With a lighthouse, few cars and a timeless sense of calm, Boca Grande is an idyllic little beach town. It’s located on Gasparilla Island—off the Gulf Coast of Southwest Florida, and which folklore says was named after either a missionary or a pirate—and was settled by non-natives as far back as the 18th century. Its main village of Boca Grande (meaning big mouth), however, didn’t come into being until the late 1800s, and has long been a second-home mecca for well-heeled folks with last names like DuPont and Vanderbilt. Visit Boca Grande and you’ll find a quaint, Old Florida culture and a quiet lifestyle: no traffic lights, and most folks get around by golf cart. Travel to Boca Grande also means that you can do some excellent tarpon fishing. Just be sure to pronounce the town right (its BO-ka grand, with the e silent). Read this Boca Grande travel guide to start your trip there:
Things Not to Miss in Boca Grande
- Explore Gasparilla Island State Park
- Visit Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum
- Go Golfing
- Go tarpon fishing at Boca Grande Pass
- Ride the Boca Grande Bike Trail
When to Go to Boca Grande
The height of the Boca Grande travel is during winter, and most snowbirds visit the area from January through May. During the summer, Boca Grande can get pretty hot and muggy—with regular highs in the 90s— and there's always the small risk of hurricane-like weather, extending into the fall. Some hotels and businesses even close during summer and fall.