Boca Grande, Florida Beach

Boating Destination: Boat to Boca Grande Island Florida

Boca Grande is a small island community on Gasparilla Island on Florida’s southwest Gulf coast about 30 miles west of Fort Myers and just north of Captiva Island.

World-class tarpon fishing is what makes Boca Grande so special. As a matter of fact, Boca Grande is known as the Tarpon Capital of the world, and it surely is. Boca Grande Pass is located at the south end of Gasparilla Island, and is one of the deepest natural inlets on the Gulf of Mexico.

Each year, tens of thousands of tarpon congregate in the pass and harbor from April to August to feed on the very healthy crab and shrimp populations as the “Silver Kings” prepare for their long swim offshore to spawn.

Boca Grande has beautiful white sugar-sand beaches and the downtown is small and very sweet. Most islanders and visitors travel by golf cart and while there are fabulous homes, some of the most special are the historic old Florida cottages located in the downtown area.

There are a few places to stay on the island and I have included them below. While I cannot mention everyone, I have listed a fair many from which to choose.

My ideal trip is to arrive by boat and stay at either the Inlets or the historic Gasparilla Inn. I love having cocktails at the Inn and then hopping in the golf cart and heading to the Temptation for dinner.

After a morning of fishing, lunch at the Boca Grande Marina makes a nice break. And I always walk over to Whidden’s Marina to say hi and check out what one of the few remaining “old Florida” marinas looks like.

One more interesting fact is that Boca Grande was the backdrop for Denzel Washington’s movie, Out of Time, where the quiet village was re-named “Banyan Key” in reference to the banyan trees that populate the island.

Stay

Inlets on The Waterfront
1251 12th Street East
Boca Grande, FL 33921 (941) 964-4600

Gasparilla Inn
500 Palm Ave
Boca Grande, FL 33921 (941) 964-4500

Come by Boat – Dock & Dine

The Boca Grande Marina (formally known as Miller’s Marina)
Eagle Grille & Miller’s Dockside Bar & Grille
Lunch & Dinner
20 Harbor Drive
Boca Grande, FL 33921
Dock Office Phone:  (941) 964-2100
Restaurants (941) 964- 8000

On-Island Eating

The Boca Bistro
World Class Dining
5800 Gasparilla rd.
Boca Grande, FL 33921 (941) 964-8020

Temptation Boca Grande
350 Park Avenue
Boca Grande, FL 33921
 (941) 964-2610

The Pink Elephant
491 Bayou Street
Boca Grande, FL 33921 (941) 964-0100

Loons On A Limb
10 East Railroad Avenue,
Boca Grande, FL 33921 (941) 964-0155‎

Boca Grande Baking Co.
84 East Railroad Avenue
Boca Grande, FL 3392 (941) 964-5818‎

Hudson’s Grocery
417 Park Avenue
Boca Grande, FL 33921
 (941) 964-2621

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

Boating Destination: Boca Grande, Florida

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

Boating Destination: Boca Grande, Florida

The South Seas Resort is truly a paradise and a must see again and again.

Legend has it that the famous pirate, Jose Gaspar, held many of his beautiful female captives on this lush and once remote tropical island. Today, Captiva Island is home to beautiful beaches, fantastic fishing, fine dining and some if the finest sunsets on the west coast of Florida.

Options are many as the resort offers a wide selection of accommodations and price ranges. You can also
hunker down on your boat at the marina. The marina can accommodate boats between 25
and 120 feet and offers a host of amenities: laundry, showers, fuel, pump out, wireless Internet, gourmet marina store, two excellent restaurants, heated pool, complete fitness center, and access to a world-class beach complete with beach bar and chair and towel service – all within walking distance!
Cruisers who want to have lunch at the resort are reminded that reservations are not accepted and
dockage is on a first come first served basis. The Dock Master advises boaters to call ahead for availability.

For more information and reservations:
•     South Seas Marina Harbor Master: 888-777-3625
•     South Seas Resort Room Reservations: 866-565-5089
•     www.southseas.com

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

Cruising Destination: Captiva Island, A Beautiful Port of Call

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

Cruising Destination: Captiva Island, A Beautiful Port of Call

Boating Florida, Fort DeSoto

http://cannons.com/boating-travels/beach-fort-desoto-park/

According to TripAdvisor.com the world’s leading online travel web site, and Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, better known as “Dr. Beach,” Fort DeSoto is a “spectacular combination of soft white sand, calm, clear water and a laid-back atmosphere.”

This is the second consecutive year the park has won this prestigious national honor. What more could you ask for in a weekend boating destination? So make your plans, check the weather, be sure you have everything you need for a full day on the water and the beach, gas up your boat or drive over to Longboat Key’s Cannons Marina, Sarasota boat rental destination, and take one of their sturdy Grady White boats to the best and most accessible beaches in America.
Fort DeSoto Park encompasses over 1,100 acres, including five interconnected islands, over seven miles of waterfront, including nearly three miles of sugar-fine sandy beaches, an 800-foot boat launching facility and 11 floating docks. It’s custom-made for boaters and boating families.

They also have facilities for camping and picnics, including grills, water and electricity, restrooms, play areas and a well-stocked camp store. There are two sizable swim centers, the North one with a food concession area, as well as two fishing piers, a bait shop and a souvenir store. If you’re looking for exercise during your stay, a 6.8-mile recreation trail and two nature trails will provide fun and a great workout.

For more information on Fort DeSoto Park, contact the park office at 727-893-9185, or for an automated message, call 727-582-2267. Now get out on the water and have some boating  fun.

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

A short and scenic boating just north of the tip of Anna Maria Island will take you to America’s Top Beach for 2009, Fort DeSoto Park.

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

A short and scenic boating just north of the tip of Anna Maria Island will take you to America’s Top Beach for 2009, Fort DeSoto Park.

Caladesi, just off the coast of Tarpon Springs, Florida is one of the few remaining natural islands along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

In fact, the island’s white sand shores have been rated by Dr. Stephen Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr. Beach, as one of the top ten beaches in the USA in 2007 and 2008; in 2008 Caladesi captured the #1 title.

Beach lovers will enjoy swimming, sunbathing, beach combing, and picnicking. Fishermen can cast a line from their boats or get up close and personal in the surf. Nature lovers can watch wildlife while hiking the three-mile nature trail which winds through the island’s interior or paddle a three-mile kayak trail through the mangrove-lined coves of the bay. Picnic tables and pavilions are located near the beach and can be reserved for a fee. Call ahead to secure your reservation and don’t  forget to bring your water, food and sunscreen.

So, next time you are looking for a new adventure, head out to this undiscovered island right in your own backyard.  It is the perfect day or weekend destination for romantics and adventurers alike.  You can venture off in your own craft, rent a boat from Cannons Marina or check into the Caladesi Ferry service for a ride.

Your island staycation [ boatcation ] awaits you.

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

Boating to Caladesi Island Florida – Breathtaking beauty in your own backyard.

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

Boating to Caladesi Island Florida – Breathtaking beauty in your own backyard.

Nearly 170 volunteers participated and like last year, we had a blast. Team Cannons Marina found only three scallops in our assigned areas and this was probably due to the fact that the scallops prefer a sandier bottom as opposed to the giant and very itchy sea grass bed that we were in at our Buttonwood Harbor Inlet location.

The hosts for the event was Sarasota Bay Watch, whose mission as a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization is a commitment “to preserving and restoring Sarasota Bay’s ecosystem through community education and citizen participation.”

Take a moment and make a difference. Join Sarasota Bay Watch for as little as $25 per year and help Sarasota Bay. After all, let’s be honest, our area’s profound natural beauty is why we live here. So do it. Get on board with Sarasota Bay Watch,  make a difference in our community and protect your local water quality!

Photo: Rusty Chinnis

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

2nd Annual Great Scallop Search, Sarasota Bay Watch

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

2nd Annual Great Scallop Search, Sarasota Bay Watch

We preferred to go by boat, but weather-wise, the outlook was dubious. We wavered. Boat. Drive. Boat. Drive… Finally, a tiny window opened in an otherwise unruly forecast and we opted for adventure. Cars were unloaded, the Scout was packed, we let go the lines and headed toward Tampa Bay.

Once clear of Perico Island, the going was smooth as we skirted the northwest shoreline of Terra Ceia, crossed under the Sunshine Skyway approach with literally inches of headroom on a strong high tide and turned north with a stiff wind from the west. That’s when smooth turned to rough, and dry turned to wet. Really wet. We pounded our way through mounting swells, which the brawny Scout took easily in stride, and made way to the lee side of Pinellas Point where it was relatively calm and flat. From there it was an easy pitch along the shoreline past The Pier and into the Vinoy’s boat basin where we had arranged a mooring for the night.

The Dock Master greeted us at the slip, quickly secured the Scout Boat, called for a porter and made us feel welcome. It was nice to be on dry, stable land. Within minutes we were checked in, dried off, unpacked and ready to rendezvous poolside for a dip and cold adult beverages. An early, exceptional dinner and superb service in Fred’s Steakhouse allowed us to make it to Ruth Eckerd Hall right on time.

We swept through the doors just as Boz Scaggs, sporting one of the most distinctive voices in all of popular music, began his set backed by a rocking seven-piece band. Standing Os kept us out of our seats for most of the 70-minute performance as Scaggs ranged from career hits to blues to Coltrane.

Following a short break, Michael McDonald, formerly of The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, expertly backed by lead guitarist Bernie Chiaravalle, the dulcet vocals of Drea Rhenee and a killer band, cranked it up and within minutes dancing in the aisles was the order for the night.

By the time we returned to The Vinoy, all six of us were beat. We three couples said our good nights and went our separate ways.

Come morning and after a quick breakfast, we loaded the Scout for the return trip, keeping wary eyes on a massive thunderstorm that appeared ready to give us a repeat of our trip in. Capt. David Miller had other ideas. He fired up the twin Yamaha 250s, cleared the jetty, rounded the channel marker and headed south at nearly full throttle. We motored ahead of the storm in medium seas, stayed dry and made it back to Longboat Key in record time.

We all felt like we’d been on a mini vacation. We’d been out of town, had a tasty dinner, listened to fabulous music, stayed in a world-class hotel and enjoyed the company of good, close friends. What could be better?

When it comes to enjoying a boat trip, the west coast of Florida offers a wealth of options. Try something a bit different. Make some “out of the box” plans, grab your friends, have an adventure, enjoy your time on the water and stay safe.

By Guest Writer: Michael Riter

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

St Petersburg bound – A rocking Good Time!

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

St Petersburg bound – A rocking Good Time!

So if you are looking for waterfront dining by boat, we have listed here our top six places to eat while enjoying your day boating with family and friends.

If you do not have a boat then think about a boat rental here at Cannons Marina. Renting a boat from us is easy, we have boat rentals by the day, week or month,  just call us and we will give you the details.  There are no hidden costs or high club fees,  just a simple form and you have a boat rental that is your’s for the day, week or even a month!

1. The Crow’s Nest – Venice, Florida. Awesome salads, fish, burgers and a great wine list. Caution – Be sure you’re ready for the fast tides when docking! The Crow’s Nest is located directly on the Venice inlet pass. http://www.crowsnest-venice.com/

2. The Salty Dog – New Pass, Sarasota Florida. Some of the best fish sandwiches and burgers in the area. The pass can be busy and the water can get rough; be sure to bring your bumpers boaters. http://theoldsaltydog.com/

3. Marina Jack’s – downtown Sarasota Florida. A local favorite, downtown dining, seafood and burgers with an edge of Sarasota sophistication. The dock master will direct you to your mooring. http://www.marinajacks.com

4. Star Fish Market – Cortez Fishing Village, Florida. Great tradition combined with Old Florida seafood that’s worth the trip. Caution – Stay in the channel; there are lots of sunken wrecks and oyster bars on both sides. http://www.starfishcompany.com

5. Mar Vista Dockside Pub & Restaurant – north end of Longboat Key, Florida. Fish sandwiches, salads, great burgers and a gorgeous setting. http://www.marvista-restaurant.com

6. Moore’s Stone Crab Restaurant – north end of Longboat Key, Florida. Fish sandwiches, dinner, and fabulous stone crabs. These guys are the oldest seafood restaurant under the same ownership in Manatee County and they over-look the bay on beautiful Longboat Key. http://home.earthlink.net/~mooresrest/index.htm

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

Fun things to do on the water – Waterfront dining by boat.

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

Fun things to do on the water – Waterfront dining by boat.

Fresh fish is important to the Japanese diet and in fact Akiko estimated that the average Japanese person consumes approximately 25 percent of the world’s fish catch and their population is less then 1 percent of the world-wide! Akiko said that the average Japanese person consume 75 pounds of fish per year and by the looks of this fish market it seems to be true.

The market was busy and crowded, early shoppers defiantly get the nicest selection and the vibe was a definite hustle and roar. Every type of fish and mollusk seem to be represented. There were huge blue fin tuna, prawn, squid, octopus, oysters, flowers, seaweed and even kitchen wares for sale.  I was taken back by the quality and the selection in the market. David and I sampled dried seaweed and the most delicious and fresh tuna that I have ever tasted. What an experience and treat.

Later today we are scheduled to travel the Bullet Train to Hamanatsu, the home of Yamaha Marine Group. Hopefully I will be allowed to take my camera inside the new plant. I am looking forward to this part of the trip I am totally amazed at the efficiency and precision in this country.

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

Cannons Marina visits Yanagibashi Fish Market, Nagoya, Japan

This post originated at Cannons Marina which offers used boats, and more!

Cannons Marina visits Yanagibashi Fish Market, Nagoya, Japan