Top 5 Punta Gorda Day Trips: Explore Paradise

Punta Gorda, located on the gorgeous southwest coast of Florida, acts as the start for quite a few amazing day trips. Very, very close to awesome beaches and interesting wildlife, plus all kinds of history and culture, Punta Gorda makes for, like, the amazing vacation location, you know? So, if you are planning to see more of the Sunshine State, take a peek at our top 5 day trips right from Punta Gorda! You might want to take a gander at this page if you are wondering where to explore Southwest Florida.

1. Cayo Costa State Park: A Natural Escape

Cayo Costa State Park, is like, a spot only reached by boat or ferry, which is a part of what gives it such, like, appeal. As a matter of fact, you can travel for a few hours from Punta Gorda, find a ferry, and then, wow, experience pristine, undeveloped beaches just teaming with shells, birds, and lots of nature to go all goo-goo gaga over. In fact, this really is a spot to leave civilization behind just for a bit and get close with that untamed Florida we’ve all, at least, dreamed of. As a matter of fact, take some, really some beach gear, get ready to enjoy the water, and don’t forget to find some amazing treasures just washing onto that gorgeous sand. Anyway, Cayo Costa provides like a serene hideaway ideal if you’re wanting like a day just fully involved in the sunshine and the sea. Here’s some stuff regarding how to find better beach gear.

Things to do:

• Beachcombing: You can get shells here; a seashell collector’s fever dream.
• Swimming & Sunbathing: Obviously a top option, because beach.
• Bird Watching: For bird nerds, very many types hang around here
• Camping: Just for the serious lovers of outdoorsiness – plan for longer!

2. Boca Grande: Rich History and Beautiful Beaches

Now, to be honest, Boca Grande is just a somewhat short drive away and offers kind of like an appealing peek to what the “old Florida” is all about. Now, Gasparilla Island, just a little way thataway, is famous because its historical village, a really rich past to just explore, and of course those sugary sand beaches just going on forever. In other words, you just might want to see the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse or even take the stroll through the historic streets before plopping onto the Gulf for the perfect beach relaxation kind of thing. Seriously, I’d be prepared to get my learn on a little while finding kind of like a low-key, super chilled beach location that feels pretty tucked away. Now you are set to just hit that sweet spot merging history with beach bumming. Anyway, if Boca Grande interests you, see what other Gulf gems you can explore in Florida!

Things to do:

• Visit Gasparilla Island Lighthouse: Just climb up, get some killer views
• Explore the historic village: Really, just soak up the past like a historical sponge
• Relax on the beach: Honestly, beach, you can’t hate it.
• Fishing: Very world famous as a sports-fish hub for very skilled fisherman

3. Myakka River State Park: Wild Florida at Its Finest

Now Myakka River State Park might just be kinda a smidge further from Punta Gorda, but listen, it’s like, the spot for nature people! So, if you are keen to dive into Florida’s wilds, the park gives you opportunities, plenty in fact, to check out wildlife–yes, really! Like alligators, different species of birds, maybe some bobcats, I guess. And yeah, those ecosystems they all reside in are very awesome. Also, the Myakka River gives a unique viewpoint from either a boat tour, a little kayaking, and those hiking paths can get your exercise on. Anyway, be sure you bring your camera for amazing vistas and those sweet nature selfies in this gem just kind of a little inland. As a matter of fact, the sheer array of stuff nature-wise could well occupy someone, and those experiences make the time more worth it, especially as that experience makes killer vacation memories!

Things to do:

• Airboat Tour: Let’s find some gators in some serious style, you know
• Hiking: Trail options like the ‘nature is neat’ kinds, basically for everyone
• Wildlife Spotting: Birds to gators, who knows what you will even find out there
• Kayaking/Canoeing: So very gently glide along Myakka River; nature ahoy

4. Sanibel and Captiva Islands: Shelling and Serenity

Just drive down the road a smidge past Fort Myers and boom, you’ve arrived at the fabled sister isles, Sanibel and Captiva. And, so, this locale has been talked up so darned much over the ages in travel guides, it might well even sound like another tourist trap… and yet this set still kind of hangs on! Really a hot pick with all travelers the world over, these pretty barrier islands kind of boast pristine beaches, some swanky shells and just that very casual island lifestyle that we kinda sorta crave. Still, a smidge of warning: make certain to give lots of buffer time going up over that causeway just between Ft. Myers as well as Sanibel–really any day but in specific make that midday in the peak vacation weeks as traffic can well be jammed to darn bits. But as you can tell, getting bogged in place at the bridge could totally ruin your day trip experience. Anyway, once here though, and you find your slice o’beach heaven, then you know for very true that this corner, too, got put onto Earth as the premier relaxation HQ, you know?

Things to do:

• Shelling at Bowman’s Beach: Hunt seashells like your rent relies on doing it
• Visit the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge: Scope crazy birds and wildlife at this refuge
• Explore Captiva Island: Jump over to this island, which is very smaller and kind of sleepy
• Enjoy a sunset dinner: Because nothing says ‘vacation’ like that sunset

5. Sarasota: Culture and Coastline

Okay so hear me out: Sarasota may be a long drive if you go too fast. So if that drive doesn’t put you off however, then the cultural mecca off the coast might really be it. So in town here the Ringling art museum puts up awesome Renaissance masterpieces. Lido Key offers gorgeous beaches and a party hardy crowd. To the south is Siesta Key which you may also know is like known very well for its sugary sand and like very gentle waves, ideal if one has smaller humans to watch or whatever. So if just going up to that park over there and spending time bird-watching it is definitely a vacation everyone in the family might like, maybe even you too.

Things to do:

• The Ringling: Explore both their art collection and like those grounds; totally killer photo material.
• Siesta Key Beach: So chill out on a very pristine beach.
• St. Armands Circle: Browse boutique storefronts, then catch a snack.
• Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: If one must stop to smell posies– well.