Quite simply, Palm Island is paradise. Creamy white sand beaches that descend gently into the ocean. Water so clear you can see ripples on the sand bottom in ten feet of water. Billowy clouds drifting over seas that transition from turquoise to sea-green to ultramarine as depth increases.

Nearly deserted, the northernmost beach looks toward Stump Pass and Manasota Key

But Palm Island is a misnomer. The beach is actually on Knight Island, which along with Don Pedro Island and Little Gasparilla Island, are part of an extensive chain of barrier islands extending along the Gulf Coast of Florida. The three islands used to be separated by inlets but storms and shifting sands caused them to fill in, creating a single landmass. In the mid-1980’s a developer, recognizing the potential of the remote barrier islands, purchased the northern portion and build Palm Island Resort. Over time, the name Knight Island faded and folks just began calling it Palm Island.

Endless sweeps of beach beckon shell seekers, kayakers, and sun worshipers

So what makes this place so special? Since there is no bridge to Palm Island, the only access is by private boat or ferry. The resort provides a ferry service, but the round-trip fee is steep: single cars pay $55 and pedestrians (bicycle included) pay $6. Other than people who own property on the island or those staying at the resort, few bring their car over, especially since there are limited roads and no public parking. Thus only the most tenacious beach lovers make it to Palm Island Beach, and those who do are almost guaranteed endless stretches of deserted sand.

Ferry transports vehicles to Palm Island

Palm Island is seven miles long and only 700 yards wide at its broadest. It is located about nine miles south of Englewood, Florida, off the coast of Cape Haze, and just a 20 minute drive from the Charlotte County seat of Punta Gorda. The ferry is operated by Palm Island Transit and runs seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. (11:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday evenings).

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