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TracyN\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n
If you’re looking for a relaxing break from Orlando’s top-notch eats and vibrant nightlife<\/a>, the stretch of Florida between Orlando and Gainesville is chock-full of serene escapes \u2014 including the “Gateway To The Ocala National Forest”<\/a>\u00a0and more. For a lake-facing destination that offers prime fishing opportunities as well as generally peaceful vibes, don’t overlook the quaint unincorporated community<\/a> of Grand Island. Whether you’re an avid fishing fan or are simply eager for a quiet vacation on the water, Grand Island is worth checking out.<\/p>\n Grand Island is just 45 miles \u2014 or about 50 minutes \u2014 from Orlando by car, and around an hour and a half from Gainesville, making it an easily accessible getaway from either metropolis or a convenient stop-over if you’re driving between the two. The nearest airport is Leesburg International Airport, which doesn’t offer commercial flights. So unless you have a private jet or already live in Florida, you will want to fly into Orlando International Airport<\/a>, which is about an hour’s drive from Grand Island. While Grand Island itself is a small community, there are several hotels and motels within a five-mile radius that you can choose from, not to mention numerous lakefront Airbnbs<\/a> in Grand Island and its neighboring areas.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Enjoy Grand Island’s serenity<\/p>\n This charming community might look rural at first glance, says local realtor Kelly LaFave<\/a>, but in actuality Grand Island is more like a waterfront village than a countryside hamlet. There’s no shortage here of inclusive small-town vibes: Grand Island is a\u00a0family-friendly community, and Nextdoor.com gives it an impressively high friendliness rating of 96<\/a>. With a population of under 300 permanent residents, this is the kind of place where there are no strangers, just familiar faces with a shared love of the water and the great outdoors.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you’re eager to slow down the pace and enjoy a vacation without pressure, this is a great option. \u00a0Grand Island is particularly quiet, without much in the way of businesses or food establishments in the community itself. However, visitors can rest assured that there’s plenty of offerings in the vicinity,\u00a0from locally-owned restaurants to Publix and Winn-Dixie supermarkets a short distance away. And if your idea of leisure is hitting the links, Grand Island is also home to Wedgewood Golf Course<\/a>, an affordable\u00a0nine-hole course suitable for all skill levels.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Go fishing in Grand Island’s two lakes<\/p>\n
Noah Densmore\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Grand Island is nestled on a slip of land directly between two lakes: Lake Yale and the larger Lake Eustis. As LaFave puts it<\/a>, “it’s every water lover’s dream.” There’s ample opportunity here for all kinds of lake fun \u2013\u00a0including boating, tubing, and more \u2014 but perhaps the most notable activity at hand is fishing.\u00a0Lake Eustis’ canals hold fish year-round<\/a>, meaning that no matter what time of year you’re visiting, you’re likely to find success in these waters. Kick off your day of fishing at the Eustis City ramp, at the docks near Haines Creek, or by heading to the memorably-named Gator Hole. Located next to the Harbor Shore Canals, fortunate anglers\u00a0have a good chance there of snagging a sizable bass.\u00a0If you prefer to have a local guide showing you the ropes instead of going it alone, you can book a guided fishing trip<\/a> on Lake Eustis and spend the day on an experienced captain’s boat.<\/p>\n Your other primary fishing option is Lake Yale, which is also an ideal spot to fish for bass and is located only a few miles north of Lake Eustis. While the bass here might be smaller than in Lake Eustis, their abundant numbers make up for it. And like at Lake Eustis, there’s fishing available year-round here. If, after your time in Grand Island, you haven’t had your fill of bass fishing, make a pit stop at Florida’s under-the-radar lake outside Orlando, Johns Lake<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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