Vacation Rentals & Villas

Facing into the Gulf of Mexico and dotted with natural harbors, coves and bays, the Southwest Cast from Sarasota to Marco Island is a quieter region of Florida, better known for its history, beaches and wildlife than the hectic theme parks to the northeast. It is an area was passed over in the boom years of Florida's growth at the beginning of the century. As a result is much more open and less prone to the urban sprawl that has turned the East Coast into a conurbation of settlements. Vacation rentals in the region are a little sparser than elsewhere when looking outside the major urban areas. That said, there is no shortage of holiday lettings including beachside condo rentals and quiet cabin rentals.

Port Charlotte is the major natural bay in the area and the second largest in Florida, sheltered from the Gulf Waters by a series of barrier islands, notably Gasparilla Island – named after the infamous pirate Jose Gaspar. First settled in the sixteenth century by Spanish explorers, the area is replete with history and has numerous historic sites and museums. Shipwrecks, both known sites and undiscovered ships – victims of hurricane or pirates from the golden age of sail - dot the bays and island of the region, with the allure of buried treasure always in the mind of snorkelers, diver and beachcombers alike. Nowadays, the only pirate visitors are likely to encounter is Captain Morgan.

A nature lover's paradise, the area is saturated with five national wildlife refuges in the area, offering unsurpassed opportunities for bird watching. The rivers and estuaries that feed this bay are prime locations for canoe and kayak enthusiasts with hundreds of miles of Blueways trails as well as some prime freshwater and sea fishing opportunities for the outdoorsman – record breaking Snook, Redfish and Tarpon are consistently caught in the bays and waterways. Babcock's Wilderness Adventure offers eco-tours and natural history education experiences with swap buggy adventures, wildlife spotting and up close critter viewing. The soft coral sand beaches in the area are less crowded year round and also offer great sailing and snorkeling opportunities. Art galleries, restaurants and museums dot the area, offering visitors the chance for a little civilization after all those gators and swamps.

Naples and Marco Island, at the southernmost extent of the region, touching the tip of the Everglades, make up what is known as the Paradise Coast. Its beaches are consistently voted as some of the best in the USA by major reviewers such as Travel Channel. There is also a vibrant year-round arts scene – Naples was actually voted Number One Small Art City in America. One of the major appeals of the region is that, although tourism is a major part of the economy, it is not as pervasive and all-consuming as it is in other regions, notable Central Florida. As such, vacation accommodation in the area tends to be less concentrated and more individual in nature. Holiday lettings in Venice, Punta Gorda, Fort Meyers, Cape Coral, Naples and Sanibel Island all offer access to both inland attractions and location and the fine sandy Gulf Coast beaches. With good transport access provided by I-75 and Southwest Florida International Airport, the area is accessible whilst retaining its quieter nature.