Most of our guests will make a day trip to the beach. The beaches in the Punta Gorda area are less crowded than Ft Myers Beach. They are quiet and attract a ton of wildlife such as birds, dolphins, sea turtles and manatees.
Englewood Beach
– Distance 29.5 Miles
One of the closest beaches is on Manasota Key called Englewood Beach. There are also 5 restaurants you can walk to from the beach. There is a webcam you can see here as well.
https://www.pureflorida.com/listings/englewood-beach-at-chadwick-park/212/
Live beach cam Englewood Beach
https://www.pureflorida.com/beaches/live-beach-cam/
South of Englewood Beach is Stump Pass Beach state park. This is a quiet and more secluded beach.
https://www.pureflorida.com/listings/stump-pass-beach-state-park/211/
Gasparilla Island
Distance 33.8 Miles
One of our favorite destinations is Gasparilla Island at Boca Granda. state park is the historic Port Boca Grande Lighthouse. Originally built in 1890, this beautifully preserved lighthouse is also a museum. The Gulf beach is accessible from five parking areas and is popular for shelling and swimming, as well as spotting dolphins and manatees along with beach-nesting birds.
https://www.visitfortmyers.com/beaches/gasparilla-island-state-park
Ft Myers Beach
Distance 41.9 Miles
If you want to drive a few minutes further and go to a popular tourist beach you can visit Ft Myers Beach.
Fort Myers Beach is on Estero Island, off the SW Florida coast. This is a a long sandy beach on the Gulf of Mexico. The Marine Science Center is home to local marine life. If you head to the east, trails run through Matanzas Pass Preserve nature sanctuary. The Mound House is built on an ancient Calusa Indian shell mound, the 1900s Mound House has archaeological exhibits. Times Square shopping center has stores and restaurants.