Don Pedro Island State Park - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Don Pedro Island is a brilliant shipwreck-diving haven and secluded beach escape. It’s home to two gorgeous beaches: North Beach and South Beach. All of this is nestled within a state preserve abundant with natural beauty and wildlife. Snorkelers love Don Pedro Island for its extensive variety of aquatic life, including sea turtles, barracudas, moray eels, snook, permit, spadefish and tarpon just to name a few. The waters are crystal clear and often feature visibility of up to 100ft!

Little Gasparilla Island is connected with Don Pedro Island to the north by a thin strip of beach and mangrove swamp.

The Boca Grande Causeway consists of three bridges and crosses Gasparilla Sound over 2.5 miles, providing the only vehicular access to the island.

The Cape Haze Pioneer Trail, is the perfect getaway for outdoor adventurers. Stretching 12 miles from Placida Harbor to Gasparilla Road and covering a variety of scenic landscapes ranging from wetlands to beaches, this trail offers something for all levels of hikers and bikers. From sunbathing on one of the many sandy shorelines to wildlife spotting in pristine wildlife habitats, trekkers will find plenty of opportunities to explore the natural beauty surrounding this coastal paradise.

Gasparilla Island gets its name from the legendary pirate captain José Gaspar ("Gasparilla" 1756–1821), who had his base on the island and purportedly hid his fabulous treasure there.

Stump Pass Beach State Park opened to the public in 1971 with no services. Picnic pavilions, a boardwalk, outdoor showers, and restrooms were added to the park in 2000.