This parks centers on the restored, historic Boca Grande lighthouse, which was a beacon to mariners since 1890. The interior has been converted into a museum featuring old photographs, bones, fossils, shells and exhibits dedicated to the area's first inhabitants (open 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday, from noon Sunday). Apart from touring the lighthouse, guests often swim, snorkel, fish or shell hunt on the park's virtually deserted beaches.
Gasparilla Island State Park
Southwest Gulf Coast
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
28.9 MILES
Where W Venice Ave dead-ends you'll find a covered beach pavilion with restrooms and a snack bar. Further south beyond the pier is Casperson Beach.
24.23 MILES
Florida's snowbirds can be easy to mock, but not this pair. Thomas Edison built his winter home in 1885 and lived in Florida seasonally until his death in…
3.27 MILES
Slim as a supermodel and as lovely, Cayo Costa Island is almost entirely preserved as a 2500-acre state park. While its pale, ash-colored sand may not be…
29.89 MILES
December through March, manatees flock up the Orange River to this warm-water discharge canal from the nearby power plant. The waterway is now a protected…
JN 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge
20.97 MILES
Named for cartoonist Jay Norwood 'Ding' Darling, an environmentalist who helped establish more than 300 sanctuaries across the USA, this 6300-acre refuge…
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
28.74 MILES
With more than 3500 acres of wetlands, this park is a great place to experience southwest Florida's flora and fauna. A 1.2-mile boardwalk trail is staffed…
IMAG History and Science Center
25.39 MILES
Exciting changes are afoot at this already fascinating science center, which will soon add interactive exhibits and even virtual reality, weaving in…
25.33 MILES
At the island's northernmost tip, Bowditch is a favorite with families and picnickers. The small parking lot ($2 per hour) fills up fast, so come early…
Nearby Southwest Gulf Coast attractions
3.27 MILES
Slim as a supermodel and as lovely, Cayo Costa Island is almost entirely preserved as a 2500-acre state park. While its pale, ash-colored sand may not be…
14.57 MILES
Besides looking directly out onto heart-melting Gulf sunsets, Captiva Beach has lovely sand and is close to several romantic restaurants. Arrive early if…
19.01 MILES
Bowman's Beach is the quintessential Sanibel beach, a bright dollop of coast with soft white sand, supplied with a playground and excellent facilities. It…
4. JN 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge
20.97 MILES
Named for cartoonist Jay Norwood 'Ding' Darling, an environmentalist who helped establish more than 300 sanctuaries across the USA, this 6300-acre refuge…
5. Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
21.98 MILES
Like a mermaid's jewelry box, this museum is dedicated to shells, yet it's much more than a covetous display of treasures. It's a crisply presented…
22.57 MILES
Well polished by the enthusiasm of local volunteers, this museum and collection of nine historic buildings preserves Sanibel's pioneer past. It gives a…
23.89 MILES
The most photogenic of the beaches, Lighthouse Beach sports Sanibel's historic metal lighthouse (1884) on the eastern tip of the island. There's also a T…
8. Edison & Ford Winter Estates
24.23 MILES
Florida's snowbirds can be easy to mock, but not this pair. Thomas Edison built his winter home in 1885 and lived in Florida seasonally until his death in…