Can anyone tell us if the beaches on Boca Grande vary depending where you stay on the island? We are looking to vacation close to a swimming beach and want to avoid any area with strong currents, etc. Would also love rental recommendations. Thanks!

I wish I could be more helpful but I've not spent time at this wonderful spot, merely driven through a few times to see what all the raves were about. The only thing I can suggest, which is for the beach neophyte, is to stay on the Gulf side, not the Bay side -- which you probably already know. Other than that I'd think the pass might have some strong currents. There aren't too many strong currents on Florida's west coast. The Gulf stream is negated by littoral drift and the tides (which is a high-fallutin' way to say one current is countered by another so it stays tranquil on the Gulf).

Sigh. I wish I were going to Boca Grande. have a wonderful time. I'm jealous of you.

You do not want to be at the south end of the beach where the Boca Grande (big mouth) pass and channel into Charlotte Harbor makes for some pretty strong currents. Anywhere north of that area is fine. What a lovely little island, not touristy in any way. I have always loved "The PINK" ( the Pink Elephant restaurant) but I haven't been there for several years so can not comment on whether it is even still there. Island is very Martha's Vineyard- like: the old waspy Martha's Vineyard, not the new celebrity driven MV.

LMF

Thank you both for your info -- it was exactly what I was looking for!

go to onlinehotels.com/gasparilla island-------there some info there.....and try boca grande and gsaparilla island in the search area here ...it is very quaint...Denzel Washington made a movie there a few years ago...Sand Spur beach is good...and there is public accsess beaches...a storm can whip up fast there....

We stayed in a rental property on the gulf side. There were several condos in the area. I can't remember the name but there was a pool and right on the beach. The water was great and calm.