Beach at Cayo Costa

Cayo Costa State Park

Encounter a staggering nine miles of untouched beaches

Hours

8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. Ranger station is open until 4 p.m. daily.

Fees

$2 per person. Please use the honor box to pay fees. Correct change is required.

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Location

4 Nautical Miles West of Pine Island (26.685789, -82.245381)
Cayo Costa FL 33922

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Contact Info

941-759-2007

Welcome to Cayo Costa State Park

Cayo Costa State Park protects the Charlotte Harbor Estuary and provides visitors with a majestic piece of untouched Florida.

An unspoiled Gulf Coast island evokes images of wind-shaped trees, dunes, beaches and freedom to explore. This especially rings true for Cayo Costa Island.

Accessible only by boat or kayak, this former fishing ground of the Calusa Indians features 9 miles of undeveloped shoreline for swimming, snorkeling, shelling, fishing, bird-watching. Shorebirds are numerous, and one might spot manatees, porpoises and sea turtles offshore.


Plan Your Visit

Bryon Maxwell, Park Manger
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Manager's Message

Cayo Costa State Park is a unique island with a rich history of old Florida. Accessible only by boat, the park offers over 9 miles of beautiful beach along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico.
Shorebirds in Anastasia State Park.
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Sharing the Beach with Nesting Wildlife

There are over 100 miles of beaches protected by Florida State Parks, and they’re also important refuges for nesting wildlife. If you plan on heading to the beach, check out these practical tips for making the beach safer for wildlife and their nests.
A loggerhead turtle nesting during a guided turtle walk.
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Monitoring Sea Turtle Nests in Florida's State Parks

For 2019, most of the sea turtle nests have hatched and the adult turtles are migrating back to their feeding grounds. Here in Florida, park rangers, biologists and volunteers are still telling stories and planning for 2020.

Experiences

Boating
Boating
Fishing
Fishing
Paddling
Paddling
Scuba Diving
Scuba Diving
Shelling
Shelling
Snorkeling
Snorkeling
Swimming
Swimming
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife Viewing

Amenities

Beach
Beach
Pets
Pets
Restroom Facilities
Restroom Facilities

Cayo Costa State Park Photo Gallery

Shoreline of Beach
View of the Milky way
A dolphin jumping out of the water.
Birds walking along the shore of the beach.
A sunset over the beach, with the orange sun peaking through the trees.
Bird at the shore
An underwater view of a sea turtle underwater.
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Sea Turtles at Cayo Costa

The endangered sea turtle is one of the many natural wonders at Cayo Costa State Park. Park staff and volunteers work hard to ensure the survival of these amazing creatures.
A view of the sunset between the trees at Cayo Costa.
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Culture of Cayo Costa

Visiting this remote barrier island is like stepping into a time machine to the past. Experience the subtropical wilderness and expansive beaches on this secluded little island.

People Make the Parks

Samantha Spooner, environmental specialist at Cayo Costa State Park.

Staff Spotlight

Samantha is a self-proclaimed "water bug" who spends her time enjoying the coastal environment at Cayo Costa State Park.
Dennis, standing by a truck, smiling at the camera.

Volunteer Spotlight

Dennis has been a volunteer for over a decade and loves doing what he can to help others appreciate Cayo Costa as much as he does.
The Friends group smiling for a group photo.

Friends of Cayo Costa

Friends of Cayo Costa is a committee of the Barrier Island Parks Society with the goal to preserve, protect, and promote the pristine barrier island.

This Park is Recognized by:

Green Lodging

Park Map

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