Last Updated on July 30, 2023
NOTE: Cayo Costa Island State Park is currently closed due to damage from Hurricane Ian.
While in the Punta Gorda area, make sure you carve out time to visit authentic Cayo Costa Island State Park and experience what Florida’s barrier islands once were like before development took over.
This beautiful island is only accessible by boat, ferry, or helicopter!
Be prepared to pick up loads of shells while walking the 8+ miles of untouched beaches. You might even spot manatees, porpoises, and sea turtles offshore.
This former fishing ground of the Calusa Indians features miles of undeveloped shoreline for swimming, snorkeling, shelling, fishing, and bird-watching.
In addition, there are several walking and bicycling trails through the island’s interior.
Visiting Cayo Costa State Park
The island is open from 8 am until sundown, 365 days a year! The cost to visit is $2 per person (via an honor box) to see nine miles of undeveloped and untouched pristine Florida beaches.
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are very popular on the inside waterways of the park. The park’s Citizen Support Organization (Barrier Island Park Society or BIPS) has kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available to rent at the camp store to get you started on your adventure.
Be sure to visit “Manatee Hole,” a small lagoon just south of the park’s dock where manatees can be found nearly every day of the year.
Also, the world-famous Cabbage Key restaurant is within paddling distance of the park.
If you want to stay overnight, campsites and cabins are also available for overnight stays. Camping is allowed only in designated sites in the campground at the park.
History buffs will enjoy walking the cemetery trail and reflecting upon early island life in the area.
Fishing is also very popular on the island and offers visitors a chance to hook into snook, redfish, pompano, tarpon, and many other fish species.
Please follow these tips to ensure that your visit is pleasant for both you and the abundant wildlife at Cayo Costa State Park:
- Keep food in secured, hard-sided (not Styrofoam) containers
- Keep the containers inside your cabin or tent
- Discard any food, containers, or wrappers into appropriate receptacles immediately.
Cayo Costa Island State Park Address: 4 Nautical Miles West of Pine Island, Cayo Costa FL 33922
Want to learn even more about Cayo Costa as well as Sanibel and Captiva? Check out our authentic recommendations for visiting Sanibel.