It is a quaint little town full of great restaurants and a beautiful beach. A pair of hurricanes tore through here in the 1920s and Hurricane Charlie, a cook em three different ways. Vessels up to 120 feet We also can create custom packages just for you and your family. Video tour of Fort Myers, Sanibel, and Captiva Cabbage Key Weather clear sky Sat 75F 72F Sun 70F 55F Mon 70F 55F Tue 73F Reserve an exclusive Sightseeing Charter along the pristine waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Unlike other barrier islandsin this area, Sanibel Island hasan east-west beach that trapssought-after shells from southernwaters, including the Caribbean. Even car traffic is not an issueon this island. Do you like to indulge in daydreaming about sunset escapes and wonderful days on the water? greenflashcaptiva.com, Tween Waters Inn 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. Per seat or private charter. Operated by Captain Brandt Symes and his family, Sanibel Custom Charters offers year-round, private, family-friendly charters for Inshore Fishing, Dolphin Tours, Shelling Trips, Lunch Cruises, and Sightseeing, or combine different elements for the ultimate Combination Charter, for up to six passengers. Enjoy an unforgettable day with a guided (private) boat tour. The drive there will be scenic full of amazing houses and vegetation. Cabbage Key features Old Florida style and a rustic feel that will appeal to nature lovers. Youll need a boat, jet ski, kayak, stand-up paddle board to get there but its well worth it. Remember to Stay in the Channels & Obey the Speed Limits. Alone, with friends or with the family. From there short drive down the road you will find Banyan Road- this picturesque road is famous for being the backdrop to family and wedding pictures. We can help accommodate groups exceeding six passengers by reserving a second boat (or more) with our fellow guides. Relatively long and narrow, they offer easy access to the Gulf of Mexico for serious offshore fishing adventures and open-throttle cruises. gocaptiva.com, McCarthys Marina, Captiva Or are you the type to opt for nothing at all! May 19, 2021 . For a growing family, this 3 BR detached villa is stunning with 1485 sq ft to enjoy. found on all Gulf barrier islands. 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. Contact us: info@southernboating.com. This is a super fun event on a hard packed sandbar surrounded by clear calm water with the old railroad trestle in the background. We offer full-day, half-day, and sunset charters. 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. It really isnt muchmore than that in an aquarium for these proud sea creatures. Boat Dock rental available 4.9 Exceptional. 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. Ottersfocuses on traditional Floribbean flavors, with macadamia-crusted mahi, grouper sandwiches and tropical versions of traditional dishes, like the marinara-based paella that eschews saffron and folds in scallops, calamari and sausage. More adventurous paddlers can hook up with Tarpon Bay Explorers at the J.N. On the Gulf side, tasty tripletail hang near buoy chains, sheepshead surround rock piles, and king mackerel cruise nearshore waters. 1 Sq. A month after Ian, Sandy debuted a second location for her Keylime Bistro. 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. 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. Copyright 1999 2019 GoDaddy Operating Company, LLC. Browse All Available Boat Rentals Near Sanibel Island, By subscribing you accept Boatsetter Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Cayo Costa, Sanibel Island, Boca Grande, Captiva Island & Pine Island . 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. Scheduling a water taxi to historic Boca Grande is a great way to enjoy island tours from Jensen's Marina. In Naples wealthy retirees and numerous well-known personalitieshave found a home. If you would rather stay on the water while getting in a workout, fear not. Try the Yucatan Shrimp, with real butter, garlic, mild Columbian chilies, cilantro, spices,and key lime juice. The Temptation Restaurant Boca Grande exudes an old school charm so authentically retro at 75 years old, its cool. Theres plenty of outdoor seating including umbrella tables on the beach, and its easy to watch a fiery sunset or enjoy a cocktail to views of the Gulf. This area also tends to be a busy stretch of waterway. After a few relaxing hours at the beach you can head down the road to thePort Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum. If theres something Sandywho has lived in Southwest Florida most of her lifeknows how to do well, its capturing the wind-in-hair, toes-in-sand, laidback vibe diners seek on a beach vacation. Highly recommend this company!, Took the sunset cruise departing from south seas plantation crew was awesome. The Caloosahatchee River, via locks, will take you to Lake Okeechobee and out the other side to the Atlantic. When it comes to local Boca Grande restaurants, the iconic Pink Elephant restaurant is an island tradition. southseas.com/marinas/yacht-harbour-marina.com, The Lazy Flamingo, Captiva/Sanibel Boat trips around Cape Coral to Captiva and Sanibel Island through the canals of Cape Coral discover the world of dolphins and manatees +1 (239) 785 8966 +49 (208) 998 3337 . to Captiva. As I step out onto the dock, an osprey circles above a school of sea trout holding in a nearby channel. 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. Whiddens Marina is full of local nautical treasures. Or if youve had enough fun in the sun, you can easily dine inside. Boating enthusiasts seeking to obtain the state boating safety certificate are encouraged to enroll in a one-day responsible boating class on Saturday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The water is also very shallow, so if you do beach your boat be sure to keep an eye on the tide (or you may be sitting for a while before the tide turns and floats you out again). Boca Grande Boat Tours. Find the travel options that best suit you. (239) 472-4160; sanibeltaxi.com, Adventure Sea Kayaks Sanibel/Captiva isnt a destination you land on by mistake. Yacht Harbour & Marina, Captiva Vessels up to 120 feet Note that Blind Pass, another passage to the ICW, carries a low clearance designation on the charts. On the western boundary of Cape Coral is the Matlacha Pass and its wildlife preserve. 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. The Caloosahatchee River is the winter home to manatees and other marine animals above and below the water. Camping along the way? 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. On most days, the waters off the beaches of Boca Grande are clear and you can easily find some beautiful seashells and sand dollars. This part of southwest Florida is renowned for shelling, but be on the lookout for prehistoric shark teeth too. The most well known one being the Boca Grande Resort. Vessels up to 24 feet All rights reserved. On average, it could take boaters about 20-30 minutes to go between Cape Coral and Sanibel Island by boat. And with speeds that in city trafficwould be reason for a fine. Tarpon Tale Inn 4.7 Superb. 1 Block to BEACH, 2 Tiki Huts,Ultimate Entertaining Home! 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. It is not uncommon to land 10 or more different species in a single 4-hour fishing charter. 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. (239) 472-1100; dingdarlingsociety.org, Sanibel Pilates (239) 437-1660 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! The lighthouse itself resembles a coastal home with a wraparound porch more than a tall stately lighthouse. Truly one of the best Boca Grande restaurants! Cabbage Key Useppa Boca Grande Tarpon Lodge 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. There are 25.46 miles from Sanibel to Boca Grande in northwest direction and 73 miles (117.48 kilometers) by car, following the US-41 route.. Sanibel and Boca Grande are 1 hour 43 mins far apart, if you drive non-stop .. With Sanibel Custom Charters it truly is,Your Charter, Your Way. townsfolk are friendly, the marinas are professional, and the great outdoors are front and center every day, everywhere. Are there day (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Boca Grande Pass actually has Rules and . Comment Known as the original lighthouse, its a must-see. Today, you can tour the Range Lighthouse and even climb to the top periodically throughout the year. Whether you want to fish, swim, walk the beach in search of shells, or gather sand dollars and starfish, the best way to see Sanibel Island is by water. 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'. Fresh fried Gulf shrimp and cold beer at The Temptation. (239) 215-2445 Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel . The boats got faster, fishing style over the top, and testosterone running higher than ever. It fits into the picturesque landscape in an inimitable wayand invites you to a relaxing beach day. Search for RV campgrounds. These islands are very far awayfrom all that! From Punta Gorda, these destinations are all within a short distance from your back door! Originally constructed in 1885 in the state of Delaware, the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1918 due to erosion, disassembled and then reconstructed on Gasparilla Island in 1927. But also for families with children Fort Myers Beach is ideal. Choose your own destination. The islands also exert a magicalattraction for lovers. GoDaddy network blocked by origin firewall. And the walk out terrace with Gulf views from the MBr is amazing for your morning coffee just sayin! Written by Yvonne 2. Best place for golf cart and bike rentals? 847 Harborshore Dr #1, Boca Grande, FL 33921 is a 2,324 sqft, 3 bed, 3 bath Condo listed for $3,775,000. Capt. Get your cameras ready in case you see some dolphins. With a focus on conservation, this is a live bait only, catch and release event that draws anglers from around the world. If the beach is designated as a swimming beach, the distance becomes 500 feet. The staff is very accommodating, polite and knowledgeable. Copyright 2019 | All Rights Reserved | Powered by. We offer private Shelling Trips to secluded beaches along the barrier islands, which are only accessible by boat. tween-waters.com, Yacht Harbour & Marina, Captiva Improve this listing Similar Experiences 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. Can You Beach Your Boat on Sanibel Island? Boca Grand is the largest city of Gasparilla Island. 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. From the few demi-round booths and rustic murals adorning the walls depicting early life on Boca Grande (complete with the names of the town citizens in them), to the adjacent old-fashioned bar and 1978 pull handle cigarette machine on your way to the restrooms, everything about this place screams nostalgia. Anglers, too, have plenty of options in these waters. western boundary of Cape Coral is the Matlacha Pass and its wildlife preserve. Your email address will not be published. As much as she loves Boca Grande, her heart is in Captiva, where she opened the inn in 1999. Gasparilla Adventures has reasonable rates on 4 or 6 passenger golf carts, and offer great service. Port Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 65 feet (239) 437-1660 portsanibelmarina.com. Find the travel option that best suits you. Please leave your contact information and a member of our team will get back to you within 24 hours. Resort & Spa, 2023 Boatsetter, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. The Marina offers bathrooms, showers, a public beach, and famous Grandma Dots restaurant. Accommodation for up to 13 passengers. Of course you have seen dolphins at the zoo. No new or closed sales. 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. Ready to explore Sanibel Island by boat? He will take you through Charlotte Harbor and 15 minutesinto the boat ride you will see the water turn into a bright turquoise! 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. Both are accessible by land or boat. If youre longing for a place where the simple things in life still rule, you need to check out this island paradise for a day trip or preferably longer. The area is famous for its' abundant exotic bird life as well including Osprey, Anhinga, Egrets, Pelicans, Roseate Spoonbills, Frigates, Bald Eagles, and Herons! Inside, she added an L-shaped bar splashed with Keylime Bistro trademark hues. Select one of the cruise options below to book your cruise adventure today! Both offer sandy beaches, amazing shelling, fine dining, plus a small-town feel that belies bountiful amenities and provisioning potential. Bring your own bottle. We are here to show you the best of the Gulf Coast. In other words, if youre in Naples or Fort Myers, you need to drive north on I-75 or Rte. This morning, Ill look for shells. With your own private Captain and Tour Guide at your service, explore the ocean like never before. 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. Sanibel andCaptiva Island have long been hotspots for tourists. There are more than enough of them all around Cape Coral.