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A guide to Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande beach parking

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June 21, 2024
By Evan Dunbar
Some public beach access points in Boca Grande, according to the state. Click on the image for the full state map.

Gasparilla Island is a scenic barrier island in southwest Florida known for its rich history and miles long stretch of pristine white sand beaches. 

The island itself costs $6 to enter via the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority on the northern, Charlotte County side of the island. That does not guarantee visitors a parking space. In the summer months on weekdays, there is no shortage of parking, but visitors should be aware of the shortage of spots during the winter months, and on national holidays and big weekends. Below is a list of all places with beach parking on Gasparilla Island, with estimated parking spots, depending on car size.

Lots fill up quickly at Gasparilla Island State Park access points; side streets have different limits, with parallel parking. Lee County Parks & Recreation runs the numbered street parking beach access. State Parks are open 8 a.m. to sunset; Lee County beaches close at sunset.

There are no public beach access points on the Charlotte County end of the island.

The list below, all found on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s map of public beach locations, includes access points from north to south, with the approximate (~) number of spots available. Parking is illegal on the main roads, Gasparilla Road and Gulf Boulevard.

Here, beach access from 19th Street

Beach access with parking

  • 19th Street: ~15 spaces. Trail leads onto beach.
  • 14th Street: ~15 spaces. Not easily accessible via golf cart. Stairs onto beach.
  • 13th Street: ~20 spaces. Trail leads onto beach.
  • 12th Street: ~20 spaces. Trail leads onto beach.
  • 11th Street: ~15 spaces. Trail leads onto beach.
  • 10th Street: ~15 spaces. Trail leads onto beach.
  • Ninth Street: ~15 spaces. Direct street to beach.
  • Seventh Street: ~40 spaces. Direct path to the beach.
  • Fifth Street: ~80 specifically marked spaces in the lot (75 regular, 4 handicapped). Beach access is currently blocked by Lee County. The county is planning to rebuild an ADA accessible ramp pending funding. It was designed to be 91 spaces.
  • Fourth Street: ~20 spaces, with a 4-foot drop onto beach over seawall.
  • Third Street: ~20 spaces with a 3-foot drop onto beach over seawall.
  • Banyan Street: ~25 spaces with a 5-foot drop onto beach, over seawall.
  • First Street:  ~20 spaces with a 3-foot drop onto beach over seawall.
  • Range Light, Gasparilla Island State Park: ~50 spaces, 2 handicapped, $3 park fee. There is free extra parking at Lee County’s Wheeler Road Community Park, but it is a walk.
  • Sea Grape, Gasparilla Island State Park: ~32 spaces with ramp and stair access to beach. Porta-potties, $3 park fee.
  • Sea Wall, Gasparilla Island State Park: 50 spaces, 2 handicapped, $3 Florida State Parks entry fee.
  • Gasparilla Island State Park: ~70 spaces at Sandspur section and 25 spots Port Boca Grande Lighthouse section. Ramp access via boardwalk, picnic benches, outdoor showers and bathrooms. $3 park fee.
Beach access points in town.

Beach access with no parking

There are seven public access points for beaches between the Range Light and Sea Wall parking areas, but they do not have parking. They include pathways to the beach at Baily Street and Luke Street, and are also identified on the state beach access map.

Town parking

Parking is free downtown. Please be respectful about beach parking in the business district, as locally owned shops depend upon the spaces.

Other public wetlands access points

19th Street kayak access
  • Boca Grande Fishing Pier: Charlotte County Park with roughly 50 spaces.
  • Observation Pier: Between 14th and 15th streets, pier access to view Bayou. No parking.
  • 19th Street: Kayak and canoe access to Loomis Flats and Boca Grande Bayou. Park of the Great Calusa Blueway kayak access route. On the east side of Railroad Avenue, roughly 25 spaces. 
  • Mangrove parks, north of 27th Street: Owned by Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association. Accessible via bike path and golf cart only.
  • Public Docks: 5th and Bayou Avenue. Five spaces, no boat docking only drop-off.

Bathrooms

There are no bathrooms in town for the public. There are public bathrooms at the Boca Grande Community Center, and at the south end at the Gasparilla Island State Park, where the bathrooms and showers are located in the Port Boca Grande and Sandspur parking areas. There are porta-potties at Sea Grape, where a full bathroom is being planned by the state.