Gasparilla Island State Park

Boca Grande, Florida: Located on the southern tip of the private island of Boca Grande, Gasparilla Island State Park is a state park located on the Gulf of Mexico at the entrance to Charlotte Harbor. Since the late 1800’s, the two lighthouses that are located within the park have provided navigation to ships that navigate the shallow waters here. The park is a popular spot for fishing and shelling as well as Florida water sports.

Purchased by the State of Florida in 1983 and opened as a park in the park system, Gasparilla Island State Park contains miles of beachfront with several beach accesses. The clear warm Gulf of Mexico waters are a haven for sunbathers as well as wildlife. Many species of birds and animals call the park home including Osprey, Gulls, Terns, Iguanas, Tortoises and more. The waters are also home to a variety of sea life including dolphins, sharks and the popular sport fish Tarpon.

Anchoring the park at the southern tip is the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1890 at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor. It remained in operation until 1966. The lighthouse remained abandoned for twenty years before an effort to restore it and operate it as an museum.

The north end of the park is home to a second lighthouse, the Gasparilla Island Rear Range light. This lighthouse began its life in Delaware. It was decommissioned in Lewes, Delaware in 1918. It was then transported to Boca Grande and rebuilt, returning to operation here in 1932. The two lighthouses worked in conjunction to help ships enter Charlotte Harbor.

In addition to the beach activities, thousands of visitors flock to the offshore waters of the park to engage in tarpon fishing. At 80 feet in depth, the Boca Grande Pass is one of the deepest passes on the Gulf coast of Florida, providing for great fishing.

So whether you are looking to go fishing, observe wildlife, look for shells and sharks teeth or just bask in the Florida sun, Gasparilla Island State Park offers one stop that will entertain everyone in the family.

For photos from the park, visit my Boca Grande photo page.

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