If this is your first visit to our paradise . . . welcome!
Little Gasparilla is one of three islands chained together with Don Pedro and Palm Island. Little Gaspirilla lies furthest south of the chain and borders Gasparilla Pass. Don Pedro is in the middle, with Palm Island furthest north and bordering on Stump Pass. The three islands were once separated by two passes.
At the turn of the century, the islands and adjacent mainland was owned by the Vanderbilt family. Three decades ago, sea currents and storms closed the passes that separated the three islands. Since the closing of those passes, the islands are contiguous by over seven miles of beach.
There is no bridge that connects the island to the mainland. Access to the island is only by boat. Since all the docks on Little Gasparilla are privately owned, only homeowners or invited guests occupy the island. Development was slow on the “bridgeless” barrier islands until the 1970’s when people started to appreciate the seclusion and detachment from the mainland. In the early 1980’s Radnor Corporation, a division of Sun Oil, began development of Hideaway Beach Resort. Soon after, Placida Beach Club also started their construction.
Today, there are approximately 300 homes on Little Gaspirilla Island. It offers an “old Florida” atmosphere that is unique in this “hurry up” world today.
Guests that stay on Little Gasparilla Island appreciate the proximity of the island. It is located just North of Boca Grand, where world class tarpon fishing takes place every year. This is a place for relaxing, fishing, going for long quiet beach walks on 7 miles of pristine beach. On Little Gasparilla Island, you can enjoy the tranquility of nature walks and fabulous sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.