Cayo Costa State Park

Cayo Costa State Park is a protected area on a barrier island in Pine Island Sound, Florida, covering over 2,400 acres of coastal landscape with pine forests, mangrove swamps, and roughly nine miles (14.5 kilometers) of sandy beach. The grounds extend along the full length of the island and provide habitat for wading birds, sea turtles, and dolphins often seen in the shallow waters around the shoreline.

The Calusa people lived on this island for over 4,000 years and left behind shell mounds still visible in the interior. After the native population withdrew, the island served as a base for fishermen and a quarantine station during the 19th and 20th centuries before being established as a state park in 1980.

The name comes from the Spanish word for island and recalls earlier seafarers who navigated along this coast. Visitors walking over the dunes today follow trails originally laid out by fishermen and islanders, now used for nature observation.

Access is only possible by private boat or ferry from Captiva Island, Pine Island, Punta Gorda, or Fort Myers Beach, as no road connects to the island. Visitors planning to stay overnight will find basic cabins and camping spots without electricity on the north side, so bringing enough supplies and drinking water is recommended.

Currents and the position of the island cause an unusual number of seashells to wash ashore, including rare specimens such as the Junonia that draw collectors from across Florida. Visitors arriving early in the morning after a storm often find freshly deposited shells in large numbers along the waterline.

Location: Florida

Website: https://floridastateparks.org/CayoCosta

GPS coordinates: 26.67190,-82.24690

Latest update: December 20, 2025 15:49