Boca Grande, Florida

Fishing & Travel Destination

Boca Grande is an island community on the Grand Barrier Island of Gasparilla between Sarasota and Ft. Myers on Florida’s beautiful southern Gulf Coast. Boca Grande is truly a quiet island retreat and a Mecca for sport fishing. Boca Grande has no traffic lights, white sand beaches all along its Gulf shore, and miles of estuary on its eastern shore which serve as a nursery to many species of ocean fish. The white sand beaches and warm Gulf waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and shelling. Sailing and boating are popular water sports and sightings of osprey, manatee, and dolphins are common.

Boca Grande has a lighthouse which houses a museum that spotlights Boca Grande and Gasparilla Island’s rich history. Art galleries, antique shops, boutiques, and gift shops offer lovely shopping opportunities on Boca Grande. Boca Grande has several restaurant that feature the best in fresh local seafood and produce in a charming seaside atmosphere. Boca Grande’s greatest attraction is its unspoiled natural beauty and quiet charm. Boca Grande is easily accessible by car and is located near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport, and Tampa International Airport.

Boca Grande Fish
Boca Grande arguably has the best tarpon fishing in the world. Other great inshore fish species caught in Boca Grande include: snook, redfish, mackerel, ladyfish, sheepshead, shark, jack Crevalle, cobia, and snapper.

Boca Grande Charter Fishing
Boca Grande boasts incredible tropical weather year round. High temperatures range from the mid 70’s in winter to the high 80’s to 90 degrees in the summer. The summer months from June to September have the most rainfall, but the sun shine almost daily. Fishing charters in Boca Grande often specialize in outstanding giant tarpon fishing, but great fishing for many species is available year round. Tarpon fishing is good from March through August, with its amazing peak in April and May with tarpon by the thousands surrounding Boca Grande. Snook, trout, grouper, redfish, and jack Crevalle provide quality fishing opportunities year round. Shark come in the warm months from April to August, while cobia is available February through June. Most charter fishing in Boca Grande is inshore light tackle and fly fishing from small 2-4 person boats. The captains and guides are very friendly and knowledgeable and can point anglers in the right direction for great fishing year round.

Choose Boca Grande for your next Florida fishing adventure
Sometimes called the Martha’s Vineyard of the South, Boca Grande is an island paradise with sugar sand beaches, charming shops, great seafood, unspoiled natural beauty and some of the best inshore backwater fishing in Florida and the best tarpon fishing in the world. The friendly community embraces sport fishing and makes anglers feel welcome, making Boca Grande an amazing charter fishing destination.