South Gulf Blvd, Don Pedro Island.
Do you ever wonder what it must have been like living on Florida Gulf coast barrier islands back in the 1930’s and 1940’s?
Before the development, before the big bridges, before paved roads, life was much slower. People lived without the constant roar of traffic and sirens, slamming of car doors, or the scream of jets overhead.
Crime was almost unheard-of. People didn’t feel the need to lock their doors. Neighbors were far enough away to be cherished rather than to be blocked with privacy fences.
Everyone knew their neighbors’ comings and goings and everyone in the community looked out for one another. You could walk out of your house and down your unpaved street and everyone you encountered you likely knew by name.
What if I told you that there is an island on the Florida Gulf coast where life is still very much like that? Would you be interested in visiting?
I just spent four days on Don Pedro Island. In some respects I felt like I’d gone back in time (and took my air conditioning, microwave, and iphone with me). Every island lot does not have a house on it. Wildlife is cherished. Most roads are unpaved, and the main modes of transportation are golf carts, bicycles and flip-flops.
Don Pedro Island Beach.
Don Pedro is one of four islands in a chain of barrier islands in the Englewood, Florida area. It is between Sarasota and Fort Myers, for those not familiar with the area. Three of the islands are now joined together, but each retains a distinct character. Here’s a brief summary of the four islands, from north to south:
Thornton Key – This is a scrubby mangrove island with no beach. It only has two homes, and the rest of the island has been designated a nature preserve. It sits just east of Knight Island. It can only be accessed by boat. A kayak will do just fine.
Knight Island – Bordered by Stump Pass at the northern tip, Knight Island is home to the Palm Island Resort. Since there is really not much other than the Resort on Knight Island, it is commonly referred to as “Palm Island.” The car ferry dock is on Knight Island and is operated by the Palm Island Resort. The Resort is home to the Rum Bay restaurant and Redbeard the pirate. The Resort is very family friendly.
Don Pedro Island – This is a completely residential island and is home to a State Park. The only business on Don Pedro is Islander Properties, which handles real estate rentals and sales and property management. The roads are unpaved. There are no stores and no restaurants on the island. You can easily drive your car or golf cart from Knight Island (Palm Island) to Don Pedro Island.
Little Gasparilla Island – (not to be confused with Gasparilla Island, or Boca Grande) This is the southernmost island in the group and can only be reached by boat or by walking on the beach from Don Pedro Island. There are about 500 residences on the island, but fewer than 50 permanent residents. The island’s population swells to over 1,000 on weekends and holidays when families arrive to get away from it all for a few days. Many of the island’s residents have 5,000 or 10,000 gallon cisterns that collect rainwater from the rooftops. That is their water supply. But don’t think that they live in a primitive way, there are some mighty fine homes on Little Gasparilla.
Families relaxing at the beach on Don Pedro Island.
Now that you have the lay of the land, picture this scenario:
You stop at a grocery store in Englewood and buy enough groceries for the week. Then you drive your car onto the Palm Island Transit ferry and take the 2 minute ride to Knight Island. After disembarking, you drive across two small bridges onto Don Pedro Island and encounter no traffic except for 2 gopher tortoises crossing the road, and a golf cart.
You drive up to your beach house which sits on stilts, and park underneath–next to the golf cart that you will use for the rest of your vacation. That’s it. Relax. Spend the rest of your vacation swimming, shelling, birding, walking on the beach, fishing, exploring the island, and meeting island people (or not). Throw away your clock and your calendar. Turn off your cell phone.
View of Don Pedro Island beach from my beach house, courtesy of Islander Properties.
Caution: If you need entertainment, shopping, nightlife or constant diversions; if you want room service and colorful drinks with umbrellas brought to you as you lounge by the beach, these islands are not for you.
For the budget conscious: Paradise does not come cheap, but don’t despair, there are deals to be had, especially during the summer and fall months.
After you’ve spent a week on these islands, your idea of what a beach vacation can offer will be forever changed.
Golf-carting around on Don Pedro Island.
Don Pedro Island beach.
The beach at Don Pedro Island State Park.
Waterfront homes on Little Gasparilla Island. No cars, but plenty of boats.
Gopher tortoise crossings are everywhere on the islands.
Links to places I mentioned:
Island Properties (Bob & Robin Madden)
