Welcome to Boca Grande, located on the majestic Gasparilla Island, a one-mile by seven-mile paradise halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers and ninety miles south of Tampa on an offshore barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico. Gasparilla offers world-class natural scenery including miles of serene white beaches offering pelicans, osprey, dolphins and other marine life. It is a perfect place to enjoy all outdoor activities including boating, sailing, golfing, bicycling, or simply walking. The island offers some of the best Tarpon fishing in the world and hosts the annual “World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament.” Boca Grande is a peaceful and relaxing village with a unique atmosphere blending a slower pace of life with inviting, interesting shops and art galleries.
The native Calusas lived on Gasparilla Island from about 800 A.D. and thrived in a culture based on fishing. Later, the island was settled by people who came to fish commercially and the area became famous for sport fishing at the turn of the century. The phosphate and railroad industry transformed the town into one of the largest ports in Florida and brought many winter visitors from the North. The wealthy winter visitors mixed with the fisherman and the railroad workers to provide for a very interesting community. Today the island economy is composed of tourism and sport fishing with residents and visitors who enjoy the quiet ambiance of this special place.