Fishing, beach/sunbathing, museums, hiking & biking, kayaking & canoeing, world class golf courses and baseball!
FLORIDA FISHING FOR THE SILVER KING –TARPON,
Tarpon, also known as the “silver king”, are large beautiful acrobatic fish that can breach the water and fly many feet above the water. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7M6zDkCilRY The world record Tarpon was 8 feet long weighing 286 pounds. Each year Tarpon form mating pods after which the females move out into the Gulf of Mexico to spawn. The most famous place for Tarpon fishing is Boca Grande Pass and Gasparillo Island on the west coast of Florida. Boca Grande is considered the Tarpon capital of the world because it is estimated that 10,000 Tarpon return to and through Boca Grande Pass each spring to form mating pods for the spawn. See this great video with tips on how to catch Tarpon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHEAhvY5978.
In addition to Tarpon, Boca Grande and Gasparilla Island and the nearby Gulf of Mexico are excellent for Redfish, Kingfish, King Mackeral, Red Snapper and Mahi Mahi.
Charter boats, surf and even kayak fishing are all available in Boca Grande and Gasparilla Island.
Bring the whole family – stay in a beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 bath house w/heated pool only 10 miles from Boca Grande – close to beaches, world class golf courses and baseball spring training
BEACHES
The west coast of Florida features some of the best beaches in Florida.
Stump Pass Beach State Park includes the southernmost mile of Manasota Key, Peterson Island and Whidden Key. Stump Pass Beach Park is known for its variety of shore birds, wading birds, ospreys and brown pelicans, frigatebirds and even occasional bald eagles. Dunes, sea oats, seagrape trees and Mangrove trees abound. Snorkeling, shelling, swimming, bird-watching, fishing and sunbathing are all favorite Stump Pass Beach activities. Stump Pass Beach State Park website provides additional information. https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/stump-pass-beach-state-park
Bring the whole family – stay in a beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 bath house w/heated pool 10 mile drive to Stump Pass Beach State Park – close to multiple beaches, world class golf courses, world class fishing and spring training baseball.
Englewood Beach at Chadwick Park offers a pristine beach with white sand, sparkling blue waters and beautiful sunset views. Englewood Beach has many opportunities for activities such as volleyball court, basketball courts, horseshoe pits, playground areas, shelters with picnic tables and charcoal grills, pavillions with picnic tables and charcoal grills, showers, rest rooms, water stations, a boardwalk and covered lookouts. For more information about Englewood Beach see their website at https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/community-services/parks/beaches.stml
Bring the whole family – stay in a beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 bath house w/heated pool - 10 mile drive to Englewood Beach – close to multiple beaches, world class golf courses, world class fishing and baseball spring training.
Gasparilla Island State Park
Swimming and sunbathing on the park beaches are very popular activities, and along the gulf side of the island are four parking areas – Range Light, Sea Grape, Dunes and Sea Wall – that offer access to the park’s beautiful sand beaches.
Several imperiled species inhabit the park including gopher tortoises, manatees and turtles. Shorebird varieties including herons and egrets also inhabit the park. There are two superb beach areas, Sea Grape Beach and Range Light Beach. Park activities include year round swimming, snorkeling, fishing, surfing, cycling, picknicking and shelling. The park provides restroom facilities.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/gasparilla-island-state-park
Bring the whole family – stay in a beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 bath house w/heated pool - 12 mile drive to Gasparillo Island State Park – close to multiple beaches, world class golf courses, world class fishing and baseball spring training.
Blind Pass Beach
Blind Pass Beach offers a beautiful white sand beach, canoe launch, hiking trails, picnic facilities, a playground, wildlife/ bird watching and restrooms. Blind Pass Beach is known for its shark teeth. https://www.visitsarasota.com/beaches-parks/blind-pass-beach
Bring the whole family – stay in a beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 bath house w/heated pool - 12 mile drive to Blind Pass Beach – close to multiple beaches, world class golf courses, world class fishing and baseball spring training.
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MUSEUMS
Gasparilla Island State Park
Historic Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum – built in 1890 - open to the public. Several imperiled species inhabit the park including gopher tortoises, manatees and turtles. Shorebird varieties including herons and egrets also inhabit the park. There are two superb beach areas, Sea Grape Beach and Range Light Beach. Park activities include year round swimming, snorkeling, fishing, surfing, cycling, picknicking and shelling. The park provides restroom facilities.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/gasparilla-island-state-park
Bring the whole family – stay in a beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 bath house w/heated pool - 12 mile drive to Gasparillo Island State Park – close to multiple beaches, world class golf courses, world class fishing and baseball spring training.
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PARKS, HIKING AND BIKING
Rotonda Community Park features bike trails, nature preserve, and trail, picnic tables, pickleball courts, tennis courts, playground and rest rooms.
Cape Haze Pioneer Trail is dog friendly and boasts bike trails, a nature trail and rest rooms.
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Amberjack Environmental Park is a 225 acre preserve with unique are rare scrub,
Don Pedro Island Park Land Base (Don Pedro Island is currently closed)
The 100 acres land base has a fishing pier, hiking trails and picnic tables and grills with South Florida slash pine, palmetto understory, grasses and shrubs that provide habitat for woodpeckers, owls, raccoons and rabbits. Canoes and kayaks can be launched from the land base into the Intercoastal Waterway for some paddling enjoyment among the mangrove-lined waterways. Canoe and kayaks can be rented in nearby Placida. https://supenglewood.com/kayak/kayak-rentals-englewood/
Bring the whole family – stay in a beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 bath house w/heated pool – 2.6 mile drive to Don Pedro Island State Park land base – close to multiple beaches, world class golf courses, world class fishing and baseball spring training.
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Cayo Costa Island State Park
Accessible only by boat or kayak, boasts nine miles of unspoiled beaches and unparalleled shell collecting opportunities for clam, scallop, oyster and olive shells. Wildlife abounds with shorebirds, sea turtles, manatees, porpoises in the nearby waters. Restrooms are available on the gulf side of the island. Surf fishing for flounder, snook, trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead and tarpon. Other activities include snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, hiking, sunbathing. Boat rental available at Gasparilla Island Boat Rentals, https://gasparillaislandboatrentals.com/home
Bring the whole family – stay in a beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 bath house w/heated pool – 2.6 mile drive to Don Pedro Island State Park land base – close to multiple beaches, world class golf courses, world class fishing and baseball spring training.
KAYAKING/CANOEING
Charlotte County, Florida offers an abundance of waterways for kayaking and canoeing. Here is the Charlotte County Blueways Trail Guide to show you all of the varied and interesting water trails to kayak and canoe. https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/core/fileparse.php/421/urlt/blueway-trails-brochure.pdf
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GOLF
Rotonda Golf and Country Club:
99 holes spread across 5 separate entirely public courses located within the rotonda
Tee times can be booked up to 7 days in advance over the phone or online
Long Marsh
20 White Marsh Road
Rotonda, FL 22947
Phone: 941-698-0918
7 minute drive - 2.9 miles
Long Meadow, White Marsh, and Pine Valley
27 hole facility consisting of 3 par 36 9 hole courses,
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The Palms
266 Rotonda Circle
Rotonda West, FL 33947
Phone: 941-697-8118
5 minute drive - 1.9 miles
18 hole, par 72 course
The Hills
100 Rotonda Circle
Rotonda West, FL 33947
Phone: 941-697-2414
1 minute drive - 0.5 miles
18 hole, par 72 course
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Pinemoor West
80 Clubhouse Road
Rotonda West, FL 33947
Phone: 941-697-7006
6 minute drive - 2.9 miles
18 hole, par 70 course
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The Links
4055 Cape Haze Drive
Rotonda West, FL 33947
Phone: 941-697-8877
3 minute drive - 1.3 miles
18 hole par 63 executive course made up of
9 par 3s and 9 par 4s
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Myakka Pines Golf Club
2550 South River Road
Englewood, FL 34223
Phone: 941-474-3296
15 minute drive - 9.0 miles
Semi-Private Golf and Country Club
27 hole facility: Red Course, White Course, and Blue Course
Tee times can be booked up to 7 days in advance over the phone or online
Proper golf attire is required for all players
Heron Creek Golf & Country Club
5301 Heron Creek Boulevard
North Port, FL 34287
Phone: 941-423-6955
Email: golfproshop@heron-creek.com
30 minute drive - 17.3 miles
Semi-Private Golf and Country Club
27 hole facility: Oaks Course, Creek Course, and Marsh Course
Tee times can be booked up to 7 days in advance over the phone or online
Proper golf attire is required for all players
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Riverwood Golf Club
4100 Riverwood Drive
Port Charlotte, FL 33953
Phone: 941-764-6661
Email: info@riverwoodgc.com
19 minute drive - 11.1 miles
Semi-Private Golf Club
Tee times can be booked up to 5 days in advance over the phone or online
Proper golf attire is required for all players
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Sarasota National Golf Club
25510 National Boulevard
Venice, FL 34293
Phone: 941-496-8676
30 minute drive - 19.9 miles
Semi-Public Golf Club
Call for availability, limited public play during summer months only
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Lemon Bay Golf Club
9600 Eagle Preserve Drive,
Englewood, FL 34224
Phone: 941-697-4190
Email: mail@lemonbaygolfclub.com
6 minute drive - 2.5 miles
Semi-Public Golf Club
Call for availability, limited public play during summer months (June-August) only
BASEBALL –
TAMPA BAY RAYS spring training at Charlotte Sports Park – Port Charlotte, Florida
2024 Rays Spring Training home games
Tampa Bay Rays v. Detroit Tigers
Tampa Bay Rays v. New York Yankees
Tampa Bay Rays v. Atlanta Braves
Tampa Bay Rays v. Boston Red Sox
Tampa Bay Rays v. Pittsburgh Pirates
Tampa Bay Rays v. Philadelphia Phillies
Tampa Bay Rays v. Toronto Blue Jays
Tampa Bay Rays v. Minnesota Twins
Tampa Bay Rays v. Baltimore Orioles
Tampa Bay Rays v. Atlanta Braves
Bring the whole family – stay in a beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 bath house w/heated pool - 12 miles from Charlotte Sports Park – close to beaches, world class golf courses and world class fishing.
ATLANTA BRAVES SPRING TRAINING – CoolToday Park, North Port, Florida
Atlanta Braves vs. Boston Red Sox
Atlanta Braves vs. Baltimore Orioles
Atlanta Braves vs. Minnesota Twins
Atlanta Braves vs. Baltimore Orioles
March Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Atlanta Braves vs. Detroit Tigers
Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Atlanta Braves vs. Baltimore Orioles
Atlanta Braves vs. Minnesota Twins
Atlanta Braves vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Atlanta Braves vs. Boston Red Sox
Atlanta Braves vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Atlanta Braves vs. New York Yankees
Atlanta Braves vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Atlanta Braves vs. Minnesota Twins
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Bring the whole family – stay in a beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 bath house w/heated pool 15 miles from CoolToday Park – close to beautiful Florida beaches, world class golf courses and world class fishing.