Sunny Daze: Beachfront Cottage on the bay!

Summary:
Sunny Daze is a beautiful beachfront AND bayfront property on Little Gasparilla Island. The island is only accessible by boat or the water taxi so you don't have the typical Florida crowds.

The Space:
Please note that Little Gasparilla Island is a barrier island accessible only by boat; we provide water taxi information when you book. You cannot drive your vehicle to the island; you park at the marina on the mainland where you catch the water taxi. There are no stores, bars or restaurants on Little Gasparilla which means it has retained much of its "old Florida" ambiance and pristine beauty. For years Little Gasparilla was visited only by locals who would come on weekends to fish, go to the beach and enjoy the privacy, peace and quiet. Now, even though it has been discovered, the lack of commercial establishments means that the island appeals to those who want to get away from crowds, tourists, traffic and technology.

Sunny Daze is a charming two-bedroom beachfront cottage that has been in the same family for generations. It is a well-loved family home that has been enjoyed by the owners for years. Enjoy a white sandy beach in back by the dock which is under repair and the beautiful gulf beach in front. The yard is lush with frangipani, papaya trees, key lime trees and large seagrapes that form a bower as you approach the cottage. There is a wonderful sense of privacy and isolation in this cottage.

This home would be a perfect winter retreat for artists, writers or educators on sabbatical. It is also perfect for a small family or couple that wants a private and relaxing getaway close to the beach and the bay. For fishing enthusiasts, its location at the south end means that fishing is great right off the dock and the pass is easily accessible from the dock.

The home is cozy and comfortable with dramatic views of the Gulf from the living room, dining room and kitchen.

The master bedroom offers a king size bed with brand new mattress and bedding, and it has sliding doors which lead to a quiet and private balcony overlooking the back yard and the bay. It is a perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee in complete privacy, as you watch the sun come up and peek through the sea grapes.

The second bedroom offers two twin beds. There is also a sleeping loft which guests may use, but it is accessed by a very steep ladder and is not appropriate for small children or those with limited mobility. There is also a sofa bed in the living room, so the home sleeps up to 6. Rates are based on 4 guests, however, so extra guests will require an additional guest fee.

The living room and dining room both have shutters for privacy and sliding doors that open to the covered porch. The shutters allow you to easily shield lights from the beach during turtle nesting season and they can be easily opened to reveal the views of the Gulf. The windows are across the entire front of the home so you have great beach views and great sunset views.

The kitchen is quite basic and does not have a dishwasher, but it is well stocked with pots and pans, and all the dishes you need.

There is a storage shed downstairs with a washer dryer and there is also a downstairs outdoor shower for rinsing off after coming back from the beach, an afternoon of fishing off the dock or a day of boating. The owners allow you to use their kayaks and their canoe; a waiver is required and lifejackets are provided.

The current is strong near the south end so small children will require supervision at the small private beach by the dock. Fishing is great right off the end of the dock; you can often head down to the dock at 6 and catch enough snook for dinner! (Or, we can help arrange fishing trips, day trips to Cabbage key or shelling trips to Cayo Costa). There is a spacious shaded fish cleaning station and water at the dock plus lights for nighttime fishing or netting shrimp. There are two benches at the end of the dock for fishing or simply relaxing and watching the boats and dolphins pass by. You might even spot a fat manatee lounging beneath the dock!

The beach in front of the house requires a short walk down a sandy pathway, thru the dunes. Beach chairs and an umbrella are provided for your enjoyment of the beach.

Sunny Daze is an iconic Little Gasparilla cottage, filled with sepia photos of early island scenes. You will enjoy the shell collections, artwork and the memories of the family who has enjoyed it for so many years. It is not modern or "updated", but a simple, comfortable home where you can kick off your flip flops at the door, sit on the porch and enjoy the dramatic sunsets and make your own family memories!

Wifi- included with no data limitations.

Pet Policy - pet-friendly with $100 non-refundable fee per pet; some breeds may be excluded due to insurance restrictions

Damage Protection - The $59 charge listed as a "management fee" on your quote covers your purchase of $2500 of “all risk” damage protection coverage on your rental property. This protection is purchased in lieu of a cash damage deposit. Coverage details are spelled out in your contract.

Cleaning Fee - minimum $325 cleaning fee

Minimum Renter Age - 25

Dock - private dock with water and fish cleaning station

Satellite TV - yes

Grill Type - charcoal

Coffee - drip (filters provided)

Parking - $8/night ($10/night if you have a boat trailer) at Eldred's Marina on the mainland where you meet the boat taxi

Holiday surcharges- applied for reservations for Independence Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas/New Years timeframes

The Neighborhood:
The entire cottage is yours to enjoy, as well as 7 miles of pristine Gulf of Mexico beach. The home includes a private dock if you choose to rent a boat. There are no stores or restaurants on the island. There is a fabulous wood fired pizza delivery option and grocery delivery service. We also have an on island guest services manager if you need anything during your stay.

Getting Around:
The water taxi runs daily on demand, so getting back to the mainland is relatively easy, but most people choose to stay on the island and enjoy the peace and privacy. The water taxi runs daily during daylight hours, roughly 8 to 5, and the fare averages $25 minimum for 2 people with an additional $15 per person. The taxi will run after dark but there is a surcharge for runs after dark. Please note that we do have 911 service on the island as well as paramedics on the island if you are concerned about emergency medical treatment.

Other Things to Note:
Please evaluate your expectations before booking a stay on Little Gasparilla Island. If you are expecting a polished "resort" atmosphere, Little Gasparilla is decidedly more rustic. During periods of heavy rain or tropical storms, there may be standing water on the roadways, at the dock and around the house. This is a tropical environment with mosquitos, rust, power outages and other minor inconveniences. If you are expecting resort amenities and services, the island might not be for you.

Interaction with Guests:
We value your privacy highly and will not intrude, but we can get to the island fairly quickly if you have issues. We also have an on-island Guest Services Manager and handyman for emergency repairs. Our cleaning crew is on-island and should be notified immediately if you encounter any cleanliness issues.