The historic town of Punta Gorda, Florida, located between Sarasota and Fort Myers, is brimming with great stops and activities that you won’t want to miss! Offering a comfortable climate with year-round sun and warmth, Punta Gorda has a great laid-back atmosphere with an old Florida feel. If you’re planning your next trip and looking for Wildlife Tours in Punta Gorda and memorable experiences with your loved ones, follow our guide below!

Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours

Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours is a great place to explore the beautiful wildlife and scenic nature Southwest Florida has to offer. Wildlife tours in Punta Gorda are available daily, led by experienced and skilled tour guides. Take a tour of your choice (specialty nighttime tours are available as well!) and travel through several ecosystems, experiencing the diverse wildlife Florida has to offer. There is something for everyone at Babcock Ranch!

Fisherman’s Village

Fisherman’s Village, located on the waterfront in Punta Gorda, is a destination resort where you can dine, play, and stay. Luxury suites are available for both short and extended stays, featuring resort-style amenities such as fully equipped kitchens, a heated pool, on-site guest laundry, complimentary loaner bikes, shuffleboard, and other games. Recreation activities at Fisherman’s Village include harbor tours, boat rentals, kayaking, and fishing. Home to lots of shops and restaurants, Fisherman’s Village also offers live music and entertainment throughout the year as well!

Located within Fisherman’s Village is the Military Heritage Museum, a 17,000-square-foot museum created to honor veterans of all U.S. military branches. The museum showcases authentic artifacts to educate the public on American servicemen and women’s experiences in serving our country. Explore the amazing exhibits the museum has to offer while visiting Fisherman’s Village!

Peace River Wildlife Center

If you’re planning on experiencing Wildlife Tours in Punta Gorda, consider heading to the Peace River Wildlife Center. This non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and education center exists off donations, gift shop sales, grants, and a recycling program the center runs. Peace River started as a small operation by two doctors who took birds and small mammals into their homes to treat and return them to the wild. With the need for more space to care for animals that could not be released back into their habitats, the location moved from the doctor’s homes to a piece of land leased from Ponce De Leon Park, now known as the Peace River Wildlife Center.

The public is encouraged to visit and view the various species and habitats that live at the Center. While you’ll miss out on seeing the variety of mammals and reptiles you’d see on a Babcock Ranch Eco-Tour, you will see some pretty amazing birds! Some of the bird species include bald eagles, hawks, owls, ospreys, crested caracara, sandhill cranes, pelicans, herons, shorebirds, cormorants, songbirds, crows, and vultures. Tortoises, turtles, opossums, and rabbits are also available to view!

Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary

Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary is a safe place for exotic zoo animals to peacefully live stress-free in a clean and healthy environment. Some of the wildlife at the sanctuary have been mistreated, abandoned, or no longer cared for properly, so Octagon Wildlife becomes their forever home. The wildlife that resides at the sanctuary includes bears, birds, canines, cougars, hyenas, lions, primates, reptiles, small cats, tigers, and so much more. While you won’t be able to see these creatures in their natural habitat, like on a tour at Babcock Ranch Eco-Tours, it’s still a wonderful way to see wildlife you may not see otherwise!