The Cape Haze Peninsula could be described as a time capsule waiting to be discovered. It offers the visitor a diverse culture and a chance to glimpse the Florida of days gone by and is often referred to as the secret coastline. There are no big crowds here, just plenty of white sand lapped by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and decorated with colourful shells and sharks teeth.
The coastline is unspoiled with sandy beaches it is easily accessible but remote enough to attract abundant wildlife, birds, dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, Bobcats, raccoons, foxes and plenty of alligators all native to the south west Florida Gulf coast. From sailing and boating, fishing, golf, fine and casual dining, shopping to the arts there is something for everyone, young and old alike.
Rotonda West is a designated nature reserve and is approximately 30 square miles of natural habitat interspersed with canals, homes and golf courses. It is a deed restricted community and a favoured location for many reasons and is ideally located to explore the peninsula. It has year round glorious weather it is an ideal spot to relax rest and restore, a chance to recover from today’s hectic place of life.
A variety of restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets are all close by and for chain restaurants Port Charlotte is about 20 minutes away. Excellent supermarkets with an array of excellent fresh fish, meat and deli counters are very close and include Publix, Sweetbay and Winn Dixie. For the inevitable shopping, Port Charlotte Mall is approximately twenty minutes drive. Shops include Dillards, Macy's, Hollister, Bealls and J C Penny's.
Skirted by many barrier islands, such as Don Pedro or drive across the dridge to Gasparilla Island, with it's quaint town of Boca Grande, the haunt of the rich and famous, or take a boat to Cayo Costo, a Florida State Park.
South West Florida Gulf Coast Beaches
Stump Pass, a designated state park is a natural beach with no bars or high rise simply mangroves, sea oats, soft sand and sea.
Englewood Beach is the evening gathering point for watching the stunning sunsets the bars and restaurants are lively and offer a variety of dining options.
Blind Pass Beach to the north or Middle Beach as it is referred to locally is another natural beach; it is also a great walking beach great for sharks teeth and early morning dolphin spotting.
Golf
For the golfer Rotonda West boasts five golf courses each offering a challenging round of golf, you may even be fortunate to catch a glimpse of one of the resident Alligators.
Gulf Coast Boating
The barrier islands and warm waters of the Cape Haze peninsular offer a safe environment for even the novice boater and offer a magical half or full day of relaxation and an opportunity to see the barrier islands from the water. Discover hidden bays and deserted coves, meander slowly or bounce along at speed, it will not disappoint. It is truly magical to be able to gently boat through the the warm waters of the Gulf, teeming with shoals of small fish to schools of the mightier Dolphin.
Deep sea and freshwater fishing are second to none, fish for Snook, Tarpon, Bass Trout. It is the Tarpon capital and the annual tournament is held every year off Gasparilla Island.
There are many water sports, from power boats to sailing, paddle boarding, kayaking, diving or parasailing.
Marinas are plentiful and offer an opportunity to experience these waters by yourselves or as part of a charter.
Baseball
The Tampa Bay Rays play their home Spring Training games at the Charlotte Sports Park which is on State Road 776, about 10 minutes drive.
The spring training runs March thru February and then the local home team The Charlotte Stone Crabs play for the rest of the year.