across the Boca Grande inlet from the lighthouse is Cayo . On the tour, you may observe Manatees, and an occasional Sea Turtle in their natural habitats. 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. Once settled in, let the fun begin. Boca Grande is best known for its sugar sand beaches, charming and historic downtown, and world class fishing. For a real taste of old Boca Grande, stop by Whiddens Marina, one of Boca Grande's oldest marinas. Fax: +1 (954) 522-2260 Truly one of the best Boca Grande restaurants! Located in a beautiful historic building adjacent to the Boca Grande bayou, the many faces of the Pink Elephant make it perfect for special occasions or a quick beer and lunch. Boca Grande is a small community on Gasparilla Island, located about an hour north of Sanibel by boat. western boundary of Cape Coral is the Matlacha Pass and its wildlife preserve. Consider relaxing as you cruise around Sanibel and Captiva, from the Sanibel Lighthouse, past Tarpon Beach, Bowmans Beach and Blind Pass, through Redfish Pass and back along the outside of Tarpon Bay. Browse All Available Boat Rentals Near Sanibel Island, By subscribing you accept Boatsetter Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. GoDaddy network blocked by origin firewall. tween-waters.com, South Seas Island Resort,Captiva Florida is diversity, in a way that canhardly be found anywhere else. Outstanding service, dedication, and a wonderful experience for all on Gulf Coast Family Charters.. Wander the island of Cayo Costa and search for seashells. It's 15 minutes from Pine Island as it's just across the water from Bokeelia. It is also home to many people who call this area of Florida their winter home. . Luckily, in recent years the efforts of the responsible anglers have won out! (239) 432-9222 . The same applies to manatees, the Trichechidaes. Sanibel andCaptiva Island have long been hotspots for tourists. Boca Grande Boat Tours. Scheduling a water taxi to historic Boca Grande is a great way to enjoy island tours from Jensen's Marina. Boca Grande is known as the Tarpon Capitol of the World.. Choose from Cabbage Key, Barnacle's or North Captiva Island Club for a bite to eat. On average, it could take boaters about 20-30 minutes to go between Cape Coral and Sanibel Island by boat. Plan to Enjoy the Edgartown Race Weekend Coming Soon! On the Florida barrier island south of Stump Pass State Park, there is a little-visited state park reachable only by boat, Don Pedro Island State Park. Per seat or private charter. Although smaller boats are often seen out beyond Pine Island, if you spend your day working your way from beach to the beach, a 20 to 30-foot boat would be more ideal for these conditions. Find the travel option that best suits you. May 19, 2021 . toes-in-sand, laidback vibe diners seek on a beach vacation. News; 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 1 price change: 11401 Old Lodge Ln 2/3.5 now $5.995M. The tranquil back waters of Boca Grande Bayou are perfect for an early morning kayak adventure or stand up paddle boarding. Copyright 1999 2019 GoDaddy Operating Company, LLC. 41 through Charlotte County then head west and back down south again to get there. (239) 437-1660 You are sure to have a one of a kind experience when you choose Sunset Cruises to plan your next trip on the water. Places like Boca Grande, which blissfully feels like time has passed it by. She informed employees at all six businesses that shed pay them to help with salvage and clean-up operations on the island. The black beans, with or without Mahi-Mahi are famous as well! Capt. LOTS. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. How far by boat from Little Gasparilla to Gasparilla. You have found it here in Cape Coral! These islands are very far awayfrom all that! . Founded by Sam Whidden in 1926 and honored with a spot on the National Register of Historic Places the same year, Whidden's was also a popular night spot, dance hall and restaurant back in the day. Theres no better way to see and enjoy Boca Grande than from a golf cart! 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. Downtown Cape Coral to Sanibel Island, for example, is about 14 miles, depending on your route; however, boaters must cross the miserable mile in the middle of that route. Highly recommend this company!, Took the sunset cruise departing from south seas plantation crew was awesome. A member of our team will be in touch with you within 24 hours! If youre longing for a place where the simple things in life still rule, you need to check out this island paradise for a day trip or preferably longer. 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. Best place for golf cart and bike rentals? Sometimes, Id get home and just think about the huge undertaking of work ahead of me and pray to God to give me strength and help me make the right choices. One of the hardest dilemmas she faced: How could she keep her staff employed when all five of her restaurants and her Captiva Island Inn were shuttered and in need of major repairs? Fishing Charters can put you on the fish. It fits into the picturesque landscape in an inimitable wayand invites you to a relaxing beach day. Schedule a water taxi to the historic Boca Grande, the most northern destination of the island tours offered from Jensen's Marina. Visitors will enjoy walking the beautiful tree-lined streets offering glimpses of grand island homes. Port Sanibel Marina - Fort Myers 14341 Port Comfort Rd, Fort Myers, FL 33908, . Highly recommend!, Nice cruise. It is by the well known Pink Elephant Restaurant (Great dining location, btw). Therefore, if you are anchoring at one of the islands beaches, you need to be at least 200 feet from shore. to Captiva. 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. The total distance and travel time between Sanibel Island and Cape Coral depends on your starting point. But also for families with children Fort Myers Beach is ideal. This article may contain affiliate links. Much of the traffic is caused by the large number of boats coming and going through this pass between ocean and river, which adds to the congestion that occurs along the miserable mile. Once you are clear of the river, the trip is about five miles if you are passing under the causeway to the Sanibel Lighthouse, which is on the southern end of the island.