Boca Grande Getaway: Old-Florida Charm on Gasparilla Island

If you want a taste of Florida before the high-rises, point the car toward Boca Grande. This small town on Gasparilla Island, just north of Punta Gorda, trades crowds and traffic for banyan-shaded streets, golf carts, and a slow, genteel pace that feels like stepping back in time.

Getting there

It's an easy, pretty drive from the Punta Gorda area via Placida and the Boca Grande Causeway (there's a toll onto the island). Once you're there, everything is close together — many visitors park and walk or rent a golf cart for the day.

What to do

• Gasparilla Island Lighthouse — a restored 1890 landmark at the island's southern tip with a small museum and beach access.
• Downtown Boca Grande — boutiques, ice cream, and lunch spots along Park Avenue.
• Tarpon fishing — the waters here are world-famous for tarpon, especially late spring into summer.
• The beaches — quiet, soft sand and excellent shelling without the crowds.

Plan ahead

Boca Grande is intentionally low-key, so come with a relaxed itinerary and cash for the toll. It pairs nicely with a stop in Punta Gorda's harbor district on the way back.

Easy from the airport

Flying into PGD puts you especially close. Grab your car at the airport or have it delivered within 50 miles of 33955, and you can be island-bound within the hour.

Book your ride on Turo

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