Manasota Key's ideal location on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast is halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers, the Englewood area offers visitors a tranquil, relaxed vacation destination within proximity of many activities and attractions including golf, water sports, Sarasota's arts and entertainment, the shops of Venice, Boca Grande's world class tarpon fishing and much more.

Manasota Key is second to none for shelling and discovering pre- historic fossilized shark teeth and various fossils.

Beaches, art and history museums, a variety of restaurants, fishing, golf, shopping, spas, sailing, snorkeling and kayaking – they're all at your command within Englewood and it's surrounding communities. Delve into the possibilities to begin your perfect vacation.

Here you can sink your toes into soft white sand while searching for exotic seashells or come face-to-face with a gopher tortoise on an relaxing hike through Stump Pass park.

Manasota Key's beaches are one of Florida's best-kept secrets - easily accessible yet quiet and remote enough to attract abundant bird life, dolphins, sea turtles and other wildlife. There are no big crowds here, just plenty of white sand lapped by gentle waves from the Gulf of Mexico decorated with colorful shells.

Englewood and Boca Grande

In downtown Englewood, wander amidst the boutiques, bistros
and galleries along Dearborn Street – a mural project makes the very buildings
a canvas. Some of the area’s most memorable sights exist inside three state
parks along its barrier islands: Stump Pass Beach, where you can sift the sand
for shark teeth or fish for tarpon; Don Pedro Island, where boat-only access
protects pristine beaches; and Gasparilla Island, where you can tour the
circa-1890 Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum. On Boca Grande, find more shopping and
restaurants. 

Port Charlotte and Charlotte Harbor

Charlotte Harbor and the Peace River virtually swallow the
landscape, drawing all kinds of nature enthusiasts near. You’ll find
recreational lands, fishing charters and paddling outfitters, along with a few
surprises: Port Charlotte operates history-minded trolley and boat tours, and
maintains both a symphony orchestra and a community playhouse.

Punta Gorda

Its perch on Charlotte Harbor and the Peace River never goes
unnoticed by anglers and nature-seekers. It also inspires resident and visiting
artists, who have fashioned a creative hook for this fishing village. More than
20 hand-painted murals depict local flora, fauna and founders. On and around
Marion Avenue, you can shop and lunch amid the arts (and palms, old-style
street lamps and brick streets). Fishermen’s Village presents more of the same,
as well as fishing charters and scenic cruises.

Venice

Well-preserved Mediterranean Revival structures and
beautiful water views are responsible for the Venetian vibe here. Browse the
museum at The Triangle Inn and tour the Venice Train Station, both restored
since their 1927 completion. If prehistory is your passion, make plans to visit
during the annual Shark's Tooth Festival.

Sarasota

The arts are the keepers of this city by the bay. Become a
patron of the opera, ballet or theater (the Asolo Repertory Theatre Company
periodically performs at a playhouse built in 18th-century Italy). Visual arts
belong to the John and Mable Ringling Museum, where the Old Masters hang
alongside even older (ancient) ceramics from Cyprus. Cà d'Zan, the Ringling's
Venetian-style winter manse, is another look-don't-touch stunner, and a circus
museum on the grounds tells of Sarasota's big-top heritage. Appreciate the
city's historic architecture, named, appropriately, the Sarasota School style;
the bright-hued buildings of Towles Court Artists Colony house galleries and
studios. Downtown, Pineapple Avenue and Main Street are known for its
restaurants and annual events. At St. Armands Circle, shop and snack all the
way to the beach.

Sea Turtles nest on Manasota Key

 MAY 1 - OCTOBER 1 --- Please make sure to follow these
simple guidelines to ensure that the sea turtles laying nests and the
hatchlings coming from the nests have a chance to do their job.

•Draw the drapes at night, keep unnecessary lights off in
your unit and do not use flashlights on the beach....let your eyes adjust.

•Return beach chairs to their designated area, remove
cabanas and umbrellas from the beach. Female turtles and hatchlings can become
entangled and be the cause of their death.

•If you observe hatchlings, please stand still and observe.
Children tend to get excited. NO LIGHTS, PLEASE, and do not touch. If they are
crawling landward toward a light, call (941)270-2961.

•If you find a hatchling during the day, place it in a
towel-covered container with sand and take it into the resort's reception desk.
DO NOT place it in water.

 Loggerhead, Green and Kemp's Ridley marine turtles lay their
nests on our beautiful beaches. These are all listed on the Endangered Species
List. The Loggerhead, the most common has been declining in population for the
last 10 years.

The marine turtle has been in existence for 120 million
years. The female mates offshore, then comes up onto the beaches at night to
deposit her eggs (clutch). Each clutch can hold 80 to 150 eggs. She covers the
clutch with sand, and returns to the sea and never sees her hatchlings again.

Incubation temperatures determine the sex with cooler
temperatures producing males. In 45-55 days, the hatchlings work their way to
the surface. If the surface sand is hot, they settle down and wait for cooler
sand at night. In the dark, birds are less likely to spot them crawling to the
shoreline. Their natural instinct is to crawl toward the natural glow of light
on the horizon. Scientists estimate that only 1 in 1000 hatchlings will live to
reproduce, some 20-25 years later.

 Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is internationally renowned as one of the world's top sport fishing destinations. Charlotte Harbor, Florida's second-largest open water estuary, is formed by the blending
of saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico with freshwater from the Peace and Myakka rivers. This supports an important ecological breeding ground for numerous fish such as tarpon, snook, redfish, barracuda, cobia and grouper.

Deep Sea, Back Bay and Flats fishing bring dedicated anglers to the Charlotte Harbor area in search of their own personal records or International Game Fish Association world records.