Sandy and her husband, Tim, often boated to Gasparilla Island with friends for breakfast or lunch at the Caboose, as locals called the restaurant. From the famous dream beaches to small insider tips. 1591 E. Atlantic Blvd, 2nd Floor LighthouseBeach is also great for shelling and many times youll find a bunch of sharks teeth that just wash up on shore. Skyscrapers are eager to joinlandscapes that could come from Jurassic Park. townsfolk are friendly, the marinas are professional, and the great outdoors are front and center every day, everywhere. madhatterrestaurant.com, Old Captiva House, Captiva Dolphin & Wildlife Cruises Sunset Cruises Private Charters for Special Events. From here, you can stroll around the tip of the island on Boca Grande Pass. 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. Think about it. Charmed by the buildings historic grandeur and communal ties, Sandy jumped at the chance to buy the restaurant and ice cream parlor on the tail end of the towns circa-1910 railroad depot. you ankle-deep in shells. The best way to get from Boca Grande to Sanibel Island costs only $16 and takes just 1 hours. You have found it here in Cape Coral! Additional places to dine on Captiva include the romantic Mad Hatter, plus Old Captiva House at the oft-mentioned Tween Waters Inn. There are just toomany. 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. Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum. on shore as you explore picturesque Sanibel, Captiva and Pine Island Sound aboard your private fishing charter with Sanibel Custom Charters. And with speeds that in city trafficwould be reason for a fine. docfords.com, Sweet Melissas, Sanibel Resort & Spa, She kept the creamery, with the Loose Caboose Ice Cream Shoppe connected to Keylime Bistro Boca Grande. (239) 472-8900; tarponbayexplorers.com, Sunny Island Adventures Enjoy an unforgettable day with a guided (private) boat tour. That puts you in the lead. The total distance and travel time between Sanibel Island and Cape Coral depends on your starting point. In their ancestral habitatdolphins swim unbelievable distances every day. 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! They offer a secluded beach and many different types of entertainment for the whole family. Boca Grande. You can also actuallyget there, because the inhabitants are so proud of these small reserves that theylike to show them off to interested tourists. This part of southwest Florida is renowned for shelling, but be on the lookout for prehistoric shark teeth too. After a few relaxing hours at the beach you can head down the road to thePort Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum. On the other hand, thats island life something we all dream about long enough to visit but many of us probably couldnt get used to full time. Whiddens Marina is full of local nautical treasures. 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 difference here is that beaches like Bowmans Beach on Sanibel or Blind Pass (Turner Beach) on Captiva will find 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. Offshore, snapper, grouper, mahi, and tuna are on the menu while jack crevalle, summer flounder, Theres a decision to be made now, and I carefully consider my choices: Do I pull up a chair on the bay side with a beautiful view of Pine Island Sound or walk 100 yards to the Gulf shore to see what new seashells have washed up overnight? This area of the Caloosahatchee is where manatees make their homes in the shallow, grassy, warm waters. This was illustrated to us again on a recent visit to the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum, when we couldnt buy a t-shirt and a few bottles of water to support the museum and quench our thirst. 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. If you are on the Captiva end of Sanibel Island, there is dockage available at the. Tarpon Bay: The Hidden Gem. Florida is in many regards asif you had glued a Caribbean island to the American mainland. But, she did itkeeping everyone who wanted to work, her employees say. The earliest settlers came here to fish and by the late 19th century the fishing industry was well established. This representation is based in part on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service. From Punta Gorda, these destinations are all within a short distance from your back door! Its the perfect place for your family vacation, corporate getaway or wedding! Vessels up to 120 feet The Sanitation System Sniff Test: Powerful Odor-Free Tips, Marine Electronics: Discover The Latest Award-Winning Products For 2023. This is a great family retreat with a unique, Caribbean menu. (239) 472-2938; sunnyislandadventures.com, J.N. At the same time, this is where Floridas Gulf Coast Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) begins, allowing boaters to tuck inside Pine Island Sound where waters are generally mellow but some routes run shallow. At the time, a front entrance range light was located a mile off shore in the Gulf of Mexico, and when the two lights lined up, a ships' navigators knew it was time to turn into Boca Grande Pass. On average, it could take boaters about 20-30 minutes to go between Cape Coral and Sanibel Island by boat. For a real taste of old Boca Grande, stop by Whiddens Marina, one of Boca Grande's oldest marinas. There are many great hotels and inns. has hermit crab races! Choose your own destination. 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. Welcome aboard for one of our 4, 6, or 8-hour charters. Here, the clocks tickcompletely differently. They are a hazard to boaters, and boaters are a hazard to them, so the speed limit in these areas is SLOW and strictly enforced. gocaptiva.com, McCarthys Marina, Captiva (239) 472-4160; sanibeltaxi.com, Adventure Sea Kayaks Fresh fried Gulf shrimp and cold beer at The Temptation. Youre never at a loss for your own private beach on Boca Grande. 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. Its 7:30 and the sun is already well above the horizon. 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? (239) 472-5800 But also for families with children Fort Myers Beach is ideal. Since there are no marinas residing seaward on the Gulf front, the vast majority of boaters approach from the ICW in Pine Island Sound. Fully licensed and insured. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Do you like to indulge in daydreaming about sunset escapes and wonderful days on the water? 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! 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. Remember to Stay in the Channels & Obey the Speed Limits. Sandy boated back to Captiva two days after the storm to pick up her son, Erik Brown, who had stayed at her home there. Buried-in-sand bivalves can be 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 Captiva Island Inn is another story, however. How far by boat from Little Gasparilla to Gasparilla. $275,000. The Caloosahatchee River is the winter home to manatees and other marine animals above and below the water. A laid-back waterside sports bar. Find the best . 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. A combo trip is a perfect way to get a taste of everything S.W. Yes, we do! In other words, if youre in Naples or Fort Myers, you need to drive north on I-75 or Rte. nice selection of appetizers and soups, fresh grouper, salmon, Mahi, and tripletailplus choice ribeye steaks and veal chops. In doing so, Get answers to your questions about Boca Grande. Endless Summer Charters' website to book on-line! Miller's Dockside. The first impression is already overwhelming. For more information contact our team today. Since then, the clientele may have become a bit more exclusive, but its still a quiet place. 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! (239) 822-3337; captivaadventures.com, Tarpon Bay Explorers Please contact us if you have any questions. (239) 395-2233; shellmuseum.org, By Tom Schlichter, Southern Boating January 2018, Your email address will not be published. (239) 437-1660 We look forward to hearing from you. From Estero Island it is only a stones throw tothe Everglades. Everybody knows about Sanibel and Captiva, the beautiful shell-laden Florida barrier islands on the southwest Florida coast. Listen to live music as you sip & snack from our bar menu. Among dozens of fine eateries, The Lazy Flamingo has restaurants on both Sanibel and Captiva. More than 250 varieties wait to be discovered here, some of which are exceedingly rare, of scientific significance or even worth a few bucks. We are honored to be named Cape Coral's best Boat Tour Agency of 2022. 1 price change: 11401 Old Lodge Ln 2/3.5 now $5.995M. Capt. When youve finished collecting for the day, be sure to check out the Pink street cruisers from the 60s sharethe highways with modern small cars. Life vests are provided for each guest. Enjoy the sunset like never before with your front-row seat on our private sunset charter. We have great boating for all types and sizes. A destination that ispopular not only with tourists. Are you looking for a completely furnished holiday home or a fantastic villa in a prime location in Florida? southseas.com orsouthseas.com/see-and-do/spa-and-fitness, Sanibel Taxi (for both islands) Be sure to bring your camera! Once back at the dock, all legal fish you keep will be expertly filleted and bagged for you to take home. 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. Gasparilla Adventures has reasonable rates on 4 or 6 passenger golf carts, and offer great service. 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. Copyright 2019 | All Rights Reserved | Powered by. And while its not one of those Gulf Coast islands thats accessible only by boat, its certainly remote, but thats exactly the point of going. The same applies to manatees, the Trichechidaes. 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. LGBTQ-friendly. Since it's protected waters, we can sail when the waters outside Boca Grande Pass in the Gulf of Mexico might be too rough. Information and links to marinas in Southwestern Florida offering transient boat dockage, wet slips, dry boat storage, safe harbor, marine fuel, ships stores and waterfront restaurants. Regardless of when or where you tie up in this secluded neck of the woods, youre in for a rare treat. From there you can take a charter with Captain Tom from Pine Island Charters. Whoever would like to get an idea of how our grandparents stillexperienced Florida, you are in the right place on these islands. The famous Gasparilla Inn & Club is the classic old Florida resort on Gasparilla Island, and an Historic Hotel of America Landmark on Boca Grande since 1913. In front of Fort Myers lies the small island of Estero Island. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Daily lunch, and afternoon cruises to Cabbage Key and Useppa Island from Boca Grande, FL. . When traveling from Cape Coral to Sanibel Island by boat, your initial starting location will determine your total travel time. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel . This morning, Ill look for shells. From there you can take a charter with Captain Tom from Pine Island Charters. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) are widely available. Written by Yvonne 2. 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. Its a quick ride to the fishing grounds aboard our Ranger Bay 2400, equipped with a four stroke Yamaha 300 hp engine. Afternoon thunderstorms are typical in the summer and September is usually the quietest month, but be advisedmany of the islands businesses operate on reduced hours or shut down completely in late summer for renovations and vacation. Then look no further! Thank you! cook em three different ways. Jensens Captiva Island Beach and Marina You can go anywhere, including the beach, and dont have to worry about a lack of parking. . So stop by there for dinner before returning the golf cart and taking the charter back to Pineland. 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. The Cape Coral Beach isalmost at your doorstep. . Sanibel Boat Ramp, 888 Sextant Drive Sanibel Marina, 634 N. Yachtsman Drive, 239-472-2723, www.sanibelmarina.com. If you're planning a road trip to Boca Raton, you can research locations to stop along the way. However, fishing Boca Grande Pass is an experience over and above fishing for Tarpon off of the beaches, in Pine Island Sound or Charlotte Harbor. tween-waters.com, Yacht Harbour & Marina, Captiva captiva-house.com, Green Flash, Captiva Travelers come to Boca Grande for something less, craving a slower pace of life for a while. The happy memories of your fishing trip with Sanibel Custom Charters will last a lifetime! 6 hrs - $800 Fishing/Shelling Combo. Are you planning a vacation or staycation? We specialize in boat tours, sunset cruises, dolphin tours, and lunch cruises in the Sanibel, Captiva, Cabbage Key, Pine Island, or Fort Myers area. Contact us!. 6 hrs - $750 Shelling/Lunch Combo. So it is not surprising to see a celebrity while exploring Naples,and you cannot shake the feeling of:Ive seen this face before on TV. Ready to explore Sanibel Island by boat? If you need to rent a kayak or SUP, local rental and tour companies can rent you kayaks for a self-guided tour, or take you on a guided tour of the local waters. There are plenty of things to do in Boca Grande Florida, but we understand if youd rather not. This area also tends to be a busy stretch of waterway. If you want tospend another night on Cayo Costa after a romantic walk in this idyllic setting, youcan rent a cabin with the parks management. Catch your own fish and theyll 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 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. Indeed, theres no way to fully cover these gems in a single short visit, but as I mentioned at the outset, it sure is nice to have choices. The cheapest way to get from Boca Raton to Sanibel Island costs only $35, and the quickest way takes just 2 hours. a fair fight. 5.0 Exceptional. So, be sure and bring some mesh shelling bags with you to the beach. 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 [] 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). sweetmelissascafe.com, Blue Coyote Supper Club, Sanibel , where they have 41 boat slips and dining. . Baths. Beds. She informed employees at all six businesses that shed pay them to help with salvage and clean-up operations on the island. Whats shelling, you ask? When you join us for a trip, be sure to tag your photos and videos with @CaptivaCruises and #CaptivaCruises. Theres no better way to see and enjoy Boca Grande than from a golf cart! This influx of travelers brought the need for hotels like the Gasparilla Inn and restaurants serving the freshest local seafood.