Summary:
Accessible only by boat or private water taxi, "Family Tides" is nestled on Florida's Gulf Coast island of Little Gasparilla Island, or LGI as the locals call it.
LGI is next to Boca Grande and its world famous Tarpon fishing, but offers a uniquely secluded and relaxed atmosphere consisting of 7 miles of undisturbed beach, unpaved cart paths that wind through lush tree canopies, and an old Florida vibe that will make you forget the mainland while you create memories with family and friends!
The Space:
***HURRICANE UPDATE***
In Fall of 2024 Hurricanes Milton and Helene affected the island with major flooding. Due to its age (2017) and elevation (15'), Family Tides sustained no serious damage, and as of February 2025 we are excited to say that island is back open for guests!
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Bright and modern three bedroom, two bath home built in 2017.
The primary suite is on the top level, has a queen bed, ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower, and a private balcony with views of the Intracoastal and Boca Grande causeway.
Two additional guest rooms are on the main level - one with a queen bed, and the other "bunk room" has a queen-over-queen + a twin-over-twin bunk arrangement. There is one pack-n-play for the little one.
Also on the main level is the large and open living space, which includes the kitchen, a dining space for six, and a comfortable living room with a couch and two lounge chairs. A laundry closet with washer and dryer is also on this level.
Outside on the main level there is a spacious screened-in porch with another dining table for six, and a lounge space for enjoying cocktails and cool breezes.
Downstairs, the "The Crab Trap" has more space to relax, and includes a ping-pong table and darts for the nightly family competitions. This is also where the included golf cart and beach toys are stored.
The house comes with necessary soft goods like bedding, throw blankets, and both bath and beach towels. We also have a Pack n' Play and highchair for the little ones.
The kitchen is stocked with most of the cookware and dining essentials anyone would need, and there is a propane grill outside.
Downstairs is an assortment of beach chairs, a NESO sunshade, a cooler, and a beach wagon for taking items to the beach.
The family room and all three bedrooms have smart TVs for guests to login to their own streaming services, and the house includes Wifi.
Our golf cart is included and can hold up to 4 guests. While our dock and beach access are easily walkable (1min and 5min, respectively), there are rental carts available if your group requires more transportation, and we're happy to connect you.
Slips for boats up to 24' are first come, first served (though almost never fills up). There are many boat rental options nearby if you want to rent by the day or by the week.
***Max occupancy is six (6) adults - OR - four (4) adults with up to six (6) children, for a total of 10.
Guest Access:
Aside from some personal belongings closets, Guests will have access to our entire home, porches, The Crab Trap (garage), neighborhood dock and beach access.
The Neighborhood:
Little Gasparilla Island is unique in that is has no commercial businesses, no paved roads, no crowds, and no worries. Family Tides is located in the Jose's Hideaway neighborhood association, which includes a shared private dock and private beach access.
Golf carts are used for transportation and exploring, though the docks/intra-coastal waterway and beach are all 1-5min walks from our home.
During heavy rains, many of the paths on the island can flood. We recommend bringing rain boots in the event you need to walk these paths.
Islanders are respectful of each other and are very friendly, so please offer the same in return.
Getting Around:
On Island, there are paths throughout for walking or riding golf carts. There is no public transport. There is a golf cart rental service available if you require a 2nd to accommodate your group (our cart holds four people + one small child at most). Our cart is included for free as a convenience, **however in the event of malfunction, we'll do our best to resolve the issue ASAP, but we cannot guarantee repair or replacement during your stay as all vendors are on "island time" and no refunds are provided. *If you require a golf cart for mobility, we highly recommend you rent one as those services are usually able to provide immediate replacement carts in the event of break downs.
Off island, ride-shares are unreliable so arranging for a cab or driving are the best option. If you're into bicycling, on the mainland there is an extra large sidewalk alongside the main road, and you can bike to/from Publix and onto Boca Grande pretty easily from the marina.
Other Things to Note:
!! PLEASE READ EVERYTHING BELOW !!
***Primary renter must be at least 25 years of age***
***IF YOU REQUIRE A GOLF CART FOR MOBILITY*** This is a bridge-less island without any sidewalks or paved roads. The golf cart is provided as an added convenience for our guests, but its availability for use simply cannot be guaranteed. And, because we do not charge extra for its use, we are unable to provide any refund should it become inoperable. We do our best to keep the golf cart operational at all times, but issues can happen and making repairs on the island is not always done easily or quickly.
For this reason, if you require a golf cart for mobility to/from the docks or beach, we insist that you rent one from LGI Carts. They will deliver the cart to the house prior to your arrival and, in case of a break down, can usually repair or replace the cart for you. We appreciate all guests' patience and understanding of these terms.
***GUEST WILL NEED TO PRE-ARRANGE A PRIVATE WATER TAXI OR BRING A BOAT TO ACCESS THE ISLAND*** We can provide contact information for the local services.
There are no stores or retail businesses, so anything that you would like to have on the island in addition to what we've listed as included, you will need to bring with you. Otherwise, you will need to travel off of the island to purchase.
There are services that will deliver your groceries and/or meet you at the dock to assist with your luggage for arrival and departure - contact us for information.
We are not part of a beach resort or hotel, and some guests may have expectations that simply cannot be met. We hope that we've provided enough details through descriptions and photos to accurately depict what a vacation on LGI will look and feel like, and we're always available for questions.
We've prepared an AirBnB digital house manual (available once booked), and a digital guide book (available now by scrolling down to "Location" and clicking "more about the location" or "show guidebook"), both of which we hope will answer most of your questions and provide you with an adequate amount of additional information and recommendations for your stay.
We are always happy to answer any questions you may have before, during, or after your stay.
We've loved this island for over 25 years, and we think you'll love it too!
Interaction with Guests:
We are often on the island but do not interact with guests unless there is an issue or emergency.
