Contact Information
P.O. Box 1150
Boca Grande, Florida 33921
Phone: 941-964-0375
Fax: 941-964-1154
Cayo Costa State Park, accessible only by boat,
is located approximately 12 miles west of Cape Coral,
Florida. The Park occupies most of an island that
lies in a chain of barrier islands that shelter
Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound from the
storms of the Gulf of Mexico.
Hours of Operation
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown
365 days a year.
Campers must be registered prior to 4:00 PM, the
park office hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.Tram
hours are 10:00 AM – 2:45 PM.
Driving Directions
Cayo Costa State Park is located directly south
of Boca Grande. Accessible only by passenger ferry
or private boat. Reservations are required on the
ferry service. Call Tropic Star of Pine Island at
239-283-0015.
ACTIVITIES
Beaches
The island is approximately seven miles long and
has nearly nine and one-half miles of pristine beach
on the Gulf of Mexico. This beach is perfect for
shelling, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, hiking,
and sunbathing.
Bicycling
Enjoy a leisurely bike ride on our trails, which
meander through our beautiful barrier island.
Bicycles are available at the ranger station for
half or full day rental.
Boating
Our bayside docks offer ten boat slips where boaters
may camp onboard their boats with our bayside
restroom facilities conveniently located for their
use.
Cabins
Cabins are available on Cayo Costa. Each cabin
sleeps up to six people. Each cabin is furnished
with three bunk beds and a table. The cabins are
very primitive and do not have electricity or
any other amenities. Each cabin is conveniently
located to the beach area and nature trails.
Tent camping sites are available for up to 8
people per site. There is a picnic table and a
ground grill provided at each site. The sites
are centrally located to bathrooms and showers
and conveniently located to the beach area and
nature trails.
Campfire Circle
Three fire circles, located in the camping area,
offer campers a place to relax and enjoy a taste
of the Real Florida.
Concessions
TropicStar, our state concessionaire ferry service,
makes several trips daily to the Park. Kayaks
and canoes are also available for rental through
TropicStar.
The ranger station houses our gift shop where
you may purchase a souvenir of your visit. There
is also ice available for sale by the scoop. And,
our rangers are a source of valuable information
on the island’s history, natural and cultural
resources.
Fishing
Surf fishing can yield catches of flounder, snook,
trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead and
tarpon.
Interpretive Programs
Located in the day-use area, our amphitheater provides
a centralized location for our interpretive programs.
These programs, given by our rangers, cover a wide
variety of topics including the history of the island
and interpretation of the natural resources found
on the island. These programs are scheduled for
Fridays at 1:30 PM. On Saturday nights from October
through May, there are slideshow programs for our
overnight visitors.
Nature Trails
Enjoy a leisurely walk on our nature trails, which
meander through our beautiful barrier island.
Along the way you can see many species of birds,
including several rare and endangered, that visit
our island in the spring and fall, during their
migratory journeys. Some of these species use
our island’s natural resources for their
nesting activities.
Swimming
Enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the pristine,
blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Our 9 miles
of beautiful beaches are excellent for sunbathing
and collecting shells, contributing to the overall
wonderful experience.
Wildlife Viewing
Manatees, porpoises, and a multitude of shorebirds
are just a few of the wildlife you may observe during
your visit. Sea turtle nesting season begins in
May and continues until September. These nests are
protected by law and easily recognized by the wooden
stakes used to mark them.
