IN KONTAKT KOMMEN A golf cart rental is recommended if you want to explore the town. 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. 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! Boca Grande is a small community on Gasparilla Island, located about an hour north of Sanibel by boat. While seas are generally mild on the inside approach, be aware that some cuts outside of the main channels have water depths of five feet or less at mean low She painted the space pastel purple, blue and green to channel the happy spirit of the islands. This area of the Caloosahatchee is where manatees make their homes in the shallow, grassy, warm waters. He will take you through Charlotte Harbor and 15 minutesinto the boat ride you will see the water turn into a bright turquoise! Or if youve had enough fun in the sun, you can easily dine inside. Office: +1 (954) 522-5515 Our charter boat comfortably and safely fits 6 guests, plus your Private Captain and Tour Guide (8 total). Broad range of destinations from Sanibel and Captiva Island to Boca Grande, St. Petersburg, Marco Island, Florida Keys, Miami, Bahamas and more Perfect for a private family cruise, wedding, romantic getaway or corporate events NOW AVAILABLE: 84' Lazzara "Daddy's Lady II" 84 Lazzara Daddy's Lady II Vessels up to 40 feet Designed and Built between 1949-50 by architect Francis Burrall Hoffman Jr. in the style of the 17th century Spanish mission churches, this hidden gem is one of the prettiest spots in Boca Grande. Boca Grande Pass to the north of Cayo Costa is famous for its tarpon run in late April and May. Tarpon Tale Inn 4.7 Superb. Each lighthouse park offers ADA beach access with restroom facilities and fresh water showers, plenty of parking, picnic tables, and even shade canopies and grills. Its one of those places you have to go out of your way to get to before circling back from whence you came, and then youre there. Gasparilla State Park and the Barrier Island Parks Society operates four beach access points on the island. 11401 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva Island, FL 33924 Open today: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Save Read all 1,103 reviews ahanson1950 Lenexa, Kansas 10 8 Day trip to Boca Grande/Gasparilla Island Review of Captiva Cruises Reviewed May 11, 2014 This was a fun day trip, I always love a boat ride! 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'. 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! Florida is different. Call now (239) 283-3999 Visit Sister Property Cabbage Key Experience Old Florida Relax while experiencing the "Old Florida" charm of our 1926 lodge. But it wasnt until 1932 that the light was re-lit and began service as the rear entrance range light for Port Boca Grande. 1 price change: 11401 Old Lodge Ln 2/3.5 now $5.995M. LighthouseBeach is also great for shelling and many times youll find a bunch of sharks teeth that just wash up on shore. May 19, 2021 . Its 7:30 and the sun is already well above the horizon. Ready to explore Sanibel Island by boat? Both offer sandy beaches, amazing shelling, fine dining, plus a small-town feel that belies bountiful amenities and provisioning potential. Its one of over 100 islands that dot the coastline of Pine Island Sound, Estero Bay and Charlotte Harbor. How far is Cape Coral from Sanibel Island by boat? (239) 472-5161 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. Today, you can tour the Range Lighthouse and even climb to the top periodically throughout the year. Capt. Between these entertaining access routes, Sanibel stretches for roughly 12 miles while Captiva sprawls for another five. Capt. But the diseases,which they introduced, including yellow fever and tuberculosis, had devastatingconsequences for the local population. Copyright 1999 2019 GoDaddy Operating Company, LLC. The locales homemade ice cream was so celebrated that actress Katharine Hepburn once pinned an appreciative note to the shops bulletin board. As for dining out, its hard to go wrong here. 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. Before the Sanibel bridge was repaired, she and her family ran three boats, including one she captained from her home at St. Charles Yacht Club in south Fort Myers. Cruise Options- Dolphin cruises, shelling cruises, sunset cruises An island that runs parallel to the mainland, a so-called barrier island. From Estero Island it is only a stones throw tothe Everglades. A member of our team will be in touch with you within 24 hours! As you pilot your boat into the harbor, you're first taken by the sheer natural beauty of this small enclave just a port turn off Channel Marker 60 highlighted by a grand, "Olde Florida" private residence built in the 193os, rising (an amazing for Lee County) some 20-plus feet above sea level upon a 500-year-old Calusa Indian shell mound. Sanibel Island Fishing Charters-Ft. Myers-Captiva Fishing Are there day (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It is also home to many people who call this area of Florida their winter home. There are over 275 kinds of shells native to Sanibel and Captiva, waiting to be found. Everybody knows about Sanibel and Captiva, the beautiful shell-laden Florida barrier islands on the southwest Florida coast. The southern stretch of the river runs past Cape Coral into Lake Okeechobee and the Atlantic Ocean. 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. It evokes what Sandy fell in love with about Boca Grande: the air of elegance you find all over the island town. The same day she heard the Caboose was for sale, Sandy made the trip; she made an offer the next day. Cape Coral and Fort Myers Beach offer with the offshore islands Estero Island, Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Cayo Costa or Boca Grande a unique area for guided boat tours with Cape Coral boat charter. Try the Yucatan Shrimp, with real butter, garlic, mild Columbian chilies, cilantro, spices,and key lime juice. Boca Grande is best known for its sugar sand beaches, charming and historic downtown, and world class fishing. Pensacola Beach has a lot. Plus, the outdoor setting under tall banyan trees rounds out a very nice setting. The Worlds Richest Tarpon Tournament is held annually in May. (239) 472-5353 Its a tough choice, I know, but Im happy to have options, which is what the beautiful Floridian isles of Sanibel and Captiva are all about. Some argue that iconic singer Jimmy Buffet wrote, Cheeseburgers in Paradise, after dining in this restaurant. From here, you can stroll around the tip of the island on Boca Grande Pass. $275,000. Tarpon Lodge & Restaurant | FL Waterfront Accommodations & Fine Dining Boca Grande is known as the Tarpon Capitol of the World.. Browse Available Boat Rentals in Sanibel Island. Doc Fords Rum Bar also has establishments on both islands. The first impression is already overwhelming. Their credit card system had been knocked offline by an electrical storm, and we had yet to stop at an ATM for cash. Several of the beach access points on the south end of the island offer ADA beach access but no restroom facilities. LGBTQ friendly. (239) 215-2445 The earliest settlers came here to fish and by the late 19th century the fishing industry was well established. Youre never at a loss for your own private beach on Boca Grande. Boca Raton to Sanibel Island - 4 ways to travel via bus, and car - Rome2rio Boat Cruises to Captiva/Sanibel - Boca Grande Forum - Tripadvisor United States Florida (FL) Southwest Gulf Coast Boca Grande Boca Grande Travel Forum Browse all 156 Boca Grande topics Boat Cruises to Captiva/Sanibel Watch this Topic Browse forums All Southwest Gulf Coast forums Boca Grande forum Boca Grande forums betsygNc Greensboro, North. If you would rather stay on the water while getting in a workout, fear not. Of the 10 historic cottagesdating back to the 50sall but two had to be torn down. If you own the web site, please verify with your hosting company if your server is up and running and if they have our firewall IPs whitelisted. Capt. 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. Cabbage Key Useppa Boca Grande Tarpon Lodge The Caloosahatchee River, via locks, will take you to Lake Okeechobee and out the other side to the Atlantic. This rich phosphate market combined with unparalleled fishing spurred development of the town of Boca Grande. We accept Cash & Credit Cards.Gift Certificates available, contact us to purchase! Historically speaking, Sanibel and Captiva have endured a few weather bumps over the years. Daily lunch, and afternoon cruises to Cabbage Key and Useppa Island from Boca Grande, FL. This is a super fun event on a hard packed sandbar surrounded by clear calm water with the old railroad trestle in the background. From any of these, you can walk to the Gulf-side beaches, or grab a cab or bike to reach other destinations. Required fields are marked *. tween-waters.com, South Seas Island Resort,Captiva ;-). Spring Tarpon | Coastal Angler & The Angler Magazine On average, it could take boaters about 20-30 minutes to go between Cape Coral and Sanibel Island by boat. Our mission is to provide safe family-oriented charters that explore the beauty of the Gulf . Then look no further! gocaptiva.com, McCarthys Marina, Captiva Tom will pull into a public slip/boat ramp area that is typically known as the Pink Elephant Boat Ramp. Florida has to offer on the water. Choose from experiences like dolphin and wildlife cruises as well as sunset cruises and island destination cruises to Cabbage Key, Useppa Island, Boca Grande and more! Browse All Available Boat Rentals Near Sanibel Island, By subscribing you accept Boatsetter Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. (239) 472-3337 (You may feel like youre trespassing but if you see the pig in the pen, youre at the right place.). Sanibel and Captiva Islands A quick drive from the airport in Fort Myers brings you to the sister islands of Sanibel and Captiva, low-key isles home to streets empty of stoplights and some of the country's best shelling beaches. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The most well known one being the Boca Grande Resort. 847 Harborshore Dr #1, Boca Grande, FL 33921 - Trulia 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. .and more, depending There are more than enough of them all around Cape Coral. For a growing family, this 3 BR detached villa is stunning with 1485 sq ft to enjoy. We see many of our regulars in Boca Grande now that word is getting out, Sandy says. One of them is theDolphin Cove Cafe, which is a Cafe, Market and they also rent golf carts! How far by boat from Little Gasparilla to Gasparilla. Deutsch. . That puts you in the lead. I had to emotionally get over losing the cottages, but in the long run, it will be better, Sandy says. 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. Hit the beach! If so, follow us on social media for a preview of the fun adventures and views we experience every day! Captiva has no official bike routes, but you can cycle the main road from one end to the other, and Cayo Costa State Park, a short boat ride to the north of North Captiva Island, features six miles of wooded biking/hikingtrails plus nine miles of open beach for walking and running. Inside the lighthouse is an interesting museum dedicated to Boca Grandes history and admission is FREE. Getting to both Sanibel and Captiva is fairly straightforward. On Sanibel, the upscale Sweet Melissas is a heathy choice that sources locally, while the Blue Coyote Supper Club is a golf club bistro serving steaks and other Thebeach of Fort Myers is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts, be it jet skiing,windsurfing or parasailing. This is a great family retreat with a unique, Caribbean menu. There are also five Captiva restaurants on Rossi Lane, just a short stroll from both Jensens and McCarthys marinas. The locals also like to come here to dine in thedapper restaurants to enjoy a meal. So it may be surprising to many that there are no hotels on the beach like many places in Florida one more reason to love this island! 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 This is maybe not quite as comfortableas the bedrooms in our luxury villas, but very romantic nonetheless. This area of the Caloosahatchee is where manatees make their homes in the shallow, grassy, warm waters. 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! Yacht Harbour & Marina, Captiva Vessels up to 120 feet We look forward to hearing from you. Whats shelling, you ask? Find the travel option that best suits you. The staff is very accommodating, polite and knowledgeable. (239) 472-8311 If the problem persists, open a ticket on our support page and we will assist with troubleshooting. Beginning at the Range (Gasparilla Island) Lighthouse just south of 5th street, youll see several beach access points including additional points south ending at the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse. 5.0 Exceptional. Sanibel to Boca Raton drive - plan a road trip Sanibel and Captiva are among the top shelling destinations in the world. Boat Dock rental available 4.9 Exceptional. (239) 472-5200, Port Sanibel Marina, Sanibel To see and to be seen thats what it is allabout here. But, by February, the islands beaches were open, and old Captiva friends were showing up on the island. By plane, small craft can fly into the airport in Placida, or major airlines fly into Punta Gorda (PGD), Sarasota (SRQ), or Southwest Florida International (RSW). We apologize for the inconvenience. walk the beach gathering interesting and beautiful seashells. Offshore, snapper, grouper, mahi, and tuna are on the menu while jack crevalle, summer flounder, Things to Do in Boca Grande for a Blissful Island Vibe Port Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 65 feet (239) 437-1660 portsanibelmarina.com. We have great boating for all types and sizes. Distance between Sanibel, FL and Boca Grande, FL The sea snail used itstongue as a secret weapon. Meet the talented couple behind Florida Gulfshore Ballet and their quest to create the first professional company in the region. Boca Grand is the largest city of Gasparilla Island. If you are just visiting the site, just wait a bit and it should be back soon. 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. Icing on the cake was seeing dolphins! With a focus on conservation, this is a live bait only, catch and release event that draws anglers from around the world. Boca Grande is not only popular for fishermenand tourists but also among seniors, who spend their twilight years here in peace,because hustle and bustle is frowned upon here. The fried fish and shrimp platters couldnt get any fresher! Packages can be combined for an additional cost. greenflashcaptiva.com, Tween Waters Inn Island southseas.com orsouthseas.com/see-and-do/spa-and-fitness, Sanibel Taxi (for both islands) Of course, our captain has a fewrecommendations for you too, that you wont find in a travel guide. ADVENTURES: Chasing Jimmy Buffett's "Cheeseburger in Paradise." (There's even a term"Sanibel stoop"for the position beachcombers assume while searching for prized shells.) The best way to get from Boca Grande to Sanibel Island costs only $16 and takes just 1 hours. We have great boating for all types and sizes. With Sanibel Custom Charters it truly is,Your Charter, Your Way. Theres a parking area, public restrooms, a covered picnic pavilion with tables, and handicap accessible boardwalks to the beaches adjacent to the lighthouse. Sanibel, Captiva & Boca Grande, Florida, United States. Located on the north side of the Caloosahatchee River, Cape Coral, FL is the sister city to Fort Myers. By car Boca Grande is approximately an hour away but on boat it's a quick and fun 30 mins! Contact us: info@southernboating.com. 5820 Gasparilla Rd #31, BOCA GRANDE, FL 33921 - Redfin From the Sanibel Causeway Bridges to Boca Grande Pass, we fish the warm, shallow mangrove waters and grass flats of the backcountry that are teeming with a variety of fish, such as: Redfish, Snook, Spotted Sea Trout, Spanish Mackerel, Mangrove Snapper, Crevalle Jack, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Florida Pompano, various Shark . At 27, Kayla is on her third executive chef gig in Naplesher latest at Paul Fleming's new modern Asian-American restaurant. Anotherdestination worth visiting is Naples. The total distance and travel time between Sanibel Island and. Its 15 minutes from Pine Island as its just across the water from Bokeelia. You never know what will be on the end of your line! Be sure to bring your camera! Day Trip to Boca Grande - Southwest Florida Travel Things to Do & Attractions in Cabbage Key FL - VISIT FLORIDA For a more secluded beach experience, one of the best beaches in the area Cayo Costa is a stones throw away from BG. After a few relaxing hours at the beach you can head down the road to thePort Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum. But scoop up the sand along the shore and look for the small black shark teeth! On Sanibel, for example, youll find 25 miles of paved bike paths. In other words, if youre in Naples or Fort Myers, you need to drive north on I-75 or Rte. sanibelmarina.com/gramma, Mad Hatter, Captiva One option is to venture out to historic Cayo Costa State Park, a 2000+ acre barrier island, renowned for shelling on unspoiled, white sand beaches. Across the Boca Grande inlet from the lighthouse is Cayo . Sandy left the train mural and memorabilia as a meeting of new and old. The Johann Fust community Library is a mini cultural and literary gem. The Marina offers bathrooms, showers, a public beach, and famous Grandma Dots restaurant. The beaches ofSanibel Island near Fort Myershave shell abundance and variety,including many murdered clams. Switzerland +41 (445) 001 666 There, an hour-and-a-half kayak tour leads through one of the largest 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. Find the travel options that best suit you. Contact us!. Required fields are marked *. 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. Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum. LOTS. 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. 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. Schedule a water taxi to the historic Boca Grande, the most northern destination of the island tours offered from Jensen's Marina. Search for RV campgrounds. Vessels up to 65 feet Whoever would like to get an idea of how our grandparents stillexperienced Florida, you are in the right place on these islands. For some shell collectors, thebest shell on the beach is not theperfect shell but rather one witha flaw, a little round hole and atrue story that goes with it. 6 hrs - $800 Fishing/Shelling Combo. 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? The islands also exert a magicalattraction for lovers. Resorts, Captiva (239) 472-5800 Shes looking to rebuild and fully reopen the Inn by the time season rolls around in 2024.