The Charlotte Harbor and Gulf Islands area on Florida’s Gulf Coast offers visitors the small town charm of nine coastal communities plus a variety of marine adventures centered on the state’s second largest harbor.

Often bypassed for the larger areas of Tampa to the north and Naples to the south, the Charlotte Harbor area is far from a metropolitan concrete jungle. Instead it’s the perfect place for families and friends seeking a retreat to a destination heavy on pristine beaches and peaceful pine forests.

Charlotte Harbor is embraced by 830 miles of shoreline, 84 percent of which is protected from development. The harbor’s Blueway Trail System includes 200 miles of kayak trails.

Swimming, beachcombing, fishing, sunset harbor cruises and other boating opportunities are plentiful. In addition there’s golf, hiking and trail rides plus family friendly attractions such as Muscle Car City.

It’s no wonder the area has been named by “SAIL” magazine’ as one of the “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” and ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America.”

Fortunately for visitors a number of area resorts and hotels are running specials to lure families and friends to the destination.

Palm Island Resort, for example, is tempting visitors to opt for its private island charms by offering three free nights lodging to guests who pay for four nights from July 15 to September 30, excluding holiday weekends. With the discount a three-bedroom oceanfront condo that comfortably sleeps six would cost $1,900 vs. $3,125. All units have fully equipped kitchens and
washer/dryers, making them good deals for families or friends traveling together.

The resort has its own two-mile-long beach and offers family friendly activities such as eco-tours, pirate encounters, fishing and kayaking. Like the other barrier islands in the Charlotte Harbor area Palm Island is perfect for beachcombers looking for shells and sharks’ teeth.

When it comes to fishing the harbor serves as a nutrient-rich estuary, plus there’s the Peace and Myakka Rivers and Lemon Bay. The area is home to 256 species of fish including tarpon, snapper, snook, spotted sea trout, yellowtail, cobia, redfish, pompano, barracuda and king mackerel.

“With inshore mangroves and grass flats, open waters in the harbor, and offshore action in the Gulf of Mexico, the area has all the fishing bases covered. Add in the paddling, hiking, birding and wildlife and this region is a sportsman’s dream,” said Jimmy Jacobs, editor of “Florida Game and Fish” magazine.

Nature lovers will enjoy the area’s 70 parks and preserves. One fun way to access the local terrain is at Babcock Ranch Preserve, which is known for its popular swamp-buggy tours and other wilderness activities.

In addition to such eco-tourism adventures, the Charlotte Harbor area has a wide variety of entertainment options. Art fans will be pleased the works of 300 artists in residence. Fisherman’s Village, located right on the harbor, is great for shopping, dining and nightlife.

New to the area is Rick Treworgy’s Muscle Car City near Punta Gorda. The museum focuses on “muscle cars” of the mid-1960s to early 1970s, but it showcases 200 automobiles highlighting eras back to the 1920s. Adults, teens and children are wowed by the the Pontiac GTOs, Chevy Corvettes, Oldsmobile Cutlass 442s, Chevelles, Camaros and revved-up Impalas
on display.

An old-fashioned diner at the museum offers classic cheese-steak sandwiches, fresh salads, homemade ice cream, milkshakes and root beer floats, Key Lime pie and apple cobbler, along with hamburgers, hot dogs and French fries.

“Muscle Car City Museum is a stunning showplace, a perfect indoor complement to the many outdoor activities in Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf Islands for residents and visitors alike,” said Becky Bovell, director of the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau.”

For more information on the Charlotte Harbor and Gulf Islands area visit www.CharlotteHarborTravel. com

Where to stay:

Four Points By Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside is a brand new high-rise hotel with 106 rooms and Charlotte Harbor water views. While moderately priced, it boasts a marina an said Jimmy Jacobs, editor of Florida Game and Fish magazine d luxury amenities. www.Fourpointspuntagorda. com

Palm Island Resort near Cape Haze is a long-time favorite Charlotte Harbor area retreat accessible only by a regularly scheduled ferry or a boat. Visitors can enjoy both a pristine Gulf beach and kayaking or boating in mangrove-lined coves. www.palmisland.com

The new Wyvern Hotel in Punta Gorda is a upscale boutique hotel designed for guests with discerning tastes. The roof-top pool and bar are just two of its many draws. Other include complimentary WiFi and extra large flat-screen LCD TVs. www.thewyvernhotel.com

 

Back to Top