Englewood and Rotonda

Englewood and Rotonda are coastal communities along Florida's Gulf Coast that have long stretches of beautiful sandy beaches, and a quiet, laid-back atmosphere.

Rotonda

Rotonda is an upscale and laid-back community on Florida's luxurious Southwest coast. The pace here is quiet and it's well suited to people looking to get away from the noise and crowds of Florida's other busy coastal towns.

Uncrowded white sand beach

Rotonda is situated near the Cape Haze peninsula between the main cities of Sarasota to the north and Fort Myers to the south. Commonly mistaken as "Rotunda," this unique, planned community was laid out in the shape of a wagon wheel, and from the air it can be identified by its perfect circular shape. Closed-in freshwater canals help to create Rotonda's wheel design and also separate the different subdivisions.

The nearby Gulf of Mexico offers mile after mile of white sand beaches and the opportunity to watch the local wildlife, including dolphins, in their natural habitat. Of course, with the water also comes the opportunity for boating, jet skiing, kayaking and more (everything is available for rent from local marinas).

Rotonda is also part of a nature conservation area and is home to a whole variety of animals including tortoises, raccoons, armadillos, pigs, bobcats, alligators, turtles, and many species of birds.

Set in a golfing community, Rotonda is very popular with people from all walks of life who are interested in getting out on the links. Many excellent courses can be found in and around the area.

In the evening, you can dolphin watch while dining in one of the many restaurants that overlook the Gulf coast and Intracoastal Waterway. Or if you're looking for a little more excitement a quick trip to nearby Fort Myers or Port Charlotte will get you closer to fine dining, great shopping, sporting events, entertainment and more.

The friendly and welcoming nature of the area combined with the peaceful and relaxing ambience that the surrounding environment has to offer makes Rotonda an ideal place to relax. You can enjoy the combination of leisure and recreation at your own pace in a beautiful setting. The un-crowded beaches, acres of challenging golf courses, exciting deep sea fishing and boating, exotic wildlife, and numerous other attractions ensure that your trip to Rotonda will be a relaxing one.

Englewood

Englewood, Florida, is sometimes referred to as "the Gem of the Suncoast," a reputation it has earned with its warm climate, beautiful beaches and quiet Gulf setting. Englewood has everything that you would expect in a thriving coastal community, from its convenient location to its beautiful tropical setting, yet it still holds on to its quiet and un-commercialized atmosphere.

Located on the Cape Haze peninsula, Englewood residents have access to a number of great waterways from the Gulf of Mexico to Lemon Bay. Englewood can be considered a water lover's paradise and it is very popular with fresh and saltwater fishermen.

With all of the outdoor attractions, there are a number of ways to enjoy this pristine and natural area. For starters, Englewood has an abundance of parks. Cedar Point, Don Pedro Barrier Island, Indian Mound Park, Stump Pass State Park and the Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center are worth checking out. Also close at hand are the Oscar Scherer State Recreation Area and nearby Myakka River State Park (just to name a few!).

Englewood Beach (located on Manasota Key) offers something for everyone. People on the hunt for relaxation will love the quaint tiki bars, picnic areas, tourist shops and sandy beaches, while more adventurous types can enjoy boating, water skiing, diving, sailing and more. Charlotte County recently renovated this area adding brick sidewalks, volleyball courts, basketball courts and beautiful landscaping. The beach area straddles the Gulf of Mexico and Lemon Bay and is a great place to spend a day. It's also a great spot to go hunting for shark's teeth. It may sound a little scary, but they are actually fossilized and millions of years old. Kids in particular will enjoy the hunt.

Boca Grande Lighthouse

If you want to get away from the beach for a little while and experience a piece of "old-Florida", check out the shops and galleries of Dearborn Street. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood with palm trees lining the street, Dearborn Street is a lovely shopping area full of gift shops, wine and cigar stores, art galleries, cafes, restaurants, antique stores, clothing stores and even a few local taverns. There are very few chain restaurants in Englewood, leaving you to instead enjoy all of the privately owned restaurants, many of which are right on the water and serve delicious local fare. After dinner you can check out the Lemon Bay Playhouse for some great live performances.

The Englewood Sports Complex is an excellent place for families, featuring lots of fields for amateur baseball, softball, and soccer, as well as tennis courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas.

Englewood hosts many activities throughout the year for people of all ages to enjoy. Among them are March Madness Seafood Festival, Turtle Watch, September's Pioneer Days festival (every Labor Day weekend locals commemorate the pioneers who were responsible for its origin in 1896), the Florida International Air Show (featuring the Blue Angels), Manasota Beach Art Show, Englewood Rotary Fine Arts Festival, Boca Grande Tarpon Tournament (held in July), and much more.

If you're looking for rest and relaxation there are few places in Florida quite as ideal as Englewood, Rotonda, and the surrounding areas. They are quiet, family-friendly communities where the best thing to do might just be nothing at all.

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See also Fort Myers Area | Sarasota