People ask me all the time what to do when they're visiting Englewood. So I figured I'd just put it all in one place. This is what I actually do and recommend, not a list copied off a travel site.
Englewood sits right on the county line between Sarasota County and Charlotte County. That puts you within easy reach of some of the best beaches, fishing, food, and nature in Southwest Florida. A lot of people drive through on the way to somewhere else. Don't do that. Stay a few days and actually explore.
The Beaches
Manasota Beach
This is the main one and a good starting point. Public parking, bathrooms, easy access, and the beach itself is wide. Spring is the best time for clear water on the Manasota Key side. Summer brings the rainy season so it can get murky, and in winter you'll get cold fronts that kick up the surf and cloud things up. Still a great beach, just know what to expect depending on when you visit. Less crowded than Siesta Key or Venice Beach, which makes a big difference whenever you go. Good for families and good for people who just want a solid beach day without a lot of hassle.
Middle Beach (Blind Pass)
Locals call this one Middle Beach. It's toward the south end of Manasota Key and it gets way less traffic than Manasota Beach. More shells, more shark teeth, fewer people. Calmer water most days and a good option when you want a little more space to yourself.
Stump Pass State Park
This is the best of the group in my opinion. Walk the beach down to the pass and the crowds thin out fast. Good shelling and a lot of wildlife. Ospreys, dolphins, manatees, and a ton of cool birds. Worth the walk every time.
One thing: be careful swimming near the pass itself. The tides shift and the currents can get strong fast. Stick to swimming away from the pass and you're fine. But go down there for the scenery and the animals regardless.
Caspersen Beach (Venice)
This one is a short drive north into Venice, on the Sarasota County side. Venice in general is known for shark teeth but Caspersen is where the serious hunters go. Hit it at low tide, look for the dark patches in the sand near the water's edge, and dig around with your fingers or a mesh scoop. People find multiple teeth in a single trip. It's free and there's parking right there.
Things to Do on the Water
Saraboca Wave Co. (That's Me)
I'm obviously biased but I genuinely think what we do is the coolest thing to do on the water in Englewood. Private charters for up to 6 people on a Heyday H22 wakesurf boat. You can wakesurf with pro instruction, chase dolphins around Lemon Bay, watch the sunset from the water, or just cruise around for the day. One flat rate for your whole group, not per person. All gear and instruction included.
If you've never wakesurfed, I'll teach you. Most people get up their first session. If you want to see dolphins, we usually find them. And if you want to do both on the same trip we can make that work too. I also rent paddleboards, skimboards, surfboards when we have a swell running, fishing rods, beach chairs, and umbrellas. Text me at 941-883-1360 with what you need and where to deliver — you can't book rentals online.
Paddleboarding
Lemon Bay is calm most mornings and it's a great place to paddle. I rent paddleboards — just call or text me at 941-883-1360 for availability. Manatees show up more often than you'd think, especially in the calmer inlets and the grass flats. Early morning is the best time to go out before the boat traffic picks up.
Fishing
Lemon Bay Park has a free fishing pier and it's a good spot to spend a few hours. You can also fish off any of the beaches. Caspersen is good for surf fishing if there's any kind of swell running and the snook fishing along the beach at night can be really good in the summer.
If you want to catch something, use live greenbacks or live shrimp. That's the honest answer. You can pick them up at most local bait shops. If you want to go artificial, white DOA paddletails are my go-to. They've caught me a lot of fish over the years and they work in a lot of different situations.
Save yourself some money: Don't buy a cheap rod and reel at a convenience store just to throw it away when you leave. Text me at 941-883-1360 and rent gear instead. Better equipment, better chance of catching something, and nothing goes in the trash when your trip is over.
Where to Eat in Englewood
Beachcomber Restaurant
Right on Manasota Key with water views. Good food, good drinks, beach vibes. Get there early if you want a table on the water side because it fills up. The parking lot is tight, so if it's full just park at Englewood Beach and walk over. Good for lunch or dinner after a beach day.
Lighthouse Bar and Grill
I've been going here for years. Good bar atmosphere, solid wings. They just opened a brand new waterfront bar which is a great spot for a drink. Worth a visit.
Lock N Key
Good food and a solid menu but also just a great place to sit and have a drink if you're not hungry. Good vibe, good crowd.
Sandbar
Just a short walk and worth it. Good food, great live music, and a really fun atmosphere. One of the more lively spots in the area and a good time any night they have music going.
Mango Bistro
Breakfast and lunch spot right on Dearborn Street. French and Brazilian influences, great crêpes, solid coffee, and a nice outdoor patio. One of the better spots in town for a morning meal before you hit the beach. Open Monday through Saturday until 3pm.
Mi Pueblo (Venice)
Short drive north into Venice but it's the best Mexican food in the area and it's not close. Worth the trip every time. Go hungry.
Day Trip: Boca Grande
Boca Grande is about 30 to 40 minutes from Englewood on Gasparilla Island, which sits along the Charlotte and Lee County lines. It's one of the most beautiful spots in Southwest Florida and a lot of visitors skip it because they just don't know it's there. Don't make that mistake.
Heads up on parking: Lee County recently passed an ordinance restricting street parking in town to three hours between 9am and 5pm. The easiest play is to park at one of the Gasparilla Island State Park locations. It's $3 to get in and you're set. Skip hunting for street parking and just use the parks.
The Lighthouses
There are two lighthouses on Gasparilla Island and you can climb both of them. The Port Boca Grande Lighthouse is at the south end of the island right at the pass. Hours and climb dates vary by season, so check bips.org before you go and plan your visit around a climb day. It's worth it.
Where to Eat in Boca Grande
South Beach Bar and Grille is the move for lunch. Fried seafood right on the beach, casual vibe, great views. Miller's Dockside is a solid waterfront option. The downstairs is lively and fun, the upstairs Eagle Grille is more of a proper dinner setting. The Pink Elephant has two levels along the bay with a restaurant upstairs and more of a pub atmosphere downstairs. Good for drinks and food in the afternoon.
For dessert, the Pink Pony on Park Avenue and Loose Caboose on West Fourth Street both do ice cream. Hit one of them before you head back.
Hidden Gems Most Visitors Drive Right Past
Fandango Sanctuary
A farm animal rescue right here in Englewood at 616 Pinto Trail. They have over 100 animals: horses, goats, pigs, chickens, cows, dogs. You book a tour in advance and go out and meet them. It's a nonprofit doing great work and most people have never heard of it. If you're visiting with kids this is one of the best stops in the area that almost nobody knows about. Check them out at fandangosanctuary.org.
Dearborn Street
Englewood's little downtown strip. Local shops, good murals, and the Farmers Market runs on Thursdays during season. Good for a slow morning before you head to the beach. More character than most people expect from a small Gulf Coast town.
Mangrove Art Collective
Local art space right on Dearborn Street. You can walk in and browse the small gallery, and they also host art classes. More going on than you'd expect. Worth a stop.
Selby Botanical Gardens (Sarasota)
About 40 minutes north in downtown Sarasota. The orchid collection is one of the best in the world and the gardens sit right on the water. Beautiful on a weekday morning when it's not too crowded. Worth the drive if plants and gardens are your thing.
Myakka River State Park (Sarasota County)
One of the largest state parks in Florida and genuinely one of the most impressive. Airboat tours, hiking, wildlife, and alligators basically everywhere. If you want to see what Florida actually looks like underneath all the development, go here. It's about an hour from Englewood but it's a full day out and worth every minute of it.
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium (Sarasota)
Mote just opened a brand new aquarium at UTC in Sarasota and it's worth the trip. They're a legitimate marine research institution best known for their shark research. Not just a tourist attraction. Real science behind everything you see there. Good for all ages and a solid way to spend a few hours on a hot afternoon.
That's the list. It'll shift a little with the seasons but most of it holds year round. If you're visiting Englewood and want to get out on the water, you know where to find me.
— Captain ET