Don Pedro Island State Park, Barrier island state park in Florida Gulf Coast, US

Don Pedro Island State Park occupies a 129-acre barrier island in Charlotte County, between Palm Island and Little Gasparilla Island, across the Intracoastal Waterway from Placida. The island holds mangrove forests, dunes and white beaches, with docks and picnic areas along the shore.

Don Pedro Island became a Florida state recreation area after the state acquired the 129-acre barrier island in Charlotte County, between Palm Island and Little Gasparilla Island. The land was set aside as a protected natural space, and the park now lies across the Intracoastal Waterway from Placida, reachable only by boat.

The park's name comes from the Don Pedro Island it occupies, a 129-acre barrier island between Palm Island and Little Gasparilla Island. Visitors reach it by boat across the Intracoastal Waterway from Placida, and rangers lead guided nature talks and walks. Loggerhead turtles nest on its beaches, and shelling is a common activity along the white sand.

The island is only accessible by private boat and requires navigation through shallow waters. Visitors should plan their trip around tide conditions and check current dock availability before heading out.

Sea turtles return to the island's protected shores each year to lay their eggs on undisturbed beaches. This makes the place a crucial sanctuary for a species that faces threats in most of the world.