On Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:30:16 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

What's your opinion of the best beaches near Punta Gorda?

There's a nice beach at Boca Grande near the light house.

You really need a boat to get to the best: Cayo Costa and North
Captiva. There is a water taxi to both from the north end of Pine
Island.

Good public beaches by car are Bowman's on Sanibel, and several on
Captiva Island right by the main road. You could pull into Tween
Waters Inn on Captiva, have lunch at the pool bar (recommended), and
then stroll across the road to their beach.

There are also good/great beaches at FMB, Lover's Key, and Barefoot
Beach further south at the west end of Bonita Beach Road. Go through
the guard gate and keep on going past the condos.