Venice Florida BeachesVenice
has several public beach access points. You can drive right up to the
Venice jetty. The beach extends south from this point. It's enjoyable just
to sit along the jetty and watch the boats heading out or coming from the
Gulf of Mexico. The jetty provides a great location for fishing. At the
end of Venice Ave. you'll find a public beach with ample parking, a
concession stand, and life guards. Surprisingly this beach is never very crowded. You'll frequently see dive flags just a few hundred yards from the beach. There is a natural reef, and some days the divers report a nice variety of marine life. Divers also comb the area for first dibs on the fossilized sharks teeth and shells. Conch and sand dollars can be found in abundance. Many of the area residents gain access to the beach by walking to the end of Alhambra Rd. From Alhambra Rd there is about one mile of the beach which is only accessed through private property providing those fortunate property owners a nearly unused beach. Public access picks up at service beach where the board walk over the dunes provides picnic tables. Further south beach access and parking can be found at the fishing pier. Here you'll also find Sharky's gulf front bar and restaurant. Venice even has a beach for your dog. Just south of Sharky's is Brohard beach the only area where dogs are permitted beach access.
Caspersen Beach a Sarasota County Park is located at the end of Harbor Dr. There is ample parking, but during the spring a close spot can be difficult to find mid-day. Unlike the rest of Venice's beaches this beach is not re-nourished. You can walk south for miles and most days you'll be alone on the beach. This is considered the best beach for finding sharks teeth.
The Port Charlotte Beach Complex is a public beach at the southeast end of Harbor Boulevard in Port Charlotte. The beach complex offers a beach club, fishing pier, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoe pits, a pool (at annual or one-time rates), a snack bar, boat ramps, and barbecue grills. The beach is within a short drive or boat ride from local attractions. Fishermen's Village, located directly across the harbor from the beach complex, features shops, restaurants, bars, and boating and fishing excursions. Parking at the beach is 25 cents per hour or $2.25 per day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. The beach is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. No lifeguards are on duty. Englewood Beach is Charlotte county's only gulf front public beach. Located along County Road 776 (Beach Road) near the Charlotte-Sarasota county line, the beach has light-colored sand and tufts of sea oats growing along the dune line. For those who want the privacy of a more secluded beach, Stump Pass, a state recreation area, is located just past Englewood Beach at the end of the road. By walking on a short path through beautiful trees and vegetation, beachgoers will see lizards and other wildlife before coming to a more secluded white sand beach. Shops, restaurants, and bars are within a short driving distance of the beach. Englewood Beach is open from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. Facilities include freshwater showers, picnic tables, and sheltered barbecue areas. Parking is $1 per day, seven days a week. No lifeguards are on duty. Boca Grande Beach After paying a $3.50 toll per car, visitors will drive along a road surrounded on both sides by light green water and white sand. The public beach, which is comparable to Caribbean beaches, features three lighthouses and large shade trees near shore. Dolphins often can be seen from the beach. Snorkelers will find a variety of sea shells near sandbars, and non-swimmers can stroll on the beach, collecting just as many shells. The best fishing and shelling are at the southeast public beach. The beach offers full facilities, including freshwater showers, picnic tables, and grills. There are no lifeguards on duty. The beach closes at dusk. The town of Boca Grande has several quaint shops, restaurants, and an ice cream parlor. |
is a public
beach located just outside of Charlotte county in Lee county. You'll reach this
island paradise by driving along State Road 771 in Charlotte county.