Travel/Vacation Homes

Item Description

Gasparilla Island, on which Boca Grande is located, is often compared to Nantucket, and is one of those incredible little towns where you have always dreamed of disappearing to. Spend 7 wonderful nights in this beach front vacation home, and your senses will be awakened by the brightness of the night stars, the rush of the surf and the sweet smell of the salty air.  Just off the private master bedroom sundeck, the beach stretches for miles as you enjoy your view of the Gulf.  The Great Room, kitchen, decks and screened in porch also enjoy Gulf views, and the beachfront location allow you to enjoy the ocean breeze, even on the hottest days.  This is the 3 bedroom, 2 bath winter home of an Evanston family, and every need has been anticipated (see below for a complete list of amenities).  The heated pool, shared by just 9 other homes, provides a calm environment for little ones, or a nice place for an early morning workout.

A little about Boca Grande…

At the center of the island lies the nucleus of this little community, The Historic Village of Boca Grande. The mood is set by an 1890 Lighthouse, Old Florida homes, and 80-year old Banyan trees that line coral roads. Here, “Main Street” still exists with no stop lights, no billboards, no high-rises and no fast-food chains.  You will find, however, unique shops and art galleries, as well as casual and fine dining establishments, serving fresh seafood just caught by the local fishing captains and prepared by any of the island’s classically trained chefs.  Just north of the island is Placida where “Old Florida” flourishes. An artists’ enclave of brightly colored cracker cottages are filled with creative delights. Galleries present the works of local artists who have captured the spirit of Boca Grande in a multitude of media.

Pristine white sand beaches stretch the entire Gulf side of the Island, while protected waterways weave in and around the natural mangrove shoreline along the bay side.  Situated half way between Fort Myers and Sarasota, the adjacent estuaries, fed by the Myakka and Peace Rivers, converge to form one of the most pristine and productive coastal ecosystems in the U.S.  Bordered by Charlotte Harbor and Gasparilla Sound on the east, boaters can explore 750,000 acres of estuary – where freshwater and saltwater blend to provide nurseries for the oceans fish species.

Recreational boating and sailing are popular pastimes, whether on your own or by tour or charter. Dolphins, white pelicans, osprey, and manatees are only some of the unusual species you will encounter. Seven miles of wide, pristine, sugar white sand beaches offer shelling, swimming, and just plain relaxing. Even in the heat of summer, cooling westerly breezes provide welcome relief.

Southwest Florida has some of the best fishing in the world, and fishing is an important part of the industry and culture of Gasparilla Island. The Calusa Indians of centuries ago built a highly civilized culture based on fishing. Around the turn of the century anglers began to discover the rich sport fishing potential of local waters, leading to a sport fishing industry, which makes Boca Grande a Mecca for anglers from all over the world.

A favorite of photographers and movie producers, this is the secret island that presidents, dignitaries and celebrities sneak away to, because the island denizens have a low-key attitude regarding celebrity and fame.

FISHING, KAYAKING, BOATING & SAILING

With 120 square miles of cruising waters in Charlotte Harbor to the East, the Gulf of Mexico to the West and inland passages to the North and South, the area has an endless series of adventures waiting to be discovered. The upper harbor offers protected boating on those windy days; to the south the Harbor opens up to a large expanse of water that offers long stretches for a relaxing cruise on one of our many beautiful sunny days. A favorite day trip is Cabbage Key for an outdoor lunch and refreshing tropical drink or to Cayo Costa for an afternoon of shelling or picnicking on powdery white beaches.

Acclaimed as one of the Top Ten Sailing Destinations in the United States by Sailing Magazine, Charlotte Harbor can be reached from the South via the Cross-State Waterway, which leads from the Atlantic side across Lake Okeechobee and down the Caloosahatchee River. At the mouth of the Caloosahatchee is the southern entrance to Charlotte Harbor from the Gulf of Mexico. The ICW leads up through Pine Island Sound weaving through mangrove islands offering spectacular views of wildlife and bountiful fishing opportunities.

Kayaking in these pristine waters is a dream come true and offers venues for all levels and ages of kayakers. There are shallow calm waters, remote canopy-covered mangrove waterways, bayous and back-bays. Guided tours will take you back in time to a remote Calusa Indian Mound area while observing manatees, birds and dolphins along the way. For a unique fishing experience, kayak fishing guide services are available for the beginner or the experienced paddler. These waters are teeming with trout, snook, redfish, and tarpon waiting to be plucked from the depths.

A fleet of guide boats, captained by local experts, is available for charter throughout the year for Pass, offshore, back-bay, transportation, eco-tours and sightseeing excursions. Many of the fishing guides are descendents of families who have lived here for generations and know these waters as well as they know the land. Local boat rentals are available for those who would prefer to go it on their own and protected anchorage options are available as wells as dockage offered at several marinas for the visitors who travel to this paradise by means of their own boats

Everything on Gasparilla Island is relaxed and moves at an island pace including the preferred method of travel about the island – golf carts or bicycles. The bike/golf cart path and an accompanying jogging/walking path are part of Florida’s Rails-to-Trails project, utilizing the old railroad right-of-way that carried phosphate to the southern tip of Gasparilla Island a century ago. These days it provides passage for bikers, joggers, and golf carts.

Many visitors come to the island just to spend the day cruising along the bike trail that meanders from one end of the island to the other, with breathtaking vistas at nearly every bend.

“Boca Grande is a postcard of what island life in Florida was meant to be"

Item Special Note

Bid now for a wonderful Seven night stay in this Gulf-side Beach Front Home!

List of Amenities:

Inviting three bedroom, two bath beach-front home with panoramic Gulf views from the great room, kitchen, screened porch and decks. Spacious living area with open kitchen features fireplace, tile floors, and recently upholstered furniture.

• Open kitchen seats 4 at counter; dining table seating eight. 
• Large second-floor master bedroom has king size bed, private Gulf-front sun deck, and dressing area with sink.
• Second bedroom has two twin beds, plus a third built-in twin, and its own dressing room.
•  Third bedroom has two twins and desk.  There is also a PackNPlay for the newest addition to your family.
•  2 TVs, 2 DVDs, VCR, CD player and cable service.
•  Heated pool
• Sand toys, deck chairs and grill.
• Pets and Smoking are not permitted.

When not in use by the owners, rates for this unit range from 1820 (+ taxes/fees) during the off season, to 3850 (+ taxes/fees) during the busy season.  At the time of auction, there were a number of weeks available for 2010 and 2011, including Christmas Break!  Real-time availability can checked by clicking here; reservations are to be made directly through the owners.

As this is a private home, we ask that you treat it as kindly as you would treat your own.  Airfare is not included.