Little Gasparilla Island & Surrounding
Neighborhoods
Boca Grande is the Tarpon fishing capital of the World, and is a lovely island to visit either to take a fishing charter, explore the cute downtown for lunch and shopping, or for a proper fine dining experience (some restaurants require jackets).
The bridge to Boca is less than a two minute drive from our mainland ferry dock, and there is a $6 toll.
167 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Boca Grande
Boca Grande is the Tarpon fishing capital of the World, and is a lovely island to visit either to take a fishing charter, explore the cute downtown for lunch and shopping, or for a proper fine dining experience (some restaurants require jackets).
The bridge to Boca is less than a two minute drive from our mainland ferry dock, and there is a $6 toll.
Well you're already here. But, beyond our neighborhood of Hideaway Bay Beach Club, there is a a good bit of island to explore. Walk the seven miles of pristine beach, or cruise the miles of paths in a golf cart or by foot. Watch for local wildlife that includes numerous species of birds, turtles, fish, and more!
Little Gasparilla
Little GasparillaWell you're already here. But, beyond our neighborhood of Hideaway Bay Beach Club, there is a a good bit of island to explore. Walk the seven miles of pristine beach, or cruise the miles of paths in a golf cart or by foot. Watch for local wildlife that includes numerous species of birds, turtles, fish, and more!
Food scene
A Boca staple with a deceiving exterior. Excellent lunch and dinner options, and a quiet but fun bar for an afternoon or evening cocktail.
12min drive from our mainland ferry dock.
12 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Temptation Restaurant
350 Park AveA Boca staple with a deceiving exterior. Excellent lunch and dinner options, and a quiet but fun bar for an afternoon or evening cocktail.
12min drive from our mainland ferry dock.
This is our favorite lunch stop on Boca Grande, usually followed up with dessert from their attached ice cream shop.
12min drive from our mainland ferry dock.
9 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Loose Caboose Restaurant
433 4th St WThis is our favorite lunch stop on Boca Grande, usually followed up with dessert from their attached ice cream shop.
12min drive from our mainland ferry dock.
The SandBar is an excellent stop for lunch or dinner with friends and family. Primarily outdoor seating, with some games and often live music. The kids can run around a bit, and you can feel dressed appropriate even coming in soaking wet from the boat or beach.
We usually make this a day trip by boat, leaving the island around 11AM and following the intercostal. Takes about 45 minutes. The docks are lacking a bit, but it's still a fun destination by land or sea.
18min drive from our mainland ferry dock.
159 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
SandBar Tiki & Grille
1975 Beach RdThe SandBar is an excellent stop for lunch or dinner with friends and family. Primarily outdoor seating, with some games and often live music. The kids can run around a bit, and you can feel dressed appropriate even coming in soaking wet from the boat or beach.
We usually make this a day trip by boat, leaving the island around 11AM and following the intercostal. Takes about 45 minutes. The docks are lacking a bit, but it's still a fun destination by land or sea.
18min drive from our mainland ferry dock.
Another of our favorites for lunch or dinner, but hard to get to. Rum Bay is located on our sister island of Palm Island (which we're actually attached to), so while you can walk the beach to get there, it would take some time...
Other options are to park in the Leverocks parking lot on the mainland (also a good restaurant) and there is a $6/pp water taxi that will take you across. If you have a boat, there is a dedicated dock that you can use right on the island.
If you plan to use the Rum Bay/Palm Island ferry, we always recommend that you call ahead and confirm details.
Highly recommend the seared Yellowfin tuna!
30min boat ride from the island docks. 5min drive to the restaurant ferry from our mainland ferry dock.
24 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Rum Bay
7092 Placida RoadAnother of our favorites for lunch or dinner, but hard to get to. Rum Bay is located on our sister island of Palm Island (which we're actually attached to), so while you can walk the beach to get there, it would take some time...
Other options are to park in the Leverocks parking lot on the mainland (also a good restaurant) and there is a $6/pp water taxi that will take you across. If you have a boat, there is a dedicated dock that you can use right on the island.
If you plan to use the Rum Bay/Palm Island ferry, we always recommend that you call ahead and confirm details.
Highly recommend the seared Yellowfin tuna!
30min boat ride from the island docks. 5min drive to the restaurant ferry from our mainland ferry dock.
The owners grew up in St. Croix and brought the Caribbean flair to the area. Definitely worth the 15min drive from the mainland ferry dock.
One of our favorites is the Very Berry Crab Salad.
14min drive from our mainland ferry docks.
135 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Farlows on the Water
2080 S McCall RdThe owners grew up in St. Croix and brought the Caribbean flair to the area. Definitely worth the 15min drive from the mainland ferry dock.
One of our favorites is the Very Berry Crab Salad.
14min drive from our mainland ferry docks.
Nothing better than a day trip to Cabbage Key for a "Cheeseburger in Paradise" (there are tales that Jimmy Buffet wrote the famous song here) and a deliciously dangerous Cabbage Creeper inside the money-lined walls of their bar historic bar.
We like to depart the island earlier, around 10:15AM, to arrive at Cabbage get around 11AM. Because of large tour boats, the wait for a table can sometimes be significant - an hour+ is not unusual.
However, we put our names in, and the group splits up. Some wander the island, some wander the gift shop and socks, some stay on the boat and enjoy drinks from the cooler, and others belly up to the bar inside.
If you don't have access to a boat, there are a number of ways to get to Cabbage Key. See them all at the link below.
https://cabbagekey.com/contact/#Directions-Boat
30-45min boat ride from our boat docks.
28 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Cabbage Key
Nothing better than a day trip to Cabbage Key for a "Cheeseburger in Paradise" (there are tales that Jimmy Buffet wrote the famous song here) and a deliciously dangerous Cabbage Creeper inside the money-lined walls of their bar historic bar.
We like to depart the island earlier, around 10:15AM, to arrive at Cabbage get around 11AM. Because of large tour boats, the wait for a table can sometimes be significant - an hour+ is not unusual.
However, we put our names in, and the group splits up. Some wander the island, some wander the gift shop and socks, some stay on the boat and enjoy drinks from the cooler, and others belly up to the bar inside.
If you don't have access to a boat, there are a number of ways to get to Cabbage Key. See them all at the link below.
https://cabbagekey.com/contact/#Directions-Boat
30-45min boat ride from our boat docks.
A fine-dining Italian experience on Boca Grande, excellent for a couple's date night.
We've not had their breakfast but I've heard good things.
12min drive from our mainland ferry dock.
Scarpa's Coastal
321 Park AveA fine-dining Italian experience on Boca Grande, excellent for a couple's date night.
We've not had their breakfast but I've heard good things.
12min drive from our mainland ferry dock.
Closed until 2024 - was completely wiped out by Hurricane Ian.
Their website states that they are operating out of another place in Downtown Boca Grande called Mimis, but we've yet to visit them there.
22 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
South Beach Bar & Grille
760 Gulf BlvdClosed until 2024 - was completely wiped out by Hurricane Ian.
Their website states that they are operating out of another place in Downtown Boca Grande called Mimis, but we've yet to visit them there.
Though we've only been here once, it's on the water and easily reachable by boat from the island. Love the outside seating and I had and enjoyed the angus sliders.
15min drive from our mainland ferry dock.
48 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Beach Road Wine Bar And Bistro
1350 Beach RdThough we've only been here once, it's on the water and easily reachable by boat from the island. Love the outside seating and I had and enjoyed the angus sliders.
15min drive from our mainland ferry dock.
Great location and great food. Across from public beach, so catch a beautiful sunset and then walk over for a nice dinner. Can't go wrong here!
15min drive from our mainland ferry dock.
113 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Lock 'N Key Restaurant
2045 N Beach RdGreat location and great food. Across from public beach, so catch a beautiful sunset and then walk over for a nice dinner. Can't go wrong here!
15min drive from our mainland ferry dock.
Our favorite Italian near the island, and much more casual than Scarpa's on Boca. Lovely staff, good pricing, and authentic cuisine.
Just 8min drive from our mainland ferry dock.
Isabella's Bistro
6800 Placida RdOur favorite Italian near the island, and much more casual than Scarpa's on Boca. Lovely staff, good pricing, and authentic cuisine.
Just 8min drive from our mainland ferry dock.
Excellent waterfront restaurant and bar often with live music, with dockage for boats.
56 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Lighthouse Grill at Stump Pass
260 Maryland AvenueExcellent waterfront restaurant and bar often with live music, with dockage for boats.
Barnacles
4401 Point House TrailGreat place to boat to for a casual lunch or dinner!
Four Star restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. This is the mainland sister property of Cabbage Key, and is a great option for an upscale lunch or dinner by boat from LGI.
26 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Tarpon Lodge
13771 Waterfront DrFour Star restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. This is the mainland sister property of Cabbage Key, and is a great option for an upscale lunch or dinner by boat from LGI.
Sisters is one of our favorite places to visit for pizza. It's right next to downtown Boca Grande, walkable to all of the shops and other restaurants in the area.
Sisters Restaurant
480 E Railroad AveSisters is one of our favorite places to visit for pizza. It's right next to downtown Boca Grande, walkable to all of the shops and other restaurants in the area.
Sightseeing
This has proven in our minds to be the best value for boat rentals if you're looking for multiple days. I believe a 3-day minimum is required, but they will deliver it to the Hideaway Bay boat dock and have it waiting for you and your friends and family.
Weekly Boat Rental
9400 Little GasparillaThis has proven in our minds to be the best value for boat rentals if you're looking for multiple days. I believe a 3-day minimum is required, but they will deliver it to the Hideaway Bay boat dock and have it waiting for you and your friends and family.
This is our go-to if we're just renting the boat for a day trip, and they have the nicest boats in our experience.
Usually we ask them to adjust the day rental hours back to 10-6pm (they usually agree, but not always), and then we take the 8AM or 10AM ferry to our car, drive the five minutes to the marina, and grab the boat from there. I like to drop off the group on the way back, then return the boat to the marina in time to catch the 6PM ferry.
8 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Gasparilla Marina
15001 Gasparilla RdThis is our go-to if we're just renting the boat for a day trip, and they have the nicest boats in our experience.
Usually we ask them to adjust the day rental hours back to 10-6pm (they usually agree, but not always), and then we take the 8AM or 10AM ferry to our car, drive the five minutes to the marina, and grab the boat from there. I like to drop off the group on the way back, then return the boat to the marina in time to catch the 6PM ferry.
If you think LGI is secluded, then make arrangements to stop at Cayo Costa. This is often an anchor stop on the way back from Cabbage Key, where we get a little sun and fun out on the completely empty beach.
There are options to some amenities and camping options within the park as well. See all at https://www.floridastateparks.org/index.php/plan-your-visit.
23 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Cayo Costa
If you think LGI is secluded, then make arrangements to stop at Cayo Costa. This is often an anchor stop on the way back from Cabbage Key, where we get a little sun and fun out on the completely empty beach.
There are options to some amenities and camping options within the park as well. See all at https://www.floridastateparks.org/index.php/plan-your-visit.
This is an interesting and educational stop if you're cruising around Boca looking for something to do. Doesn't take a ton of time, and the views of the world famous Boca Grande Pass are excellent.
"Barrier Island Parks Society manages and operates historic Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum. Set inside Gasparilla Island State Park at the southernmost tip of Gasparilla Island, the lighthouse is the oldest structure on the island and has been a beacon to mariners since 1890."
25 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum
880 Belcher RdThis is an interesting and educational stop if you're cruising around Boca looking for something to do. Doesn't take a ton of time, and the views of the world famous Boca Grande Pass are excellent.
"Barrier Island Parks Society manages and operates historic Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum. Set inside Gasparilla Island State Park at the southernmost tip of Gasparilla Island, the lighthouse is the oldest structure on the island and has been a beacon to mariners since 1890."
"While the literary collection is impressive, it may not even be the main attraction given the impressive collection of shells, flora that abounds, the courtyard and architectural wonder of the building itself." -ExperianceBocaGrande.com
Johann Fust Community Library
1040 10th St W"While the literary collection is impressive, it may not even be the main attraction given the impressive collection of shells, flora that abounds, the courtyard and architectural wonder of the building itself." -ExperianceBocaGrande.com
This park is what connects LGI from Palm Island, and can be walked through by driving to the north end of the island, and walking onto the beach into the park, or kayaked through its many mangrove passages.
21 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Don Pedro Island State Park
8450 Placida RdThis park is what connects LGI from Palm Island, and can be walked through by driving to the north end of the island, and walking onto the beach into the park, or kayaked through its many mangrove passages.
Fishing
Reel Intense was rated the #1 of 34 charter fishing operations out of Boca Grande on Trip Advisor. We are actually not much of a fishing family - mostly just beach, boating, and relaxing - but we've read over countless reviews and they seem like a business we would trust for inshore fishing.
Reel Intense Inshore Charters
5800 Gasparilla RdReel Intense was rated the #1 of 34 charter fishing operations out of Boca Grande on Trip Advisor. We are actually not much of a fishing family - mostly just beach, boating, and relaxing - but we've read over countless reviews and they seem like a business we would trust for inshore fishing.
Big Bully was rated the #2 of 34 charter fishing operations out of Boca Grande on Trip Advisor. Again, we are actually not much of a fishing family - mostly just beach, boating, and relaxing - but we've read over countless reviews and they seem like a business we would trust for inshore fishing.
Big Bully Outdoors
Big Bully was rated the #2 of 34 charter fishing operations out of Boca Grande on Trip Advisor. Again, we are actually not much of a fishing family - mostly just beach, boating, and relaxing - but we've read over countless reviews and they seem like a business we would trust for inshore fishing.
Florida Inshore was rated the #e of 34 charter fishing operations out of Boca Grande on Trip Advisor. Like I mentioned, we are actually not much of a fishing family - mostly just beach, boating, and relaxing - but we've read over countless reviews and they seem like a business we would trust for inshore fishing.
Florida Inshore Xtream Charters
15001 Gasparilla RdFlorida Inshore was rated the #e of 34 charter fishing operations out of Boca Grande on Trip Advisor. Like I mentioned, we are actually not much of a fishing family - mostly just beach, boating, and relaxing - but we've read over countless reviews and they seem like a business we would trust for inshore fishing.
Grocery
The perfect place to stock up just before the island, this Publix grocery store is just 1.5 miles from the ferry dock, and the plaza includes a liquor store.
Publix Super Market At Cape Haze
8725 Placida RdBob and Tina's family owned liquor store, next to Publix. Easy in/out on your way to the island or if you need to run out for supplies.
47 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
601 Howard England WayBob and Tina's family owned liquor store, next to Publix. Easy in/out on your way to the island or if you need to run out for supplies.