The beaches of Charlotte Harbor

The beaches of Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands appeal to athletes, families, nature lovers and those who seek seclusion.

Charlotte County beaches appeal to athletes and casual swimmers.

On the beaches of Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands, you can go shelling, stroll nature trails, swim, fish and even frolic on playgrounds. Find the perfect seashore for you or try them all.


Family Beaches
All of Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands’ beaches are kid-friendly, but which one is right for your family?

If your children love to dig into the sand, you’ll want to visit Englewood Beach, known for its wide shoreline perfect for sandcastle building. A long boardwalk provides extra amenities. The adjoining Chadwick Park has a playground, as well as restrooms.

Budding archaeologists and marine biologists will have a field day at Stump Pass Beach State Park, where fossilized sharks' teeth pepper the beach when the tide comes in. Covered picnic tables are a natural for family meals.

A playground, a heated swimming pool and picnic shelters make Port Charlotte Beach Park a great choice for young families. Active families can canoe and kayak from this harborfront park, which is also a favorite location for sunset viewing.


Athletes’ Beaches
Swimmers, joggers and beach walkers can exercise on any beach. If you need courts and equipment to play your sport of choice, area beaches have you covered.

Englewood Beach’s Chadwick Park appeals to weekend jocks with its volleyball and basketball and even horseshoe courts. Little athletes can practice their skills on the playground.

Port Charlotte Beach Park has a sandy beach, but its main draw is the extensive recreational facilities, such as a heated swimming pool, five baseball fields, and basketball, tennis, beach volleyball, bocce and horseshoe courts. Canoers and kayakers can launch from the park, and a boat ramp and a fishing pier are also on the property.


Nature-Lovers’ Beaches
Close encounters with natural wonders are readily experienced at three area beaches, including two state parks.

Port Charlotte Beach Park is a perfect choice for families and athletes alike.

Nature trails traverse 11 habitats within Don Pedro Island State Park. The barrier island is home to an array of Florida flora and fauna, including giant leather ferns, West Indian manatees, gopher tortoises, American oystercatchers and bald eagles. Shelling enthusiasts will delight in the island’s bounty, as will fisher folk, who can reel in tarpon and snook.

Known for its plethora of fossilized shark’s teeth, Stump Pass Beach State Park also caters to environmentally minded beach-goers with its well-marked trail through five distinct habitats. Interpretive signs along the path define the pristine park’s native plants, such as indigo berry and bay cedar, and wildlife like snowy egret and gopher tortoise. During the summer, you can enjoy ranger-led turtle walks and beach nature hikes.

The dune wildflowers decorating Blind Pass Beach are just the beginning of its natural attractions. If you visit between May and October, you may see sea turtles nesting or their eggs hatching, releasing babies who waddle their way to the water to begin their lives. Throughout the year, you can meander the trails that weave through the beach’s acres.


Secluded Beaches
If a private island defines your dream beach experience, you can almost achieve it at Don Pedro Island State Park and Blind Pass Beach.

Don Pedro Island State Park, located on a barrier island, is accessible only by private boat or public ferry service provided by Placida’s Grande Tours. Fronting the Gulf of Mexico, its one-mile beach is perfect for sunbathing, fossil hunting, swimming and just getting away from civilization. You’ll find all the creature comforts, from restrooms and outdoor showers to a picnic pavilion and barbecue grills.

On Manasota Key, Blind Pass Beach covers 66 acres of sand dunes, nature trails and shorelines on the Gulf of Mexico and Lemon Bay. Beach Road offers a direct route to the strand, where wildflowers and sea turtles often outnumber people. Picnic shelters, restrooms and a playground make Blind Pass Beach an ideal retreat for families, couples or anyone looking for a stretch of sand all their own.

The beaches of Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands invite you to seek solace, refreshment, action and recreation on and along their silky sands. Spend a day at your favorite or a week exploring every shore.