The Island: Beachfront cottage, private dock on north canal just steps away!

Summary:
"The Island" is a generational cottage on Little Gasparilla Island that has been owned and enjoyed by the same family since it was built over 50 years ago. The home has been beautifully maintained and upgraded over the years and now the owners are sharing their little piece of paradise. It features a perfect oceanfront location with the ease and convenience of a dock right outside your back door. That is truly the best of both worlds. The island is only accessible by boat or the water taxi.

The Space:
Please note that Little Gasparilla Island is a barrier island accessible only by boat; we provide water taxi information when you book. You cannot drive your vehicle to the island; you park at the marina on the mainland where you catch the water taxi. There are no stores, bars or restaurants on Little Gasparilla which means it has retained much of its "old Florida" ambiance and pristine beauty. For years Little Gasparilla was visited only by locals who would come on weekends to fish, go to the beach and enjoy the privacy, peace and quiet. Now, even though it has been discovered, the lack of commercial establishments means that the island appeals to those who want to get away from crowds, tourists, traffic and technology.

Access to your boat, the bay and the pass is just minutes from the house. Yet the front yard boasts a beautiful expanse of dunes and sea oats and a sandy pathway leading to LGI's private beach. This home is a dream vacation spot for avid boaters, sun worshippers and island nature lovers.

The home features a modern kitchen and spacious dining area, three bedrooms on the main floor, which sleep 6, and an additional downstairs "guest suite" with its own bathroom. Please note that rates are based on 6 guests even though the home accommodates 8. (There is an extra guest charge for more than 6 guests.). An open porch overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and provides a perfect spot for sunset watching. The living and dining room both feature pecky cypress trim which is a classic "old Florida" accent.

There is a downstairs open air outdoor shower for rinsing off when coming back from the beach. The kitchen features modern stainless appliances and is stocked with everything you need for cooking your favorite meal at the beach.

We provide a gas grill for outdoor cooking as well as a fish cleaning station with both water and electricity.

Wifi: Complimentary with no data limits

Pet Policy - Pets allowed with owner permission and a $100 pet fee; some breeds may be excluded due to insurance restrictions.

Minimum Renter Age - 25

Dock: access to a private dock (#99) with power and water included in your rental (this is also where the water taxi drops you off).

Complimentary Concierge - will meet you at the dock with a golf cart to assist with transporting your luggage and groceries to the home

Satellite TV - yes

Coffee maker: Drip (filters provided)

Vacation rental damage protection- The $59 charge listed as a "management fee" on your quote covers your purchase of $2500 of “all risk” damage protection coverage on your rental property. This protection is purchased in lieu of a cash damage deposit. Coverage details are spelled out in your contract.

Parking - $8/night ($10/night if you have a boat trailer) at Eldred's Marina where you meet the boat taxi

LITTLE GASPARILLA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...PLEASE READ!
• You cannot drive your car to the house or the island and the only access is via water taxi; there is no vehicle ferry.
• You must park your car at the marina at the mainland but it will be perfectly safe there; parking is $8 a day.
• The water taxi is $15 per person each way and he will drop you right at our dock. Normal ferry hours are approximately 8-5 every day.
• You must bring all groceries to the island with you.
• There are no stores of any kind on the island, not even a convenience store.
• There is no need to bring drinking water; the water from the tap is safe and drinkable.
• There are first responders on the island and we have 911 service in case of an emergency.
• Golf carts are not necessary; the island is only 100-200 yards wide in most places and our concierge will meet you upon arrival to bring you to the house. This house is so close to the dock that you will probably find the concierge is not necessary.
• You can fish off the dock or the beach but non-Florida residents will need to purchase a fishing license.
• The beach is dog-friendly but dogs must be under your control, non-aggressive and most homes charge a pet fee of $100 per pet.

PLEASE NOTE: We do require that two members of each group must be over 25 years of age. We apologize, but we can NOT rent to college groups as a courtesy to the homeowners and our island neighbors. Guests will be evicted if found not to meet age requirements upon check in. Additionally, we can not exceed capacity in island homes due to the fragile septic systems.

HOLIDAY RATES: Please note that all there will be holiday rates applied to quotes for Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.

The Neighborhood:
Leave your car and your cares at the marina because Little Gasparilla is accessible only by water taxi! That means our beaches are uncrowded and tourists and traffic are just a mainland memory. If you are looking for a quiet tropical island to relax and unplug, Little Gasparilla is your dream vacation spot. Our "nightlife" consists of giant sea turtles laying their eggs -- our only bar is the sand bar where you can find sand dollars and shells!

Getting Around:
You must park your car at the mainland marina. ($8 per day/$10 with a boat trailer).

There is a water taxi available for $15 per person (each way) during regular daytime hours. They will run at any time, but the rates are increased for early morning passage or trips after dark. Your rental also includes a private dock if you would like to bring your boat or rent one during your stay.

Other Things to Note:
Please evaluate your expectations before booking a stay on Little Gasparilla Island. If you are expecting a polished "resort" atmosphere, Little Gasparilla is decidedly more rustic. During periods of heavy rain or tropical storms, there may be standing water on the roadways, at the dock and around the house. This is a tropical environment with mosquitos, rust, power outages and other minor inconveniences. If you are expecting resort amenities and services, the island might not be for you.

Interaction with Guests:
We have a home on the island and also nearby on the mainland. We value your privacy highly and will not intrude. There is a guest services manager living on the island as well.