Boca beach

In 2022 beach was wonderfully peaceful and relaxing! We were slightly north of the designated Boca Grande Pass area (around the entrance on 5th street), but I wanted to share my review of the beach since I noticed some people mentioning that it might not be suitable for kids 😁 The beach is narrow but lovely. The sand has some shells, but it's manageable to walk barefoot. The current is quite mild, and the waves approach at an angle. I have an almost 3-year-old, and he was thrilled that he could walk out about 30 feet from the shore and still stand on his own (the water is knee to hip deep around 50 feet out, I estimate). The waves were not too rough, and he did remarkably well on his first trip to the ocean! There is a slight drop (maybe a foot or less) right at the beginning, and the shell-covered sand ends at the line where the sea kelp is visible (you can see it in the photos). On the other side, there is pure soft sand. I even had the joy of spotting a manatee, which made me extremely happy 😁😁 In 2023 this beach has experienced significant erosion, resulting in a narrower shoreline. The drop-off at the front is not as steep anymore, but the water level is slightly deeper compared to last year. My son will be turning 4 in August, and the water was a bit deeper for him. Nonetheless, the beach is still pleasant, and I had the opportunity to spot a manatee again this year, which was very exciting!

This beach is not ideal for families with young children. There is a significant drop-off, plenty of broken shells, and on the day we visited, the sea was rough. Despite only going in a little ways, we still managed to spot some fish. However, the water was not as clear as we had anticipated based on the area's reputation. (We visited in mid-October) We didn't come across any manatees or other wildlife. The church was closed, but the lighthouse museum was open. We didn't go inside as we were all in our bathing suits. We were able to find 2 Sharks teeth without much digging, and my sons collected some larger intact shells. There was an entry fee and a small parking fee. During this time of year, the beach was mostly occupied by senior citizens, except for our group. Although there were many people fishing from the beach, we didn't witness anyone actually catching anything.

I absolutely adore this beach! It's such a treat to come here in the evening. When we arrived, there was literally nobody around. We had the entire beach to ourselves. There is a toll fee of $6 and a park fee of $3, but it's totally worth it. The water is incredibly clear! We brought our snorkeling masks and saw a wide variety of fish, starfish, and shells. If you want to explore, make sure to bring goggles - they are a must. The sand is soft and white, and there are so many seashells. We even spotted some large lizards in the marshes, just doing their own thing. We'll definitely be saving this spot for future visits.

One of my favorite beaches! It's absolutely stunning and well-maintained! Keep an eye out for manatees swimming in this area, as they are known to frequent it. I've heard that manatees are quite friendly, which is a plus. However, it's a shame that there are no wash stations available. On the bright side, there are portable restrooms provided. Just a heads up, there is a $6 toll to access the island, but it's definitely worth it!

This beach is absolutely stunning, like a slice of paradise. The bathrooms are well-maintained and spotless. It's not overly crowded, which is a plus. I had an amazing time fishing here and had quite the successful catch. I managed to reel in plenty of small fish and even caught my first pompano, which was incredibly thrilling.