Boat House: Bayfront, Private, Honeymoons, Family-Friendly, Natural Setting

Our "Boat House" is located on Little Gasparilla Island, a remote and bridge-less barrier island with no cars, stores, or restaurants of any kind. It is only accessible by boat and that makes for a wonderfully quiet and private vacation! If this is going to be your first visit to Little Gasparilla Island, we expect you have many questions about it, so don't hesitate to ask! Imagine waking up to the sea breeze blowing through the palm trees and the eager cries of Osprey and Great Blue Heron. You grab your morning coffee and step onto your private dock, where you and your love snuggle into the glider chair, filled with peace. You whisper a prayer of thanks as you begin the day witnessing another glorious sunrise over the bay. This is only the start of your magical retreat as a guest in the "Boat House at Osprey Point" on Little Gasparilla Island. Details: 'WALL-OF-GLASS' sliding doors open up onto the screened porch that spans the width of the house and makes you feel as if you are sitting right on the bay. The open-plan interior living, kitchen, and dining spaces are roomy. Large screened PORCH is furnished with comfy couches, and leads to the outside DECK extending to the water's edge, connected to the DOCK right out front. The two bedroom, two bathroom configuration allows you to have either a 'his' and 'her' bath connected to the master bedroom, OR, provides a private bath for each bedroom. You just gotta see this well-designed, immaculate home. All on one level---- no stairs to climb. All-new, full-size 'granite and stainless steel' kitchen; tile floors throughout with glass tile accents; custom decor. Leather couches, top-grade comfy beds, and much more. Quiet and private location. Firepit for romantic evenings or family fun, use of a gazebo, kayaks, and game tables. Launch the kayaks right in front of the house for a quick paddle to explore the lovely waterways and observe osprey, eagles, manatee, dolphins and more. Located at the north end of the island, our 'resort-style' location of three houses borders Don Pedro state wildlife preserve and stretches from bay to beach. Enjoy the boardwalk that starts on the bay and winds through the mystical mangrove lagoons right to the Gulf of Mexico. This is a property like no other! Designed with loving couples and small families in mind! Everything in the house is brand new....including the house itself. Oh, and did we mention the espresso maker and wet bar area (with an extra frig)? You will enjoy fabulous sunrises from your own private dock on the bay waterway, and your evening strolls down the boardwalks to the very private beach to enjoy the surf and watch the fabulous sunsets. We purchased the little fishing cottage in 2011 and just finished totally remodeling and expanding it in 2014. NOTE: We also own the very private Couple's Beach Cottage, VRBO # 400780 that is part of our complex. Neither home has a television connection - although we do provide a TV and DVD player and library of movies for your viewing pleasure. We believe in only deliberate, planned viewing - so there will be no wasted hours while vacationing on this island paradise! We are located on the narrow part of the bay where the wildlife abounds. So, make sure you plan time to hang out on the dock to enjoy God's great nature show! CONTRACT DETAILS: - Check in is 3:00 pm or after - Check out is by 10:00 am - no smoking - up to four occupants - guests agree to hold owner harmless for any injuries or illnesses incurred while using our home, boardwalks, kayaks, grills, or other property - guests agree to remove all food items and all garbage from the home upon departure The receipt of the following payments within seven days after you sign the contract will confirm your reservation: Please send two checks. The first is your security deposit (which will not be cashed, but will be returned to you as long as there is no damage to the property.) The second is at least half of your rental amount. The remainder may be paid two weeks prior to your arrival. CANCELLATION POLICY: The security deposit is fully refundable at any time if your trip is cancelled. The security deposit is also fully refundable if you depart early, provided that there is no damage to the property. Any unused portion of your rental fee is fully refundable if your cancellation or early departure is due to hurricane or Red Tide. Rent is also fully refundable if your trip is cancelled 45 days or more before check-in. Rent is 50% refundable if your trip is cancelled 30-45 days before check-in. Rent is 25% refundable 15-30 days before check-in. Rent is not refundable within 15 days of check-in. AIRPORTS/RENTAL CARS: The closest airports are Sarasota to the north of us, and Fort Myers to the south. They are each about an hour and 10 minutes drive to the marinas that serve our island. Tampa is just less than two hours away to the north. GROCERIES AND OTHER PROVISIONS: The closest grocery stores to the island are both Publix. Driving from the South toward the marina, the Publix is located at the corner of McCall Road and Gasparilla Road, 13435 South McCall Road, Port Charlotte. Phone: 941-697-0279. Driving from the North toward the marina, the Publix closest to the marina is located at 8725 Placida Road, Placida, phone: 941-698-1699 Remember, there are NO stores or restaurants of any kind on Little Gasparilla Island. You must bring all supplies other than what is listed below. Don't forget to put sunscreen and bug repellent on your list! WE SUPPLY: - top quality bed linens - top quality bath towels, hand towels, and wash cloths - Q-tips and cosmetic pads - beach towels - beach chairs - beach umbrella - dish washing soap - starter roll of toilet tissue - starter roll of paper towels - salt and pepper - an assortment of 16 spices - filters for our drip coffee maker - laundry detergent and fabric softener sheets - propane for the grill - hair dryer - garbage bags - beach chairs - beach umbrella - beach towels (You can find a complete list of household items and appliances on our VRBO listing) INTERNET CONNECTION: Your cell phones and smart phones will work fine from our home via your own subscription regardless of which mobile provider you use. If you wish to bring a laptop and desire Internet connection, we can also provide a Verizon Wireless Jetpack by prior arrangement. PARKING and ARRIVAL at Marina: You will park your car and catch the water taxi from the following: - Eldred's Marina (which is really more of a bait shop). They are located at 6301 Boca Grande Causeway, Placida, Florida 33946 (NOTE: The marina is right BEORE the toll booth!) Their number is 941-697-1431. You will enter the little bait shop to obtain a parking pass for approximately $6.00 per day to put on your dash. The water taxi picks you up out front. WATER TAXI: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY! The local water taxi service is provided by Pirate Water Taxi, with either Emmett or Bill as your captain. They can be reached at 941-697-5777. You'll want to call at least two weeks before you arrive to make pick-up arrangements. You can expect to pay about $ 35.00 from Eldred's during normal business hours. If the captain helps with your bags, you should tip him about $ 5.00. Please do discuss the pick-up rates as fees change seasonally and also increase EVERY half hour after 5:00 or 6:00 pm. Make sure you tell him that you are coming to Rebecca Hagelin's house! They know us well and will bring you directly to our dock #2 where wheelbarrows await you for use for carting your items to your doorstep. IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU SCHEDULE THE TAXI AT LEAST TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE GOLF CART RENTAL: Some guests choose to rent a golf cart to explore the interior of the island during their stay. However, a golf cart is not at all necessary since there are no stores of any kind on the island. The only source for golf cart rentals is at 941-815-7554. Please note that there is a limited supply available, and they are not in the best of condition. You can expect to pay about $ 50.00 per day or $ 225.00 or more per week.