Experiences & Amenities

From the Cocohatchee River you can go north via the back bays up to Estero Bay, east up the Cocohatchee River or - as most visitors do - head west into the Gulf of Mexico through Wiggins Pass.

Fishing covers a wide area around the park. You can fish from a vessel in the Gulf of Mexico, Water Turkey Bay and the Cocohatchee River except within 300 feet of the park beach along the gulf. The entire northern end of the park, from the middle of parking lot five to the pass, is closed to water entry. Anglers must remain completely on dry land.

No vessels are permitted to anchor within 100 feet of the designated fishing area that encompasses the pass. You may fish from the shoreline along Wiggins Pass or wade-fish in Water Turkey Bay.

• Fishing is prohibited in the swimming areas of the park.
• All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. 
• A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fishing in Florida.

Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult. The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land-use ethics should be followed.

• Operation Recreation GeoTour 

The beach at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is the most used non-designated trail in the park. It winds for over a mile north to Wiggins Pass. Beach wheelchairs are available for those with special needs that might not allow them to walk on the beach. Shaded, sandy areas provide other paths to the beach and picnic spots.

You may launch your own kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard to explore Water Turkey Bay and the surrounding areas. Adventure through a mangrove trail, under bridges and through Wiggins Pass into the Gulf of Mexico. Anywhere you decide to paddle is sure to be a great time on the water.

Bring a picnic lunch with you when you visit the park.

Picnic facilities and grills are not available.

• Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

Scuba diving is permitted in the swimming areas. There is a hard-bottom reef along the beach with the closest part in area number two.

Snorkeling is permitted in the swimming areas.

Swimming is permitted from the southern boundary of the park. No swimming or wading is permitted in Wiggins Pass due to dangerous currents. 

Resident eagles, ospreys, owls and other woodland species make room every fall for the migratory shorebirds. Bring your binoculars and cameras; there will be plenty of opportunities to use both.