Gasparilla Island is a seven-mile long barrier island in southwest Florida, between Fort Myers and Sarasota on the Gulf Coast. Accessible by boat or over the toll bridge, the island depends on tourism for much of its economy. Tourists come to admire the beauty of the landscape, to see wildlife and to participate in water sports and other activities.
The seven miles of soft white sand beaches and the clear waters of the Gulf are a big selling point for tourism. One of the most well-known landmarks is the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse in the Gasparilla Island State Park, a working lighthouse constructed from wood in 1890, which has been restored and is open to the public. The park also contains the Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum, a visitor center and a restored chapel.
Gasparilla Island State Park
880 Belcher Road
Boca Grande, FL 33921
941-964-0375
floridastateparks.org/gasparillaisland
The main activities are related to the beach lifestyle, such as swimming, snorkeling, beachcombing for shells, surfing and scuba diving. Sailing is popular and visitors can launch their own boat from the island's marina or charter a boat. Wildlife watching brings opportunities to see dolphins, manatees and different species of birds, such as pelicans and osprey. The island attracts fishing enthusiasts, particularly during spring for the tarpon season. The Gasparilla Island State Park attracts hikers, and there are picnic pavilions.
Boca Grande is a small town that has been preserved to retain its unspoiled nature. There are no high-rise buildings and not much traffic. Local artists exhibit in the galleries, and it's a center for upmarket shops and seafood restaurants.
Various types of accommodation are available to visitors, including vacation rentals and hotels. There are condos, cottages, cabins and villas, as well as many inns, some of them dating back to the early 1900s. However, there are no campgrounds on the island; camping is available at nearby Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte.
Several annual events appear on the calendar, and visitors can time their vacation to suit their interests. Fishing is celebrated with the Boca Grande Fishing Guides Invitational Tarpon Tournament in July. There is the Annual Shakespeare Workshop in January and the springtime Boca in Bloom floral display. The holidays are commemorated with the Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Carnival and the Holiday Boat Parade in December. The Gasparilla Island State Park hosts live music and other events, often associated with wildlife and the environment.
Because of the Gulf breeze, this subtropical climate is not too hot in the summer. The rainy season is from June through September, with quickly appearing thunderstorms. Winters are mild and the hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico usually begins in late summer and lasts through late October.
