This Under-the-Radar Florida Beach Has Shark Teeth, Dolphins, and Zero Crowds 

As I stretched out on my hammock listening to the sound of the waves and the muted melody of reggae music in the background, I realized I didn’t have a care in the world. I had found a tucked-away stretch of Florida’s coastline where life slows down and the only real plan is to enjoy it.

Englewood Beach is a low-key coastal destination that’s perfect for those who prefer a cool beach bar with live music over all-night club hopping. It’s for those who appreciate an epic sunset and love to fill their pockets with seashells and shark teeth. Foodies happen to love it too, as this laid-back town has some tasty local restaurants (several you can get to by boat).

If this sounds like you, here are my tips for enjoying a few days away there. 

On Florida’s southwest coast, there’s a strip of land called Manasota Key. On the southern tip of the key is where you’ll find Englewood Beach. The key hugs the shoreline of the Gulf Coast on one side, and offers bay views on the other. 

It’s about an hour south of Sarasota, and about 45 minutes west of Punta Gorda. As a Florida resident, it’s easier for me to drive. However, if you’re coming from out of town, check out flights into Punta Gorda Airport (PGD). It’s the closest airport, and since Allegiant Airlines flies there from many destinations, you may be able to find a low-cost flight. Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) also services multiple airlines, as does Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), though they require a further drive. 

There are multiple vacation rentals available on Englewood Beach, but I really love staying at the Manasota Key Resort because it is located adjacent to Stump Pass Beach State Park. The resort offers a variety of different accommodations, including studios and one and two-bedroom units that have expansive living rooms. All of the units also include kitchens, which makes it easy to prepare food at your home base and save a little money on eating out (although the area does have some great restaurants). 

It’s located right on the beach, which makes it so nice to be able to wake up and see the crystalline, sparkling water from your bed. Some of the accommodations also have balconies that overlook the ocean, and I truly enjoy sitting out there and drinking coffee in the mornings. The last time I was there, I sipped my morning brew while watching anglers fishing from the shore. Watching them reel in fish after fish, I realized my biggest mistake was not bringing along my own fishing gear. 

The location and rooms at Manasota Key Resort are exceptional. However, the amenities are really what puts it over the top. The resort has a lot of perks that are included for guests, such as bikes, kayaks, paddleboards, beach loungers, umbrellas, and hammocks. 

I love starting my days with a walk on the beach to search for seashells, and this is a great beach for that. Many people are aware of Sanibel’s notoriety as a great spot for shell collecting, but Englewood Beach is positioned north of the island and is also teeming with shells. There are so many that I often opt to keep my flip flops on during my morning walks to avoid walking on them. However, there’s another unique find that’s also plentiful there: fossilized shark teeth.  

I have one word of warning for those who embark on a journey to find shark teeth, though. It is addictive. It’s easy to walk the shoreline at Manasota Key Resort, which turns into the beach at Stump Pass Beach State Park, and fill your pockets with these prized finds. You’ll often find the black, shiny triangles on the surface of the sand, but you can also pick up handfuls of small shell pieces and sift through them. Once you’ve found your first one, it’s hard not to linger on the beach and keep searching all day. It truly doesn’t get old. 

Make sure you’ve checked the time for the sunset as well and have a seat on the beach for that. Florida’s Gulf Coast is known for its amazing sunsets, and it’s something you must do at least one night during your stay. After the solar spectacle, take a walk down to the beach to the SandBar Tiki & Grille. It’s hard to miss, but if you don’t immediately spot the giant tiki bar, just listen for the sounds of live music. It’s a nice place to enjoy some live entertainment and grab a bite to eat. 

When you wake up, walk outside and grab one of the complimentary beach cruisers that are available for guests at Manasota Key Resort and bike to brunch. I find Englewood Beach to be very bicycle-friendly, and it’s nice to just ride around the small town and explore. It’s not a far ride to get to the popular local hangout for breakfast and brunch, either. Beachcomber Trading Post has great food, but the ambiance is impressive, too. While I like going by bike, many people also come by boat. The restaurant is positioned alongside the water, and it’s easy to just tie up your boat and come in for a bite to eat. You’ll sometimes also get live music during brunch as well. 

While I love my time on the beach, some coastal destinations offer both on, and off-the-water fun. Englewood Beach is one of those places, and on my last visit, I discovered a free local park where I enjoyed some hiking. At Cedar Point Environmental Park, the trails are flat, wide, and well-maintained. They aren’t long, either. The one I hiked was a little over a mile long, and led me to beautiful views of Lemon Bay. I was also excited to encounter some playful birds and a gopher tortoise during my time there. Speaking of birds, there’s another iconic spot in the park that you have to visit if you’re bringing along your kiddos—the playground that’s shaped like a giant bald eagle. 

Once you’re back at the resort, head across the street to The Boatyard. It is positioned on the bay side of Manasota Key, and just like most places in this tropical paradise, you’ll be waterside here as well. Grab a cold beer and some dinner, and enjoy some more playtime. There’s a putting green, a giant Connect 4 game, and more. It’s not uncommon to find someone strumming on the small stage here, too. 

On the way to your paddling excursion, stop for a quick bite to go at Sassy Tarts Bakery. On the day I went, I had a banana and toffee muffin, and it was just as delicious as it sounds. You’ll meet up with the crew from SUP Englewood at Don Pedro State Park, and then launch your kayak from the bay. Our guide did a great job of pointing out interesting things along the way, such as the dolphins who seemed to be putting on a show for us. 

As we continued paddling along, we made our way to our destination: the island portion of the state park. This secluded area is only accessible via boat, kayak, or paddleboard. We pulled our kayaks on shore, walked a short distance, and then I saw the blue water and white sand that awaited us on the other side of the island. We walked the deserted shoreline and found many more shark teeth there. However, there was another moment of serendipity. Just about 10 feet off the shore, we spotted a fever of rays. There were so many, and they were so close. It was a magical finale to a phenomenal trip. 

While you’ll need to drive to some places such as Don Pedro State Park and Cedar Point Environmental Park, it’s easy to get around in a variety of eco-friendly ways when you’re hanging out beachside. Englewood Beach is very walkable, but I personally enjoyed riding bikes around the small town. The ones at the resort are free to use, so you can just grab one whenever you like. 

However, there’s also a free shuttle service you can utilize—Stumpy’s Free Ride. You’ll see the electric golf carts driving around and making stops along Englewood Beach. You can also call and request a ride whenever you’re ready to hop onboard and go somewhere. There’s no charge to use the shuttle service, as the drivers only work for tips.