HomeAway is the world leader in vacation rentals with over 1 million listings. We offer the largest selection of properties for any travel occasion and every budget. We're committed to helping families and friends find a perfect vacation rental to create unforgettable travel experiences together.
There's no question that this quaint and quiet barrier island just off Florida's Gulf Coast easily recalls a simpler time. With no roads and limited car access, the island's main town of Boca Grande is similar to the mainland's Boca Raton in name only! This Boca is without traffic lights, chain stores, and highrises. Here, it's easy to settle into the laid back coastal vibe, which means finding the perfect Gasparilla Island vacation rental to call your homebase. If there's anywhere worth experiencing like a local, it's this dreamy little island chock full of Southern charm.
At only three square miles, it's easy to see the entire island by bike or golf cart -- and most do. Gasparilla Island is a year-round haven for fishermen and beach-goers, but those seeking more indoor activities will enjoy its few small museums, or the locally owned shops in the heart of Boca Grande. The island's true highlights, however, are found offshore. Boat charters offer fishing opportunities and dolphin watching, and a variety of watersports, such as kayaking, jet skiing, and stand up paddle boarding, are available around the island.
While much of the island's charm is found outside, one of its most popular attractions is the Port Boca Lighthouse Museum. In a structure dating back to 1890 and nestled in Gasparilla Island State Park, it explores the island's history from 12,000 BC to now. After, see the natural beauty firsthand -- from the museum's front porch or along the Boca Grande Bike Path. Running the length of the island, the six-mile path follows an old rail bed, and is perfect for self-guided tours or cooling off on one of the readily accessible beaches.
Thanks to an annual average temperate of 75 degrees, it's likely you can take a dip no matter the season. While the mercury does drop a bit in December and January, calm tropical breezes still might make for perfect beach days. June through September can be fairly rainy, but you can look at this as nature's way of cooling off those humid summer days. The best advice is to pack light, but with an extra layer or two for snuggling up in your Gasparilla Island vacation rental on those cool winter nights or rainy summer evenings.
There's no question that the island packs a ton of natural beauty into a decidedly small space. Featuring national parks, bike paths, and pristine beaches around every corner, it's not hard for a nature lover to feel immediately at home in a Gasparilla Island vacation rental. With no bridge access to the mainland, travelers and locals alike can bond over the remote beauty and old-school Southern charm that's an essential part of life on this tiny little island in the Gulf.