| |
Boca Grande
(Little Gasparilla Island) Real Estate Description
click image above to
view Area Map Viewer
.jpg)
Boca Grande (Little Gasparilla Island) is a hidden paradise with beautiful beaches, fine
dining, shopping, and some of the best fishing in the world.
Located in northern most Lee County, at the mouth of Charlotte
Harbor on picturesque Gasparilla Island, Boca Grande is a step
back into "Old Florida", a carefully preserved part of
Florida's history and beauty. Boca Grande is the
"hideaway" retreat of the rich and famous (favorite
Bush family retreat) who mingle
with the tourists and local fishermen. Here you can find a
wealth of unusual photographic opportunities, and the shopping
offers unique treasures. Boca Grande is a quiet community which
seeks to protect its unique atmosphere and quality of life - the
intangibles that make Boca Grande a very special place. Boca Grande can be easily reached from any where on the Suncoast.
Just head south from Englewood on SR775 or south on SR771 ( just
across the Myakka River Bridge from El Jobean and Texas Ranger
Stadium on SR776), then cross the toll bridge located on the
lower end of the Cape Haze peninsula, and be prepared to step
into a different time.
Many people enjoy Boca Grande Beach -- spending the day
swimming, shelling, fishing or just "catching some
rays". .jpg)
Tourism and fishing are the economic base on this
tranquil seven mile long island that boasts no high rises and no
traffic lights. Don't miss the fully restored 104 year old
lighthouse, and Banyan Street with it's cool, lush tunnel of
green created by 80 year old Banyan trees that line both sides
and completely envelop the street. Pristine white sandy beaches
and green Caribbean-like waters stretch the entire Gulf side of
the Island, while protected waterways weave in and around the
natural mangrove shoreline along the bay side. Bordered by
Charlotte Harbor on the east, and separated from the rest of Lee
County by Gasparilla Sound (the mouth of Charlotte Harbor) to
the south, boaters can explore 750,000 acres of estuary - where
freshwater and saltwater blend to provide nurseries for the
Gulf's multitude of fish species. Recreational boating and
sailing are popular pastimes, whether on your own or by tour or
charter. Dolphins, white pelicans, osprey, and manatees are only
some of the unusual wildlife you will encounter, and don't
forget the tarpon.
.jpg)
Seven miles of wide, pristine, sugar white sand beaches offer
opportunities for shelling, swimming, or just plain relaxing.
Even in the heat of summer, cooling westerly breezes provide
welcome relief. Our village shops are an adventure, as our
merchants literally travel the world in search of the unusual or
unique. The galleries present the works of local artists who
have captured the spirit of Boca Grande in a variety of media
and styles. Our restaurants each have their own wonderful
approach to the palate, featuring dishes made from the freshest
local seafood as well as international specialties. Yet, the
pace is slow, and family oriented recreation is paramount.
 Southwest Florida has some of the best fishing in the world, and
fishing is an important part of the industry and culture of
Gasparilla Island. Every spring, tarpon fishermen head for the
"Tarpon Capital of the World" to fish the renowned
Boca Grande Pass. Boca Grande is host to the "World's
Richest Tarpon Tournament". Every spring brings hundreds of
anglers from all over the planet to the "Richest Tarpon
Tourney in the World". Every weekend for six weeks, anglers
vie for over $250,000.00 in prizes. There is even a weekend set
aside for women only! Tarpon, which can reach as much as 350 lbs
provide a thrill with their huge leaps out of the water and
back-breaking fighting (many a fisherman has given up before the
fish did), all which can be easily viewed from the beach by the
lighthouse. Local marinas also host tarpon tournaments in
season, and recreational fishermen share the "fishing
hole" with tournament anglers, all vying for the thrill of
the catch.
Since tarpon are not considered an edible fish,
catch-and-release is the "name of the game". A few
anglers do keep tarpon for mounting (requires a special $50
"tarpon tag"), but the much cheaper fiberglass mounts
that exactly replicate the big fish you caught are more the norm
today. Because of the special equipment and knowledge required
to land one of these monster fish, most tarpon anglers hire a
fishing guide who provides the boat, equipment, bait, knowledge
and the all important fishing license. If you should decide you
would like a fiberglass mount, your.jpg) guide will expertly take its
measurements and photograph it for true coloration for the
taxidermist. Experienced fishing guides are available during
tarpon season which generally runs from April through July, but
you had better reserve your time well in advance. Year-round
offshore and back-bay fishing for snook, redfish, grouper,
cobia, tripletail as well as king and Spanish mackerel provide
plenty of challenge, no matter the time of year.
...back to top..
...back to Community Map
|
|
.jpg)
