Vacation Rentals by Owner

Another wonderful stay at Seafanz

Guest: lovemytanner (Palm Harbor, FL)
Date of Stay: 05/17/12 Review Submitted: 05/24/12

This is the second time that we have stayed at Seafanz. The house is always clean and comfortable. You really only need to bring your clothes, food and drinks. The rest is taken care of for you. There are plenty of chairs, beach toys, floats and umbrellas to use. The kitchen is well appointed with all you need to make meals. There's even a brand new gas grill. Another unforgetable long weekend of sun and fun with my friends and family. See you next year, if not sooner Diane and Ken!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

Island Ideal

Guest: Terri (Palm Harbor, FL)
Date of Stay: 04/18/12 Review Submitted: 04/30/12

This was the perfect romantic getaway for us. We don't have the opportunity to spend much time together with a very long distance relationship, so we were really looking for a place to totally relax, unwind, unplug from work, and connect with eachother. Seafanz was Perfect! The house is super clean, comfy, and cozy and it has everything one could need to prepare a candlelit dinner for two on the veranda or a BBQ feast for a big family. Pet friendly, kid friendly, great spot for Girlfriends Getaway and the owners Diana and Ken are super sweet, gracious hosts. We will definitely come back again and again, with the kids and without. Our favorite activities: leisurely coffee on the deck in the morning, cooking on the awesome grill, long meandering walks on the truly magnificent beach collecting shark's teeth, and stargazing on the beach at night. There are fancier, more expensive places on the island but I don't think you'll find any more comfortable or relaxing for such a great value.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Seafanz: Uncrowded Beaches and Great Fishing and Exploring!

Guest: barkingdogsinDC (Charlotte, NC)
Date of Stay: 03/31/12 Review Submitted: 04/08/12

Seafanz was a perfect retreat for a spring break getaway with our kids, 13 and 15, and our dog. Little Gasparilla is an "off the beaten path" location where you can relax and get a taste of coastal life and nature as it was 100 years ago. Seafanz is a very functional homebase, with 2 upstairs bedrooms, bath, living room, kitchen and deck, and then a downstairs master suite with bathroom and deck. There is a laundry/utility "man" room with a toilet (this was handy and accessible) and fish cleaning area. Our trip the first week of April provided perfect weather, but there is no screened porch, so it's possible bugs might be a concern in summer, although I'd imagine the ocean breeze helps keep them at bay. Our week was filled with an empty beach on one side and a quiet bay on the other where we saw osprey, a bald eagle, manatee, dolphins and countless other fish and fowl. We also had good luck angling, catching several nice speckled trout, along with ladyfish, redfish, snook and saltwater cats. I especially enjoyed taking the kayak out ($10/day) for some fishing and exploring in the bay. Ken and Diana couldn't have been nicer and were the most gracious hosts we've ever encountered in renting several VRBO properties. Lots of little extras like beach towels and toys, paper and plastic products and condiments. This small island community has no restaurants or retail establishments so bring what you need, but if you enjoy peace, quiet and nature, you'll love it. The wifi at the house kept us connected when we needed to, but beyond that, the week was about quiet and relaxing. We were afraid our kids would be bored, but they both enjoyed the natural setting and kept themselves occupied with beachtime, swimming, exploring and fishing, and our dog was in heaven. If you require shopping and nightlife, this probably isn't for you, although the shops of Boca Grande and the Port Charlotte area are a brief water-taxi ride away, it is kind of a hassle running back and forth and probably adds an hour and a half to any off-the-island errand, not to mention $20-40; more if after hours. The water taxi needs to be planned for, and it's best to confirm rates (about $5/head during "regular" hours) and availability in advance. We had a great experience and would recommend Capt Willie, not so much the other shuttle Captain, who we felt took advantage with his rates. Come to Little Gasparilla and Seafanz for a more relaxed and reflective beach experience. I'm sure we'll be back!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Relaxing, Peaceful Time! Our Second Visit

Guest: Joy (Queens, NY, United States)
Date of Stay: 03/04/12 Review Submitted: 03/13/12

We loved Seafanz and Little Gasparilla Island so much that we came back for the second year in a row. The house is great, very comfy, and the beach and island couldn't be more gorgeous. The place is best for nature lovers who get a kick out of things like gopher tortoises and manatees.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

We are great fans of Seafanz!

Guest: Susan (Overland Park, Kansas)
Date of Stay: 01/29/12 Review Submitted: 03/14/12

We loved Seafanz so much we are going back next year, and for a longer period of time. The house is very comfortable and well-equipped, with nice linens, towels, plenty of beach towels and every pot, pan and dish you need! The owners, Ken and Diana, make sure the house is stocked with kitchen and bath paper goods, foil, plastic wrap, etc. which is super convenient. There are also hair dryers, bath soaps, dish washing liquid and shampoo so you really can pack light. They have thought of everything! And the island itself is paradise! If you want an uncrowded beach (I counted maybe 25 on a holiday weekend!) this is the place for you! And if you have a dog, be sure to bring him or her. I have never before seen our dog smile, but she sure did on Little Gasparilla Island. This is a photographer's or artist's dream for never-ending subject matter. I was particularly inspired to write poetry. We do not have a boat, but found the water taxi service to be reliable and reasonably priced. A once a week trip to the mainland for lunch and groceries was all that was required, and we couldn't wait to get back to our island paradise!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Fantastic Weekend on Little Gasparilla

Guest: andy&diane (TORONTO CANADA)
Date of Stay: 01/27/12 Review Submitted: 03/06/12

Rented this house at the last minute for a getaway from cold in January. Arrived by water taxi (cheap) and my wife proclaimed "It's Gilligan's Island" There are palm trees sandy paths and a very short walk to Seafanz - a euatiful home. We totally relaxed in the warm sun, took long beach walks, and enjoyed cocktails in the hammock on the verandah ... All amenities in house as described and very clean/comfortable. A great weekend.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Wonderful place to vacation!

Guest: LJ (Marietta, GA)
Date of Stay: 12/26/11 Review Submitted: 01/17/12

What a wonderful vacation! The house was very nice and the kitchen was equipped with everything we needed. We enjoyed meeting Diana and Ken and they were very helpful with answering our questions and making sure we had everything we needed. The whole island was wonderfully hospitable and we plan on visiting again.

Owner response:Many visitors to our island home enjoy the easy-going atmosphere which is reflected in our neighbors and the surroundings!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

I would go back AGAIN and AGAIN!!!

Guest: J&CWoodley (Tampa, FL)
Date of Stay: 09/23/11 Review Submitted: 10/10/11

We are looking ahead to book an even longer stay at Seafanz!!!! -The "Woodley" clan.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

We love this island!

Guest: Diane (Inverness Florida)
Date of Stay: 07/27/11 Review Submitted: 08/24/11

What a great little island and wonderful rental. Thanks so much Ken and Diana for sharing your beach home with us. We really enjoyed meeting you! This was the first time we were able to take our dog to the beach. On this dog friendly island she was able to run on the beach and play with other dogs. The house has every thing that you will need except food and your bathing suit! It was accurately discribed, clean and well maintained. My sister and mother came with us and stayed upstairs in the main house and my husband and I stayed downstairs in the seperate suite. This gave us much privacy which was nice. My husband loved catching trout and serving them for dinner. You cant get any fresher than this!! There is a nice place under the house for cleaning the fish. They also provide beach chairs, umbrellas and toys. This is a wonderful house to stay in and we will certainly be back!!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Paradise!

Guest: Doughgirl (Highlands County)
Date of Stay: 07/16/11 Review Submitted: 08/04/11

We had a wonderful vacation! We love the Island and have spent a lot of time on the Island. This was our first time staying at (Seafanz) the house is beautiful and has everything you need for a wonderful stay in paradise. Diana is awesome we really enjoyed getting to know her and feel we have another friend on the island. We fished, swam, and our daughters went kayaking in the bay. The house is in a great location not far from the gulf or the bay. We brought our little dog and it was great.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, pet owners, sightseeing.

A wonderful island getaway!

Guest: Stacey (West Palm Beach, Fl)
Date of Stay: 07/06/11 Review Submitted: 07/19/11

My family of two adults, two small children and one little dog, had a relaxing four days at Seafanz. Diana and Ken are the consummate hosts and were available to us throughout our stay, offering to pick up supplies whenever Ken went over to the mainland. We were appreciative of their offers, but found that we never needed to take them up on them. We brought our own food and found within the house everything that we needed to prepare our meals. But best of all, we kicked our shoes off on the large front deck and didn't put them on again until it was time to leave. We spent our days at the beach picking up shells, digging in the sand and relaxing in the clear ocean, calm for the first two days and then more rough before we left. You may want to bring bug repellent for the fat, slow mosquitoes that hang out on the short path to the beach, but even though Diana brought us some (thank you!), I never used it, since they didn't bother us once we were on the beach. Though, I have no complaints about the house, it is worth noting that the lower bedroom is only accessible from the outside. I did not read the description close enough and had counted on having an extra bedroom to put my two year old down in. I did not feel comfortable having him separated from the rest of us in this way, so he bunked with my husband and I, and this worked out just fine. My four year old daughter took the other bedroom, with two twin beds and was thrilled at finding the K'nex building toys and Barbie dolls in the hall closet along with a huge assortment of other games, movies and activities. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Little Gaspirilla Island and Seafanz and though we rarely visit the same place twice, we know that are travels will certainly bring us back in the near future!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Memorial Weekend

Guest: May (Miami Florida)
Date of Stay: 05/26/11 Review Submitted: 06/13/11

We stayed at the "Seafanz" on Memorial Weekend and we had a great time. The house is fully equpied with anything you may need on your getaway. Little Gasparilla Island was a very unique experience with pristine beaches, alot of wild life and the most beautful sunsets I have ever seen. The people are also super nice..... it didn't rain one day...Thanks Diana for renting us such a wonderful house...

Owner response:We rarely miss a sunset on the island! They can be spectacular! Wish we could take credit for the great weather you experienced; even a cloudy day is beautiful on Little Gasparilla! Thank you!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Very relaxing, unique family vacation-spend time back in "old Florida".

Guest: manateefamily (Coral Gables)
Date of Stay: 04/03/11 Review Submitted: 05/15/11

Our family of six--two adults, two teens, a tween and our dog--all enjoyed a very relaxing three days on Little Gasparilla Island. For starters, the owners couldn't have been more low key, trusting and friendly via email. When we got to the dock, we met up with barefoot captain Will who took us over on his sea-taxi to the beautiful, car-less Little Gasparilla island. A short ditance from the dock to the rental home and we were on our way to starting a very relaxing vacation. Just as the owners said, "You don't need anything but your own food and clothes--and most of the time you'll be in a bath suit." The house had EVERYTHING we needed---fully stock kitchen, washer and dryer, beach towels, games, bedding, beach chairs. The house is about a minute walk to a gorgeous, white sand, wide beach which is full of sea shells. Sunset is an island ritual where everyone gathers to watch the beautiful sun set into the ocean. We were there for Spring break and locals told us it was "crowded"---it was very calm and serene and uncrowded! If you need restaraunts, bars, discos....this is not the place for you---if what you want is quality time with your loved ones and long walks on the beach, this is your place!

Owner response:We agree...Little Gasparilla Island is a perfect family vacation spot! We enjoy sharing our house on this unique, charming island with others who appreciate nature and relaxation! Thank you!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

One of the best vacations I have ever had!

Guest: Steve (Alexandria, VA, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/09/11 Review Submitted: 11/21/11

I feel terrible that it has taken me so long to write this review! My wife and I stayed at SeaFanz back in March with our dog and we could not have had a better time! Every single aspect of our stay was perfect and the owners could not have been nicer! They met us at the dock, helped us with our stuff and even had us over for drinks before sunset (if you have never seen a Gulf sunset, you are in for a surprise!). The little house was perfectly maintained, a short walk to the beach and was perfect for my wife and I. MY DOG HAD THE BEST TIME OF HIS LIFE!!!!!! We ran on the beach and swam together every single morning. If you have a dog and want to see your little friend truly happy, come to Little Gasparilla and you will not be disappointed. A big thank you to the owners, and again, I apologize for taking so long for writing this review! I cannot wait to get back! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Perfect relaxing vacation

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/04/11 Review Submitted: 01/15/11

This vacation home is a terrific place to enjoy a relaxing vacation. Highlights of our stay included beachcombing, fishing, and seeing two dolphins swim right under the dock as we and our kids watched. The house is well set up and all you need to bring is food and drinks for your stay. The owners are wonderful and friendly hosts. This is a vacation spot we would visit again.

Recommended for:Families with young children

Become a Seafan!

Guest: Brett (naples, fl)
Date of Stay: 12/30/10 Review Submitted: 01/10/11

Seafanz was everything we expected and then some. The Photos do not give this place justice. It is 10 times cutier in person that in the photos. Both the inside and out are very well maintained. The owners were extremely helpful in answering all of our question and concerns. If you are planning a trip LGI I higlhy recommed you stay at Seafanz. It is located mid island on a quite street, making it the perfect place for a peaceful getaway. My next vaction on Little Gasprilla Island will be at Seafanz!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Wonderful Christmas Stay

Guest: Michael & Melanie (Athens, Georgia)
Date of Stay: 12/22/10 Review Submitted: 01/10/11

My family chose this house because it had everything we needed and boy were we NOT disappointed! It was PERFECT! The Obermeyers were extremely gracious and helpful. They even decorated the house for Christmas for us! The beach was beautiful. What more can we say? If we ever head down that direction again we will definitely stay at Seafanz again! Even my teenage kids were not ready to leave after a week long visit!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fans of SeaFanz

Guest: Mason of Tampa (Tampa Florida)
Date of Stay: 12/13/10 Review Submitted: 12/13/10

Our family keeps coming back to SeaFanz and Little Gasparilla Island. The beaches and water are beautiful and not crowded. Because the Island is only accessible by boat, it is very pristine with an old Florida charm. We've lived in Florida for 20 years, and Little Gasparilla is absolutely one of our favorite places to visit. The owners of SeaFanz are wonderful hosts, and the accomodations are very clean and comfortable. In our book, it's a lot more fun to stay in your own island home instead of a hotel room or condo.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Gary and April

Guest: Romeo (Lakeland, Florida)
Date of Stay: 10/08/10 Review Submitted: 11/07/11

We have a new love--Seafanz at Little Gasparilla Island! All of the feeling of an island gettaway--but with all of the comforts of home. Diane and Ken made sure we had everything we needed (with special touches too.) The three bedroom, two bath house is very clean and nicely furnished. Our favorite spot (when not on the beach or in the boat) is the spacios deck for just hanging out or playing cards. We appreciated the downstairs fish cleaning area and outdoor shower as well. Situated between the boat docks and the beach, access to either is just a short walk down a natrually landscaped path. The beach is gorgeous and never crowded, Once you've got "The Island" in your blood, you'll be sure to return. We'll be back soon!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

So close, yet so far away......

Guest: Don and Izabel (Rotonda West)
Date of Stay: 09/12/10 Review Submitted: 09/25/10

You know if locals stay here it must be wonderful, in this well maintained and equipped island house. Lots of privacy for 3 couples, especially the private ground level bedroom/living suite. A real value given the accommodations by the caring and helpful owners. Highly recommended!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Labor Day Weekend 2010

Guest: Bella0530 (Pasco County, FL)
Date of Stay: 09/03/10 Review Submitted: 09/23/10

We had an absolutely wonderful stay at this property. The photos reflected exactly what the property looked liked, clean and very well maintained. Our reservations were made on short notice, 5 days before our arrival, and Diane kept up us abreast of when she received the required documents as well several informative emails. We have stayed on the Island on several occassions, however this one was very memorable. Our only regret is that we did not stay longer. We are already planning for next year's stay!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Great getaway

Guest: Gimmie (Winter Haven, FL)
Date of Stay: 07/05/10 Review Submitted: 07/19/10

This is a great place to stay on Little Gasparilla Island. The home is spacious, clean, and situated nicely between the dock and the beach. The owners were more than helpful. I would highly reccomend this property to anyone contemplating a place on Little Gasparilla.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Love It!

Guest: Blair (Auburndale)
Date of Stay: 06/18/10 Review Submitted: 07/12/10

We have stayed at this property a couple different times and LOVE IT! Lots of room! Has three bathrooms which is a big plus! Also, allows pets! The owners are wonderful and the house is always in working condition. We will certainly continue to stay at this house.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful time!

Guest: kate (fort lauderdale)
Date of Stay: 06/18/10 Review Submitted: 06/21/10

My friends and I stayed at Seafanz in January and had a great time. The house is large, with everything you could need- beach toys and equipment, a grill, hammock, TV, complete kicthen, etc. The property owners were very hospitable and helped us transport luggage. It's a very short walk to the dock and the beach (about 1 minute to each). the place is 100% calm and peace- just the sound of the sea breeze through the trees. It's a great value for a beautiful, relaxing vacation on the Gulf.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

I long to go back...

Guest: Jodie (Dayton, OH)
Date of Stay: 06/14/10 Review Submitted: 06/05/11

It was a very memorable experience with very few people around and not a single seagull! The beach was clean and gorgeous with many, many, shells. While there we managed to see plenty of wildlife including a trio of dolphins and a manatee. The island residents all look out for each other, providing a very safe and quiet place for a relaxing vacation. We were very comfortable in the house and at the beach with our three kids (3, 5, & 7). I was very impressed with how stocked the kitchen was. There were plenty of toys for the kids to play with including beach toys. All you need to bring is food, sunscreen, and any books you've been meaning to read! The owners were friendly and helpful, answering all of our questions promptly.

Owner response:Thanks! We try to make it as easy as possible for families to come to the island and have a fun, relaxing vacation, so they can return home with wonderful memories!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Wonderful place to stay

Guest: Sue (Tampa)
Date of Stay: 05/25/10 Review Submitted: 05/03/11

The house is a perfect location between bay and beach. Very well supplied, and easy to stay in! Thanks for a great time in your rental home, we'll be back!

Owner response:Thanks, Sue! We enjoyed meeting you, your family, your friends, and Boca! We're glad you had a great time, and we hope to see you on the island again soon! - Diana and Ken

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners.

Total Relaxation

Guest: Susie (Shakopee, MN)
Date of Stay: 04/08/10 Review Submitted: 07/13/10

Our four day visit in April was our second visit to Little Gasparilla to stay on this island and the second time we wished we had booked the entire stay on the island (in this house) rather than spending time on the mainland during our Florida visit. A wonderful place to stay with easy access to the beach and dock, wonderful hosts, and friendly, laid back neighbors. A short water taxi ride from the mainland is nothing in comparison to the hassle of staying at resorts, hotels etc. You truly feel like you are staying at a place reserved for relaxation and you can shut off your cell phones and kick off your shoes. Clean, comfortable house with plenty of room for guests. We had six visitors and all felt we had plenty of room and privacy. Beautiful sunsets, beach, and easy access to all you need. Next trip to Florida will take no consideration as to where to go, this is the place to stay!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A true island vacation!

Guest: Lois and Sam (Fort Collins, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 03/29/10 Review Submitted: 04/29/10

My family and I stayed at Seafranz for one week at the end of March - and it was one of the best vacations I have ever had and much of that success goes to Diana and her husband they were THE BEST hosts I have ever encountered in my VRBO rental experience. I would recommend Seafranz to anyone who enjoys a truly relaxing beach style vacation with no distractions except the beach and the gorgeous sunsets - oh and the most amazing shells on the beach every day plus shark's teeth.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Great Family Getaway

Guest: Paul n Tammy (Middlebury, Indiana)
Date of Stay: 12/21/09 Review Submitted: 05/02/10

We spent two weeks in this wonderful getaway. With the miles of beach and quiet sandy lanes to explore, the kids never got bored. The hosts were more than gracious and accommodating, helping us make this a vacation that we will never forget. The house is wonderfully located. It is just a short walk to the beach or to the dock. The kids loved fishing off the dock and searching for sharks teeth on the beach. The house itself was comfortable, inviting and relaxing. It is everything as described and then some. We have already recommended this to several friends and will return ourselves.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.