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They call it Florida’s best kept secret, and the tourism office goes by Pure Florida, so there’s a clue there. But I’m sorry, I’m spilling the beans on this little gem on the Gulf Coast.
It’s an idyllic natural paradise, with stunning beaches and numerous communities. Located conveniently between Tampa and Naples, some people drive right past. But that would be a mistake, and I’m about to show you why.
I spent four days on Palm Island, a car-ferry-only island, went dolphin spotting, rode a swamp buggy, paddled through mangrove tunnels, and ate some of the best seafood I’ve had in Florida. So here we are.
Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach covers 230 miles of Florida’s southwest Gulf Coast across 12 communities, from a historic harbour city to barrier islands you can only reach by boat. Most of it looks exactly the way Florida used to look before the high-rises showed up.
Here are unique things to do in Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach, FL, as well as a full itinerary for your trip and a lot more.
Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach, FL – Overview and Itinerary
Most people haven’t heard of Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach, and that’s exactly what makes it worth going to.
This stretch of Florida’s southwest Gulf Coast covers 12 communities, from the historic waterfront city of Punta Gorda to the barrier islands of Manasota Key and Boca Grande, with 230 miles of shoreline and a harbour second in size only to Tampa Bay.
The weather is good almost year-round and it hasn’t been overrun yet. Before going through the list of things to do in Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach, here are a few elements that you should know when planning your trip.
Where is Punta Gorda, FL?
Punta Gorda is on Florida’s southwest Gulf Coast, about halfway between Tampa and Naples. It’s a small, historic waterfront city right where the Peace River flows into Charlotte Harbor, which is the second-largest estuary in the state.
Most people drive through without stopping but, I think it’s worth staying for a few days at least.
Where is Englewood Beach?
Englewood Beach is on Manasota Key, a barrier island about 25 miles west of Punta Gorda. It’s one of the quieter, less developed stretches of beach on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The Gulf is on one side, Lemon Bay on the other. It’s an easy-going place that is great for relaxing and chilling for a bit.
How to Get There?
The closest airport is Punta Gorda Airport (PGD), just a few miles from downtown, with Allegiant flights from several US cities. Fort Myers (RSW) is 37 miles south if you need more flight options, and Tampa (TPA) is about two hours north.
Once you land, you’ll need a rental car because there’s no decent public transport between the different communities here.
Best Time to Visit Punta Gorda
November through April is the best time to go. The weather is warm and dry, crowds are manageable, and everything is open and running. December through March is the peak season so prices go up. If you’re travelling on a budget, I wouldn’t go during that time.
April and May are a good compromise. It’s still warm, a bit quieter, and easier on the wallet. Summer is hot, humid, and gets heavy afternoon thunderstorms almost every day.
Where to Stay in Punta Gorda and Englewood Beach?
Here’s a list of great accommodation options to stay in Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach.
If you’d rather pick your own hotel to stay, you can browse all the hotels on Booking or Expedia and choose the one that suits you best.
Palm Island Resort
Palm Island Resort is one of those places you have to see to believe. And I talk a lot more about it later in this article so please skip forward now if you’re interested, but for now think empty beaches, a small community, only accessible by boat! Here are a few photos.
Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf Coast (Rated 9.2/10)
Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside – Marriott (Rated 8.8/10)
Manasota Key Resort (Rated 9.4/10)
The Suites at Fishermen’s Village (Rated 9.8/10)
Travelling on a budget? Check out budget hotels on Expedia
20 Best Things to Do in Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach, FL
Most people come for the beaches and end up doing a lot more than they planned. I was definitely one of them. The area spreads across several communities, so it pays to know what’s where before you arrive.
There’s kayaking through mangrove tunnels, swamp buggy rides on a working cattle ranch, harbour cruises, boat-only barrier islands, and a reptile zoo that holds the world record for species count. Let’s get right into it, these are the best activities in Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach, FL.
Ride a Swamp Buggy through Babcock Ranch
Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours take you through 14,000 acres of wilderness on a converted school bus built for swamp terrain. It’s a 90-minute guided tour and it covers four ecosystems: pine flatwoods, cypress swamp, open prairies, and freshwater marshes.
Your guide walks you through the full history of the land, which started as a 1914 timber operation producing pine pitch used in South African diamond mines, and was eventually sold to the State of Florida in 2006 for conservation.
You’ll see alligators up close (guides bring a juvenile on board) along with bald eagles, wild turkeys, deer, wild hogs, and Florida Cracker cattle. You might even spot a Florida panther but it’s quite rare. It’s a genuinely different side of Florida that most people never see.
I recommend booking early as tours fill fast, and arrive 15 minutes before your start time.
Kayak the Mangroves
SUP Englewood runs 2 to 2.5 hour guided kayak eco-tours from the Don Pedro Island State Park land base in Placida. Your naturalist guide takes you through mangrove tunnels, over seagrass beds, and along the Intracoastal Waterway.
You’ll most likely see dolphins and manatees, as well as ospreys, bald eagles, herons, stingrays, and sea stars along the way. The guides are genuinely passionate and take time to explain what you’re seeing rather than just paddling from A to B. The kayaks are sit-on-top style and easy to use even if you’ve never paddled before.
Guides can customise the route to your pace and interests, which is a nice bonus. Bring $3 cash for state park parking, sunscreen, a hat, and a waterproof bag for your phone. Book ahead in season as spots fill quickly.
Cruise Charlotte Harbor with King Fisher Fleet
King Fisher Fleet has been running sightseeing cruises from Fishermen’s Village for over 40 years, and it shows in the quality of the experience. You can book a 90-minute Charlotte Harbor tour, which includes the Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte waterfront before heading into the open harbour to watch for dolphins and seabirds.
The boats are 55 to 65 foot double-deck custom vessels with an enclosed lower cabin and an open upper deck. They are built specifically for these waters. A full bar is available on board too, which is nice.
Apart from the harbour tour, King Fisher Fleet also runs full-day cruises to Cabbage Key (home of the original “Cheeseburger in Paradise”), Cayo Costa, and a seasonal Boca Grande day trip that runs December through April. Sunset cruises are also popular, and I recommend getting that one too, if you have the budget and time!
Stay a Few Nights at Palm Island Resort
Palm Island Resort is on Knight Island, a barrier island accessible only by car ferry from Cape Haze. I stayed there a few nights and I absolutely loved it. No road connects it to the mainland, and no bridges.
The ferry takes about four minutes and runs regularly, and once you’re on the island you get 2 miles of private Gulf beach almost entirely to yourself. The resort has 100 privately-owned villas in a classic Old Florida style, each with a full kitchen, washer, dryer, and balcony.
There are five heated pools, tennis courts, a hot tub, and a recreation centre where you can rent golf carts, bikes, kayaks, and paddleboards. A tennis pro runs morning clinic sessions on site. Coconut’s Café handles breakfast and coffee, and Rum Bay Restaurant is open daily from noon until 9pm. The beach faces west, so sunsets here are a genuine highlight.
Walk Around Fishermen’s Village
Fishermen’s Village is a waterfront shopping, dining, and marina complex on Charlotte Harbor in Punta Gorda. There are 30 locally-owned boutiques and restaurants on the open-air promenade, which was built on a historic dock in 1928.
You can grab lunch at the Village Brewhouse, a cocktail at the Sunset Beach Club tiki bar, or browse the independent shops at your own pace. The marina has boats coming and going all day, and there’s always something happening. King Fisher Fleet cruises depart from the same dock, which makes it easy to combine a walk around the village with a harbour cruise in the same afternoon.
Live music runs throughout the year on select days at the outdoor centre court. It’s free to enter with free parking, so you really have no excuse not to visit!
Discover the Beaches
Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach has over a dozen miles of natural Gulf beach, and the stretch along Manasota Key and the southern barrier islands is some of the least crowded in southwest Florida.
The water is calm and clear, the sand is soft and white, and the shelling here is genuinely among the best in the state. Fossilised shark teeth turn up regularly along the waterline. In fact, the area is known as the Shark Tooth Coast, and it earns the name.
Here are three beaches worth knowing about:
- Manasota Key Beach: A long, wide Gulf beach that’s great for a full day out. Go at low tide after a storm and you’ll find shark teeth and shells along the waterline. It’s quieter than most Florida beaches, has good facilities, and you can catch a free shuttle from Tringali Park (from Monday to Saturday only).
- Stump Pass Beach State Park: The southern tip of Manasota Key, with hiking trails, a kayak launch into the pass, and some of the best bird watching in the area between October and April. Entry costs $3 per car. It’s also a great spot for shelling and it never gets too crowded.
- Blind Pass Beach: The quietest of the three and one of the best places to watch the sunset on this part of the coast. Get there about an hour before sunset, especially during peak season.
Take a Boat Trip to Don Pedro Island
Don Pedro Island is accessible only by private boat, kayak, or charter. There’s no bridge and no road, just a short crossing from the Cape Haze area via the Intracoastal Waterway.
Once you’re there, you get a mile of white sand Gulf beach with barely anyone else on it. The shelling is outstanding, the water is calm and clear, and the whole place feels genuinely removed from the rest of Florida. If that’s your first time in the Sunshine State, I can’t recommend it enough.
There are different trails, which go through 11 natural communities on the island, and wildlife is everywhere: manatees, gopher tortoises, bald eagles, and American oystercatchers. Even loggerhead sea turtles that nest on the beach from May through October.
There’s a shaded picnic pavilion with tables and grills. SUP Englewood runs guided kayak tours to Don Pedro specifically, which is a good option if you don’t have your own boat.
Go Kayaking or Paddleboarding Around Charlotte Harbor
Florida is one of the best places in the world for kayaking, and Charlotte Harbor is a great recommendation. It’s Florida’s second-largest estuary at over 200 square miles.
The water is generally calm and sheltered, which makes it relatively easy for all skill levels, including beginners. You can start from Ponce de Leon Park and paddle into Alligator Creek and along the mangrove-edged coastline, or get in from quieter stretches from the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center.
Several local outfitters handle rentals if you want to go at your own pace rather than joining a guided tour. I did it with SUP Englewood in Placida, and it was not only affordable but the paddleboards were well maintained. Expect to spend 2-4 hours around, as time flies.
Visit Ponce de Leon Park
Ponce de Leon Park is a free city park on the western edge of Punta Gorda overlooking Charlotte Harbor. It has a sandy beach, a fishing pier, a mangrove boardwalk trail, a boat ramp, a picnic pavilion with harbour views, and a playground (great if you travel with your little ones).
The sunset views across the water from here are some of the best in the area. The park is a well-known bird-watching spot so bring binoculars if you have them.
As we discussed above, paddlers often use the boat ramp as a launch for kayaking up Alligator Creek and along the Charlotte Harbour coastline.
The park is also home to the Peace River Wildlife Center, which is open daily inside the grounds. There’s no entry fee and no parking fee. Worth combining with the Wildlife Center for a nice half-day out.
Browse the Englewood Farmers Market
The Englewood Farmers Market runs every Thursday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Dearborn Street in Old Englewood Village, from October through May.
Around 30 to 40 vendors fill the street with local produce, wild-caught Florida seafood, baked goods, fresh honey, herbs, plants, and international street food ranging from empanadas and ceviche to BBQ and pretzels.
Live music runs throughout the morning. What most people don’t realise is there are actually four separate markets all operating simultaneously on the same street on Thursdays, so the whole area comes alive at once.
It’s a good way to spend a Thursday morning, especially if you’re based on the Englewood side of the destination. Keep in mind it closes for the summer, and it opens from October through May only.
Take a Day Trip to Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande
Gasparilla Island is about 30 miles from Punta Gorda across a toll bridge ($6, cash or card). Boca Grande, the main town on the island, is a quiet, authentic Florida enclave with a character that feels like it belongs to a different era.
The downtown area has independent boutiques, restaurants, and galleries. Beyond the town itself, the island is internationally known as the tarpon fishing capital of the world. During the season, the whole place is filled with anglers and charter boats.
Let’s not forget about the 1890 Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, which is worth a stop. The free museum inside covers the full history of the island. Even without fishing, a day in Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande is a good use of time.
Relax in the Warm Mineral Springs
Warm Mineral Springs in North Port is about 30 to 40 minutes north of Punta Gorda and is the only naturally occurring warm mineral spring in Florida.
The spring is a 30,000-year-old sinkhole, up to 250 feet deep, and the water stays at 85°F/29.4°C year-round and contains over 51 minerals.
On the surface, it’s a calm, relaxing experience. You get in, you float, you soak. There are no slides and no adrenaline either. Just warm mineral water and a peaceful outdoor setting. Entry costs $20 for non-resident adults and $15 for non-resident students. It opens daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, which is very convenient.
See Rescued Wildlife at Peace River Wildlife Center
Seeing rescued wildlife wasn’t on my list when I planned my trip to Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach, but here I was. And I genuinely liked it.
The Peace River Wildlife Center is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and education center inside Ponce de Leon Park. It has been operating since 1978 and treats around 2,500 injured or orphaned native Florida animals every year.
Animals that can’t return to the wild stay here, and you can walk around and see them all. The collection includes bald eagles, sandhill cranes, owls, ospreys, pelicans, songbirds, and various small mammals. The staff are volunteers and the center receives no government funding, so the free admission works exclusively on donations.
It’s open every day from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM the whole year. It’s one of the better free things to do in the area.
Take a Tiki Boat Cruise
Here’s another activity that you genuinely can’t miss while in Punta Gorda. For less than $70, you get two hours on Charlotte Harbor on a tiki boat with a thatched roof, LED lights, and a surround sound system.
It’s a BYOB cruise, so bring your own drinks and they’ll sort you out with a cooler, ice, mixers, and cups. Snacks and charcuterie are available to buy on board, which is quite nice.
You have high chances to spot dolphins along the route too. It’s Charlotte Harbor, so you’ve got a decent shot at seeing some out on the water during the 75-minute main stretch of the cruise.
The tours start near Laishley Park, so you can explore around before getting on the boat.
The downside is that these cruises are quite popular and they always sell out, so I recommend booking as soon as possible to secure your spot.
Walk the Historic Mural Trail in Downtown Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda is locally known as the “Mural Town”. The Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society has been painting large-scale historic murals across the city since 1994. As of today, the collection has grown to 31 murals, each one depicting a real moment in local history. The downtown walking tour covers 11 of them in a 2.2-mile loop that takes about an hour.
You can do it completely self-guided using the free Otocast app, which gives you audio narration, a map, and a photo gallery for each mural on your phone. It covers topics from the railroad era to local Black history to the old Hotel Charlotte Harbor. A genuinely good way to spend a morning, and it costs nothing.
Browse the Art Galleries and Studios in Punta Gorda
Downtown Punta Gorda and Englewood’s Dearborn Street both have active arts scenes that are worth it.
The Visual Arts Center on Marion Avenue near Fishermen’s Village is a good starting point, with changing exhibitions. From there, independent galleries, pottery studios, and boutique art shops spread through the downtown streets.
Englewood has its own gallery scene on Dearborn Street that comes to life on market Thursdays when the whole street is busy. The Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens is also worth a look for something a bit different. It’s an outdoor sculpture collection set in a botanical garden just north of downtown. One thing’s for sure, if you like art, you won’t be bored in this part of Florida.
Visit IguanaLand
IguanaLand is the largest reptile zoo in the world. Opened in 2022 by herpetologist Ty Park, it covers 12 acres and houses over 250 species of reptiles and amphibians from around the globe. For instance, rock iguanas, monitor lizards, turtles, tortoises, snakes, frogs, and a lot more.
You can explore at your own pace with general admission, or book a VIP tour where keepers walk you through the collection for 2 to 2.5 hours. They pull animals out for handling and give you far more depth on what you’re seeing.
Giant tortoise feeding happens twice daily at 11 AM and 2-3:00 PM, included with general admission. The entrance fee is $25 per person and it opens daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Go Tarpon Fishing in Boca Grande
Boca Grande Pass is widely considered the best tarpon fishing spot on earth, and fishermen come from all over the world every season to fish it. The pass connects Charlotte Harbor to the Gulf through one of the deepest natural channels in Florida, and thousands of tarpon stack up here as they migrate through.
Tarpon season runs March through July, with peak fishing in May and June. Fish regularly reach 150 to 200 pounds and fight hard. Catching one is considered a serious achievement even for experienced anglers.
The fish are almost always catch-and-release. Dozens of licensed charter captains in the area have deep local knowledge and can put you on fish. The World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament takes place here annually in late May or June and draws international attention.
Play Golf
Charlotte County has eight or more golf courses, and the dry winter weather makes this one of the better areas in Florida to play. Most courses are located around Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, with several receiving national recognition for design and conditions.
Temperatures between November and April stay in the low 70s°F (21°C to 25°C) most days, rarely too hot and barely ever cold. The summer months are playable but the heat and afternoon thunderstorms make mornings the only realistic option.
I recommend checking out the following golf courses:
- Herons Glenn Golf & Country Club
- Babcock National Golf Club
- Riverwood Golf Club
All three were in the 2026 Golfers’ Choice Top 25 Public Golf Courses in Florida, so you know you’ll like it.
Catch Live Music and Local Festivals
The main event season runs November through May, which means the best weather and the highest number of people in the area. The Punta Gorda Wine and Jazz Festival in February is one of the bigger annual events, and the Florida International Air Show at PGD Airport in November draws crowds from across the state.
December brings a nightly holiday boat parade on Charlotte Harbor, with decorated boats lighting up the water each evening.
Beyond the bigger events, live music is a regular part of life here year-round. Fishermen’s Village runs it at the outdoor centre court and Sunset Beach Club on select days throughout the year, and the Village Brewhouse keeps things lively on evenings and weekends.
If you visit this part of Florida from November through May, do yourself a favour and check the events going on near you.
Where to Eat in Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach
There are so many fantastic places for lunch and dinner in Punta Gorda and Englewood Beach, and these are some of the places I went to, which I personally recommend.
Flavor Coast
The food scene here is amazing. Punta Gorda ranked #2 in USA Today’s Best Small Town Food Scenes in 2020. The only Florida destination on the list that year. The Flavor Coast is the tourism board’s way of putting that on the map. There are nine locally-owned restaurants across Punta Gorda, Englewood, and Port Charlotte, each chosen for the story behind the food as much as the food itself.
I went to three of those nine, and all of them were brilliant. Farlow’s on the Water in Englewood is a Caribbean-Southern seafood restaurant that’s been a local favourite since 2003. The waterfront patio, live music, and hand-cut ribeye’s were all amazing.
Winesett House is a red-brick tavern in the heart of Punta Gorda where the chef-owner often comes to the table himself, and dishes like the filet, coconut shrimp, and scallops with risotto back up the reputation.
The Lighthouse Grill and Tiki Bar at Stump Pass is a different kind of spot. It’s open-air, right on the Intracoastal Waterway, and food at $10–20 per person, live music nightly, and sunsets that make it worth staying longer than planned. You can even arrive by boat, which makes the experience really unique.
Zoe’s Sweet Kitchen
Zoe’s is part coffee shop, part bakery, part deli, and fully worth a stop on your way out for the day. The biscuits and gravy, omelettes, and Philly cheesesteak sandwich are some of their best sellers, the coffee is good, and the portions are generous for $10–20 a head.
It’s a small, relaxed place with the kind of warm service that keeps people coming back. Open daily 8 AM to 2 PM.
Final Thoughts
Punta Gorda & Englewood Beach is the kind of place that shows you what the real Florida looks like. There are no massive resorts, the beaches aren’t nearly as packed as other parts of the states, and it feels like there’s no tourist traps or tacky tourism.
it’s probably the most relaxed break I’ve had in Florida in a while, and give it a few days and you’ll see what I mean. I’m sure you’ll love every single second spent in the area.
