Featured News
Turtle nest relocated by firm for safety at State Park
June 5, 2025
Last Friday morning, May 30, a sea turtle nest with 144 eggs was relocated from Gasparilla Island State Park due to pending beach renourishment.
Shown here, a mother-daughter team, Anna and Raque…
County approves Wheeler improvements, including tennis, pickleball, restrooms
June 5, 2025
Facilities staff found budget savings
On Tuesday, June 3, the Lee Board of County Commissioners approved projects to renovate the Wheeler Road Community Park, as well as the Lavender’s Landing Bo…
Boca Grande real estate now appraised at $3.5 billion
June 5, 2025
Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell released the initial estimates for 2025 property values on Sunday, June 1. They include a $3.5 billion estimate of valuation of Boca Grande real estate…
Results from Howl at the Moon
June 5, 2025
BY KACY CHESKE
First place at the Howl at the Moon Tarpon Tournament last Saturday, May 31, went to Capt. Willie Mills’ team on the Tracy Lynn.
Fishing ran from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and there we…
Five miles of bike path landscaping under way
May 29, 2025
BY THE GICIA
The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association Bike Path restoration projects are well underway. The Town Park project between Third and Fifth Streets is in the final…
Capt. Wayne Joiner’s record stands tall in Boca Grande Pass
May 29, 2025
With this year’s back-to-back winning of the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament, the Boca Beacon has compiled a list of historical winners of the tarpon season below. One name that has come up over a…
Boca Blue takes first in the Red Gill 25
May 29, 2025
Moonshine takes second place
Boca Blue took first place at the 11th Annual Red Gill Tarpon Tournament last Sunday, May 25.
Red Gill is hosted by William Woodroffe and benefits the Gasparilla I…
COLUMNS: BART DESTEFANO
May 29, 2025
Restrictions on beach parking will affect livelihoods
BY BART DESTEFANO, SOUTH BEACH BAR & GRILL
I am writing in response to the proposed restricted parking measures in Boca Grande. While…
2025 Graduates of The Island School
May 23, 2025
Each year, the fifth graders at The Island School write of their favorite moments at the school, and their future plans, just before graduation. Below, our graduates:
Amelia Besant
I have…
Red Gill tourney this Sunday benefits Maritime Museum
May 22, 2025
This Sunday, May 25 is the 2025 Red Gill Invitational tarpon tournament at Whidden’s Marina.
The tournament, hosted by William Woodroffe, raises money for the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum, h…