Boca Grande a charming village

The charming village of Boca Grande is nestled on picturesque Gasparilla Island, which is shared by Lee and Charlotte counties. Located at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor midway between Sarasota and Fort Myers, the island is famous for its pristine beaches, historic lighthouse, notable visitors and world-class fishing. If you are arriving by car, head south from Placida onto the Gasparilla causeway, over the swing bridge and onto the island. As you travel along the causeway, take your time and watch for the nesting pairs of ospreys that call Gasparilla home. If you are fortunate, perhaps you will see dolphins or a school of bait fish in the sparkling azure waters of Gasparilla Sound. At the very least, take in the peaceful setting, and prepare yourself for a pleasant island visit. Gasparilla Island has been protected from over-development, and much of Boca Grande has been designated as a historic district since the 1980s. Buildings dating from the 1800s and several other historic sites, scattered throughout the island, can all be visited in a single outing by the intrepid day-tripper. Of course, no trip to the island would be complete without a visit to the Boca Grande Lighthouse, built in 1890. Visitors often choose to travel about the island as the locals do – on golf carts, which are welcome almost everywhere on Gasparilla. Another popular mode of transportation is the bicycle, and many visitors come to the island just to spend the day cruising along the bike trail that meanders from one end of the island to the other, with breathtaking vistas at nearly every bend. The gem of the island is the Gasparilla Inn, located in Boca Grande. Impressive and elegant, the inn includes a stately Victorian hotel with a classic portico and neat rows of cottages built around a spectacular golf course. Visitors may be surprised by who they see around the island as celebrity visits are always kept low key, one of the reasons that the inn is so popular. The village of Boca Grande itself is a delightful mix of casual restaurants, tiki bars, fine dining establishments, high-end boutiques and curious little shops that offer unique treasures that can only be found in this place and at this moment. Everything on Gasparilla Island is relaxed and moves at an island pace. If you are looking for fast food or harried salespeople, you won’t find them here. This is a place where fishermen mingle with business magnates and retirees. Stop by and order a leisurely lunch at one of the sidewalk cafés and soak up the atmosphere. Before long, you will come to realize this is what a vacation is all about. Attractions Fishing is still one of the main attractions of the island, which is known as the “Tarpon Capital of the World.” Nothing in the world can prepare the angler for the excitement of catching an immense tarpon in Boca Grande Pass. From spring through summer, anglers from all over the world descend on Boca Grande for the opportunity to fish for tarpon that sometimes weigh more than 200 pounds. Boca Grande is home to some of the finest sand beaches in the world. Several state parks and Lee County beaches – all with easy access – make a trip to Gasparilla Island a must. Parking is only $2 per day, and most of the locations are equipped with public restrooms and changing areas. The beach at Gasparilla Island State Park – at the south end of the island – can be subject to “rip tides,” so take care if swimming there. Nearby restaurants and the lighthouse museum at the south end of the island, as well as the Maritime Museum at Whidden’s Marina, make for a nice diversion and a break from the tropical heat of the mid-day sun. The slow pace of traffic makes biking on the island a pleasure. As long as you are content to take your time and share the path with golf carts and joggers, you will have a great ride. If you didn’t bring your own, you can rent a bike from one of several rental places located on the island, including almost every resort. For accommodations on Gasparilla Island, attractions and a calendar of events, visit www.bocagrandechamber.com. Keep in mind, however, that fishing is still one of the primary activities around the island. Anglers can fish for grouper, snapper, kingfish, tuna, pompano, mackerel, tarpon, cobia, amberjack, wahoo, mahi-mahi, and just about any other game fish you can think of. In the backwaters, anglers will find redfish, snook and trout. If you are unfamiliar with the area, or would like someone to show you the best spots, numerous charters and guides can be found on the island. Visit www.bocagrandefishing.com.