Welcome to Charlotte County

Visiting Charlotte County is a little bit like getting lost in old Florida. Hearken back to the days before chain restaurants, where every roadside eatery had a flavor all its own. Where every small local store sold bait in the back, and the proprietor was happy to tell you his fishing secrets, not to mention where to try them out. Imagine falling asleep in a small inn, bathed in balmy breezes blowing in through billowing curtains off a little backwater bayou, as the frogs croak and the night clicks and chirps with the sounds of primitive life. Or perhaps let yourself be lulled to sleep by the music of rigging tapping off a mainmast, or by ripples gurgling under a wooden fishing trawler anchored in a peaceful harbor. While Charlotte County can boast of the best that contemporary life has to offer, this small slice of Florida’s pristine Gulf Coast has still managed to retain its unique charm and natural beauty. From unspoiled beaches, to mangrove lagoons, to championship golf courses, to some of the best fishing in the world, it is all right here in Charlotte County. Whether you are visiting for a few days or the whole season, we invite you to enjoy the best that Southwest Florida has to offer. So take a minute, get comfortable and let us show you our home. Charlotte County consists primarily of small unincorporated communities, each with a personality all its own. The exception is Punta Gorda, the co-county seat, which is the only incorporated city in Charlotte County. Nestled on the banks of the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor, it is a small town, steeped in history with dozens of homes and buildings listed on the national registry of historic places. Punta Gorda, which means “fat point” in Spanish for the way it juts out into Charlotte Harbor, can trace its roots back to landings by Ponce de Leon and Hernando DeSoto in the early 1500s. North across the harbor from Punta Gorda is Port Charlotte, one of the fastest growing commercial areas in the county. However, in the shadow of this growth, there still exists the sleepy, rustic fishing port where boats of all types venture out daily to try their luck in the beckoning waters of the Gulf of Mexico. To the west, as you approach the gulf, you pass through a series of small towns with ties to the sea. Murdock, El Jobean, Englewood, Grove City and the other local villages are dotted with parks, campgrounds, boat yards, creeks, mangroves, tiki huts and fishing piers. These are the towns that are ripe for exploration and loaded with backcountry surprises. As you reach the gulf, you enter a region famous for its charm and individuality. Waterfront communities, hundreds of years old, dot the shoreline, and just off the coast, the barrier islands sparkle against an azure sky. Gasparilla Island, Palm Island, Don Pedro Island, Cape Haze, Placida, Manasota Key and Englewood Beach all await the visitor who is ready for a little slice of paradise. Just off the coast of Charlotte County awaits some of the best off-shore and backwater fishing in the world. Here, anglers take on world-class tarpon, pompano, redfish, mackerel, sea trout, snapper, snook and many more, while inland just a bit, freshwater anglers vie for record largemouth bass. And of course, there are the endless miles of beaches and the stunning sunsets. Charlotte County is home to dozens of pristine beaches, most open to the public and all worth visiting. Whether you are just here to lie out on the sand and take in the sun, or whether you are on a mission to collect rare seashells or fossilized sharks’ teeth, you have come to the right place. Welcome to Charlotte County!