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visitor poses on cayo costa island beach photo.jpg

Cayo Costa Island State Park

Located on La Costa Island, which is west of Pine Island, south of Gasparilla Island, and north of North Captiva. Except for the basic State Park buildings, dockage, a few camping cabins and restrooms, this is a completely undeveloped island.

 

You can only reach this island wilderness by boat. It is one of the few islands on the peninsular Florida Gulf Coast that appears much as it would have to the early explorers, especially now that the Australian pines are mostly gone. The island took a severe beating from Hurricane Charlie in August 2004, but is rebounding nicely, with much assistance from the Park Service. The island is heavily forested with cabbage palms and small oaks. There is a lot of wildlife, including wild hogs descended from those brought by the Spanish Explorers.

Various businesses operate ferry or tour boat service to Cayo Costa and other islands like Cabbage Key, North Captiva, and Useppa Island. From Pine Island I take the Tropic Star. The Tropic Star will also help you haul your camping gear and kayak to Cayo Costa. Their prices are very reasonable and they are the "Official" ferry to Cayo Costa.

 
Do you have all the beach gear you need to be comfortable during your Cayo Costa trip? I've got some great suggestions & tips for you. Have a look at some beach chairs, umbrellas, totes, floating chairs, towels, kids gear, and a LOT more!
 
The Tropic Star, your transportation to Cayo Costa. www.tropicstarcruises.com. Be sure to visit their website for information. But call to make a reservation. You will probably have to leave a message. They have always called me back either later the same day, or the next day. So my recommendation is that you make reservations several days in advance and find out what the expected weather conditions are.
Aboard the Tropic Star, just out of Bokeelia, heading toward Cayo Costa State Park. There are a few campers onboard, returning to the island after a supply run to Pine Island.
Approaching Cayo Costa island from Charlotte Harbor. Boca Grande Pass is to the right of the island.
Dockage on the island, if you have a boat.
There are some comforts on the island. Public restroom building on left. Visitor center on right.
A tractor-drawn trolley takes you on a 5 minute ride to the Gulf beach and campsites. Note the Australian pine stumps, courtesy of Hurricane Charlie.
Left: a few of the tent sites. The beach is just beyond the tents, behind the bushes.
If you'd rather stay in a cabin, these rent for $30 per night and sleep 6. No electricity. Since Hurricane Charlie took down the Australian pines, the shade is gone.
Walk out onto the beach and this is your view. One of the most picturesque beaches in Florida.
I told you it's a beautiful beach!
Same beach. I just couldn't stop taking pictures.
Cayo Costa Island has many beautiful Live Oaks. This one is trying to recover from Hurricane Charlie.
Looking north across Boca Grande Pass, toward Gasparilla Island. This pass has many tales to tell of pirates, smugglers, and hard-working fishermen and women.
South of the main swimming beach there is a shallow lagoon behind a sand spit which is apparently home to some alligators. Just a reminder that you are in the wilderness.
Getting ready to carry the beach gear back to the picnic pavilion to wait for the trolley to take us back to the docks for the boat ride back to Pine Island.
On the lee side of the island the mangroves grow right out over the water creating a perfect hiding place for fish.
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To find out all the important details about all the beaches on the lower Gulf Coast of Florida, consider purchasing my book: Florida Beaches - Finding Your Paradise on the Lower Gulf Coast. It covers all the beaches from Dunedin to Marco Island, more than 96 named beaches. It has 176 pages, 25 maps, and 48 black and white photographs.  

 

 
 
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