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View of La Costa Island south tip

Cayo Costa State Park

To spend a day or a weekend on your own deserted island? Heaven. This is one of the tougher and costlier state parks to get to, but well worth it.

Charlotte Harbor | Pine Island Sound      ( 26.671746,-82.242408 )      

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CLOSED indefinitely due to extreme damage from Hurricane Ian. Landfall occurred here.


On this protected barrier island, solitude is guaranteed. Miles and miles of lonely Gulf of Mexico beaches are yours to roam.

They are best explored at daybreak, when colorful murex and tulip shells glimmer from the sands.


Resources

South Florida Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in Central Florida Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: La Costa Island
Trailhead: 26.671746,-82.242408
Fees: CLOSED
Land Manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 941-964-0375

Open 8 AM until sunset daily, unless you are a registered camper. Then you can roam the dunes by moonlight.


Reserve a campsite

Directions

While it is possible to paddle here from Pine Island, it’s a tough paddle, especially if the water gets choppy in Pine Island Sound. Better to go by boat.

Tropic Star runs day trips out of Bokeelia on Pine Island, a relatively short trip across the water.

King Fisher Fleet runs day trips to Cayo Costa out of their home base in Punta Gorda at Fisherman’s Village.

The official concessionaire for Florida State Parks, Captiva Cruises, runs a variety of trips to the island, including half-day and full-day shelling adventures. Contact them for current pricing for overnight dropoffs with camping gear, bicycles, or kayaks: 239-472-5300.

All tour boat operators require reservations in advance. Call or book online.


About the Park

On a barrier island that defines the south entrance to Charlotte Harbor, Cayo Costa State Park is a vacation destination in itself.

With primitive cabins, tent campsites, an old village to explore, and more than 6 miles of hiking trails meandering from the bayside mangrove forests to the oceanfront palms.

“It’s as close as you can get to Hawaii without actually being there,” says noted photographer Clyde Butcher. The shelling on these lonely beaches is some of the best in the state.

The park also has landside cabins in the village of Bokeelia on the north end of Pine Island. Kayak and bike rentals can be arranged in advance for use on the island once you get there.


Trail Map

Cayo Costa State Park Trail Map


Explore More!

View of La Costa Island south tip

Cayo Costa State Park

To spend a day or a weekend on your own deserted island? Heaven. This is one of the tougher and costlier state parks to get to, but well worth it.

Cayo Costa shoreline

Cayo Costa Hiking Trails

Offshore from Boca Grande and Pine Island, Cayo Costa State Park is tough to get to but the 6.5 miles of trails and many more miles of beaches will be yours to roam

Official Website

Category: Beach Hikes, Beaches, Biking, Camping, Canoe & Kayak Rentals, Day Hikes, Florida State Parks, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Paddling, Parks, Southwest FloridaTag: Best Camping, Boating, Boca Grande, Cabins, Cayo Costa State Park, Charlotte Harbor, Fishing, Florida State Parks, Gulf of Mexico, Historic Sites, Pine Island, Pine Island Sound, Primitive Camping, Scenic Hikes, Swimming

Have an update? Contact us.

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CREW Flint Pen Strand

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Cypress dome

CREW Cypress Dome Trails

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Collier Seminole Hiking Trail

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Collier Memorial at Collier-Seminole State Park

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