Englewood Beach | Shallow beach – ideal for small children

Englewood Beach on Manasota Key is an idyllic retreat away from the crowds. With its fine sand, turquoise blue water and gentle waves, it invites you to relax. Visitors enjoy the shell-strewn beach, fantastic sunsets and good infrastructure.

Englewood Beach on Manasota Key is located near Punta Gorda and Charlotte Harbor or Port Charlotte. This beach is ideal for a day of swimming with small children. The beach on the Gulf of Mexico has a kind of sundeck, as we know it from pools. Thanks to several steps, the little ones can splash around in what they see as a wide strip of water. A few meters further on, the adults can also go deep into the water, so that everyone gets their money’s worth.

There was also an abundance of shellfish during our stay, the sea was emerald green and numerous birds provided entertainment. There is a large free parking lot with barbecue facilities right by the car, a toilet facility and beach bars and restaurants just across the road.

The sand is not as nice and white as elsewhere, but the excellent crystal-clear water makes up for this small disadvantage. In addition, only flat private houses line the dunes to the right and left of Public Beach, which means that, as is so often the case in Florida, the number of visitors to this beach is limited.

Nearby is a gem – Stump Pass Beach State Park is for those looking for even more relaxation.

Englewood Beach has reopened

The Englewood Beach region was significantly damaged by back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. The Gulf Coast storms resulted in massive sand loss, destroyed dunes and damaged infrastructure, including parking lots, sidewalks and the boardwalk. After the storm, the parking lot was used as a storage site for washed-up sand, which was later sifted and brought back to the beach.

Opposite the sea

Only flat private houses line the beach.

Seagull Cinema

The parking lot at Engelwood Beach is partially reopened.

Seagulls Walk

Englewood Beach is currently partially open to visitors again. As of April 2, 2025, the south entrance of the parking lot is accessible, allowing pedestrian access to the beach. However, parking is limited and some facilities such as the boardwalk and certain walkways have not yet been fully restored.

The full restoration of Englewood Beach Park is expected to take several more months, with a projected completion date of late 2025. Despite the ongoing work, the beach is already once again a popular spot for visitors and locals seeking natural beauty and recreation.