Boca Grande Beach is a beach destination on Gasparilla Island on Florida’s west coast. Bathed by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, this area has a laid-back ambience and old-world charm. The light-coloured sands of Boca Grande Beach are where beachgoers will enjoy a stroll along the shore. Edged by palms and other subtropical plants, Boca Grande Beach is a place where memories are made.

On the Gulf Coast of Florida northwest of Fort Myers lies Boca Grande, an affluent and beautiful coastal community where fishing is a way of life and undeveloped islands are just a short boat ride away.

Explore the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum at Gasparilla Isand State Parks and the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse, and spend time at the state park fishing, snorkeling the placid teal water, and looking for shells. Bring or rent a bike to ride the six-mile Boca Grande Rail Trail, which stretches along the length of the island.

Visit the historic and luxurious Gasparilla Inn & Club, which was built in 1911 and has retained its Old-Florida charm through renovations and updates. Stay for lunch or dinner and book a treatment at the spa. For a casual yet sophisticated meal and sweet treats, head to our favorite, Keylime Bistro, which is housed in a historic train station downtown.

Venture out to nearby Cayo Costa, a barrier island accessible only by boat, either by kayak or motorized boat and experience nine miles of undeveloped shoreline to swim, fish, and collect shells.

Boca Grande offers several beach access points to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Gasparilla Island. Most access points include some public parking, although spaces can be very limited, especially on weekends. The access points along Gilchrist Avenue are well-marked from the road and among the easiest to find parking.

The 105’ tower was built in 1881 by the Phoenix Iron Company of Trenton, N.J. It began service just north of Lewes, Delaware as the Delaware Breakwater Rear Range Light, known locally as the Green Hill Lighthouse. In 1927, the lighthouse was reassembled and installed on Gasparilla Island just south of the town of Boca Grande by the U.S. Lighthouse Service. The tower was painted white and a 4th order Fresnel lens was installed and lit on January 1, 1932. The light was not manned, but continuously maintained by

the Light Keepers of Gasparilla Island Light Station, better known as Port Boca Grande Lighthouse.

The Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, built in 1890, was originally used to safely guide ships into the Charlotte Harbor. The lighthouse is an iron screw pile design with a wood frame and when lit, is visible from up to 12 miles away. It is one of only six lighthouses in Florida to be open to the public, and the only one on the west coast.

The Boca Grande & Placida area have bragging rights for some of the clearest waters in South West Florida! The waters here are home to countless species of Fish, Turtles, Dolphin, Manatee and so much more!

We launch from a cove offering very calm and shallow water, making for an easy paddle, and has direct access to the very popular Boca Grande Sandbar and nearby Islands!