Boca Grande Lighthouse: Location, History & Visitor Information

The Boca Grande Lighthouse (also known as the Gasparilla Island Light) stands at the southern tip of Gasparilla Island, marking the entrance to Boca Grande Pass—the deep-water channel connecting the Gulf of Mexico to Charlotte Harbor.

Precise Location

• Coordinates: 26°44′44″ N, 82°15′50″ W
• Address: 880 Belcher Rd, Boca Grande, FL 33921 (within Gasparilla Island State Park)
• Distance from Mainland: ~8.5 miles (13.7 km) west of the town of Boca Grande (on the mainland via the Boca Grande Causeway).
• Access: Reachable by car via the toll causeway (CR 771) from Placida, or by boat to the state park's dock.

Historical Snapshot

• Built: 1890 (first lit December 31, 1890).
• Deactivated: 1966 (replaced by a skeletal tower).
• Restored & Relit: 1986 (by the Barrier Island Parks Society).
• Current Status: Active private aid to navigation; listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1980).

Visiting the Lighthouse

• Park Hours: 8:00 AM – Sunset, daily.
• Lighthouse Museum: Open 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (seasonal; check Florida State Parks website).
• Climbing: The tower is not open for climbing; the museum is housed in the adjacent keeper's dwelling.
• Fees: $2 per pedestrian/bicycle; $5 per vehicle (up to 8 people) – state park entry fee.

Nearby Attractions

• Gasparilla Island State Park: Beaches, shelling, fishing, nature trails.
• Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum: The 1890 rear-range light (now a museum) near the marina.
• Boca Grande Pass: World-renowned tarpon fishing (spring season).

The Boca Grande Lighthouse remains a beloved symbol of Florida's maritime heritage and a picturesque stop on the Gulf Coast's barrier island chain.