Discover Charlotte

The coast of Charlotte County includes an aquatic preserve lined with mangroves, the Peace and Myakka Rivers, and 28 miles of beaches. The aquatic preserve system includes bird colonies, fish nurseries, salt marshes, seagrass beds and mangrove forests. Alongside beach scenery, the area offers a range of habitats and opportunities to observe nature.

Coast, Water and Protected Areas

Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park covers 45,507 acres and protects more than 100 miles of shoreline along Charlotte Harbor in Charlotte and Lee Counties. Activities there include hiking, fishing, paddling and wildlife viewing. Habitats range from mangrove forests and marshland to scrubland and pine flatwoods. The best way to reach the preserve is by kayak or canoe.

In southeastern Charlotte County, Babcock Ranch Preserve covers 67,618.81 acres. It protects diverse habitats and scenic landscapes, as well as historic and cultural resources. Babcock Ranch offers hiking trails, kayaking and canoeing, fishing, and cycling. A 90-minute eco-tour with Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours focuses on the wildlife of historic Babcock Ranch; its duration gives you a specific time frame for this activity.

Coastal Parks and How They Differ

Gasparilla Island State Park is part of a chain of barrier islands on the Gulf Coast. Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound separate the island from the mainland. From five parking areas, the park offers opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, fishing and nature watching. Port Boca Grande Lighthouse was built in 1890 and originally helped guide ships safely into Charlotte Harbor.

Don Pedro Island State Park has a one-mile white-sand beach for swimming, snorkeling and shell collecting. It is accessible only by private boat. Stump Pass Beach State Park also has a one-mile beach. Shells and shark teeth wash ashore there, and surf fishing is also possible. You can kayak around two islands east of the park’s land base. Visitors may spot West Indian manatees, gopher tortoises, snowy and tricolored herons, least terns, and magnificent frigatebirds, among other wildlife.

The two beach parks do not differ in the stated beach length, but in the other details provided: access to Don Pedro is explicitly limited to private boats, while Stump Pass also offers a paddling route around two islands and surf fishing.

Punta Gorda: Walks, Markets and Art

The Harborwalk in Punta Gorda is a 2.5-mile public promenade connecting waterfront parks. A farmers market is held on Sunday mornings year-round at History Park in Punta Gorda. The walk along the promenade and the market offer different ways to spend time in the city.

The Visual Arts Center has three large galleries, six classrooms, and studios for jewelry, glass, ceramics and technology. Art classes and workshops in a range of media are offered there throughout the year for all ages and skill levels. The combination of galleries, studios and classes makes art a distinct focus alongside coastal and nature experiences.

Planning Your Trip

Charlotte County’s Park and Recreation Finder helps visitors find parks and recreational activities within the county. All fishing locations in Charlotte County are public fishing areas. When choosing a hotel, you can first decide which experiences you want to focus on: the coast and water sports, nature watching, a walk by the water, or art.

Discover more destinations: Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Placida, Rotonda, Jefferson County, Indian River, Martin, Alachua.

For the main travel overview: Florida.