Location: Bradenton, Florida South West, Florida, USA (Anna Maria Island/St.Pete/Sarasota 30 min/ Bradenton 15 min) View Map
Accommodations: House, 3 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 2 Baths (Sleeps 6-8)
Spend your vacation at a spacious, beautiful, pet friendly home on 200 ft. of tropically landscaped waterfront. Coconut palms, orchids, frangipani surround you. This is not a canal home or a condo. Mangroves and an intimate, private sandy beach on the Manatee River are rare if not impossible to find and make a perfect retreat that your friends, family and water loving dogs will fall in love with. This spacious, beautiful home on the Manatee River has never been offered as a vacation home before. In the town of Palmetto, a virtually undiscovered "old Florida" historic town just across the "Green" bridge from Bradenton, you will drive down 6th Street under huge oak trees with hanging Spanish moss. Enter the private gate and begin your one of a kind vacation.
Facing due West on secluded Hookers Bay, just 5 minutes by boat to Tampa Bay, the sunsets are unsurpassed and are a daily main event. As you sit on the deck under the huge banyan tree, enjoy a glass of wine or your favorite cocktail as the show begins. Every evening, thousands of birds fly by at the first hint of dusk, heading home to Emerson Point, a bird sanctuary just 2 miles north. Great blue herons, spoonbill rosettes, sea gulls, cormorants, night herons, skimmers, egrets, pelicans often stop by for a snack of baitfish right on your beach, just feet away from you. The thought of all of this wearing you out? Just lay in the hammock where even in a good rain, the banyan will keep the rain drops away.
Right about now is the beginning of the perfect fishing time, usually signaled by a pair of dolphins, Mary Kay and Lola, who routinely cruise through, running fish out of the water, a true spectacle to watch. Hookers Bay is known as the best fishing spot between the Manatee River and Tampa Bay. Snook, redfish, trout, flounder - no boat required. The Manatee River is named that for a reason. Your "front yard" is a legally protected manatee feeding area. Want a closer look? Wade out in water as shallow as waist deep and watch from as close as a foot away. Or you can see them from shore as they come up for air. And don't forget to keep the tradition of ringing the bell at the last glimpse of the setting sun.
Fish, kayak, swim, bike to the marina for lunch. Take a 20 minute ride to Anna Maria Island. Visit the historic fishing village of Cortez. Rent a boat or hire a captain to take you to Egmont Key, Fort Desoto, or many of the waterside restaurants nearby. But first you will have to drag yourself away from Hookers Bay, a tough thing to do!
The home itself is large with an amazing cook's kitchen. Two refrigerators, granite countertops, two sinks -- even someone who doesn't cook will want to! Fix a cocktail at the wet bar. Eat in the dining room that seats 12 while watching the water outside the oversized sliding glass doors. The screened porch offers shelter if an afternoon shower happens or casual dining with family and friends. Lounge in the living room beside the fireplace or entertain friends in the open kitchen/living area. Watch the big screen t.v. or listen to music on the stereo from speakers in most rooms. There are no stairs - one story only. This home is easy to reach with reasonably priced flights from just about anywhere to Sarasota or Tampa. As cliché as it sounds, this is truly paradise in your own private waterfront home! Discover the "real" Florida!
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Garage: Large 2 car garage with access to home. Also houses bikes,outdoor games and rafts.
- Off Street Parking
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Wood Fireplace: Sit by a roaring fire and watch the sun go down over the Manatee River.
- Beds
- King Bed
- Queen Bed
- Convertible Bed (2) : 3rd bedroom serves as a small den/office with sofa bed. There is a second queen sofa bed in the living room.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV: Large screen t.v. 50 inch fios cable
- DVD
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Private Pool: Brand new, heated, beautiful pool surrounded by lush, tropical landscaping. Watch the sun set as you sip a cocktail seated at the in pool table or inside the Indian made tiki bar. Just steps from the master bedroom. Available as of Thanksgiving 2009.
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Gourmet kitchen with 3 sinks, 2 refrigerators, granite countertops, microwave/oven,top of the line,calphalon cookware and private herb garden.
- Cooking Utensils Provided: Calphalon cookware, several Hinkle knives, lots of serving utensils, serving dishes, beachy plates.
- Refrigerator (2) : Side by side stainless steel refrigerator plus two drawer second refrigerator.
- Dishwasher
- Microwave: Is microwave/oven.
- Ice Maker (2)
- Catering Available: We can provide a personal chef for romantic dinners.
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill: gas starter Weber
- Deck/Patio: Deck under the banyon tree plus terrace for grilling and entertaining.Private patio outside master, patio outside second bedroom
- Gazebo: Your own personal tiki bar at the pool.
- View/Location
- Beachfront: A small private sandy beach is steps outside the door for swimming, kayaking, wading, fishing snorkeling
- Waterfront, not Lake/Oceanfront. Ask for details: 200 ft of waterfront property makes this vacation rental like no others.
- Communications
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance: domestic calls
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Private beach, wet bar, fenced, gated entry, huge dining room seats 12, huge common area, dead end street means lots of privacy but near beaches, St. Pete, Sarasota, Tampa, Anna Maria and Bradenton.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly: Large gated pet park outside of the garage. Rest of the property is fenced except at waterline.
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed: Smoking outside only.
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Tennis
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Surfing
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseshoes
- Shuffleboard
- Other Activities
- Water sports galore from your own private beach, bike or kayak,restaurants. Marina nearby with boat launch
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Oct-May .. $2000/week
June-Sep .. $1500/week
Check or money order. Credit cards, Pay Pal accepted.
Monthly rates also available.
Nightly rates also available.
Rates vary for holidays and special events
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:


Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2008
Why the Owner Chose Bradenton
Captain Julie did not buy Casa Encantada as a vacation rental. She bought a wonderful spot at the beach that is so special she enjoys spending time there and now shares it with her guests. She also loves the town of Palmetto with its marina restaurants, the neighborhood farmer's market and meat shop. The old Florida feel and smell is in Palmetto where the residents are friendly probably because they live by the beautiful water! Casa Encantada got its name because from the moss hanging in the old oak trees to the gorgeous sunsets each evening this home to Captain Julie is truly enchanting.
The Unique Benefits at this House
Your only problem when staying at Casa Encantada is dragging yourself outside of its gated grounds because there is so much to do and see within its gates. Captain Julie provides a kayak, bikes, fishing rods and reels, a hammock under the enormous banyan tree, and snorkel equipment. When staying at Casa Encantada, you have to be willing to share with her unique visitors...dolphins, manatee, herons, egrets, spoonbill rosettes, pelicans, sea gulls, and ospreys! Flounders, red fish, and snook also arrive via your fish hook! If you do leave Casa Encantada, visit all the area has to offer from beachside restaurants to parks and beach entertainment spots. Casa Encantada has everything you need to make this your most wonderful beach vacation ever!
Marina with two great restaurants on the water. Riverside Cafe and Riverhouse Reef and Grill,
Weekly memberships or daily. Great equipment, hair salon, message, and nails.
He found Casa Encantada for us and can help you find your dream spot as well.
New York city quality stylist with great atmosphere. Mani, pedi and tanning as well.
Excellent selection of high quality meats as well as frozen prepared meals and pie. Family owned and operated. Tell Nichole Captain Julie sent you!
Lots of home grown vegetables and fruit. Owned and run by friendly husband/wife team.
Owner's Map of Bradenton
Captain Julie fell in love with the water growing up on the Gulf Coast. She came from a family of fishermen who settled in Florida in the 1800's. She can one hand a 30 ft. sloop and loves to fish, scuba and windsurf. One look at Casa Encantada and she was hooked on the old Florida feel of this amazing home. She loves to take guests out on Beach Music, her 21 ft. Cobia, to local haunts and fishing spots. Every guest who stays at Casa Encantada delights in experiencing everything Captain Julie has to offer at her tropical resort.
Property Photos
- Real or no Real..........REAL - Palmetto Waterfront Vacation House
- Be sure to arrive on your first day before sunset! - Palmetto Waterfront Vacation House
- Intimate private beach for sun lovers beside shady banyon tree. - Palmetto Waterfront Vacation House
- Your 200' of waterfront property is gated and fenced.
- Your entrance exudes Florida charm of days gone by.
- A cook's kitchen w/bar seating for 7 opens to wonderful entertainment area!
- Beachside restaurants are minutes away. Many to choose from!
- Large dining room easily seats 12!
- Old Florida combined with Caribbean flare
- Screen porch with a view of the Manatee River and Hooker Bay
- Your view from the screened porch.
- A guest fishing at low tide.
- The beach, the bench and the swing!
- Kayaking with the dolphins and manatees on Manatee River
- guests of Casa enjoy a cocktail at Mar Vista, a short boat ride away
- Friendships and family ties strengthen with time spent together.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #206147
There have been 6263 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2008.
This listing was first published here in 2008.
Date last modified - October 15, 2009


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