Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
A petition survey by a local schoolteacher and longtime island resident to keep beach parking access open has grown to over 3,000 signatures in just over a week. “Truthfully, I didn’t want to hinder anybody, but I am very passionate about the beach,” said Mila Wyman, who grew up in Boca Grande and still has a […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
Barrier Island Parks Society has set the date for the return of the Light Keeper’s Open, a charity golf tournament taking place at the Coral Creek Club on November 3. Proceeds will support the ongoing preservation of the iconic Gasparilla Island Lighthouse. The 2025 Light Keeper’s Open invites golfers of all skill levels to participate in […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY Since my last article, we have started seeing hatches of our first loggerhead nests! Our first nests were documented on May 1, and with an approximate two-month incubation period, the hatchlings from these first nests are emerging right on schedule. We should now be seeing hatches on a regular basis […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, News.
Above, a fence at the south end of the island in November 2021 at Hill Tide became the subject of discussions about the customary use of beaches, as it blocked walkers. Boca Beacon archives BY MARCY SHORTUSE Tuesday, June 24, was a big day for Florida beaches, as Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law Senate Bill […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
The Beacon is still getting questions about a new draft ordinance that would remove public beach parking access from Boca Grande, except for the Gasparilla Island State Parks. The ordinance draft was moved forward on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. The vote is expected to be held in August. Highlights: Other notes: The full ordinance is […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The canoe/kayak launch and parking area at the Boca Grande Fishing Pier located at 5810 Gasparilla Road on Gasparilla Island has officially reopened. Portable toilets are available on site for public use. Charlotte County advised patrons to use caution as fenced off areas, that include the pier and pier approach walkway, remain closed until permanent […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
While a new parking plan is under consideration by Lee County, what is not defined in the ordinance is how much these permits will cost for island residents, homeowners and workers. A new parking draft ordinance presented June 17 for Gasparilla Island would have a tiered plan for residents, hotel guests, house guests and island […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Above, the causeway from the days following Hurricane Milton. GIBA Photo The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority will begin its causeway armoring project in July, and is expected to be completed by mid-November. “This summer will be a busy one for GIBA,” wrote Executive Director Kathy Banson in a statement to the Beacon. “While we recover […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Profiles.
A Boca Grande family celebrates This week, the large extended Forristall family gathered at their cottage on Gasparilla Road. They are one of the many regulars in the Fourth of July parade. They first started coming to the island in 1989. They would stay at the Anchor Inn, or wherever they could find a rental. […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE We have had lots of great fishing this past week in the back country. Scattered showers and cloud cover have had the mornings feeling cooler than usual and the fish in the back bay have been biting. Lots of really nice sized snook in the high twenty to mid thirty inch […]