South Tampa and Little Gasparilla Island Expert

West Coast Florida’s Best Kept Secret: Little Gasparilla Island

Located just north of Boca Grande on the South West Coast of Florida, Little Gasparilla Island is a hidden Gem. The Island is about 7 miles long but less than a mile wide. The north end of the island hosts a State Park while the secluded south end is dotted with single family stilt homes and townhomes at the Hideaway Bay Beach Club. There are no cars on Little Gasparilla Island, you’ll need to arrive by boat.

Once on the island, the most popular mode of transport is by golf cart or simply a quiet stroll.

The fishing is great both inshore and offshore. Snook, redfish and tarpon are in abundance here. It is a fisherman’s paradise.

Shelling is legendary on the pristine white powder sand beach. You’ll find many different species of shells along with the sand dollar and star fish. When you get tired of shell collecting, just take a dip in the quiet waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

The old Florida beauty of the island is evident all around you and makes this a perfect place to just sit back and relax.

Local wildlife include the ospreys making nests on the powerlines, gopher tortoises walking along with you down the sand paths, egrets and herons catching their dinner out of the water, and don’t forget the dolphin and manatees.

The tropical landscape is beautiful with seagrapes, seaoats and all types of palm trees. Florida wildflowers are in abundance for color, and a stray cactus even pops up here and there. Everything seems to slowly sway with the gulf breeze.

Saving the best for last would be the absolute mesmerizing sunsets. If you haven’t seen a West Coast Florida Sunset before, you are missing out. Little Gasparilla Island is home to some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.

Once You Have Slept on an Island

One you have slept on an island
You’ll never be quite the same
You may look as you looked before
And go by the same old name
You may hustle about in street and shop,
You may sit at home and sew,
But you’ll forever see blue water
And wheeling gulls
Wherever your feet may go.

You may chat with neighbors
Of this and that.
And close to the fire keep,
But you’ll hear ships’ whistles
And lighthouse bells
And tides beat through your sleep.

And you won’t know why
And you can’t say how
Such a thing upon you came.
But once you have slept on an island
You won’t be quite the same.

- Rachel Fields