Don Pedro State Park – Located between Knight Island and Little Gasparilla Island. Only accessible by private boat or Ferry. Be sure to idle through the channel its only 2.5 feet deep. Great place to swim, snorkel, sunbath, or look for shells. This park has one mile of white sandy beaches. There are restrooms, BBQ grills and a huge Pavilion to provide shade during hot summer days. Dock space is available, please be sure to bring dock lines with you. Head south from Harbor at Lemon Bay passed Palm Island Marina and it’s located on the right. It will be marked with a Don Pedro sign.

Stump Pass Park – Located on the Barrier Island of Manasota Key. It’s a great area for swimming, sunbathing, escaping the crowds, picking up shells and finding sharks teeth. Also a great place to see manatee, dolphin, gopher tortoises, egrets, herons, and frigate birds. If you would like to try out tubing, wake boarding, or skiing you can do all of that in “Ski Alley” If you are heading out of Stump Pass hang a right. It’s the small section of water that runs along Manasota Key. On the weekends “Ski Alley” becomes a social hangout. People looking to escape the work week with friend’s, music, and cocktails.

Fishing – Lemon Bay offers some of the best fishing. Redfish, Sheepshead, Mangrove Snapper, and Trout to name a few. In the Gulf of Mexico, you can catch, Grouper, Bonita, Amberjack, Shark, and many more. We ask that you keep in compliance with fishing regulations along with having a fishing license. Here is a website you can check out www.myfwc.com.

Englewood Bait House – Located on the ICW Marker 22 and 24 by the Tom Adams Bridge. Been in business for 40 years. Monitors VHF Channel 16. www.sunstate.com/baithouse

Fisherman’s Edge Tackle Inc. – located at 4425 Placida Rd Grove City, 34224

Flounders on the Beach – Is accessible by boat or by car. Fun beach atmosphere with a huge outdoor stage to accommodate local bands during the week and on weekends. Good food and good fun for all ages. Located on the ICW with dock space (bring your own dock lines)

White Elephant Pub – Accessible by car or boat. Located on the ICW with plenty of dock space (bring your own dock lines)

Rum Bay – Located on Palm Island marker #9A just south of Stump Pass. It’s been in this area for 25 years. Only accessible by private vessel or by taxi that is located at Leverocks on the mainland (7090 Placida Rd Cape Haze FL) round trip is $6.00 per person. Be sure to bring your own dock lines when visiting Rum Bay.

Leverocks – Located at Palm Island Marina. If coming by boat it is located between Marker # 7/8, and the dock attendants will help you dock if you call on the VHF channel 16. If coming by car the 7092 Placida Rd. Cape Haze, FL

Waterside Grill – Located south of the Boca Grande Bridge at Gasparilla Marina. Plenty of dock space but be sure to have dock lines ready. If visiting by car 15001 Gasparilla Rd. Placida Fl, 33946

Lock N Key — Located on Beach Road with great views of Englewood beach and plenty of seating. They offer exceptional service and a variety of cuisines. 2045 N Beach Rd. Englewood FL 34223

Beach Road Wine Bar and Bistro — Come by boat or by car. There are over 70 wine selections and an array of beers. This restaurant is known for fusions style cuisine and creative dishes. Live entertainment is offered on a regular basis . Check them out on Wednesdays nights for certain selections of bottles of wine are sold at half price. 1350 Beach Rd. Englewood, FL 34223

Pink Elephant - Accessible by boat and by car, rave reviews on yelp and offers year round service.

Boca Grande Marina - Formerly known as Millers marine is accessible by water or by car. Offers to two dining rooms. Millers Dockside and Grill located downstairs next to the docks and Eagle Grill located upstairs for finer dining. They also have a ship store, golf cart, and bicycle rentals.

South Beach - Located on the very tip of the Island on the gulf side. Order your cocktail and walk down to the beautiful white sandy beach.

Located 4 Nautical miles west of Pine Island, Cayo Costa is one of the largest barrier Islands in Florida. It’s only accessible by boat and is served by private ferry from the nearby Pine Island. Before the arrival of Europeans more than 4,000 years ago. This Island served Native American Fishing cultures. Several of their shell mounds are still found on Cayo Costa which means “Key by the Coast”. In the early 1800’s Spanish fisherman from Cuba caught and dried fish that were then transported to Cuban markets. Approximately 20 fishing families lived on Cayo Costa where they established a school, a post office, and a grocery store in the early 1900’s. This island is great for fishing, swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and shelling. Also you may see pods of dolphin and manatee in the waters around this 2,426-acre park. There are nature trails that crisscross the island and provide hiking and off road bicycling. You can also rent cabins and tents for an overnight stay on the Island.

Located on the Pine Island directly across from Marker #60. 20 miles NW of Ft. Myers and 5 miles south of Boca Grande. This beautiful untouched Island is 100 acres with a restaurant, Inn, and Cottages. The restaurant is famous for their Cheeseburgers and Walls made of Money. It’s tradition when you visit to stick a dollar on the wall. Explore this Island with it’s beautiful vegetation and its natural wilderness.

Venice was first settled in 1870 by Robert Rickford Roberts. He established 121-acre homestead on the south end of the bay which was named after him. Originally called “Horse and Chaise” because of the carriage like tree formation that marked the spot for fisherman. In 1888 the city received its official name by Frank Higel. It was named after the famous Canal City in Italy, Venice.

Snake Island. Small Island located at the mouth the Venice Inlet better known as the Venice Jetty. This little Island does not have restrooms, power, or running water. It’s so small you can probably throw a coconut across the to the other side with ease. However, this Island becomes a social hangout don’t be surprised if you find people camping out for the weekend. Contrary to its name it’s not infested with snakes.