Our location on the southwest coast of Florida has perks that include friendly people, a laid back lifestyle, lighter traffic, lots of unique local restaurants, and a county population smaller than some mid-sized cities. A top perk for me (a staffer and former Florida east-coaster), is access to downright spectacular sunsets.
If you were to gaze west every night for a year, no two would be the same. When the skies are clear, the sunset shows crisp clear colors. Puffy white clouds intensify the colors, which get even more spectacular after the sun dips below the horizon. You'll see pinks, peaches, orange, purples, blues, grays, and too many other combinations to count!
Wherever you choose to catch the colors—over dinner, on the beach with your toes in the sand, or on the water, it's the perfect time to just sit back, relax, and enjoy. To help you decide where to go (first), here are our picks for the Top 10 best views for sunset in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach:
Englewood
Unobstructed is the word and relaxed is the vibe when you’re lucky enough to catch the sundown from Englewood Beach. Sunday sunsets are accompanied by a weekly drum circle.
Revel in the whole experience on the edge of Lemon Bay at Lighthouse Grill at Stump Pass: a scrumptious meal, a delicious drink, a stunning sunset, and maybe even live music. Doesn’t get much better.
The Waverly Restaurant & Bar is right across the street from Englewood Beach which means a front-row seat!
Port Charlotte
While much of Port Charlotte Beach Park remains closed for renovation, you can still find a parking spot and a beautiful view of the sun setting behind the mangroves in the distance. Relish the sight and unwind with the sound of the gentle waves.
For those looking for a more active setting: combine a nice walk with an expansive view of Charlotte Harbor from anywhere on the Gilchrist Bridge.
Punta Gorda
The sunset view from TT's Tiki Bar includes the added interest of the two Punta Gorda bridges. The only thing to do is sit back, dig your toes in the sand and savor the spectacle.
The view from Perch 360, atop the Wyvern Hotel, can only be described as panoramic. Settle into a comfy chair with a cool drink, you won’t miss a single color.
Hop aboard a King Fisher Fleet Sunset Cruise to get as up close and personal as possible. As the boat chases the sunset, you may see dolphins chasing the boat!
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and park yourself on the roomy dry beach at Ponce de Leon Park to enjoy every hue. We’re pretty sure toes + sand = happy, and adding a spectacular nature show only makes it better.
Charlotte Harbor
Sunseeker Resorts Charlotte Harbor is right on the water and oriented toward the sunset. This means the sky show is viewable from many places in the Resort, including from the Half Cracked Tiki Shack, which, like all their onsite restaurants, is open to the public.
There’s no better way to close out the day and get ready for the evening than by taking the time to marvel at the sun’s pageantry, so we hope you get to see your share when you’re here.
