Cayo Costa State Park in Florida, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-11-11. Check linked official notices before travel.

Cayo Costa State Park protects a barrier island off southwest Florida, west of Pine Island. The Gulf-side beach is open for day visits by private boat or kayak. Plan a day on the beach.

A Gulf beach you reach by water

The park has about nine miles of undeveloped shoreline. Walk the Gulf beach to look for shells and shorebirds, or spend time on the water if wind and sea conditions allow. Plan your return before sunset.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Check landing conditions and bring water

Bring drinking water from the mainland. The park has a precautionary boil-water notice. Check the Florida State Parks alerts for landing and facility updates. For a kayak, canoe or paddleboard crossing, carry a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket for everyone aboard. Children under six must wear theirs. Bring a sound signal, such as a whistle, that can be heard half a nautical mile away. Carry a white light for darkness or restricted visibility. On coastal waters after sunset and before sunrise, carry the required Coast Guard-approved distress signals. Check the Florida paddlecraft rules and marine conditions before leaving.

Give shorebirds and sea turtles space

Follow signs around closed areas. Keep clear of marked nesting areas.

Plan for a day visit

Ferry service and overnight accommodations are unavailable.

Where Cayo Costa is and how to reach it

The island sits south of Boca Grande and about four nautical miles west of Pine Island. Florida State Parks lists 26.685789, -82.245381 for the park. Use the coordinates to locate the island. Lee County’s current beach conditions direct visitors to the Gulf side. Plan for Gulf-side access. Keep Pelican Bay off your route unless the park confirms public access. The coordinates do not give you a route through the surrounding water.

Nearby parks and public lands

• Gasparilla Island State Park. Reach Boca Grande by a toll causeway for a Gulf beach outing by road.
• Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park. Start on Burnt Store Road in Punta Gorda to explore a protected stretch of the Charlotte Harbor estuary.

Beachcombing, paddling, and wildlife watching

Look for shells and wading birds on the beach. On calm days, swimming and snorkeling are options. If you prefer to stay on the water, paddle or keep an eye out for dolphins and manatees offshore. If you plan to fish, check the Florida saltwater fishing license rules before you go. A license is generally required, subject to exemptions.

Restrooms and services on the island

Restrooms are available on the Gulf side. Bring the food and drinking water you need for the day. Return with your trash.

The island’s history and wildlife

Calusa history on the island

The park identifies Cayo Costa as a former Calusa fishing ground. Today the protected island lies at the edge of the Charlotte Harbor estuary.

Nesting habitat on the Gulf shore

Sea turtles and shorebirds use the barrier island’s beaches for nesting. Look for manatees and porpoises from the water.

Cayo Costa park office

Call 941-759-2007 to ask about current landing points, fee payment, and restroom access.