FACT SHEET

Description:  Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach in the Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast is a collection of 10 charming coastal communities and four barrier islands clustered around the state’s second-largest harbor. As Florida’s premier eco-tourism destination, the area is known for its unspoiled beauty and is an outdoor enthusiast’s haven. Eight hundred thirty miles of shoreline defines this expansive estuary-based escape which includes more than a dozen miles of sandy beaches and nearly 200 miles of the Charlotte Harbor Blueway Trails. Charlotte Harbor offers undeveloped vistas where 84 percent of the shoreline is protected preserve. Activities and festivals make year-round use of this beautiful setting and encourage families, couples, groups, and individuals to relax and explore.

Location:   The Charlotte Harbor Gulf Islands Coast is nestled along Florida’s Southwest Gulf coast, about 50 miles south of Sarasota and 30 miles north of Fort Myers. The area is served by five airports for travel convenience: The Punta Gorda Airport (PDG) with private and charter air service through Allegiant Air, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), Southwest Florida International Airport, Ft. Myers, (RSW), St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and Tampa International Airport (TIA).

The entire area is also reachable via U.S. Highway 41 or Interstate 75 exits, both major north-south arteries in Florida. 

Accolades:  Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach has received recognition for its lifestyle and expansive natural settings:

• “Best Places to Live in the South,” Money magazine
• “Best Place to Retire,” Port Charlotte - Money magazine
• “One of the top ten sailing destinations,” SAIL magazine
• “Best in America,” by Golf Digest, ranked third in the nation for a place to live and golf.
• “One of the most popular sport-fishing locales in Florida,” National Wildlife Federation and the Florida Wildlife Federation
• The City of Punta Gorda, “Best Healthy Place to Retire,” S. News & World Report
• Englewood, Fla. was named as #2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S.
• “Yachting’s Top 50 Best Towns,” Punta Gorda – Yachting Magazine
• National Register of Historic Places lists 16 Charlotte County properties

 Recreation: The natural setting invites exploration

• More than a dozen miles of sandy beaches for strolling, swimming, jogging, and birding
• Nearly 200 miles of Charlotte Harbor Blueway Trails for kayaking and canoeing; local outfitters can supply all gear and guides
• Birding with more than 330 species recorded by the Peace River Audubon Society,
• Fishing: 830 miles of shoreline, two dozen marinas, and boat ramps give visitors access to the Gulf of Mexico, Charlotte Harbor, and the Peace and Myakka rivers for some of Florida’s most diverse salt- and fresh-water fishing.
• Golf: Year-round golf on 20 courses ranging from executive to championship level, each with scenic vistas and spectacular landscapes.
• Hiking and bicycling trails, running tracks, tennis courts, and more can be found among over 70 parks scattered throughout Charlotte County.

The Beaches:  The beaches include four barrier islands and two state park beaches.  Easily accessible, yet quiet and remote enough to attract abundant birds, dolphins, sea turtles, and other wildlife, they are a local treasure. There are no big crowds here, just plenty of sand lapped by gentle waves from the Gulf of Mexico and decorated with colorful shells.

Natural Appeal:  Nearly 84 percent of the Charlotte Harbor shoreline is protected from development providing vistas with broad appeal. With more than 70 parks, preserves, and recreational areas – including four state parks – the Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast encourages inland exploration, as well as waterfront strolling. Nature enthusiasts will want to hike and bike along park paths for expectant encounters with birds of almost every feather including red-cockaded woodpeckers, Osceola turkeys, swallow-tailed kites, ospreys, roseate spoonbills, and the seasonal white pelicans.  Diverse local wildlife viewing by land and by sea includes gopher tortoises, otters, dolphins, and manatees. Several area environmental centers offer guided tours and educational programs.

Climate:  The area rises only 5 to 25 feet above sea level, which equates to a sub-tropical climate where the temperature in both summer and winter are tempered by the gentle breezes of the Gulf of Mexico.  Mild winters, from January to March, draw many visitors from colder climes.

Communities:  The Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast ranges from Englewood on the northwest side of Charlotte Harbor to Punta Gorda on the south.  Four barrier islands along the Gulf of Mexico include quaint and charming Boca Grande, secluded Don Pedro Island, accessible-only-by-ferry Palm Island, and alluring Little Gasparilla Island.  An artsy and cultural personality distinguishes Punta Gorda, Englewood Beach, Placida, and areas of Port Charlotte.  Surrounded by nature and water, the picturesque fishing communities of El Jobean, Manasota Key, Cape Haze, and Placida beckon in the soft, warm Gulf winds. Babcock Ranch, America’s first solar-powered town, welcomed its first residents in January 2018.

Accommodations:  Whether visitors come to Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach for fishing, kayaking, golfing, the beaches, shopping, or just plain relaxing, there are accommodations for every taste and budget.  From waterfront resorts to cozy vacation villas and resorts  and hotels to rental condominiums and homes, the range of accommodations runs the gamut from budget to luxury.  And, with many visitors opting to take their recreational vehicles on the road, warm and friendly RV parks and campgrounds await.

Dining:  Favorite eateries include a waterfront ambiance with an ever-growing selection of chef-owned and fine dining restaurants complementing elegant steakhouses, ethnic cuisine, and cozy bistros. Of special note, the selection of restaurants and pubs offering entertainment ranging from jazz to reggae to country and everything in between makes dining out in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach a cultural experience.

Shopping:   Fishermen’s Village, a waterfront mall, resort, and marina in Charlotte County boasts a selection of boutique retailers and restaurants right on the harbor. It is the crown jewel of a shopping scene that offers an endless supply of choices.  To complement waterfront boutiques, stroll historic downtown Punta Gorda for specialty shops including fine jewelry and clothing.  As a bonus, the destination is a haven for artists, so there are plenty of galleries featuring local artwork offering tropical landscapes and collectibles. 

Cultural Attractions:  Anchored by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, the Charlotte Performing Arts Center, and the Visual Arts Center, the Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast offers a profusion of art galleries, festivals and exhibits, theatrical productions, museums, and historical sites. Specialty museums include the Military Heritage Museum, the Blanchard House Museum of African American History & Culture, and the Charlotte County Historical Center.

Film Industry:   It’s all about “location, location, location,” and Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, with its dedicated full-time film office, myriad natural environments, diverse architectural and geographic spectrum, acknowledged “film-friendly” reputation and entertainment industry incentives, is ideal for filmmaking, television, or even print production.  Portions of HOOT, Out of Time, Tale of Two Buds, Palmetto, Gone Fishing, Just Cause, and Pink Cadillac were filmed in Charlotte County. 

ABOUT PUNTA GORDA / ENGLEWOOD BEACH

Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is Florida’s best-kept secret of a charming natural paradise located on the idyllic Southwest Gulf Coast. This coastal community surrounding the state’s second-largest harbor sits conveniently between Tampa and Naples. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a haven of vibrant experiences in the sun-soaked oasis of the Southwest Florida islands, characterized by almost year-round sunshine and sub-tropical weather. Relaxation and discovery await miles of waterways and inland exploration trails filled with unspoiled natural beauty. From beaches to boating, hiking to harbor tours, fishing to nature paths; sun, shelling, and fossilized sharks’ teeth, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach immerses lively locals and active adventurers in a pure island experience. Most notably known for its 830 miles of pristine unparalleled shoreline, including captivating river passages, a mangrove-edged aquatic preserve, and more than a dozen miles of natural Gulf beaches, the Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast includes the areas of Boca Grande, Don Pedro Island, El Jobean, EnglewoodCape Haze, Little Gasparilla Island, Manasota Key, Knight Island, Placida, Babcock Ranch, Port Charlotte, and Punta Gorda.

 To learn more about Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach, visit www.PureFlorida.com, call 941.743.1900, or discover the destination on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @RealPureFlorida.

CONTACT: Lois Croft, Public Relations Manager

Tel: (941) 743-1900

Email: lois.croft@pureflorida.com

Web: www.pureflorida.com/media