Hotels in Gasparilla Island

Discover Old Florida's enduring magic on this barrier island where golf carts outnumber taxis and time slows to a pleasant crawl. The Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum offers panoramic Gulf views, while Gasparilla Island State Park delivers pristine beaches where finding your own stretch of sand is surprisingly easy. Rent a bicycle to explore streets lined with pastel cottages and banyan trees that seem straight from a picture book. Whidden's Marina has been outfitting tarpon anglers since 1926, their walls documenting epic catches. Even if fishing isn't your passion, the marina's old-salt atmosphere provides a glimpse into island life before resort fees. Don't miss sunset at Boca Grande Beach, where dolphins often appear just offshore as if scheduled by the tourism board.