Life In Burnt Store Marina: Boats, Golf And Gulf Access

If your perfect day starts on the water and ends with a sunset over Charlotte Harbor, you will feel at home in Burnt Store Marina. This gated, marina-centered community sits on Florida’s southwest coast and blends boating, golf, and low-maintenance living. In this guide, you will learn how daily life flows here, where you can boat and golf, what homes you will find, and the key details to confirm before you buy. Let’s dive in.

Where you are: Burnt Store Marina

Burnt Store Marina is a gated, master-planned community in northwestern Lee County on Charlotte Harbor, near the Punta Gorda line. The census counted 1,890 residents in 2020, and many are seasonal or retirement buyers, though you will also meet year-round residents and families. You get a quiet, resort-style setting with quick access to the water and nearby city services. Review a community snapshot and location details on the neighborhood’s Wikipedia profile.

Life on the water: marina and Gulf access

Burnt Store Marina is the heartbeat of the community. Operated by Safe Harbor, it is recognized as one of the largest deep-water facilities on Florida’s west coast, with wet slips, dry-stack storage, fuel, pump-out, a ship’s store, and on-site service. Explore current facilities and services on the Safe Harbor Burnt Store page.

Day trips from your dock

From the basin you are on Charlotte Harbor with direct Gulf access. It is about 10 nautical miles to Boca Grande Pass, which makes day trips to Cayo Costa, Cabbage Key, Useppa, and Boca Grande straightforward. For a taste of local cruising routes and island stops, see this Marinalife destination overview.

Slip capacity and what to ask

You may see different slip counts online because some sources list wet slips only while others include dry racks and transient space. If you want a number, refer to the operator’s info and confirm availability directly. For context on how counts vary by source, review this marina profile summary.

Boating without owning

You can enjoy the water even if you do not own a boat. Freedom Boat Club and similar operators run out of the property, which makes frequent boating easier and often more cost predictable. Learn how club membership works on the Freedom Boat Club Burnt Store page.

Golf, fitness, and social life

Daily life extends well beyond the docks. The neighborhood’s semi-private club and racquet facilities keep your calendar full and your social circle growing.

27-hole executive course

The community is built around a 27-hole executive layout designed by Ron Garl and Mark McCumber. Memberships and public play options are available, and the clubhouse anchors many social events. Review tee-time options and programming on the Burnt Store Marina Country Club site.

Fitness, courts, and pool

The master community highlights a Fitness, Racquet & Pool Club with a gym, a heated pool and spa, tennis, and multiple pickleball courts. You can join classes, leagues, and clinics that fit your pace. The result is an easy on-ramp to meet neighbors and stay active.

Dining and weekly events

On-site dining includes Cass Cay Restaurant & Bar on the water and The Trading Post for quick bites and provisioning. Linkside Café serves the golf side. Live music, happy hours, and themed nights are common, and community groups post events in The Beacon, which spotlights clubs like the Platinum Point Yacht Club. For a sample of the social scene, browse this PPYC community feature in The Beacon.

Homes and condos: what you will find

You will find a wide mix of residences inside and around the gates. Options include high-rise marina-front condos, low-rise buildings, attached villas and townhomes, and single-family homes on canals or golf views. There are also nearby new-construction pockets along the Burnt Store corridor that offer modern floor plans and low-maintenance yards.

Price signals to watch

Real estate portals show a broad range in this area. Entry-level seasonal condos have appeared in the low to mid 200s in some listings, while mid-range villas and condos often fall in the mid 300s to 600s. Premium harbor-view condos and larger single-family homes can exceed 1 million depending on size and view. Prices move with season and inventory, so review current comps when you are ready to tour.

Rental potential and rules

Many owners market condos for seasonal stays in peak winter months. Amenities and fishing access help attract renters, but rules vary by building and sub-association. Before you plan income, read the condo docs for rental length, frequency, and approval process.

Practical buyer checklist

A little homework up front will help you buy the right home for your lifestyle.

Slips, storage, and storms

If a slip matters, confirm whether it is leased, deeded, or on a waitlist with Safe Harbor Burnt Store before you write an offer. Ask about seasonal dockage rates, valet launch, and hurricane haul-out procedures and fees. The marina outlines services and contacts on its official page.

HOAs and sub-associations

Burnt Store Marina has a master association, often called Section 22, and dozens of sub-associations that govern buildings and neighborhoods. Pet rules, rental policies, architectural approvals, and fees vary by sub-association. Review the specific documents for the property you want and use the master site as a directory for groups and clubs on the Section 22 page.

Insurance, flood, and hurricane risk

Southwest Florida is hurricane-prone and the community sits at low elevation on Charlotte Harbor. Check the home’s FEMA flood zone, elevation certificate, and the cost of flood and wind coverage with your insurer. For context on recent regional impacts, see this peer-reviewed summary of Hurricane Ian’s coastal effects.

Everyday services and travel

You can reach groceries, pharmacies, and daily essentials within a short drive along Burnt Store Road and in nearby Punta Gorda and Cape Coral. Punta Gorda Airport is usually a 20 to 25 minute drive, and Southwest Florida International in Fort Myers is about 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Medical providers in both Lee and Charlotte counties serve the area.

Who tends to buy here

The neighborhood skews toward retirees and second-home owners who want boating and golf with a lock-and-leave setup. It is not a uniform 55-plus community, and rules can differ by sub-association. If age rules matter to your plans, confirm them building by building or review an overview of the area’s age profile on 55places.

A day in the life

Start with sunrise coffee on your screened lanai as the marina wakes up. Take a mid-morning cruise to Cabbage Key for lunch, or play nine holes on the executive course and meet friends for pickleball. Close the day with dinner at Cass Cay and watch the mast lights come on across the basin. It is a simple rhythm that balances activity with calm.

Work with a local digital-first team

When you are ready to explore homes, we will help you match floor plans, views, and HOA rules to how you want to live. We can coordinate virtual tours, confirm slip options with the marina, and share the latest comps so you buy with confidence. Questions about life in Burnt Store Marina or want a custom list of homes that fit your budget? Connect with Jennifer & Philip Taberski for friendly, local guidance.

FAQs

Is Burnt Store Marina age-restricted or 55-plus?

• The overall community is not uniformly age-restricted, though many residents are retirees or seasonal owners. Always confirm the rules for your specific building or sub-association and review resources like 55places for general context.

Do condo purchases in Burnt Store Marina include a boat slip?

• Usually not. Slips and dry storage are managed by Safe Harbor and are typically leased separately, so verify any deeded or reserved slip language with the seller and confirm availability with the marina.

How far is Gulf access from Burnt Store Marina for boaters?

• You are on Charlotte Harbor with direct deep-water access. It is roughly 10 nautical miles to Boca Grande Pass, making day trips to islands like Cayo Costa and Boca Grande common, as noted in Marinalife’s guide.

What golf options are inside Burnt Store Marina?

• The 27-hole executive course at Burnt Store Marina Country Club offers memberships and public play, plus a clubhouse that hosts events and dining. See details on the club’s official site.

What should I ask the marina about hurricane planning?

• Ask about hurricane haul-out capacity, timelines, tie-down and storage procedures, and related fees. Start with contact details and services listed on the Safe Harbor Burnt Store site.

How is the community organized for HOAs and rules?

• A master association oversees common areas, while many sub-associations manage buildings and neighborhoods with their own rules for pets, rentals, and design. Use the Section 22 site to locate groups and review documents with your agent.