The Tiny Florida Island Town Where Golf Carts Outnumber Cars
Imagine a place where the gentle hum of golf carts replaces the roar of traffic and sandy paths wind through neighborhoods more often than paved highways.
That’s everyday life in several of Florida’s most charming island towns, where residents have traded sedans and SUVs for a slower, more laid-back mode of transportation perfectly suited to coastal living.
During my wanderings along Florida’s shoreline last summer, I stumbled upon these delightful communities and was instantly captivated. The sight of families loading groceries into golf carts, neighbors waving from the driver’s seat, and sunsets chased down sandy lanes made me fall in love with their quirky culture.
Boca Grande’s Cart Parades and Personality
Boca Grande stole my heart the moment I watched a line of decorated golf carts cruise down the main street during their annual Christmas parade! The residents don’t just drive carts—they express themselves through them, with custom paint jobs and personalized accessories that tell stories about their owners.
Walking around this Gasparilla Island gem, I counted more carts than cars parked outside the pastel-colored shops. The locals zip around at a leisurely 15 mph, waving to neighbors and stopping for impromptu chats that would never happen in traffic-clogged cities.
Boca’s narrow streets and relaxed pace make golf carts the perfect transportation choice, creating a community where nobody seems in a hurry to get anywhere—they’re just enjoying the journey.
Anna Maria Island’s Cart-Friendly Culture
Breakfast becomes an adventure when you’re riding in an open-air golf cart to the local café on Anna Maria Island! The morning breeze tousles your hair as you cruise past beach cottages and swaying palms, a feeling no car could ever provide.
The island has embraced its cart culture by creating special parking areas and establishing routes specifically designed for these four-wheeled chariots. Families pile into their carts for sunset beach trips, groceries balanced precariously on laps, creating memories with every bump in the road.
My favorite sight was a line of carts parked outside the ice cream shop, each one different—some sporty, others vintage-inspired—but all representing the carefree spirit that makes Anna Maria so special.
Key Colony Beach’s Environmental Cart Revolution
Green living takes on new meaning in Key Colony Beach where eco-friendly electric golf carts have revolutionized island transportation! I watched in amazement as residents plugged their carts into solar-powered charging stations scattered throughout this environmentally conscious community.
The mayor proudly told me they’ve reduced carbon emissions by 30% since promoting golf cart usage over traditional vehicles. Narrow causeways connect the four islands that make up this tiny municipality, perfect for golf cart cruising but challenging for larger vehicles.
Sunset “cart-pools” gather at lookout points each evening, creating impromptu social clubs where neighbors share drinks and stories while watching the sky turn brilliant shades of orange and pink—a tradition impossible to replicate in car-dependent communities.
Cedar Key’s Historic Cart Traditions
Time stands still in Cedar Key, where vintage golf carts rumble over century-old streets that have never known heavy traffic! This historic fishing village embraced golf carts long before they became trendy elsewhere, with some island families proudly displaying carts handed down through generations.
The local mechanic, a silver-haired gentleman named Captain Mike, specializes exclusively in cart repair and has become something of a local celebrity. His workshop overflows with parts dating back decades, and he claims he can fix any cart ever manufactured.
Every July, Cedar Key hosts the state’s oldest golf cart rodeo, where residents compete in obstacle courses and decoration contests that showcase both driving skills and creative flair—a tradition that perfectly captures this community’s unique character.
North Captiva Island’s Car-Free Paradise
Stepping off the ferry onto North Captiva Island feels like entering another dimension—one without a single automobile in sight! This car-free sanctuary takes the golf cart lifestyle to its ultimate conclusion, with even emergency services operating from specially equipped carts.
My rental cart came with a hand-drawn map marking the island’s secret spots, from hidden beaches to the best shelling locations. The absence of road noise creates a magical atmosphere where birdsong provides the soundtrack to daily life, and stargazing happens right from your cart as you drive home after dinner.
Children learn to drive carts before bicycles here, creating a unique rite of passage that connects generations through a shared island experience—just one more way this remarkable community has built its identity around its preferred mode of transportation.