Built in 1890 on the southern tip of Gasparilla Island, Port Boca Grande Light guided ships through Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass for decades. The rear-range light, a modest iron-skeleton tower, served as a critical navigational aid for the phosphate shipping industry that defined the area. Now deactivated, the lighthouse is not open to the public and cannot be climbed.

The structure is best photographed during golden hour, when warm light plays off the ironwork against Gulf sunsets. Nearby, visitors can explore Gasparilla Island State Park’s pristine beaches, fish the famous Boca Grande Pass — known as the “tarpon capital of the world” — or stroll the charming village shops along Banyan Street.

Explore Nearby

• Gasparilla Island State Park — State Park in Florida
• Cayo Costa State Park — State Park in Florida
• Big Cypress National Preserve — Dark Sky Site in Florida
• Florida Keys Scenic Highway — Scenic Byway in Florida