The Boca Grande Causeway links the island to the mainland and the toll $4 per car is well worth it. Driving down the island a few miles will bring you to the village center  which apparently has hardly changed in 100 years, it is home to upscale boutiques , art galleries and fancy restaurants with prices to match. In some respects it is a carefully preserved place and indicative of Old Florida, condominiums and some lovely modern homes have been built but there are no high rises.  It is a quiet community where the locals are keen to maintain this beautiful environment and there quality of life, it is said that the Billionaires now outnumber the Millionaires. Although you may not think it when see plenty of people making there way around the island on there electric golf carts.  

If you happen to be in Boca Grande in the spring the normal relaxed atmosphere is disrupted during  tarpon season culminating in the annual tarpon run each July when fisherman descend in their droves from across Florida. The island is considered to be the best tarpon fishing spots in the World.  I am not a fisherman myself but to see some guy catch a 4 foot or so tarpon whilst stood on the beach was some sight.

Which brings to the beaches which are simply superb, the pristine white sand beaches stretch for miles on the Gulf side.  The best places to access the beach are having gone through the village centre you continue along with the gulf to your right and you will shortly come to the car park and public access to the beach. There are Beach Pavilions and

BBQ, s and toilets, and then there is the beach and the clear blue sea where you will often see Dolphins swimming close to shore. A word of warning there are no lifeguards on either of the beaches mentioned

Another beach close to the lighthouse is at the southernmost tip of the island again there are beach pavilions and this area offers lovely view of Boca Grande pass, this is the principle area for fishing and you will see numerous boats on the water. However swimming is not recommended at this beach due to the fast moving currents in the pass itself, which is a gateway to Charlotte Harbor

You can charter a boat and there is every chance you will see Dolphins, Manatees, Ospreys and if you here in the winter months White Pelicans.  Whatever you do enjoy.

To get to Boca Grande we would take the causeway from the Mainland.  On Placida Road we saw this cluster of buildings just after the causeway and discovered amongst other things a restaurant called the Fishery.  It looked a bit of dump from the outside and what was the Fish Market which serviced 18 fishing boats is now a derelict building, around the corner you come to the charming restaurant. There is now only one fishing boat as time marches on.

Initially it did not particularly appear attractive at all despite backing onto the bay.  We steered clear, but we read reviews and spoke to some people who recommended it, so we thought we would give it go.

We went midweek one evening and entered the restaurant to be pleasantly surprised, the staff were friendly and the place was busy with a mixture of locals and tourists, it oozed character we were shown to a table by the large picture window which overlooked Gaspiralla Sound, and the other small islands in the area.  There was a long dock where people who had come by boat could tie them up. There was a car park for us mere mortals.

We ordered from the extensive menu, there is lot of fish as you would expect but also steaks for the likes of me, I was impressed by the basket meals they did as well, portions were huge, and prices were average and did not break the bank.

Before our food arrived on that first visit, we went out onto the dock and marvelled at view, it was so relaxing watching the pelicans dive bomb in the water for their tea. Then we saw a dolphin swimming close to shore looking for his tea as well.  

We went back inside and promptly told the waitress about the dolphin, we were excited to see dolphins in there natural environment, which was quite simply amazing.   She was unmoved and commented they were there most nights.  She added that when she was a kid around 20 years ago she would go down the Fish Market which at that time was the home to the fishing boats and feed up to 20 dolphins who would gather waiting for the local fishermen who landed there catch in the hope of getting some titbits, that must have been some sight!!. On another visit when we came out there was mother racoon with her cubs and mother cat with her kittens.  It is obviously a routine that diners bring leftovers from the meals out for them and on this occasion the racoon and the cat were in competion for the food while their young continued to play together in the bushes.

It was lovely to watch them and added to charm of the place, so if you are ever in this part of Florida then we can recommend a trip to the Fishery not only for the food but to see some of the Florida Wildlife.

The Fishery continues to serve good food and dolphins can be seen on a regular basis.