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.  There is a scheduled tram service between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

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.

Participation Requirements

Boating

Our bayside docks offer 14 boat slips where boaters may camp onboard their boats with our bayside restroom facilities conveniently located for their use.

Cabins

The rustic one-room cabins offer a change of pace from the hustle and bustle of modern living. Here you can spend the day on the beach and the evening gazing at the stars with a view unobstructed by artificial lights.

Cayo Costa State Park is accessible only by boat. Cabins are located near the beach and nature trails. Each cabin sleeps up to six people and is furnished with three bunk beds and a table. Though the cabins have no electricity or water, outdoor grills are provided for cooking. Restrooms, cold water showers and potable water are located in the park. Several charter boat services provide access to the island park. Visitors must carry in all food and drinks. All items must be taken off the island upon departure. Tram service is available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to carry gear and campers to the campground. Before 10 and after 5, campers are responsible for toting their gear in and out.

Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book Online or call (800) 326-3521 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins.

There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.

Cabin Rental: $40.00 per night includes sales tax and bed tax or $280.00 per week (7 nights), includes sales tax and bed tax. Two night minimum on weekend and holidays.

Generators are not allowed in the campsites.

View the photo gallery.

Campfire Circles

Three fire circles, located in the camping area, offer campers a place to relax and enjoy a taste of the Real Florida.

Camping, Boat

Our bayside docks offer 14 boat slips where boaters may camp onboard their boats. Slips do not have water or electric. Restroom facilities are conveniently located nearby. All slips are first-come, first-served. Please stop by the Ranger station upon arrival to register your vessel. Please plan to arrive at the park before dark. 

In order to protect our Parks and camping areas, please remember that no items (ie: tent lines, wires, ropes, hammocks, etc.) may be affixed to vegetation. Thank you for helping to protect your Florida State Parks.

Generators are not allowed in the campsites.

Participation Requirements

Camping, Primitive

Cayo Costa has 30 tent sites in a primitive environment. Each site has a picnic table, a ground grill and access to potable water. There are no sites with electricity. The campground is fairly sunny and near the beach. Restroom facilities are located nearby and have cold showers and flush toilets.  Tram service is available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to carry gear and campers to the campground. Before 10 and after 5, campers are responsible for toting their gear in and out.

Reservations: Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book Online or call (800) 326-3521 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287.

In order to protect our Parks and camping areas, please remember that no items (ie: tent lines, wires, ropes, hammocks, etc.) may be affixed to vegetation. Thank you for helping to protect your Florida State Parks.

Generators are not allowed in the campsites.

Participation Requirements

Canoeing & Kayaking

Kayak rentals are available through Tropic Star of Pine Island and can be arranged through the Ranger Station. Call (239) 283-0015 for more information.

Participation Requirements

Concession & Restaurant

Tropic Star, our state concessionaire ferry service, makes several trips daily to the Park. Kayaks are also available for rental through Tropic Star. For more information on the ferry service visit their website at Tropic Star Cruises. The Ranger station houses our gift shop, where you may purchase a souvenir of your visit. There is also ice available for sale as well as snacks, cold drinks, and basic camp items. Firewood is available for sale, as collecting firewood is not allowed.  And, our Rangers are a source of valuable information on the island's history and natural and cultural resources.

Fishing

Surf fishing can yield catches of flounder, snook, trout, redfish, snapper, whiting, sheepshead and tarpon.

Participation Requirements

Hiking/Nature Trail

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.

Participation Requirements

Interpretive Exhibit

Located in the day-use area, our amphitheater provides a centralized location for our interpretive programs. These programs, given by our Rangers, Volunteers, and Naturalists, 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.

Participation Requirements

Pets

Pets are allowed in this park, however, not on the beaches or in the cabin area. They must be well-behaved and kept on a six-foot, hand-held leash at all times. Pets must not be left unattended, nor taken into restroom facilities or onto playground equipment. Service animals are welcome in all areas and buildings of the park, as required by law.

Picnic Pavilion

Pavilions are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please call the park for more information.

Picnicking

A picnic pavilion, restroom facility, tables and grills are available on the island.

Restroom Facilities

Bathroom facilities are available and ADA accessible. Facilities are also available at the bayside/boat slips and conveniently located for boat camper use.

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving can be done off of the beaches.

Showers, Day Visitors

Cayo Costa has modern restroom facilities, conveniently located in the camping areas, equipped with flushable toilets and cold water rinse-off showers. Potable water is also available at the restrooms.

Snorkeling

Snorkel in the pristine, blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. You must provide your own equipment.

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 shell collecting, contributing to an overall wonderful experience.

Participation Requirements

Wildlife Viewing

Manatees, porpoises, and a multitude of shorebirds are just some of the animals you might observe during your visit. Sea turtles and many species of shorebirds use our beaches to nest. Bird nesting season is generally late winter through spring. Sea turtle nesting season begins in May and continues through September. All nests are protected by law and are well marked and easily recognized.