Park Summary for Print - Don Pedro Island State Park

View of the horizon of Don Pedro Island State Park beach over a hill of sea grass on a cloudy day.

Welcome to Don Pedro Island State Park

This beautiful little island is part of an extensive chain of barrier islands extending along the Gulf Coast of Florida. Between Knight Island and Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro is accessible only by private boat. Boaters can tie up at the dock on the bay side of the island, which is lined with mangroves. Access to the dock is through a 2.5 -foot - deep channel south of the Cape Haze power line crossing. Visitors might see endangered animals such as West Indian manatees, gopher tortoises, bald eagles, and American oystercatchers. With a mile of white sand beach, popular activities on the island´s Gulf side include sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and shelling. Boat and surf fishing are also favorite pastimes. For hiking and nature study, trails meander through the island´s 11 natural communities. Located off the coast of Cape Haze about nine miles south of Englewood. Boating location is Nautical Waterproof Chart #25. Intracoastal Waterway directional signs guide visitors to the park.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Don Pedro Island State Park, please call 941- 964 - 0375.

Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

Don Pedro Island is located west of Cape Haze and is only accessible by boat. Latitude 26.8499, Longitude 82.3048

Park Fees

Admission Fees: Honor Fee - $1.00 per person

Activities at Don Pedro Island State Park

	Beaches Pristine beach on the Gulf of Mexico. This beach is perfect for shelling, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and sunbathing.
	Boating Docks available for day use only are located on the bay side via a channel from the Intracoastal Waterway.
	Canoeing & Kayaking You must furnish your own canoe or kayak. (More info will be added).
	Facilities Don Pedro Landbase- Bathroom facilities are available and ADA accessible Don Pedro Island - Facilities are available, but NOT ADA accessible on the Island. Bathroom facilities on the Island are NOT ADA accesible
	Fishing Fishing is available on both the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico and can yield catches of flounder, snook, trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead and tarpon. Do you need a Fishing License?
	Interpretive Exhibit These programs, given by our rangers, cover a wide variety of topics including the history of the island and interpretation of the natural resources found on the island. (More info will be added)
	Nature Trails Enjoy a leisurely walk on nature trails that meander through the islands eleven distinct natural communities. Along the way you can see the islands protected plant species including giant leather fern, spreading air plant and coontie.
	Pavilions Pavilions are available for rent or on a first come first serve basis. Please call the park for more information.
	Pets Pets are allowed in this park, however, not on the beaches. They must be well-behaved and kept on a six-foot, hand-held leash at all times. Pets must not be left unattended, nor taken into restroom facilities or onto playground equipment. Service animals are welcome in all areas and buildings of the park, as required by law.
	Picnicking A picnic pavilion, restroom facility, tables and grills are available on the island.
	Scuba Scuba diving can be done off of the beaches. Snorkeling: Snorkel in the pristine, blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. You must provide your own equipment.
	Shelling Shelling is a popular activity at the park, especially during the winter months. Visitors are reminded that the taking of live shells is prohibited.
	Swimming The park offers sunbathing and swimming on its beautiful gulf beaches. Keep in mind, Don Pedro Island State Park is located on Little Gasparilla Island and is accessible only by private boat.
	Wildlife Viewing Some of the protected animal species that may be seen on the island are the West Indian manatee, gopher tortoise, southern bald eagle, least tern, royal tern, sandwich tern and the American oystercatcher.

Special Events for Don Pedro Island State Park

There are no events listed at this time. Please call our park for more details on possible future events.

Don Pedro Island State Park History

For thousands of years in and around the Charlotte Harbor, Calusa Indians raised their families, hunted, and scavenged for shellfish. They are described as sedentary, populous, tributary-fishing-and-hunting people. It is well documented that Indians lived around nearby Lemon Bay for more than five thousand years. In the early 1500's the area was "discovered" by the Spaniard, Ponce de Leon.

The general area of Don Pedro and other barrier islands in Charlotte Harbor were habitat to Indians, pirates and other predators long before homesteaders moved in. After many years of changing hands the land was sold to a local developer in 1969. The developer built the pavilion and docks on Don Pedro and had a "free ferry" service running to the island from Cape Haze. His plans were to develop and build condominiums on this beautiful gulf front property. The island was a strong selling point for the developer.

After years of developing the surrounding area of Rotonda West and Cape Haze, and the local residents using Don Pedro Island as their "private island" playground, Don Pedro Island was put up for sale. Don Pedro Island was purchased by the state in 1984 under the Save Our Coasts program for $6 million. The ferry service was discontinued to the island. This left the island accessible only by private boat. At this time there are 12 dock slips for public use, picnic tables, grills and a large picnic shelter with boardwalks to the beach and a restroom with outside shower.

An additional piece of property was just added containing nearly 100 acres as a landbase for this site. Plans are in the process for a restroom, nature trail, picnic shelter and a 30-40 car parking area. Future usage will be considered.

Don Pedro Island State Park Volunteer Information

Volunteers can do many things -- greet visitors, conduct tours, help rangers remove exotic plants or maintain the natural beauty of a beach, waterway or trail.