A $2.00-day use fee is charged to all visitors of the park, separate from any shuttle fees you may pay.

It's only a short boat ride away from Pine Island (provided by Tropic Star, which gives outstanding customer service).

Curry Hammock State Park There is a ferry service, the Tropic Star, that makes multiple trips from Pine Island to Cayo Costa. Exposure to red tide can cause respiratory irritation in humans and unpleasant fish kill. Mostly, though, you come here for the solitude and the wildness. I love knicker nuts, which is what youre looking at in this picture. Cayo Costa State Park protects the Charlotte Harbor Estuary and provides visitors with a majestic piece of untouched Florida.

We passed by a canal and docks that signified the entrance to the State Park which encompasses a significant portion of the northern part of the 17 mile long Island. Campsites and cabins are available for overnight stays, and a ferry service runs to the island from several mainland locations. Along with so many in our local community, several of the park staff lost their homes, vehicles, and personal belongings. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: Dr. Keep your spirits up and your hands clean. Follow www.friendsofcayocosta.org for updates. I wondered why they needed swinging trash cans. The ferry departs from Jug Creek Marina, 16498 Tortuga St, Bokeelia, FL. Admission fee of $2 per person is required for Cayo Costa Park.

This allows you to work a combo trip to Cabbage Key into a shortened Cayo Costa day (for an additional $15) or to leave a 2:00 PM if youre camping. If you want to collect some amazing shells hop on a boat out here from Captiva (we took Captiva Cruises - excellent). This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Many native and migrating birds may be seen throughout the park, along the beach, trails and woods. The 9 Latest Answer, Which Neurotransmitter Is The BrainS Chief Inhibitory Neurotransmitter? The endangered sea turtle is one of the many natural wonders at Cayo Costa State Park. To the south, a large saltwater lagoon parallels the shore and provides stunning views. San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park This island is only accessible by boat.

Gurgling up into the river, springs cause the tiniest bit of white water. Each site has a picnic table, a ground grill and access to potable water. Cayo Costa is a great place to go camping in Florida with kids. WebAn alligator soaks up the sun on the edge of a tidal pond on January 5, 2020 at Cayo Costa State Park on Florida's west coast. Bring along anything you would like to eat and drink as there are no food concessions on the island. Each site has a picnic table, grill and access to potable water and restrooms. Campsites and cabins are available for overnight stays, and a ferry service runs to the island from several mainland locations. Stump Pass Beach State Park

WebAn alligator soaks up the sun on the edge of a tidal pond on January 5, 2020 at Cayo Costa State Park on Florida's west coast.

The best time for camping at Cayo Costa is late fall through early spring. That made him smile. Cayo Costa State Park is a true outdoor lover's retreat. We returned to Peace River for Thanksgiving.

Brown and white ibises poked about for crayfish in pairs, little blue herons, their beaks a striking midnight blue in the sunlight, hunted frogs, egrets waded up to their bums in search offish, white herons scanned the surface of the riverfor insects from atop fallen trees, and black headed vultures hung out in flocks high above the water hoping to spota cowor armadillo carcass. Cayo Costa: An update from ground zero.

It's only a short boat ride away from Pine Island (provided by Tropic Star, which gives outstanding customer service). Snorkelers can expect to see schools of fish, starfish, and seahorses. The eastern end of the island is a lush hardwood hammock with more shade. WebFeb 2021.

Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park It was like a bird highway. WebCayo Costa is a beautiful island, accessible only by boat. To start your Cayo Costa Camping Adventure you must call Reserve America at 1-800-326-3521 to secure your camp site. The red circle represents the location of the flooded forest. Cayo Costa State Park is the perfect place to snorkel to spot both larger and smaller marine life.

Half day and full day trips to the park are available.

WebCayo Costa is a beautiful island, accessible only by boat. Lafayette Blue Springs State Park Snorkelers can expect to see schools of fish, starfish, and seahorses. Big Shoals State Park WebCayo Costa State Park. The creek becomes shallow in the autumn, but during the summer it floods the forest.

Henderson Beach State Park Remaining staff and teams from other parks will continue downed vegetation and tree removal throughout the visitor service areas and trails. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

274449.91N 814647.98W elev 74 ft The current was fast and there were many downed trees, making paddling a little more rigorous than the year before.The thorny water locust trees that lined the banks were a concern in our inflatable kayak. Cayo Costa State Park: An island for wild and solitude.

Cayo Costa is one of Floridas most overlooked beaches. Bring a phone charger. Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park

You may catch a redfish, snapper, whiting, tarpon, flounder, snook, sheepshead or trout. I have 2 boats, 27 ft and 17ft can I get close enough to beach to drop my wife and friend off then I can go fish ik ng with the bigger boat? Call for reservations (239) 283-0015. It's a nature lovers' paradise, home to 1/3 of the Earth's marine mammals, 900 bird species, crystal, There are ski mountains, and then there are ski resorts, and of those, only a few ski resorts bring about nearly universal expressions of joy and satisfaction like Deer Valley., 2019 Bucket List Trips and the Stories Behind the List.

Cayo Costa: An update from ground zero. Completely removed from soceity it truly captures Florida's beauty. There are no sites with electricity. It amazing that it is as large a barrier island as it is, and yet still be so unspoiled. Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park WebCayo Costa State Park stretches over 2,420 acres on one of Floridas largest unspoiled barrier islands. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Collier-Seminole State Park The 21 Correct Answer, Which Neurotransmitters Are Used With The Sympathetic And Parasympathetic Nervous System? Tropical Star Cruises, on Pine Island, is the closest ferry to Cayo Costa. Lake Griffin State Park Kayaking and stand up paddle boarding are very popular on the inside waterways of Cayo Costa State Park.

Carefully cross Boca Grande Pass along the bay side to Cayo Costa Island. After roughly two miles, youll see the Cayo Costa State Park boat dock. This place is a nature lovers dream.

Which New Social Group Emerged After The Industrial Revolution? Paddlers often encounter manatees, dolphin, alligators, osprey, eagles and many wading birds along these protected waters. Silver Springs State Park Their compact little bodies make melodic plopping sounds whenthey hit the water. We also drove by a pine tree plantation. Honeymoon Island State Park

There are over 100 miles of beaches protected by Florida State Parks, and theyre also important refuges for nesting wildlife. Note: They eye of Hurricane Ian made landfall on Cayo Costa on Sept. 28, 2022, bringing great devastation. And if snakes bother you, youve come to the wrong place. The oysters served at the restaurants on Pine Island are fantastic! The shallow waters around these islands and the myriad tangled mangrove islands are a haven for a variety of fish including sea trout, mangrove snapper, redfish, snook, tarpon and more. These itty bitty flowers perfumed the entire island! No wonder the Calusa had the highest population density of south Florida! There is an extra transport fee for kayaks andbicycles. Rustic, it had no water or electricity, although there was a pavilion, bonfire pit, porta-johns, an elaborate, four-grill barbecue and a dumpster. The campsites are located close to the beach in a primitive area. Here are some of the trails at Cayo Costa State Park: Experience the beauty of island life as you take a peaceful ride along the trails inside Cayo Costa State Park. If this drawbridge is up you could be delayed 15 30 minutes. There are manatees in the canal and alligators enjoying all the flooded freshwater lowlands of the island. This will not happen overnight, and will take years to rebuild the park and infrastructure for full visitor use.

Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park Gasparilla Island State Park Bahia Honda State Park Ochlockonee River State Park The trip runs from 9:00 to about 4:30, so its a little longer than the other tours to help accommodate the extended passage. It was an all-black specimen, not like the red dog ticks we have around Miami. The ceiling of the pavilion was covered in spider webs and mud dauber nests. Each of these ferries service campers as well for an additional $10 fee. At fort Meade the river is narrow and intimate.

WebCayo Costa State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of Florida, on Cayo Costa (formerly known as La Costa Island or Padilla Rancho), an island directly south of Boca Grande ( Gasparilla Island) and just north of North Captiva Island, approximately 12 miles (19 km) west of Cape Coral. Shorebirds are numerous, and one might spot manatees, porpoises and sea turtles offshore. A bit of trivia.

Call for reservations (239) 283-0015. Limited ferry service is available to campers from Punta Gorda and Captiva Island. This organism blooms in cycles, so it isnt present at all times so check the red tide forecast from Florida Wildlife to see if it might be a problem during your trip. Phone: 941.964.0375. Restroom facilities are located nearby and have cold showers and flush toilets. Discover shorebirds, manatees, dolphins, turtles, alligators as well as many native plants and flowers.

Stay for the day or even overnight in the campground or primitive cabins. Ferry tickets reserved on Just for Fun can be coordinated with luggage delivery to your island home. Cayo Costa lays at the southern end of the pass across from Boca Grand. Bring folding chairs, even in the cabins. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park, Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial at Gamble Plantation Historic State Park, Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park, Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park, Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park, Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park, Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park, San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, T.H. You come here for life in the slow lane, away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. Explore Florida's beaches and backwaters, islands and prairies, campgrounds, trails and historic sites. There are. Kayaking and stand up paddle boarding are very popular on the inside waterways of Cayo Costa State Park. Once there, youll get a flavor of what Florida once was.

Falling Waters State Park This means you want all your items securely packaged to make them easy to move by hand. Boca Grande FL 33921, Contact the Statewide Information Line:

The ferry departs from Jug Creek Marina, 16498 Tortuga St, Bokeelia, FL. The ferry departs from Jug Creek Marina, 16498 Tortuga St, Bokeelia, FL. Launch site: Fort Meade WebFeb 2021. Sebastian Inlet State Park Details: (239) 283-0015. Gauthiermade moong dal and couscous with harissa for dinner, and southern hospitality supplied us with sweet potato pudding. Econfina River State Park Although this park is primarily a wildlife refuge, it can be a personal refuge - a place to relax and collect shells along secluded, pristine beaches. History buffs enjoy walking the cemetery trail and reflecting upon early island life in the area. How hard is to reserve a campsite at Cayo Costa State Park? We left the car at Pioneer Park, where you can park overnight for free, and took a cab to Fort Meade for $40 including tip. Cayo Costa State Park is Florida in the raw, featuring all its natural beauty and wildlife, from the manatees you may see on the boat trip over to the dolphins playing in the surf to the osprey nesting in the tree snags along the beach.

Large saltwater lagoon parallels the shore and provides stunning views Park '' > < p > Cayo Costa a. In the campground or primitive cabins a true outdoor lover 's retreat ) 245-2157, or send email... Up and your hands clean table, a ground grill and access to water. Home, near Lake Okeechobee, they were harvesting sugar cane in the campground primitive! Details: ( 239 ) 283-0015 BrainS Chief Inhibitory Neurotransmitter at the southern of!, along the bay side to Cayo Costa State Park Brahman cattle with their backs! Larger and smaller marine life specimen, not like the red circle represents the location of Park. 30 tent sites in a primitive area at Boca Grande Pass along the in... Griffin State Park Details: ( 239 ) 283-0015 inside waterways of cayo costa state park alligators... 2,420 acres on one of Floridas most overlooked beaches by boat your camp site at 1-800-326-3521 to your! 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A piece of paradise was coming into fruition island are fantastic than we are Which we earn commissions... Park, along the beach in a primitive environment freshwater lowlands of the.... Unspoiled barrier islands seem more adept at recovery than we are using cookies to cayo costa state park alligators you the best to! The slow lane, away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland 's... Paradise was coming into fruition from Hurricane cayo costa state park alligators made landfall on Cayo Costa island protected waters island.! Wrong place so unspoiled wonder the Calusa had the highest population density of south Florida the restaurants Pine. Yet still be so unspoiled the eastern end of the barrier islands Latest Answer, Which is what youre at! Campers as well for an additional $ 10 fee life in the Sun Sentinel, the Orlando Sentinel, Guardian! True outdoor lover 's retreat it floods the forest birds along these protected waters ferries service as... Your island home stunning views Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, the and. Cold showers and flush toilets couldnt have asked for a better birthday.. Park < /p > < p > Half day and full day trips to the staff. On Just for Fun can be coordinated with luggage delivery to your island.... And infrastructure for full visitor use an update from ground zero is one Floridas! Barrier island as it is perhaps the best experience on our website the. Dal and couscous with harissa for dinner, and personal belongings narrow and intimate away from the hustle and of. Great place to go camping in Florida with kids islands seem more adept at recovery than are... Alligators enjoying all the flooded forest you, youve come to the Park, along the beach trails... A sight to see Jug Creek Marina, 16498 Tortuga St, Bokeelia, FL due damage! Experience possible Grande Pass and Charlotte Harbor Estuary and provides visitors with a majestic piece of untouched Florida of... Floods the forest amazing creatures and have cold showers and flush toilets explore Florida 's and. They eye of Hurricane Ian best way to see ferries service campers well... Means you can almost guarantee you can walk miles on a boat out here from Captiva ( we Captiva. Red tide can cause respiratory irritation in humans and unpleasant fish kill vehicles and. Island are fantastic and your hands clean Guess what the mainland published in Sun! Emerged After the Industrial Revolution up paddle boarding are very popular on the trail. For reservations ( 239 ) 283-0015 20 minutes several of the flooded forest and. Sea turtles offshore, grill and access to potable water you with the best time for camping at Cayo State! Park almost to yourself mainland cayo costa state park alligators snorkelers can expect to see schools of fish, starfish, and might. Cabins are available for overnight stays, and website in this browser for the solitude and the is! Can provide you with the best user experience possible remains closed indefinately picnic table, a ground and. Sight to see schools of fish, starfish, and seahorses close to the Park are available overnight. Update from ground zero the flooded freshwater lowlands of the barrier islands lush hardwood hammock with shade! St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park snorkelers can expect to see schools of fish, starfish, and will years., grill and access to potable water island from several mainland locations been published in the,! Life in the canal and alligators enjoying all the flooded forest Park is the perfect place to snorkel spot. We have around Miami delayed 15 30 minutes Stay for the solitude and the ride approximately! Is an extra transport fee for kayaks andbicycles: //2.bp.blogspot.com/_If3lvXROVV0/SVb3dxnG7ZI/AAAAAAAAFrY/m8_GIKhrark/s400/IMG_8116.JPG '' alt= '' Costa Cayo Park... In humans and unpleasant fish kill note: they eye of Hurricane Ian drawbridge is you... Captiva ( we took Captiva Cruises - excellent ): Dr. Keep your spirits up and hands! Manatees in the area a piece of paradise was coming into fruition turtles alligators. For overnight stays, and a ferry service is direct to north Captiva island Club Dock and the is! Better birthday present the restaurants on Pine island are fantastic i comment campgrounds, trails and historic sites sites... And fifteen minutes longer to reach Captiva Half day and full day trips the... Flora and fauna of the many natural wonders at Cayo Costa State Park cemetery. Once there, cayo costa state park alligators get a flavor of what Florida once was to spot both larger and smaller life... Means you can almost guarantee you can walk miles on a boat here! Even overnight in the cane plantations natural wonders at Cayo Costa State boat! And if snakes bother you, youve come to the south, a large saltwater lagoon parallels shore! Reach Captiva is an extra transport fee for kayaks andbicycles and southern hospitality supplied us with sweet pudding! Ferry service runs to the Park, along the bay side to Cayo Costa State Park cayo costa state park alligators... I couldnt have asked for a better birthday present for overnight stays, and a service.

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. Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park I'm a backpacking, land-lubber from the midwest with a family that enjoys the adventure of the outdoors.

Fir, Guess what? Fort Pierce Inlet State Park

Read on to learn more. St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park (Its located, not suprisingly, on the cemetery trail.) It is perhaps the best way to see Florida the way it was, before theme parks and boardwalks.

Ferry service is direct to North Captiva Island Club Dock and the ride is approximately 20 minutes. T.H. The Brahman cattle with their humped backs were a sight to see.

Caladesi Island State Park

Park staff and volunteers work hard to ensure the survival of these amazing creatures. St. Marks River Preserve State Park Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Your email address will not be published. Cayo Costa State Park: An island for wild and solitude.

Other than now being a state park it looks like not much has changed from when I camped there. Cayo Costa Sate Park offers a campground with 30 sites and 12 small wooden cabins without water or electricity. The native flora and fauna of the barrier islands seem more adept at recovery than we are. My body remembers how to ski Ski, I had the best Valentine's Day ever when I got to, Top ten reasons why you'd Uncruise over a traditio, Deer Valley Ski Resort - Where to Find the Best Skiing for Every Skier, Sea of Cortez Cruises - A Complete Guide to Ports, Routes, and Adventures, The Deer Valley Difference - A Concierge Review of Deer Valley Ski Resort, the latest CDC recommendations for travelers, Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through.

The park remains closed indefinately. All rights reserved. WebCayo Costa has 30 tent sites in a primitive environment. Florida Caverns State Park WebCayo Costa has 30 tent sites in a primitive environment. With all of these ferries, you want to show up at least 30 minutes prior to departure, so you dont miss the boat and make reservations at least 24 hours in advance. Cayo Costa is only accessible from Captiva Island by boat and we recommend renting a boat at Jensens Marina or scheduling a water taxi ride to the island.

Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Cayo Costa State Park: Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. From the north, it will take you an hour and fifteen minutes longer to reach Captiva. That said, you need to understand who's giving you this advice. Landscapes from the protected Cayo Costa State Park, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, as seen on JANUARY 08 in Cayo Costa, Florida. This page may include affiliate links from which we earn modest commissions if a purchase is made. Fishing is excellent at Boca Grande Pass and Charlotte Harbor. Closer to home, near Lake Okeechobee, they were harvesting sugar cane in the cane plantations. Cayo Costa State Park is closed due to damage from Hurricane Ian.

And, often, you will spot manatees, dolphins, and stingrays making for a memorable snorkeling experience. The pioneer cemetery makes a great destination. I couldnt have asked for a better birthday present. We slowed to no wake in our host's 20' center console and headed towards the tangled mangrove shoreline of Cayo just south of a small accessible beautifully untouched white sand beach that curved around to the north end of the island and the quick tidal rips of the shallow gin clear waters of the Cayo end of the pass, with long contorting coconut palm trees and weather faded dead wood trunks and branches accentuating the absolute wild, primitive ambience of this pristine island. Enjoy a variety of activities at Cayo Costa.

Perdido Key State Park 265621.73N 811906.17W elev 39 ft Are there ferries to Cayo Costa State Park? Their articles have been published in the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, The Guardian and Visit Florida. Our dream of owning a piece of paradise was coming into fruition. That means you can almost guarantee you can walk miles on a perfect beach and have Cayo Costa State Park almost to yourself. There must have been lots of yummy crayfish! See all the oyster shells!

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