Boca Grande Travel Guide

An idyllic Florida town on Gasparilla Island, Boca Grande has retained its authentic small town charms making it the perfect place for beach lovers, fishing enthusiasts, and nature lovers.

Things to Do in Boca Grande

Boca Grande is very popular with sports fishermen, and to come here without trying your hand to bring home the latest catch would almost be rude. If this is all new to you, hire a fishing guide. Hit the sands, take a book, nap in the shade, snorkel, or drift away in the pristine, warm Gulf waters. The Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum sits on bright white sand and is an interesting way to spend a few hours.Rent a bike and set off on your own to explore the area with a 6.5 mile bike path, lined by palm trees. Getting around has never been more appealing. Shop the charming array of stores and boutiques, dine on fresh seafood, and just kick back and enjoy island life, it's pretty special.

Best Time to Visit Boca Grande

Why not visit Boca Grande in May when temperatures are hot. It might rain, but prices are affordable.

A Local's Guide to Boca Grande

With fantastic fishing opportunities, mangrove swamps, miles of white sandy beaches and a sense of remoteness, Boca Grande Florida is the perfect destination for a vacation home. As a blend of sophistication and luxury mixed with the charm of old Florida, Boca Grande is home to a stunning natural environment. The town is located on Gasparilla Island off the Gulf Coast, northwest of Fort Myers.

One of its biggest draws is the fact that it has retained much of its small-town charm, while many of the other towns have overdeveloped around it. It is this quaintness that has made it a second home haven to some of America’s wealthiest families. At its widest, Gasparilla island is just one-mile across, and people flock to the area either to cycle around the island, pop in and out of the small town shops, watch the sun set into the sea, and enjoy some of the best fresh fish in Florida.

Fishing is one of the most popular activities on a Baca Grand vacation. From April to July, the Boca Grande Pass, which is just one-mile wide, teems with literally thousands of large tarpon fish which spawn out of passes along most of the Gulf of Mexico, making it a revered destination for fishermen hoping for a catch or two. The area can be accessed at Port Charlotte, widely known as the gateway to world class backcountry fishing. Every May, the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce hosts the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament, which offers a huge monetary prize to the team that reels in the biggest fish.

Until 1979, a railroad ran through the town to carry goods to waiting ships. Today, the old rail bed has been made into a picturesque recreational trail that winds though the undergrowth to some of the islands most scenic places, and is a great way to see the nearby wildlife. If you don’t fancy walking, you can rent a golf cart on Park Avenue and travel around the island at a pace that suits you. For those that want to try their hand at golf, there are a few courses to choose from.

To get to know the area a little better, head to the Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum. The museum has information and exhibits from the days of the Calusa Indians to the pirate Jose Gaspar, and is well worth a visit.

Although the town was once an important place for fresh seafood trade, it is now mainly an island of leisure, full of Boca Grande vacation rentals with a tropical charm. To get to the island, you have to cross three privately-owned bridges, but the steep fee will be worth it when you reach Boca Grande Beach. The main beaches are Sandspur, Seafrape, Seawall and Lighthouse Park, the last of which boasts incredible views of the veranda of the lighthouse.

Exploring the rental homes at Boca Grande will ensure you have a full and adventure-filled stay in a truly unique environment. The majority of the vacation rentals are fully-equipped, meaning youll be all set for the holiday of a lifetime.