Imagine if you could literally “BE on Cloud 9”… You board a boat to embark into paradise with no cars, no roads and no modern distractions. Nestled high above the palm and coconut trees, amid the tropical breezes and warm sunshine, with a breathtaking view of both the beach and bayside of Little Gasparilla Island (LGI), is the magnificent Cloud 9. Comfort, luxury and all of the modern amenities that you can imagine are at your fingertips at Cloud 9 on the beach of LGI.
The definition of Cloud 9 is, a state of perfect happiness. Some believe the number 9 is a mystical number. You may feel that way too as you revel in the magic of Cloud 9! Cloud 9 is a beachfront stilted house nestled into the quiet north end of LGI (right near Don Pedro State Park). This custom-built luxury house begins with a first floor that towers 20 feet above the ground, offering a stunning view of the beach from the large wrap around Lanai and additional Sundeck. As you gasp in awe, there is so much more to take-in as you make your way to the second floor where the view almost touches the sky.
Complete with all amenities needed for a dream vacation, including:
• Fresh Southwest Floridian beach home look and feel
• (2) large Sundeck(s) for the sunbathers - one main floor & one upstairs off of master suite
o Comfortable seating and sunbathing seating (Chaise lounges & Adirondack chairs)
• Shaded porch/Lanai for the non-sunbathers
o Outdoor bar table w/swivel stools and outdoor dining area
o Turtle safe
o Outdoor grill
• Located right near Don Pedro State Park for a feeling of complete peace and seclusion
o You feel all alone up above any of the few other nearby neighbors
•. No Charge Wi-Fi for those still needing to get in touch with those outside of paradise
•. Two master bedrooms, each with their own king size bed and private bathroom.
o. The largest is located on the second floor and includes a private sitting area & TV.
o Best view with top floor deck
o Private master bathroom with large Jacuzzi Tub & multi head shower
o The second master bedroom on the main floor on the bay side. It offers a quiet area away from the living room with gorgeous view of the lush vegetation and a private bath.
•. The third bedroom is located on the main floor also on the bay side with two twin XL size beds, that can be converted into a king size bed if needed.
•. 5 HD TVs – From 43 to 75 inches (bedrooms, leisure room, and two living rooms.
•. Built in high capacity ice maker (in kitchen island)
•. Chefs Kitchen
o Built in induction cooktop
o Built in convection wall oven and wall microwave
o Door in door refrigerator with ice and water
o Keurig coffee maker and also drip coffee maker
o Built in Wine and beverage cooler
The entire house has a very open space concept, with many windows to make it feel like you are outside, even when you are enjoying the comfort and luxuries inside. The spacious chefs kitchen offers fantastic views of the Gulf and offers a huge customized island to sit at to enjoy the view.
For outdoor dining, the expansive shaded lanai just outside the kitchen includes a table that seats six to eight comfortably. Enjoy the Gulf breeze while you eat! Additional seating areas are available on the lanai, sundeck and upper deck. You can enjoy the sitess, sounds and fresh breeze of the Gulf while you eat. You will find that all meals taste better on LGI at Cloud 9! If you do not want to cook inside, there is a wonderful grilling area located on the lanai.
The house has two living areas with TVs and a Blu-ray player on main floor. In addition, each master bedroom has its own TV. Satellite TV is available on all TVs in the home. The two bathrooms on the main floor each have a beautifully designed shower, and the upstairs has a private shower and Jacuzzi bath. All linens, bath towels, beach towels, and kitchen supplies are available, including a Keurig machine for that relaxing cup of coffee on the deck in the morning.
Also included are some beach toys and chairs, along with a push cart to help bring items the short walk to the beach.
Your cares will melt away in the brilliance of this barrier island where it’s easy to fall into the LGI way of doing things. You will quickly realize there’s more to life than mainland mayhem. Leave your car at the marina, call the water-taxi and cruise on over to Cloud 9 and enjoy your own little slice of heaven.
Little Gasparilla Island (LGI)
LGI is an unspoiled barrier island with seven miles of perfect beach. Situated halfway between Sarasota and Ft. Myers, there are no bridges or roads to the island. Transportation to the island is by water taxi, or boat. Once on the island there are no cars, only golf carts. Most people give in to just walking the sandy roads or along the beach during their stays. North of Little Gasparilla Island is the Don Pedro State Park. During the summer, the beach is a nesting spot for endangered sea turtles which lay their eggs in the warm sand near the dunes.
Time will stand still, your heart will skip a beat, and you will relax into the magic. LGI offers privacy and tranquility and a rare sense of peace not found at many Florida vacation spots. Each day you spend in the embrace of this island will give you a new lease on life. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder as the sun rises and sets on one magical moment after another. Bask in the sun, build sandcastles on the beach, take a dip in the Gulf, take in the bird life and maybe even get to know a few of them by name, all of which will ease you into the realization that this is the way things should be. Birds of a feather do flock together on LGI. Bird watchers will spot egret and osprey, rare white pelicans, blue herons, and even the occasional bald eagle, all in their rightful element on LGI. Nature walks, shelling, fishing, or doing nothing at all, sounds good too. Light warm breezes touch your face as your cares melt away on a beach walk or in just putting your feet in the water.
The shells on the island are among the most plentiful on the West Coast and the beaches are dotted with prehistoric shark's teeth free for the collecting. The sandbars are home to sand dollars, whelks, starfish and conchs.
The waters are rich with manatee and dolphins and the waves are gentle and calming and perfect for floating on a raft. The bottom is mostly white sand, so there is little to see while you can often find sand dollars off the sand bar.
Fishing from either the dock or the beach can provide daily entertainment -- and a hearty meal at the end of a long day, as another breathtaking sunset over the Gulf gently eases you into the evening.
All of this begins and ends with the perfect place to stay; your home away from home. Cloud 9 is that perfect place!
We truly believe that once you discover Cloud 9 you will never want to be anywhere else. It is the best house on this magnificent island! Once you see the views from the house you will truly understand the definition of being on Cloud 9!
In the Know:
You must bring all your groceries over to the island with you. There are no grocery stores or convenience stores on the island. This includes any beverages and ice. The house does have an icemaker and water in the house is drinkable. A grocery store is close to the marina, as well as a several mainland restaurants.
The island is only accessible by water taxi or your own boat.
If you are bringing your own boat you can park it at dock 4.
Pirates Water Taxi (941) The taxi normally runs every day during daylight hours. Contact the water taxi with your ride request in advance to arriving at the marina or at our dock on the island. Prices can adjust dependingon booking times. Reservations are required for the water taxi and should be made a few days in advance. Verify the price and times, as these could change depending on the time of day and the season. Make sure you give yourself adequate time to be on the dock and be ready when the taxi arrives. If you miss your taxi it might be hours before you can get on it again.
You can park your car at the marina on the mainland, for a small fee. A vehicle must have a parking permit displayed to be parked at the marina.
There are first responders on the island and 911 services in case of an emergency.
Fishing is allowed on the dock or beach however you should verify the types of fish that can be caught and any licenses needed before fishing. Fishing equipment is not supplied. Bait is available to purchase at the marina.
Although the beach is dog friendly, our rental is a no pet rental.
In a quote by Austin Brooks: Words cannot explain it. I’m still on Cloud 9 right now.