Boca Grande

Boca Grande is a shimmering jewel on the southwest coast of Florida – an idyllic small town pristinely set upon Gasparilla Island with a bevy of benefits and experiences. It’s well-known for having a beautiful and historic downtown, beaches with sugar sand, sparkling blue water, and is a giving spot for world-class tarpon fishing. It’s also known for having golf carts as the primary mode of transportation since it’s such a small place. Boca Grande is a favorite among the rich and famous for good reason: it’s beautiful, unspoiled, and preserves an Old Florida world. There’s a scenic bike and golf-cart path that runs 6.5 miles, the length of the island, past some great scenery. Gasparilla Sound, the body of water you cross to each Boca Grande, is a terrific place to kayak. Boca Grande began as a fishing village and still today the fishing has been drawing anglers for more than 100 years. It is one of the best places in the world to fish for tarpon. There’s something about the swift waters of Boca Grande Pass, the deepest pass on the Gulf coast, that tarpon love. The beaches have white-powder sand and are good for shelling. There are two picturesque lighthouses and at the southern tip of the island is the oldest building on the island – the 1890 Boca Grande Lighthouse. The beach wraps around the lighthouse, offering outstanding views in every direction. The downtown is fun to explore because so many historic churches, stores and homes have been not only preserved, but prettified to postcard perfection. There are no chain restaurants, no high rises, nothing to spoil the quaint resort town. The lovely Gasparilla Inn is frequently ranked one of the best golf resorts in the world. It’s easy to instantly fall in love with this peaceful Boca Grande lifestyle where sunsets are truly picture perfect. Once you set foot here, you’ll easily see why it is a hidden gem that sparkles on Florida’s southwest coast.