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CHARLOTTE HARBOR
Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is one of Florida’s best-kept secrets. Located halfway between Sarasota and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, activities on the naturally beautiful and environmentally pristine area range from canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, sailing, fishing and boating to strolls on the beach, shelling, exploring historic communities, shopping and dining.
Charlotte County retains its peaceful nature and small town charm. Charlotte Harbor, Florida’s second-largest open water estuary, is filled with peaceful coves and bays, providing endless opportunities to tackle a tarpon, captain a kayak or commandeer a canoe. This tranquil coastal community boasts over 830 miles of shoreline including river passages, mangrove-edged aquatic preserve and sandy beaches. The Peace River is ideal for canoeing and kayaking, with dense mangrove tunnels and wildlife. Along the shores paddlers can spot deer, wild hogs and extensive bird life. Anglers come from around the world to experience fishing for tarpon, redfish and snook in the estuary; and grouper, snapper and king mackerel in the Gulf. Fishing is spectacular throughout the year.
Golfers have many courses from which to choose, all with unique design features of natural settings and wildlife along with challenging play. Courses range from executive to championship each with scenic vistas and spectacular landscapes.
If you seek outdoor recreation such as hunting, camping, hiking, a shooting range, horseback riding or freshwater fishing, the Babcock/Webb Wildlife Management Area is a great choice since it encompasses 105 square miles of the largest undisturbed pine flatwoods in Southwest Florida.
In historic Punta Gorda, stroll the downtown streets brightened by period street lights, alfresco sculptures and colorful murals depicting the area’s history while shopping for specialty gifts and dining at trendy new restaurants. For a wilderness adventure on the outskirts of Punta Gorda, take a wildlife buggy tour and marvel at the silent beauty of ancient cypress swam. Punta Gorda, where Ponce de Leon first landed in 1513, is home to an array of festivals and special events throughout the year. Accommodations there and in Port Charlotte may be found along the mouth of the Peace River leading into Charlotte Harbor, or visitors may elect to stay along the Gulf shores in Englewood, Palm Island or north Boca Grande.
Be sure to visit Placida, a charming arts and fishing village where you can hop a boat for an eco-cruise, visit an art gallery and enjoy fresh-from-the Gulf seafood. Take a trip across the causeway to Boca Grande to explore this picturesque island community where captains of industry and presidents play.
The Gulf Island beaches in Charlotte County are some of the least crowded and most beautiful in the state. Chadwick Park at Englewood Beach provides full facilities for a day at the beach close to shops and restaurants. Nearby on Manasota Key, the sands and sea oat dunes at Stump Pass Beach State Park provide a convenient yet natural getaway. A favorite destination for boaters is Don Pedro Island State Park, a perfect spot to picnic and hunt for shells during a day on the water. For a real island vacation escape, take the car ferry to Palm Island Resort with its seven miles of sandy beach and dine on the specialty cuisine of Rum Bay Restaurant.
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