beaches / boating, fishing & diving / eating out / shopping

BOATING
Boating opportunities in Englewood are as extensive as they are varied. Open boating on the Gulf of Mexico, cruising the Intercoastal Waterway, and sightseeing along numerous canals are such examples. Windsurfers can enjoy the protected waters of Lemon Bay.

 An assortment of crafts are available with or without motors, and can be rented by the hour, half or full day.
Boats also operate evening sunset cruises to view the dolphins, bird and associated wildlife.
Further details are given below: -

Boca Boat Cruises & Charters
(888) 416-2628
Uncle Henrys Marina, 5800 Gasparilla Road, Boca Grande.
Offers lunchtime and sunset cruises through the inter-coastal waterway, the Gulf waters and islands. Powerboat, kayak and golf cart rentals.
www.bocaboat.com

GrandeTours Kayak Centre, Inc. (941) 697-8825
12575 Placida Road , Placida.
Boating and kayaking family fun centre including Back Bay fishing, boat tours, water sports and water taxi, customised trips.
www.grandetours.com

King Fisher Fleet (941) 639-0969
Fisherman's Village Marina, 1200 West Retta , Esplanade,
Punta Gorda.
Fishing charter company offers deep sea and back-bay fishing, island sightseeing, sunset cruises and eco-tours.
www.kingfisherfleet.com

FISHING
Fishermen are renowned for their tales - imagine going home and recounting stories of the fish you caught, amongst the list could be flounder, pompano, snook, grouper (red and black), redfish, mangrove snapper, spotted trout, sheepshead, bluefish, mackerel, amberjack, cobia and a host of others.

If you want to try your luck in the Gulf or backwaters then several charter boats are available for full or half day trips. Many people come to tarpon fish in Englewood, these huge game fish are also caught in the renowned fishing grounds of Boca Grande Pass. The Boca Grande/Gasparilla Island is accessible by boat or over the road bridge at Placida.

The Tampa, Clearwater and Boca Grande areas of Florida are some of the best areas in the world to catch Tarpon.

Coral Creek Fishing Pier (941) 627-1628
Placida Road, Placida.
Fishing, Restrooms.

Captain Roger Harris (941) 629-6021
1852 Mangrove Street, Charlotte Harbour.
Back country flat fishing.

Captain Steve Futch (941) 697-2249
15800 Hennapipen Circle, Port Charlotte.
Tarpon fishing or back-bay fishing.

Captain Ron Blago (941) 474-3474
2066 Placida Road, Englewood.
Back bay fishing, deep-sea fishing and fly-fishing.

Captain Bill Graham (941) 270-2496
Backwater and offshore fishing.

Captain Lamar Joiner (941) 697-4939
12101 Placida Road, Placida.
Year-round native fishing guide with half and full day charters.

Captain Marian E. Schneider (941) 697-8825
Grande Tours, 12575 Placida Road, Placida.
Back-bay fishing, kids' fishing.

Captain Howard N. Schutzman (941) 506-8585
Total Fishing Adventure, 214 Wood Street,
Punta Gorda.
Vacation planning for deep-sea fishing, flats fishing, in or offshore fishing, scuba trips.

Captain Jeff Totten (941) 474-6404
7357 Spinnaker Boulevard, Englewood.
Native fishing guide, back country and offshore, fly fishing, tarpon trips from April till July. The areas top Tarpon Tournament winner.

Adventure Kayak Fishing (727) 858-5851
12575 Placida Road, Placida.
Full service kayak fishing guide.
www.adventurekayakfishing.com

Grande Tours Inc (941) 697-8825
12575 Placida Road, Placida.
Back bay fishing including children's programme, shelling, historical trolley tour, biking, bunk house rental.
www.grandetours.com

DIVING
The South West Coast of Florida offers many exciting dive opportunities.  Unlike the East Coast, known for its expanses of coral reefs, the South West Coast more than compensates with large and diverse fish populations. The Gulf is shallow and primarily sand.  It is dotted with natural habitat like reefs (hard bottom) and ledges as well as artificial reefs.  These areas attract fish in massive numbers.

Dive charters in the area are primarily "six pack" (six diver boats). This enables them to range out faster as the 50-60 foot sites are 12-14 miles off shore.

Beach dives are very popular on the small reefs at Boca Grande and Phosphate Dock.  The Phosphate Dock is a railroad loading dock that is almost 100 years old. Diving under the dock rivals the main tank at Sea World.  This "world class" dive offers species beyond the imagination, including a resident school of Jewfish.

To the north of Villa Shangri-la lies Venice Beach, "shark tooth capital".  Searching for shark's teeth and other fossils is extremely popular here.  Off shore of Venice is an area known as the "Bone Yard", which has been very productive for large shark-teeth.

As you would expect, our water temperatures in summer are "tropical" (80's). However, if you are visiting in the winter months, don't leave that heavy suit at home as we commonly see the temperature drop into the 50's (yes, we do use dry-suits in Florida!)

During the winter months our area can be affected by strong winds brought about by each cold front that passes. This can have a negative effect on near shore visibility as the wave action stirs up the bottom.

Inshore snorkelers can hunt for fossil sharks teeth and shells (it's against the law to take live shells). The local dive shop offers instruction, advice on the best areas and equipment for rent.

DepthFinders Dive Center
(941) 766-7565
1225 Taniami Trail, Ste A5 ,
Port Charlotte.
Full service dive centre training, from open water to dive master. High quality gear, nitrox and air fills.
www.DepthFinders.com

Fantasea Scuba (941) 627-3888
3781 Taniami Trail, Port Charlotte.
Full service dive center offering training, rentals and travel. Dive charter available.
www.fantaseascuba.com