What are beaches like?

Question

What are the beaches cottages restaurants like on Little Gasparilla now? After the hurricanes

Answer

Great question. Little Gasparilla Island (LGI) is a very low-key, remote barrier island, and its “afterhurricane” status reflects that — there’s beauty and serenity, but also some ongoing recovery. Here’s a detailed sense of what the beaches, cottages, and any “amenities” are like now, based on the most recent publicly available information.

Beaches:

The beaches on LGI are still very natural and uncrowded — that’s part of its charm. According to the official vacation rental site, visitors are drawn to “pristine beaches” and “crystal-clear waters.”
However, coastal erosion has been noted. The county’s community plan highlights that “beach erosion is evident on the ocean side of the island,” particularly along the northern shore.
In the recent post-storm report for Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Florida DEP notes that single-family dwellings were destroyed on LGI in certain areas.
Recovery is slower than more accessible areas: because LGI is only reachable by boat and has no roads (cars aren’t allowed), debris removal and restoration are more difficult.

Cottages / Vacation Homes:

There are still many vacation rental homes available through Little Gasparilla Vacation Rentals, including beachfront houses, bay-front homes, and cozy interior cottages.
The rental agency itself notes that “many property owners are rebuilding” after damage from several hurricanes (including Ian, Helene, and Milton).
On Airbnb, at least some of the cottages report “zero damage” in recent hurricanes.
Because of the damage and ongoing rebuild, some homeowners are still navigating repair and insurance issues.

Restaurants / Amenities:

Importantly: there are no restaurants on Little Gasparilla Island. According to local reporting, LGI has no restaurants, no grocery stores — it's very undeveloped and rustic.
The lack of commercial amenities makes LGI very “Old Florida.” The isolation is part of the draw — but also means fewer services during recovery.

General Feel & Recovery Status:

Multiple sources describe LGI now as more “open,” with less dense foliage, thanks to storm damage.
Aerial images after Hurricane Milton showed significant destruction: docks missing, water and sand intrusion, and debris.
Because of its remote nature, recovery is challenging: residents have noted that removing debris is difficult without road access.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a very peaceful, natural beach getaway — minimal crowds, “no frills” cottages, and a real sense of escape — Little Gasparilla Island still very much offers that. But don’t expect restaurants or built-up amenities: it’s not yet a fully “recovered resort” island with dining and commercial infrastructure. The cottages are in various stages of repair and rebuilding, and some damage remains visible in parts. If your trip is more about tranquility and simplicity than convenience, LGI remains a beautiful choice — but go in with the understanding that it’s rustic, and recovery is ongoing.