FAQs – 8916 Gulf St.Where do I park?

Gasparilla Marina is one option.  They’re located at 1500l Gasparilla Rd. in Placida. The marina offers boat rentals and a full ship store with bait, clothing, ice, fishing needs.  Parking permits may be picked up at the office.  They charge $5.00 per day for parking and offer discounts on long-term parking.  Please call to get parking/boat launching information. Gasparilla Marina’s phone number is 941-697-2280.

Another option is Eldred’s Marina. Eldred’s sells bait and provides a boat ramp and parking for cars and trailers. Pay for your parking upon your arrival. They charge $5.00 per day to park your car either with or without a trailer.   If you have your own boat, Eldred’s charges a $5.00 launch fee which includes the first day of parking.

Directions to either marina:

Take Interstate 75 South to exit 191 (Northport/Englewood). Turn right onto River Road off the exit to second light, approx. 5.6 miles (intersection of River Road and US 41). Cross US 41 (Continue straight)  and travel for 6.6 miles to the second traffic light light and turn left onto Pine Street, which becomes SR 775. Follow SR 775 for approx. 10.6 miles to Boca Grande Causeway.  Continue straight over the new bridge and Gasparilla Marina is the second left after crossing the bridge.  To get to the public boat dock/parking or Eldred’s Marina, turn right at the Boca Grande Causeway stoplight.  The Public boat dock is to your immediate right and Eldred’s Marina follows immediately.  Eldred’s Marina’s phone number is 941-697-1431.

How do we get to the island if we don’t have our own boat?

Scenic Tours & Water Taxi will take you directly from Gasparilla Marina or Eldred’s Marina to Gulf Street’s dock, which is #48. You will need to confirm your arrival time with Captain Willie by calling him on his cell at 941-662-6084. We suggest you call him a few days before you arrival to make arrangements, and then call again the day of your arrival to confirm your pickup time and location. Captain Willie does not run a scheduled route; each trip is individually arranged.

Which dock do I have access to?

Our dock is #48 which is on Gulf Street.  When you are heading toward Little Gasparilla Island, follow the channel markers until they split north-south.  Follow the markers north to the minimum wake buoy and marker.  The dock is shortly after the buoy.  The docks are all numbered, and ours has yellow steps.  If you have your own boat, you may use one of the slips to accommodate a boat up to 22’.  The north side of the dock is for smaller boats; the south side is deeper for larger boats.  You are responsible for any and all boat damage incurred by or at the dock. If you rented a boat and you are not sure how to tie it up properly, be sure to ask the rental company for proper instructions.

How far is the house from the dock?

Walking at a leisurely pace, the house is a very short walk from the dock, about midway from the bay to the beach.  It is the 5th house on the left.  It has a wide staircase and decorated buoys hanging below the deck. There is a “Seafanz” sign on the upper deck.   To see the house’s location, go to Google maps and enter the address:  8916 Gulf Street, Placida.

How will I get my groceries and supplies to the house?

There is a wagon/pull cart at the rental house to help you with your supplies.  If we are on the island, we will leave a dock cart at the dock.  We may also be able to lend our golf cart to get things to the house.  If you have rented a golf cart, Lowell will either leave it at the dock or at the house for you.

How far is the beach from the house?

Again, assuming a somewhat leisurely pace, the beach is about a two-minute walk down Gulf Street.  The road ends, and there is a sand path between the blue house and the blue-roofed house.  That is your access to the beach.

How do I get around the island?

Little Gasparilla Island is a small island with no “roads” or vehicles (except for several service vehicles).  People walk or use golf carts to get from place to place.  The only business on the island is the golf cart rental.  Contact Lowell McElroy at  941-697-3820 in advance if you are interested in renting a golf cart.

What do I bring?

Pack light! You may possibly spend the entire time in a bathing suit or shorts and a t-shirt in the summer. You might want a light weight windbreaker and/or a rain coat. Plan to dress warmer in the winter months; jacket or sweatshirt and jeans.  You will need to bring sun screen, insect repellant, fishing gear, and all your groceries since there are no stores on the island.  The house has many amenities and furnishings. A starter supply of paper towels, napkins, and toilet paper are provided, as well as cleaning supplies including dish-washing detergent.

Salt, pepper, catsup, and mustard are provided. Use what you need. If there is a favorite spice or condiment that you need, be sure to bring it with you. All necessary cooking and eating utensils are provided. Coffee filters are also provided.  There is an icemaker in the freezer.   The house has the island water service from the reverse osmosis/desalination plant.  The water is safe for cooking and drinking; however, some people prefer bottled water.

Where do I shop for groceries?

You will need to buy all your groceries before you meet the water taxi or launch your boat. Publix is a large, clean, well organized grocery store with an excellent reputation throughout Florida.  The nearest one is located at 8725 Placida Road in Placida.  Adjacent to Publix is a liquor store. It is a two minute drive from Publix to Eldred’s Marina.

You might want to bring an ice chest for the perishables. Publix sells inexpensive ice chests.

What time is check-in?

Check-in is after 3:00 p.m. on your arrival date. Early or late checks-in times are possible, but please make arrangements in advance. If the house is not rented the morning of your arrival, check in time is flexible.  If you plan on arriving early, be sure to call or email to see when the house will be ready for you.

What time is check-out?

In order to prepare for our next guests, check-out is before 10:00 a.m.  Plan to give yourself enough time to put dirty linens in the laundry baskets, pack your belongings, wash, dry and place dishes back in the cabinets, and gather your trash.  All trash must be taken with you when you leave.

Is the water safe to drink?

The house is connected to the island’s reverse osmosis/desalination plant.  It is perfectly safe to cook with, bathe with, and drink.   It is not necessary, but some people prefer to bring some bottled water for drinking while others use the available water.  (You may notice pipes under the house that connect with a neighbor’s cistern.   The pipes are shut off, and the cistern is an emergency/back-up source of water for the only.)

Are pets allowed on the beach?

You’ll find that there are lots of people who take their dogs to our beach, including us.  Many islanders and guests have dogs.  While Charlotte County does have a “no dogs on beach” law, there is no “animal patrol” located on Little Gasparilla Island.  When a complaint is received, they will travel from the mainland to enforce the policy.  Dogs should be controlled/leashed and picked up after.  In the summer and fall months (May 1 – October 31), sea turtles come up to lay eggs on the beach.  It is extremely important to monitor pets during the turtle-nesting season.

Have a question? Leave it below, or contact us.  We’ll be happy to answer it!