Chart Your Course
Discover the Best of Boca Grande, Captiva & Cayo Costa
In Southwest Florida, there lie three barrier islands—Boca Grande, Captiva, and Cayo Costa—where boating, fishing, and waterfront dining come together to form an unforgettable day of adventure. A short boat trip from Punta Gorda in the north to Ft. Myers in the south, these three islands will make you feel like you’re a world away. This place allows you to cast a line at dawn, dock for lunch by noon, and toast the sunset with fresh seafood still kissed by the sea.
Boca Grande
Tarpon Fishing & Marina Dining
Boca Grande, located on Gasparilla Island, is internationally recognized as the “Tarpon Capital of the World.” Each spring and summer, anglers visit to fish Boca Grande Pass, where large schools of tarpon gather. These powerful game fish provide a thrilling challenge, often putting up extended, acrobatic fights.
Outside tarpon season, Boca Grande offers excellent inshore fishing opportunities. Anglers target redfish, snook, and seatrout in the Gasparilla Sound and surrounding flats and estuaries.
Marina Options:
Eldred’s Marina – 941-697-1431
Uncle Henry’s Marina – Daily slip rentals available.
The Gasparilla Inn Marina – Slip rentals for day visitors.
Boca Grande Marina (formerly Miller’s Marina) – Slips and golf cart rentals.
Whidden’s Marina – 941-964-2878 – Historic with local charm.
Waterfront Dining with Boat Access:
Smokin Jerry’s Tiki Hut – Casual smoked meats, dockside.
The Outlet at The Innlet – Breakfast and lunch, 7 AM – 2 PM.
The Pink Elephant – Located at the Gasparilla Inn, offers full-service dining.
Eagle Grille & Miller’s Dockside – Two restaurants at Boca Grande Marina.
For land-based exploration, golf carts are available to rent from local marinas, making it easy to explore the island’s shops, historic sites, and dining options.
Photo by shane fowler on Unsplash.
Captiva
Photo by Adobe.
Cast, Cruise, and Celebrate
South of Boca Grande and Cayo Costa lies Captiva, a narrow island separated by Redfish Pass. North Captiva Island, only accessible by boat, is a popular option for vacation rentals—many equipped with private docks. Golf carts are the primary mode of transport. Mainstay and Barnacles Bar and Mango’s Bar & Grill are popular whether walking or docking up for a meal. You can even dip in the pool at Mango’s before hopping back on your boat.
Dining on North Captiva with Boat Access:
Mainstay and Barnacles Bar – Casual island dining with dock access
Mango’s Bar & Grill – Restaurant with pool access for guests
Separated by Redfish Pass is Captiva Island to the south, brimming with charm, vibrant colors, and enough fish to fill a cooler and storybook. Dock at Jensen’s Marina, tucked along the bayside, and walk to Mucky Duck (you can also anchor off the beach and take the short walk up the sand to grab a table).
On the bayside, Green Flash Restaurant offers dock access and a menu with flair—think grilled hogfish with mango salsa or Key West shrimp in citrus butter. For a quieter meal, Old Captiva House or The Shipyard at Tween Waters Island Resort (docking available) blends history with coastal elegance. The Captiva House wide porch dining and refined seafood dishes are a fitting cap to a day of chasing fish and memories.
Dining on Captiva Island with boat access:
The Mucky Duck – Beachfront pub and dining with anchorage access
The Green Flash Restaurant – Dock-and-dine option on the bay, serving Gulf seafood
Old Captiva House & The Shipyard at Tween Waters Resort – Fine dining with historic ambiance and on-site dockage
Marina Now Open! Check out the newly opened Yacht Harbour and Captiva Landing Marina at South Seas Resort. Dockage and fuel service are available at each Marina.
Cayo Costa
Photo by Adobe.
While Boca Grande and Captiva offer a blend of refinement and fun, nestled between them, Cayo Costa delivers something more primal. Accessible only by boat, this barrier island is a state park—nine miles of untouched beaches, thick mangrove forests, and shallow estuaries. No roads. No cars. Just wind, water, and wilderness.
Most boaters anchor in Pelican Bay, a well-protected cove on the island’s northeast corner. It’s a social spot on weekends, with boats rafted together. Depending on the wind, the Gulf side is a great place to drop anchor and stroll the long stretch of shoreline for shells or enjoy the peace and quiet. It’s also a gateway to some of the region’s best fishing. The flats around Pelican Bay are prime redfish and snook territory. Light tackle and live bait work wonders, though the fly anglers here might argue otherwise.
Dining on Cayo Costa:
There are no commercial dining options. Most boaters bring food or cook fresh-caught fish on portable grills for a beach picnic experience.
Nearby Alternative with boat access:
Cabbage Key Inn & Restaurant – A short boat ride from Cayo Costa, this rustic inn is famous for its cheeseburgers, scenic views, dollar-covered walls, and gopher tortoises frequently seen roaming the grassy areas and trails. Docks are available for day visitors.
Plan a Weekend Loop - Fish, Cruise, and Dine:
Boca Grande, Captiva, and Cayo Costa form a natural triangle for boaters and anglers. Some do the whole loop in a weekend: tarpon in the morning at Boca Grande Pass, lunch and beach casting on Cayo Costa, and dinner under the stars in Captiva. Others settle into one island for days, content to chase fish and sunsets in equal measure.
Wherever you go, the Gulf follows. It’s there in the cast, the cruise, the clink of glasses raised in celebration. Here, fishing is more than a sport—it’s a rhythm. Boating is more than a means—it’s the journey itself. And dining? It’s the well-earned reward, served on docks, beaches, or porches, always within sight of the sea.
Enjoy this piece of Southwest Florida paradise. Come by boat, bring a rod, and stay for dinner. The water is waiting.
Top left image by Adobe.
