Wasi Mati "Blue Water" and Thula Mati "Calm Water"
While it's true that there are no restaurants or shops on Little Gasparilla Island, Boca Grande is right "next door" and makes for a fun excursion... if you can stand to tear yourself away from our stunning beach long enough to get there. The Picnic Basket is parked right next to The Gasparilla Inn and makes a great stop for some morning coffee, pastries, or quiche to fuel up before exploring our neighboring island.
🏝️ Out of office reminder: Please DON'T use the workstation at our beachfront property 😂 🌅🌊 If you're staying here, remember to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just enjoy the peace and tranquility of the island. And if you absolutely have to work, well, the workstation is there for you... just don't forget to take a quick dip in the ocean afterward! 🌊
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The second Primary Suite upstairs wraps you in a luxurious King bed with crisp white 100% Organic Bamboo Sateen linens. A full ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower and beach pebble floor has a FULL GULF VIEW FROM INSIDE THE SHOWER!!! Yes, it does, people. All beach...all...the...time!
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Our stunning floating white oak staircase was custom manufactured off-site and hauled onto the island piece by piece (those solid oak treads are no joke, not to mention the 300-pound single-piece mono stringer). We then assembled it in place and ended up with this stunning staircase that's like artwork in our coastal condo! This leads to our newly expanded second floor flex space
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The lower level primary ensuite with beach pebble tile walk-in shower is the perfect spot to rinse off in luxury after a day at the beach.
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Our stunning beachfront Little Gasparilla Island renovation sleeps 6 comfortably! This main level Primary Suite can be configured with either a King bed for couples of two Twins and features a private full ensuite bathroom and private lanai with STUNNING views.
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She's just flat-out showing off... no filter needed!
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It’s officially sea turtle season on the island! Well, actually, it’s supposed to start May 1st but the turtles missed the memo and came a few days early. We had our first “crawl” night before last! A crawl is when a female turtle crawls up onto the beach at night to possibly lay a nest of eggs. A “false crawl” is when you’ll see her tracks come up onto the beach, then turn right back around into the Gulf without digging to lay a nest.
A few fun facts about turtle season on the island:
🏝️ Never disturb or touch a sea turtle!!! This pic from a few years back is of a hatchling that was being released by an official Island Turtle Patrol Volunteer (my daughter ☺️). This guy did not crawl out of his nest with the rest of his siblings and was left behind. He was cared for until sunset the next night and then released on the beach following protocols.
🏝️Turtle Season is from May 1st through October 31st
🏝️While our properties are equipped with “Turtle Safe Glass” on all doors and windows, it’s still important to close the curtains and turn lights down or off after sunset. Bright lights in houses disrupt the turtles internal GPS and may make them crawl towards the house instead of back to the water
🏝️Please remove all chairs, toys and supplies from the beach each evening and fill in any holes you’ve dug or see on the beach. Both of these can cause turtle to get stuck and results are terminal
🏝️We do not currently have Turtle Patrol on the island to mark and protect the nests. If you see fresh crawl tracks, consider yourself lucky, then move on and let nature take its course.
And viola - just like magic! The quartz countertops/backsplash are safely in place in this gorgeous beachfront kitchen of ours.
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Curious what it took to get our GORGEOUS single slab quart kitchen countertop and backsplash onto a bridgeless barrier island? A lot of elbow grease, a very patient ferry Captain, and some luck (try getting it off the ferry and making a 90-degree turn onto a very narrow dock in very breezy weather conditions 🫣). From there it had to be manually rolled on the sandy shell path across to the other side of the island, and hauled up three flights of stairs before it landed safely in our kitchen!
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Can you imagine a more perfect paradise than this? A totally empty private beach, the serene lapping of glass clear water, and a cup of coffee in hand for a morning wake-up walk.
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Phew - what a year it's been! Not even a major hurricane and the birth of our first grandbaby could slow us down. Renovating a home on a bridgeless barrier island is NOT for the faint of heart. But we're so thrilled to finally be ready to welcome you back to Little Gasparilla Island... in LUXURY!
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The bliss of eeking out those last few drips of summer sun before the day ends.
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Is there anything more perfect than sipping your morning coffee to an island sunrise? I dare you to answer!
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Hi There... We’re Kristin and Chris - your hosts on LGI!
Our island adventure goes all the way back to our elopement on a small island in the Indian Ocean. Hoping to recreate that same sense of bliss a little closer to home (Colorado), we discovered Little Gasparilla Island many years ago. We purchased a large home on the south end of the island to form memories with our daughters when they were young (some of you may have enjoyed our Ukuthula House). When our little shorebirds flew the coop, we decided we wanted an easier and lower-maintenance island life. We honed in on the Placida Beach Condos as they tend to be quieter and more upscale feeling than other options on LGI. Side note: When I texted my daughters the first time I had the “luxury” of not having to haul my own trash off the island, they said I was “cheating” and “being bougie” LOL!
Since we couldn’t decide between our favorite view, beach or bay, we decided to buy one of each! Chris and I love a good renovation project, so we’ve been living in (and redecorating) our bayfront unit while fully renovating the beachfront unit: a total gut job (not an easy feat on a bridgeless barrier island).
We have traveled all over the world (Chris is from South Africa, and I have spent the bulk of my career traveling to world-class resorts). While we love the barefoot tranquility of LGI, we do appreciate a beautiful place to stay. I’m taking my 28 years of real estate investing experience, mixed with a long career of being wined and dined in some of the nicest hotels around the world, and infusing just a tiny bit of both into our two new breathtaking LGI condos.
If you’re looking for that perfect blend of a low-key LGI immersion mixed with a more upscale island accommodation (not to mention coveted complimentary ferry and trash service), you’ve found your new home away from home!
*I manage every detail of our properties personally and want to make sure they’re a great fit for you and you’re a great fit for our lovely island neighbors.
Happy Island Dreaming,
Kristin
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Our very quiet bayfront property, Thula Mati, is an end unit, tucked away from island "foot traffic," snuggled in amongst swaying palm fronds, caressed by the cooling breezes blowing in from the bay. Your only views will be the blue water of the bay, frolicking dolphins, and our resident osprey relaxing in the crook of the mangrove.
No available for rentals! www.LGIsland.com
How to wake up on the island:
-Roll out of the uber-luxe king-sized bed with Organic Bamboo Sateen linens
-Make yourself a bougie coffee with our Nespresso machine
-Saunter onto the patio to sip leisurely while watching for dolphins, manatees, bald eagle, and osprey, and listen for the mockingbird, aka "cell phone ring tone bird"
Welcome to Thula Mati (Calm Water), our luxury bayfront 2 bed, 1 bath Little Gasparilla Island condo! What sets us apart from other island properties?
-High-end renovation and furnishings
-Direct waterfront location with unobstructed views
-Boutique hotel amenities (organic hotel toiletries, hotel slippers, and more)
-King-sized bed!
-100% Organic bamboo sateen linens
-Fat tire beach cruisers and SUP included
-Complimentary exclusive gated mainland parking
-Complimentary on-demand ferry service
-Super clean! (we have the most meticulous housekeeper on the island).
If you love LGI, but prefer easier and more upscale accommodations, you'll LOVE staying with us!
Book directly at www.LGIsland.com.
Happy Island Dreaming!
🐢Turtle season is in full swing on the island! If you see these track marks lining the beach, consider yourself lucky! You've just witnessed the "footprints" of a sea turtle coming up onto LGI to lay a nest. These tracks lead up to a mound where they've likely laid a nest of around 100 eggs! These little hatchlings will hopefully emerge at night, late in the summer, following the light from a full moon reflecting on the water to guide them back to the safety of the sea.
A few tips:
-DO NOT disturb the nests at all!
-We do not currently have a team of "turtle volunteers" to mark the nests or protect them with wire mesh (to prevent island armadillos and cayotes from poaching the nests), so we have to let nature take its course.
-If you go for night walks on the beach, please use only red-tinted flashlights (the red tint will not disturb turtles).
-If you happen across a turtle on the beach, keep your distance and let her lay her nest undisturbed!
-If you're staying in Wasi Mati (our direct beachfront condo), please close your curtains after dark so the light doesn't confuse hatchlings. We do have "turtle tint" on our beach-facing windows to help eliminate light from the unit, but we like to be EXTRA safe and close the curtains as well.
We hope you come stay with us soon for some turtle track spotting!
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Now accepting reservations at Thula Mati (Zulu for Calm Water), our upscale, private, quiet, and peaceful bayfront 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo!
You'll love staying here if you value:
-A boutique hotel feel and pristine clean environment
-Luxurious linens (100% Organic Bamboo Sateen)
-Large King-sized bed
-Direct waterfront location
-High-end fixtures and furnishings
-Modern, minimal beach design
-Lack of clutter!
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We can't wait to welcome you 🏝️
On your first morning beach walk, you will likely be greeted by perfect, whole sand dollars just sitting on the beach as if the sea left you the most perfect welcome gift of all!
Time your arrival just right and you may catch one of our iconic island sunsets. Watch for the "green flash" as the sun finally dips below the horizon, knowing you'll get another chance to see it tomorrow.
Departing the ferry, you'll walk down a long boardwalk onto the island. Watch for blooming scarlet-stars tucked into the crooks of the mangroves, and vibrant blooming orchids thriving in the tropical humidity. Go slowly, breathe deeply, and absorb the last few moments of warming dappled sunlight peeking through the mangrove tunnel.
Arriving onto Little Gasparilla Island via our condo's private ferry feels like a vacation in and of itself! Watch for manatees floating lazily in the harbour and dolphins frolicking in the bay. Take a deep breath, blow out the stress of the "real world." You're now on island time.
As you arrive, you'll see our bayside condo, Thula Mati "Calm Water" tucked into the shade of the mangroves, being caressed by the gentle breeze off the bay, watching and waiting for your arrival.
Welcome to Little Gasparilla Island! As a long time islander, I'm embarking on a new journey to completely gut and renovate my new beachfront condo (Wasi Mati "Blue Water in Zulu), while simultaneously living in and redecorating my new bayfront condo (Thula Mati "Calm Water").
Both will be coming soon for private short term rentals of 2 weeks or longer.
Happy Island Dreaming!
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I know it can feel daunting at first to come to Little Gasparilla Island… no roads, no cars, no stores etc. But I’ve got you! We make it super easy for first-timers to enjoy island life without the worry of logistics. Here’s how to do it: 1. Book a luxury stay with us at LGIsland.com (I own and manage our properties personally and am here to help every step of the way) 2. We include secure gated mainland parking, hourly private passenger ferry, trash pickup and more 3. Use the included utility carts to load your luggage and groceries straight from your car, to the ferry, to your stunning island home for the week Now relax and enjoy some carefree island time! Link in bio to learn more
Hey- I don’t make the rules! But I have curated the perfect luxury island escape for you to enjoy your vacay. Click the link to bio to schedule a discovery call and I’ll tell you all about it 🏝️
Q: If there are no bridges, no roads, no cars, and no stores on the island, how do you go grocery shopping? A: Like this 🚤 ——————- Click the link in bio to learn more about how to access the private Little Gasparilla Island and where to stay (pro tip: with us 😉)
Steal my relaxation strategy! With STUNNING beach views and private lanais in every room, THIS is the place to rest, rejuvenate, and refuel your soul… We can’t wait to welcome to Wasi Mati (Zulu for Blue Water), our boutique hotel inspired escape on Little Gasparilla Island. Tell me your favorite way to unwind 👇🏻🏝️
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