United States
Florida (FL)
Southwest Gulf Coast
Boca Grande
Things to Do in Boca Grande
Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum

Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum: Hours, Address, Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum Reviews: 4.5/5

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Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum

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Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum
4.5
222
#1 of 4 Shopping in Boca Grande
Speciality & Gift Shops • Lighthouses • History Museums
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11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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About
Port Boca Grande Lighthouse sits at the Southern tip of Gasparilla Island in Gasparilla Island State Park. The oldest structure on the island was built in 1890 and saw five Lighthouse Keepers and their families make this harbor-style dwelling home. The Light marks the entrance to Boca Grande Pass and is still an active aid to navigation. It currently houses a lovely history and nature museum and gift shop operated and maintained by Barrier Island Parks Society. Our mission is to Inspire, Educate, and Preserve. While there is no admission fee, it is operated on donations. Your donation at the front door and/or your purchase at the gift shop, keeps the Lighthouse Museum open to the public and provides for many educational programs throughout the four local barrier island state parks; Gasparilla Island State Park, Cayo Costa State Park, Don Pedro Island State Park and Stump Pass Beach State Park.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
19 within 3 miles
South Beach Bar & Grille
1,020
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Eagle Grille
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2.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
Temptation Restaurant, Bar & Package
475
2.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
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The Pink Elephant
674
2.4 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
The Inn Bakery
172
2.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • American • Cafe
Eagle's Nest
8
2.1 miAmerican • Seafood
Loose Caboose Restaurant
532
2.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
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50
2.2 mi$$$$ • Italian • Seafood • Tuscan
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200
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Attractions
9 within 6 miles
Boca Grande Historical Society and Museum
28
74 ftSpeciality Museums
Gasparilla Island State Park
301
0.2 miState Parks
Boca Grande Beach
482
2 miBeaches
Cayo Costa State Park
421
2.4 miState Parks
Gasparilla Island Lighthouse
28
1.7 miLighthouses
Boca Grande Farm & Fish Market
5
1.7 miFlea & Street Markets • Farmers Markets
Smart Studio
4
2.3 miArt Galleries
Useppa Island
106
Islands
Barbara Sumwalt Useppa Island Historical Museum
19
History Museums
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
222 reviews
Excellent
128
Very good
77
Average
15
Poor
1
Terrible
1
theoljohnnyboy
New Florence, PA1,341 contributions
PBGLM
Apr 2022
This is a nice little air conditioned museum that requires shirts and shoes, so dont just walk in off the beach in your swimwear. There is a nice bit of local history that is elaborated on in the museum, not just the standard information that is generally found in lighthouse museums. A small gift shop is located inside, and admission is free. Unless you walk in, you need to pay the $3 park entry fee and parking is limited.
Written April 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ElisabettaR17
Tampa, FL75 contributions
A gem
Jun 2021 • Couples
Beautiful lighthouse with a small but impressive museum with great exhibits and lovely gift shop. Fantastic location at the tip of the island. The museum is free, visit and support it with a donation or a purchase at the gift shop, as they do great presentation work!
Written June 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Barrier Island Parks Society
Thank you for visiting us at the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum. We appreciate your support of our non-profit (Barrier Island Parks Society). All donations and gift shop purchases allows us to continue our important mission of preserving our natural and historic treasures. We hope you visit again soon.
Written June 25, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
redsnut1355
Baltimore, MD149 contributions
Boca Grande Lighthouse
Sep 2021
My wife and I were in the area. I am a big lighthouse enthusiast and so we traveled to Gasparilla Island to see the lighthouse. It is located at the end of the island. The museum is great with lots of history on the area and the lighthouses there. They have a nice small gift shop. I really enjoyed being to visit the lighthouse and took lots of pictures
Written September 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mitch D
Cincinnati, OH46 contributions
Incredibly Well-Produced History of Gasparilla
Jan 2020
If you are even remotely interested in the history of Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande, then this is not to be missed. The curated collection of stories and artifacts is second to none on the island. The history of the building alone is worth the $2 golf cart parking. Especially if you are looking for a new beach to visit for the day, give this an hour or two visit. You won't regreat it.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Barrier Island Parks Society
Thank you so much for your review of our lovely Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum. For such a small island, we have a lot of history and glad that you enjoyed your visit. Visit us again soon.
Written February 26, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
BAR845
Englewood, FL393 contributions
Worth a look
Dec 2021
Nice little museum about the island's history and the history of the lighthouse and the keepers. Very well done and laid out. Free admission but donations are appreciated as that is the only funding they receive. The sign at the park entrance said they were open but didn't open for awhile. 11:00 am. So check times to view. Kind of difficult to get to the entrance. Nice collection of shells from a former lighthouse keeper's daughter. Small gift shop that has some nice items for sale. Well worth a look. 1/2 to an hour to look through the exhibit.
Written December 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Brad M
Naples, FL744 contributions
Closed due to Covid but still worth a visit to see the lighthouse and to visit the beach
Dec 2020
Rode our bicycles to south end for eh island to explore. Great ride and wonderful beach. The lighthouse itself was closed due to covid but still with the visit to see it and hang out on the beach.
Written December 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Barrier Island Parks Society
Thank you for your review. We hope you are able to visit our lighthouse museum and gift shop the next time you are on the island. We are now open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 3pm.
Written January 27, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marie B
24 contributions
excellent
Feb 2020 • Couples
We enjoyed both lighthouses on the island. The volunteers were friendly and knowledgeable. The skeletal lighthouse was open the day we visited but the museum light was not. I wish more volunteers were available so we could have climbed both towers.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Barrier Island Parks Society
Thank you for visiting our lighthouses. We have specific days of the week when we open the lighthouses to climb. These dates/hours can be found on our website @ Barrier Island Parks Society .org - thank you again for visiting and we hope you enjoyed your visit.
Written February 28, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Canadian22madison
Brantford, Canada21 contributions
Nice drive
Feb 2020
I didn't go in the museum because it was closed. I did a walk around the area which was nice. I also walked around the centre of Boca Grande which was very nice. With the amount of money floating around the area I found most people to be down to earth, especially the elderly. Had a fish snack and ice cream. Delicious.
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Barrier Island Parks Society
Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we had to close effective March 13, 2020. We have a lovely nature and history museum that Barrier Island Parks Society opened in 1999, and a gift shop. We offer lighthouse climbs during season as well as educational programs. We are still closed due to Covid-19, but we hope that you will follow us on facebook and/or visit our website for updates on re-opening and you are able to visit us again.
Written July 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hobomonty
Punta Gorda, FL332 contributions
Great old lighthouse
This is a great old lighthouse with a depiction of life on the island trough the decades. The view from the porch while having an ice cream was delightful. There were a couple of pieces of outstanding hand crafted earrings that caught my wife's eye. I partiucarly enjoyed studing the understructure of the building while walking the boardwalk to the museum.
Written March 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jtr2010
Forsyth, GA120 contributions
Quality, not quantity
Dec 2014 • Family
This is a quaint (small) museum that is free (suggested donation of $3/adult) after accessing the park ($6/toll and $3/car). The exhibits cover the native Americans, the Spanish and later settlers, including an interesting story about Ponce de Leon, and more recent history, including the railroad, mining and current uses.

Definitely worth a visit.
Written December 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum
Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum is open:
  • Tue - Sat 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum tours on Tripadvisor