Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf Islands of southwest Florida comprise an area of 693 square miles with 830 miles of shoreline. With so much surrounding water, the area has a plethora of beaches from which to choose. Visitors are delighted by miles of unspoiled Gulf Coast beaches on the offshore islands that offer excellent shelling, kayaking, birding, fishing, hiking, or just pure relaxation on a beach blanket under the sun. However residents of the County’s two largest cities, Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, often eschew the beaches on the out islands for one in their own backyard, Port Charlotte Beach Park.

Beach backed by large pavilions, which may be rented for large groups or special events

Located on the banks of the Peace River at its junction with Charlotte Harbor, the water at Port Charlotte Beach is coffee brown with a tinge of red. But don’t be fooled by the color; the Peace River is among the cleanest rivers – if not the cleanest – in Florida. It is colored by tannin leached from trees in the enormous watershed that drains into the river.

Boardwalk connects the beaches on either end of the park. The water here is caramel color, the result of tannin from surrunding forests.

The sand here – crystal fine and just shy of pure white – rivals that of the Gulf beaches and has the added benefit of being surrounded by amenities not found elsewhere. Port Charlotte Beach Park offers a boat ramp, picnic shelters, barbecue grills, a large pavilion that can be reserved for special events, basketball court, tennis courts, sand volleyball, fishing pier, playground, club house, restrooms, and a pool overlooking the river, where water aerobics classes are held six days per week, for a nominal charge of $3.50 per class.

Water aerobics classes are held six days per week at the pool

Best of all, crowds are rare at this park and the atmosphere is always laid back. Port Charlotte Beach Park is open located at 4500 Harbor Boulevard, in Port Charlotte, Florida. Parking is 75 cents per hour. Obtain a ticket from kiosks located in the park and display it on your dashboard.

Photo credit: Barbara Weibel
Article by Barbara Weibel at Hole in the Donut