by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels

The 127 acres of Gasparilla Island State Park run along the southwestern tip of Gasparilla Island, one in a chain of barrier islands along the gulf coast of southern Florida. Although the park is known for outstanding fishing, historic lighthouses, excellent shelling, and some of the best surfing in South Florida, most would agree that the park’s greatest charm is its superb beaches.

Sandspur Beach on Gasparilla Island

Many proclaim Gasparilla’s pristine white sands to be among the best in the state, if not the finest. Three beach areas, Sea Grape, Range Light, and Dune, provide year-round swimming and snorkeling in the aquamarine waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Beach facilities include improved parking, restrooms, covered picnic pavilions, showers and restrooms.

Historic Boca Grande Lighthouse

The wooden lighthouse on the southern end of Gasparilla Island, first placed into use by the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1890, was the first building to be constructed on Gasparilla Island. Its light served as a guide to mariners bound for the Port of Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor until it was extinguished in 1966. The facility languished until the Florida Department of Environmental Protection assumed ownership in 1985 and spent a year restoring the lighthouse. In 1986, twenty years after going dark, Boca Grande’s light was relit upon the occasion of its reopening as a Museum and Visitor’s Center. Today the restored lighthouse is the crown jewel of the park. It is open to the public from 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. daily from November through April. From May through October it is open Monday through Friday, and it is always closed on major holidays.

Boats dot the water off Lighthouse Beach

Gasparilla Island State Park is accessed via the Boca Grande Causeway at County Road 775 and Placida in Boca Grande, Florida. The bridge crossing over to the island is private and requires a $4 toll; beach use requires and additional $2 day use fee.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel