Boca Grande, Florida
Boca Grande beach and lighthouse by Steven Skelley
Boca Grande
Boca Grande, Florida
Seven miles of powdery white sand stretches alongside the beautiful emerald-colored Gulf water
by Steffany Skelley Gilmer
On the island of Gasparilla rests the historic village of Boca Grande, located at the southern end of the Cape Haze Peninsula on Florida’s Southwest Coast. Along this island seven miles of powdery white sand stretches alongside the beautiful emerald-colored Gulf water.
Here, the estuaries fed by the Myakka and Peace Rivers come together and form one of the most beautiful, productive coastal ecosystems in the world. Scuba divers from around the world travel to Boca Grande beaches in search of rare shark’s teeth and to view the pristine sea life below. Night-time sailors will enjoy watching the phosphate in the water glow softly as fish swim by.
Boca Grande’s Main Street still exists as it did years ago with no stop lights, billboards,fast-food chains, high-rise hotels or multi-story condos. As you walk down the street, it feels as if you’ve stepped back in time to the peaceful beauty of yester-year. I was pleasantly surprised to see the unique shops, art galleries, casual and fine dining establishments which are run by locals.
The Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce boasts that the island is a “secret island that presidents, dignitaries and celebrities sneak away to because the island denizens have a low-key attitude regarding celebrity and fame.” Former President George H.W. Bush, his wife Barbara, their daughters Jenna and Barbara and even their dog Millie are some of the famous people who have enjoyed the warm winters in Boca Grande.
It is said that “Boca Grande is a unique community with a large number of wealthy winter residents rubbing elbows with the fishermen and other locals.” Many of the early fishing families of Boca Grande are third, fourth or even fifth generation descendants who still proudly reside in the area. These fishing families provide fresh seafood to the many restaurants around Boca Grande and its nearby cities.
Restaurants in Boca Grande include:
Eagle Grille & Miller’s Dockside, located at 220 Harbor Drive, offers great views of the marina, bayou and Charlotte Harbor. Phone: (941) 964-8000. Website: www.eaglegrille.com
Pink Elephant Restaurant, located at 5th & Bayou Avenue, is fine dining associated with The Gasparilla Inn and Club. This restaurant has a dress code so you may want to call before you go. Phone: (941) 964-4540. Website: www.gasparillainn.com
PJ’s Seagrille, located at 321 Park Avenue, offers intimate dining rooms, innovative island cuisine and unparalleled service. Phone: (941) 964-0806. Website: www.pjseagrille.com
Loose Caboose, located at 433 W. Fourth Street, serves fresh local fish and produce in a comfortable, family atmosphere. Patrons can dine indoors or outdoors, weather permitting. Phone: (941) 964-0440. Website: www.loosecaboose.biz
To see a full list of Boca Grande area restaurants, visit: http://bocagrandechamber.net/things-to-do/restaurants/
The Boca Grande area offers plenty of outdoor activities such as swimming, fishing,kayaking, boating, sailing, biking and golfing. No matter the time of year, the Gulf is always a welcoming place for those who’d like to spend time on a boat. On windy days, upper Charlotte Harbor offers protection from the wind. On sunny days, boaters may wish to take a relaxing cruise down the long stretch south of the Harbor. Cabbage Key is a nearby favorite day trip for an outdoor lunch or cool tropical drink.
Kayakers will enjoy the shallow calm waters, remote canopy-covered mangrove waterways and bayous. If you’re interested in purchasing a guided tour, you will be taken on an adventure back in time to a remote Calusa Indian Mound area where manatees, birds and dolphins play. Also available are kayak fishing guide services for all kayaking levels.
If a long, leisurely bike or golf cart ride or a walk is what you’re wishing for, Boca Grande Bike / Golf Cart Route will please you. This bike / golf cart path and accompanying jogging/walking path are part of Florida’s Rails-to-Trails project which utilizes the old railroad right-of-way. The right-of-way once carried phosphate to the southern tip of Gasparilla Island a century ago.
If you want to stay on the island to play golf, visit The Gasparilla Inn and Club. There, golfers will enjoy playing on the magnificent Pete Dye Signature 18-hole Championship Course. The par 72, 6,900+ yards course is challenging and a beautiful place to play a game. A driving range is available to resort guests. Lessons are arranged by appointment and rental clubs are also available.
Lastly, the shopper in the family will be able to spend hours strolling down Park Avenue looking at all the unique shops. Tropical apparel, gifts, antiques, jewelry, and art galleries abound on this quiet island. Upon visiting an art gallery, you may be pleasantly surprised to find you’ve come face-to-face with a local artist!
Make sure you visit the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce website before you plan your vacation, because fun family events are held throughout the year and you don’t want to miss out! Events include The “World’s Richest” Tarpon Tournament, Boca Grande Fall Festival, Christmas Walk, Boca Grande Spring Fair & Bike Parade and the Boca Grande Art Alliance Spring Show, to name a few.
Families of all ages will enjoy a relaxing vacation on the quiet island of Boca Grande where powdery white sand and emerald waters welcome all who stop by!
Article by Steffany Skelley Gilmer. Copyright 2014 Sunny Harbor Publishing. Contact Us: PO Box 560318, Rockledge, Florida, 33956. Phone 321-446-7552. Email: [email protected]
Keywords: Boca Grande, Florida, family, family travel, beaches, florida beaches, venice, sarasota county, englewood, steffany skelley gilmer,
Boca Grande, Florida
Seven miles of powdery white sand stretches alongside the beautiful emerald-colored Gulf water
by Steffany Skelley Gilmer
On the island of Gasparilla rests the historic village of Boca Grande, located at the southern end of the Cape Haze Peninsula on Florida’s Southwest Coast. Along this island seven miles of powdery white sand stretches alongside the beautiful emerald-colored Gulf water.
Here, the estuaries fed by the Myakka and Peace Rivers come together and form one of the most beautiful, productive coastal ecosystems in the world. Scuba divers from around the world travel to Boca Grande beaches in search of rare shark’s teeth and to view the pristine sea life below. Night-time sailors will enjoy watching the phosphate in the water glow softly as fish swim by.
Boca Grande’s Main Street still exists as it did years ago with no stop lights, billboards,fast-food chains, high-rise hotels or multi-story condos. As you walk down the street, it feels as if you’ve stepped back in time to the peaceful beauty of yester-year. I was pleasantly surprised to see the unique shops, art galleries, casual and fine dining establishments which are run by locals.
The Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce boasts that the island is a “secret island that presidents, dignitaries and celebrities sneak away to because the island denizens have a low-key attitude regarding celebrity and fame.” Former President George H.W. Bush, his wife Barbara, their daughters Jenna and Barbara and even their dog Millie are some of the famous people who have enjoyed the warm winters in Boca Grande.
It is said that “Boca Grande is a unique community with a large number of wealthy winter residents rubbing elbows with the fishermen and other locals.” Many of the early fishing families of Boca Grande are third, fourth or even fifth generation descendants who still proudly reside in the area. These fishing families provide fresh seafood to the many restaurants around Boca Grande and its nearby cities.
Restaurants in Boca Grande include:
Eagle Grille & Miller’s Dockside, located at 220 Harbor Drive, offers great views of the marina, bayou and Charlotte Harbor. Phone: (941) 964-8000. Website: www.eaglegrille.com
Pink Elephant Restaurant, located at 5th & Bayou Avenue, is fine dining associated with The Gasparilla Inn and Club. This restaurant has a dress code so you may want to call before you go. Phone: (941) 964-4540. Website: www.gasparillainn.com
PJ’s Seagrille, located at 321 Park Avenue, offers intimate dining rooms, innovative island cuisine and unparalleled service. Phone: (941) 964-0806. Website: www.pjseagrille.com
Loose Caboose, located at 433 W. Fourth Street, serves fresh local fish and produce in a comfortable, family atmosphere. Patrons can dine indoors or outdoors, weather permitting. Phone: (941) 964-0440. Website: www.loosecaboose.biz
To see a full list of Boca Grande area restaurants, visit: http://bocagrandechamber.net/things-to-do/restaurants/
The Boca Grande area offers plenty of outdoor activities such as swimming, fishing,kayaking, boating, sailing, biking and golfing. No matter the time of year, the Gulf is always a welcoming place for those who’d like to spend time on a boat. On windy days, upper Charlotte Harbor offers protection from the wind. On sunny days, boaters may wish to take a relaxing cruise down the long stretch south of the Harbor. Cabbage Key is a nearby favorite day trip for an outdoor lunch or cool tropical drink.
Kayakers will enjoy the shallow calm waters, remote canopy-covered mangrove waterways and bayous. If you’re interested in purchasing a guided tour, you will be taken on an adventure back in time to a remote Calusa Indian Mound area where manatees, birds and dolphins play. Also available are kayak fishing guide services for all kayaking levels.
If a long, leisurely bike or golf cart ride or a walk is what you’re wishing for, Boca Grande Bike / Golf Cart Route will please you. This bike / golf cart path and accompanying jogging/walking path are part of Florida’s Rails-to-Trails project which utilizes the old railroad right-of-way. The right-of-way once carried phosphate to the southern tip of Gasparilla Island a century ago.
If you want to stay on the island to play golf, visit The Gasparilla Inn and Club. There, golfers will enjoy playing on the magnificent Pete Dye Signature 18-hole Championship Course. The par 72, 6,900+ yards course is challenging and a beautiful place to play a game. A driving range is available to resort guests. Lessons are arranged by appointment and rental clubs are also available.
Lastly, the shopper in the family will be able to spend hours strolling down Park Avenue looking at all the unique shops. Tropical apparel, gifts, antiques, jewelry, and art galleries abound on this quiet island. Upon visiting an art gallery, you may be pleasantly surprised to find you’ve come face-to-face with a local artist!
Make sure you visit the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce website before you plan your vacation, because fun family events are held throughout the year and you don’t want to miss out! Events include The “World’s Richest” Tarpon Tournament, Boca Grande Fall Festival, Christmas Walk, Boca Grande Spring Fair & Bike Parade and the Boca Grande Art Alliance Spring Show, to name a few.
Families of all ages will enjoy a relaxing vacation on the quiet island of Boca Grande where powdery white sand and emerald waters welcome all who stop by!
Article by Steffany Skelley Gilmer. Copyright 2014 Sunny Harbor Publishing. Contact Us: PO Box 560318, Rockledge, Florida, 33956. Phone 321-446-7552. Email: [email protected]
Keywords: Boca Grande, Florida, family, family travel, beaches, florida beaches, venice, sarasota county, englewood, steffany skelley gilmer,