Cape Haze Peninsula is a peaceful, little known, off the beaten path coastal vacation community located in southwest Florida between Sarasota Florida and Fort Myers. The peninsula includes the communities of Cape Haze, Boca Grande, Placida, Manastoa Key, Palm Island, Don Pedro Island, Gasparilla Island, Knight Island, Grove City, and Englewood, Florida.
This area boasts the “old Florida” moniker and enjoys all the comforts of home without the traffic jams of our more famous larger communities. As the name implies, the peninsula is surrounded by water, and the place attracts boaters and fisherman, beach walkers and nature lovers. Anywhere on the peninsula, you are never more than a few minutes from the intra-coastal waterway, the Gulf of Mexico, Charlotte Harbor, Lemon Bay, Gasparilla Sound, or any of the many tributaries.
There are numerous marinas, boat rental companies, state parks, boat ramps and hundreds of professional fishing guides to assist the visitor in enjoying the water. I recently rented a kayak at Grand Tour for $25 for a two hour rental and explored Coral Creek, which runs parallel to the intra-coastal waterway toward Rotonda.
I have visited many of the vacation rental communities and found that tremendous vacation rental values are everywhere. Luxury condominiums along Placida Rd, that were selling for $500,000 or more, just a few years ago, are now available as vacation rentals often for less than $500 per week, and in some cases as little as $1500 per month. These include Hacienda del Mar, The Hammocks, Cape Haze Resort, Boca Vista Harbor, and Angler’s Club. Aside from these resort style condominiums, there are also great privately owned homes including private swimming pools, in the Rotonda community.
Cape Haze Resort is a favorite because it offers luxury amenities such as a great pool and spa, tennis courts, a putting green, and is surrounded by nature trails within walking distance of the intra-coastal waterway. Angler’s Club at Boca Grande and Boca Vista Harbor boast spectacular views of Gasparilla Sound and are located next to Gasparilla Marina and just a half mile to Boca Grande. Hacienda del Mar and The Hammocks have luxurious suites overlooking the intra-coastal waterway and were designed as luxurious private residences.