Reservations required. This area also tends to be a busy stretch of waterway. There are no theme parks here or any major attractions to speak of, and the only water park is the natural one surrounding it, pristine and undisturbed. Comment This is one of the best islands in Florida to watch the sunset. (You may feel like youre trespassing but if you see the pig in the pen, youre at the right place.). Boats cannot be beached anywhere on the Gulf side of Sanibel Island. 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! The islands also exert a magicalattraction for lovers. For dining right on the water, Sanibel-Grandma Dots serves up terrific sandwiches and salads in an open-air setting at Sanibel Marina, while the Green Flash on Captiva offers a Embark from Captiva Island, Florida to a nearby island destination, relax watching the sunset or follow a pod of dolphins at play. 1591 E. Atlantic Blvd, 2nd Floor (239) 472-3337 And, shes not staying quiet on Captiva, either. Great ride, lots of dolphins. On the Florida barrier island south of Stump Pass State Park, there is a little-visited state park reachable only by boat, Don Pedro Island State Park. From the Sanibel Causeway Bridges to Boca Grande Pass, we fish the warm, shallow mangrove waters and grass flats of the backcountry that are teeming with a variety of fish, such as: Redfish, Snook, Spotted Sea Trout, Spanish Mackerel, Mangrove Snapper, Crevalle Jack, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Florida Pompano, various Shark . Copyright 2023 Gulfshore Life Media, LLC. She informed employees at all six businesses that shed pay them to help with salvage and clean-up operations on the island. You are sure to have a one of a kind experience when you choose Sunset Cruises to plan your next trip on the water. Then its multitasking tonguesucked the nutritious life out ofthat mollusk. 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. 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. Likewise, there are two routes to choose from, one following the Pine Island Pass, or one through the Gulf of Mexico. February 2019 We accept Cash & Credit Cards.Gift Certificates available, contact us to purchase! Today, the Whidden family operates the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum at the marina though its little more than a junk shop you have to root through yourself. The manatees in contrast to the lively dolphins attract attention by their rather sedatenature. In fact, its hidden by enough scrub and trees that many visitors dont realize its even there! Florida has to offer on the water. OUR MOST POPULAR TRIP! Several of the beach access points on the south end of the island offer ADA beach access but no restroom facilities. The Caloosahatchee River, via locks, will take you to Lake Okeechobee and out the other side to the Atlantic. . Sugar sand beaches and crystal clear water, Naples, farmers markets, shopping, NaplesFL1, Cape Coral, Wicked Dolphin, rum, distillery, day trips, tours, Gulf Coast islands thats accessible only by boat, southwest Floridas most beautiful beaches, Things to Do in Boca Grande for a Blissful Island Vibe, 15 Fun Things To Do on Sanibel Island, Florida, Castaway to 7 Southwest Florida Gulf Coast Islands Reachable Only By Boat. The Boca Grande restaurant runs much like the original on Captiva, with its worry-free beachy style and the sea breeze sweeping through the room. Boca Grande Pass actually has Rules and . The most well known one being the Boca Grande Resort. The earliest settlers came here to fish and by the late 19th century the fishing industry was well established. The area is famous for its' abundant exotic bird life as well including Osprey, Anhinga, Egrets, Pelicans, Roseate Spoonbills, Frigates, Bald Eagles, and Herons! But, by February, the islands beaches were open, and old Captiva friends were showing up on the island. 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. At Sanibel Pilates and Ambu Yoga you can meditate on the beach or try SUP yoga. 6 hrs - $800 Fishing/Shelling Combo. Highly recommend this company!, Took the sunset cruise departing from south seas plantation crew was awesome. The sign outside reads Johan Fust Community Library but its unlike any library youve ever seen. If youre thinking about golf cart rentals, Boca Grande has a few places to rent them. An island that runs parallel to themainland,a so-called barrier island. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. Capt. Its a quick ride to the fishing grounds aboard our Ranger Bay 2400, equipped with a four stroke Yamaha 300 hp engine. You can go anywhere, including the beach, and dont have to worry about a lack of parking. This rich phosphate market combined with unparalleled fishing spurred development of the town of Boca Grande. Traveling with a dog or cat? Contact us: info@southernboating.com. Copyright 2019 | All Rights Reserved | Powered by. This influx of travelers brought the need for hotels like the Gasparilla Inn and restaurants serving the freshest local seafood. Contrary to what some might think, Boca Grande is actually located in Lee County though you have to drive through Charlotte County to get there on land. If you want to see Boca Grande at its most lively, plan your trip around two of the towns most celebrated events: The Worlds Richest Tarpon Tournament and the Sandbar Music Festival. Please wait a few minutes and try again. 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 If you click through and make a qualifying purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. But in the ocean? 11401 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva Island, FL 33924 Open today: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Save Read all 1,103 reviews ahanson1950 Lenexa, Kansas 10 8 Day trip to Boca Grande/Gasparilla Island Review of Captiva Cruises Reviewed May 11, 2014 This was a fun day trip, I always love a boat ride! The Marina offers bathrooms, showers, a public beach, and famous Grandma Dots restaurant. Sanibel island is a famed Florida island located near Fort Meyers. Plan to Enjoy the Edgartown Race Weekend Coming Soon! Brandt will handle your catches for you, unless of course, you want to get your hands dirty! 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. If the problem persists, open a ticket on our support page and we will assist with troubleshooting. And if you want to try your hand at tarpon fishing, Boca Grande is the place to do it theres no better tarpon fishing in the entire world! As much as she loves Boca Grande, her heart is in Captiva, where she opened the inn in 1999. Boca Grande, Florida Contact Awards Travelers' Choice 2022 Suggest edits to improve what we show. If you are on the Captiva end of Sanibel Island, there is dockage available at the. Places like Boca Grande, which blissfully feels like time has passed it by. found on all Gulf barrier islands. Obeying posted speed limits and no wake zones, staying in the channels, and safely operating your boat will get you out on the water and back again, safely. The drive there will be scenic full of amazing houses and vegetation. This is a great family retreat with a unique, Caribbean menu. She kept the creamery, with the Loose Caboose Ice Cream Shoppe connected to Keylime Bistro Boca Grande. For some shell collectors, thebest shell on the beach is not theperfect shell but rather one witha flaw, a little round hole and atrue story that goes with it. Reserve an exclusive Sightseeing Charter along the pristine waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Of course you have seen dolphins at the zoo. Many of them are secluded with just a few other people. Therefore, if you are anchoring at one of the islands beaches, you need to be at least 200 feet from shore. Located in a beautiful historic building adjacent to the Boca Grande bayou, the many faces of the Pink Elephant make it perfect for special occasions or a quick beer and lunch. walk the beach gathering interesting and beautiful seashells. No hour motorboat rides down the ICW or channels to open water, Charlotte Harbor beckons, 10 miles in either direction literally as soon as we clear the short entry channel. Capt. portsanibelmarina.com, Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Search for RV campgrounds. Meet the talented couple behind Florida Gulfshore Ballet and their quest to create the first professional company in the region. The total distance and travel time between Sanibel Island and. Florida is in many regards asif you had glued a Caribbean island to the American mainland. We look forward to hearing from you. Adults & Seniors $45 Children (12 and under) $30 Believed to be the inspiration behind Jimmy Buffet's song, "Cheeseburger in Paradise," Cabbage Key is a classic "old Florida" hide-a-way. So stop by there for dinner before returning the golf cart and taking the charter back to Pineland. (239) 432-9222 This morning, Ill look for shells. Definitely a photo op! Improve this listing Similar Experiences 2023 Boatsetter, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. We are honored to be named Cape Corals best Boat Tour Agency of 2022. American fare. There are many great hotels and inns. lazyflamingo.com, Doc Fords Rum Bar and Grill, Captiva/Sanibel The Johann Fust community Library is a mini cultural and literary gem. She informed employees at all six businesses that shed pay them to help with salvage and clean-up operations on the island. 6 hrs - $750 Shelling/Lunch Combo. (239) 822-3337; captivaadventures.com, Tarpon Bay Explorers 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. Also, it is said that the Spanishconquerors have been unable to take the island permanently. Please note that it is over an hour boat ride each way to the islands of Cayo Costa or Cabbage Key, so you will need to book a minimum of 6 hours for a Combination Charter. Approximate travel time from Sanibel Marina: 1 hour. Required fields are marked *. (239) 472-1956 The happy memories of your fishing trip with Sanibel Custom Charters will last a lifetime! 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. Theres a $6 toll to cross the Boca Grande Causeway over Gasparilla Sound, a small price to pay. It really isnt muchmore than that in an aquarium for these proud sea creatures. This waterway runs between the mainland and Pine Island, which is very shallow and home to many marine life species. 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. Reservations Directions by Boat Directions by Car Flying in Directions Jobs Mailing Address Cabbage Key P.O. The Cayo Costa Beach was gorgeous, and the trip was the perfect amount of time.. You've heard of places like Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Boca Grande, Little Gasparilla Island, Cabbage Key, Useppa, Pine Island Sound, Cape Haze, Cayo Costa, Lemon Bay and Redfish Pass. Relatively long and narrow, they offer easy access to the Gulf of Mexico for serious offshore fishing adventures and open-throttle cruises. . Camping along the way? LOTS. 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. In addition to great eats, the latter spot 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. 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'. Tom will pull into a public slip/boat ramp area that is typically known as the Pink Elephant Boat Ramp. The second Keylime proved so successful that Sandy is considering creating more outposts, with a small-scale version at Southwest Florida International Airport next on her list. This idyllic island is a haven for boaters, kayakers, and shellers, plus the entire island is loaded with nature trails you can hike. Both offer sandy beaches, amazing shelling, fine dining, plus a small-town feel that belies bountiful amenities and provisioning potential. Current time in both locations is 7:26 am. 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 [] How far is Cape Coral from Sanibel Island by boat? Founded by Sam Whidden in 1926 and honored with a spot on the National Register of Historic Places the same year, Whidden's was also a popular night spot, dance hall and restaurant back in the day. Its on the beach with plenty of room for the whole family to stretch, work from home, or relax. Since then, the clientele may have become a bit more exclusive, but its still a quiet place. First things first wake up early and head down to Pineland Marina. But scoop up the sand along the shore and look for the small black shark teeth! Gasparilla State Park and the Barrier Island Parks Society operates four beach access points on the island. Once settled in, let the fun begin. 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.