- Progress Village
1 / 100
Boat-in
This Hipcamp is accessible by boat.
What to expect
Boat access only
Tent site
26 guests max
Campfires allowed
Toilet available
Pets allowed
Showers available
Picnic table present
No potable water
Pack it out
Cooking equipment absent
No wifi
Laundry absent
Things to know
Getting there
Check in: After 12:00 PM
Check out: Before 12:00 PM
On arrival: Head straight to site
Access: By boat
Cancellation policy:
Minimum nights: 1 night
Accepts bookings: 12 months out
No wheelchair access
Max 6 vehicles
2WD accessible
During your trip
Follow the
Leave it better
Inclusion policyWe have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp. We are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper communities be inclusive.
Select a site
Tent-only sites
1 site
Island Retreat Florida
98%
(32)Boat access only
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Pets allowed
Showers
Reviews
98% Recommend32 ratings · 23 reviews
Island Retreat Florida offers a unique camping experience on a private island that combines the best of nature with thoughtful amenities. Campers enjoy kayaking, fishing, and observing the local birdlife, all while having access to facilities like large fire pits and raised tent platforms. Many visitors praise the privacy and the meticulous care Eric puts into maintaining the island, making it a popular choice for repeat visits. While some mention noise from nearby areas or natural elements like trash washing up, the overall sentiment is positive, with guests appreciating the secluded yet accessible location and Eric's attentive hosting.
Summary AI-generated from real reviews
Recommends
· May 2025
Great Single Night Stay!
Tent · With pets
We enjoyed our one night on the island. We kayaked to it. Got everything set up at camp. Did some fishing from the kayaks. The large fire pits were excellent for entertainment during the night as well as cooking our dinner and breakfast.
The island is right on the river but very private with the way Eric has kept the trees around the outside parameter of the island. Also take a hike over to the west side of the island to a bench that was nice for sunset. You can’t see the actual sunset due to the land but still great colors in the sky.
Recommends
· March 2024
Trip #2, what a success!
Tent
This was my 2nd time staying at Island Retreat Florida and I'm already planning trip #3 here! It's a wonderful place to stay and Eric is always so great to work with. I'm definitely making this a regular place that I'll be staying. My favorite activity is kayaking around the island and viewing the large variety of bird life in the area!
Recommends
· January 2024
AAMMMAAZZIINNGGG
Tent
Amazing! If you are thinking about doing it, DO IT!!!
Private and very nice facilities! It was a dream to have a whole island to myself! And the paddle is pretty short
Recommends
· December 2023
Tent
I stayed 3 days at Island Retreat Florida and had a WONDERFUL time! Eric was great to work with and very helpful and informative. Not only did I spend time camping, or should I say glamping, but I also kayaked around the island and surrounding area. It was all fantastic, I can't wait for my next visit in the coming months!
Recommends
· December 2023
Outstanding
Tent
This is the *coolest* little island. The pictures somehow don’t do it justice. What a great, unique spot to set up camp at. My dog was ELATED sniffing around, dude was frolicking like never before - genuinely a joy to see.
Eric was communicative, helpful, and friendly. I was worried about the parking situation but there was plenty even during peak hours. I will without a doubt be back.
Recommends
· November 2023
Tent
Really enjoyed camping on iskand retreat. The swinging bed was my spot for the night and slept great. Cool place with the basic necessities.
Recommends
· November 2023
Tent · Group trip
The island is my new favorite place. It was absolutely amazing! Eric is a phenomenal host, and very tentative to any question. I’m already planning my next trip!
Recommends
· September 2023
so fun and unique!
Tent
We had the best time and thought it was so cool! We definitely want to go back.
Recommends
· May 2023
A Fantastically Relaxing Island
Tent · With pets
This has been an extremely wonderful experience. Eric has everything clearly explained regarding the shower, restroom, canoe ect.. The platform are built sturdy and with enough distance apart for privacy. The large fire pits are terrific for keeping the bugs away and cooking. I would definitely plan another trip in the near future. And the solar lighting was a sweet surprise.
The commute by kayak was perfect, made an ice run easy. The noise in the distance was easy to block out even without earplugs.
Recommends
· April 2023
AMAZING!!!
Tent
Island Retreat is a Paradise. We loved the place, there is so many things to do and Eric was really nice to us all the time we texted him. We are definitely coming back pretty soon!!!
Recommends
· April 2023
Tent · Group trip
Was a wonderful place to stay, set up perfect for camping ..peaceful and relaxing, we will deff book again next year..5 stars
Recommends
· April 2023
Tent
Awesome experience, very well maintained, lots of fun things to do. Definitely will go back
Recommends
· March 2023
Private Island Camping
Tent
As always, it is a pleasure to stay on Eric's island. There are wonderful additions made between every stay. Thank you for making this hidden gem available!
Recommends
· March 2023
Amazing camp getaway
Tent
This island is truly amazing what Eric has done here is beautiful so many great places to pitch your tent, and several raised platforms for your tent and there’s a dock for fishing. You have two fire pits and several benches and a picnic table even a bathroom. This place is just the coolest place ever.
Recommends
· March 2022
Group trip
Amazing experience and really good pricing
Recommends
· February 2022
Private w/sounds of everyday life.
We enjoyed our experience camping on the Island. Eric is an excellent communicator, pay close attention to all information provided. Parking was great, landing on the island in an inflatable kayak was an adventure. During low tide it is very shallow at island docking. When we planned going off island we couldn't. We thought we could wade out to the deeper water to get in the kayak but the sand is too soft and we sank. We rearranged our plans to go out when the tide came in. Would love to return in the future with the purpose of cleaning it up. There was more trash than expected. I realize it gets washed up. The one evening it was warm there were no see ums, all part of nature. Go prepared, screen room took care of that annoyance. There is "white noise" or noise pollution, whichever way you see it. Power plant, road noise, barking dog, raceway nearby, but you are completely isolated and as long as you are aware then you plan accordingly. None of it bothered me. Cell phones work. Glad for the outhouse. The fire pits are excellent and we were able to use the grill stake and rack to make the burgers on the coals. Don't expect a peaceful paradise and you won't be disappointed. It is a very nice Island Retreat. Thankful for all Eric did to make our stay a wonderful mini-vaca.
Recommends
· December 2021
Eric was aweaome, camp was awesome. Great place to relax for a few days.
Recommends
· November 2021
Amazing
Great was everything he said it was
Recommends
· August 2021
What Eric is creating at the Island Retreat Florida is truly a unique and majestic experience. You are close enough to civilization yet isolated and surrounded by nature. We initially parked at Mosaic Park, but a family was kind enough to warn us not to park there overnight, as a lot of vehicle break-ins occur due to no lighting or surveillance. The boat ramp parking on the other side of the bridge was much safer and still easy to get to the island. I would definitely stay again.
Recommends
· April 2021
Island magic
Group trip
We could have stayed a week, easily! Everything was really just perfect. The fire pits are HUGE, the campsites are too. There is plenty of shade, and the breeze off the water is everything. We stayed on a weekday, so we had the entire island to ourselves. We planned to kayak around and visit the restaurant, but we never left the island except for a quick trip into town. We loved the magic that Eric is creating on his island and we can’t wait to come back. The island is a blast to explore and it felt very safe and private. No alligators, snakes or other predators to worry about, and it actually wasn’t very buggy at all. Eric was a very gracious and considerate host. We didn’t get to meet him this trip, but he was super easy to reach if we had any questions. I am sure we will meet in the future, we are already planning our next trip. I doubt we will even bring a tent next time, there are plenty of great places to hang a hammock!!
Recommends
· March 2021
Yes.
Group trip
It was an awesome trip! We rented the entire island for privacy/safety and he gave us a reasonable price. With bad weather conditions, he added an impromptu pontoon dropoff for my family.
Beware of the oyster beds!
The restaurant across the bay offers to go seafood and drinks. The oysters were amazing.
Downside is the trash that washes up onto the island. I know that it will require constant cleanup, but it was pretty bad.
Kinda nervous about letting people dig catholes to use the bathroom on such a small island.
Overall, was an amazing trip and I recommend it to everyone!
Recommends
· January 2021
Very private and unique camping
This is a great alternative to traditional campgrounds, being that you’re on your own private island. A very unique experience on a convenient-to-everything island. Restaurants and the boat ramp are literally seconds away from the site. We ordered out and stayed at a primitive campsite - where else can you do that? The food was still hot when we came back from picking it up - by boat. Pretty awesome!
The 3 sites were built-up off the ground and well constructed. There was a 4th platform with a roof-over dining area that would have been very nice during rainstorms or the heat of summer. Fire pits were enormous and plenty of cut firewood was stacked in multiple convenient locations.
Eric was a gracious host and communicated everything about the island very well. My wife and 3 teenage boys rented out the whole island at a reasonable price. The boys had one campsite that was close by (a short walk through a canopy trail to the middle of the island), but far enough away that it provided them the independence teenage boys crave. My wife and I felt like we were all alone on the island most of the time.
A few tips... we came by 18’ aluminum Jon boat. If you’re familiar, these things float in inches of water. But a low tide (only) and in the last 10’ to the boat landing, we had to motor up and push in by pole. All other times there was easily 2-3’ of water under us all the way to the landing. Also, bring decent water shoes. Flip flops were not the thing to wear at the landing site due to some mud and oysters. Also, there is currently some bridge construction very nearby with work going on overnight. They used loudspeakers to communicate and had some frequent loud banging overnight. This obviously has nothing to do with the management of the island but keep this in mind if it’s still ongoing when you plan to stay. It was definitely noisy at night. My teenage sons and I are deep sleepers and didn’t have a problem, but my wife noted difficulty due to the noise.
Otherwise, this place is spectacular. We caught (and released) dozens of spotted sea trout and mangrove snapper nearby (mouth of the river) and truly enjoyed our stay. Thanks again to Eric for the hospitality and we will definitely be back!
Recommends
· October 2020
Group trip
Eric was a great host! The campsite is exactly as advertised and he was very welcoming and helped us tremendously when we had an emergency! The island itself is very private and in great condition.
Location
Progress Village, Hillsborough, Florida, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Eric E.
Joined in August 2020Response rate: 100%Response time: Within 3 hours
Things to do nearby
Similar campgrounds nearby
Campers also viewed...
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.