An Idyllic Old Florida Town
Boca Grande is a small residential community on Gasparilla Island, in southwest Florida. Gasparilla Island is a part of both Charlotte and Lee Counties, while the actual village of Boca Grande, which is home to many seasonal and some year-round residents, is entirely in the Lee County portion of the island. It is part of the Cape Coral–Fort Myers Metropolitan Statistical Area. Boca Grande is known for its historic downtown, sugar sand beaches, blue water and world class fishing.
Its name - Spanish for "Big Mouth" - comes from the mouth of the waterway, called Boca Grande Pass, at the southern tip of the island. The pass was used as a busy shipping point for many years as the waters in the pass are naturally deep.
Boca Grande is small town located on Gasparilla Island, southwest Florida. This town is home to many seasonal and few year-round residents. It is popular for its sugar sand beaches, world-class fishing, blue water, and historic downtown. Boca Grande is a beach lover’s dream and hub for sports fishermen. The town has managed to maintain its small-town charm while the rest of Southwest Florida is modernized.
Though it might have hosted Audrey Hepburn, Thomas Edison, and George H.W.Bush family, it is still a wonderful place for regular people. A hidden gem of this place is Gasparilla Inn and Club. It was built in 1911 and is extensively well-maintained through updates and renovations. This is a luxurious resort with old Florida charm.
There is a reason why this town is so famous among the rich; it is unspoiled, beautiful, and offers a true experience of Old Florida. This makes it more appealing and beautiful now rather than 100 years ago; when it was a shipping center. Now, the population of the town is 1,700 and is expected to grow over the years.
In Boca Grande, there are not many schools, but it has private schools and a charter school. There are many universities near the town. When it comes to weather and climate, winters are milder with the coolest temperatures in mid-December and mid-February. April and May are rainier and hotter. Summer is usually hot and rainy.
For adventurers, there are abundant places to explore including historic downtown buildings. You can take a swim or stroll along the gorgeous beaches or you can admire the scenic view near the lighthouses. Moreover, you can even tour the lighthouse museum, located at the tip of the island.
You can visit the Gasparilla Island State Park that stretches to the southern end of the Island. It offers access to the beach, shelters, and picnic tables. Since there are no gas stations in the area, the main mode of transportation is golf carts.
The downtown area is an amazing place to explore as there are many homes and historic churches, gift shops, cafes, and boutiques. For satisfying your cravings, there are many dining options. Though there are no chain restaurants, you can enjoy a delicious meal in the cafes. You can eat at the Inn’s dining room or at Pick Elephant restaurant. Other places where you can enjoy luscious dishes include The Loose Caboose and Eagle Grille and Mille’s Dockside Bar and Grill.
The best place in the town is the unspoiled beaches. They are lovely and beautiful. You can swim at the beach or even go for a stroll. You can indulge in various water sports and activities. Additionally, there are many things to do near Boca Grander. You can go for kayaking at the Gasparilla Sound or explore the historic town near Punta Gorda.
Therefore, Boca Grande is a serene and special place where you can create cool memories. Take out time and visit this old town of Florida to see it yourself.