Cayo CostaBrochure |
Brochure of Cayo Costa State Park in Florida. Published by Florida State Parks.
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Florida State Parks
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Recreation and Parks
History & Nature
For four thousand or more years before the arrival
of Europeans in Florida, a succession of Native
American fishing cultures lived and worked in
the Charlotte Harbor area. Several of their shell
mounds are located on Cayo Costa.
Cayo Costa, which means “Key by the Coast” or
barrier island, was the name given to the island by
early Spanish traders.
In the early 1800s, Spanish fishermen from Cuba
established “fishing ranchos” on islands along
Florida’s west coast. Fish were caught, dried and
then transported to Cuban markets. In 1879, the
Smithsonian Institution conducted a survey of
Charlotte Harbor and found four fishing ranchos,
two on Cayo Costa (then called La Costa Island).
A quarantine station was established on the
northern end of Cayo Costa for immigrants
entering the country through Boca Grande Pass in
the late 1800s.
Approximately 20 fishing families lived on Cayo
Costa in the early 1900s, where they established
a school, a post office and a grocery store. Fishing
continues to be a prominent activity here. Boca
Grande Pass, to the north, is particularly well
known for its tarpon fishing.
Cayo Costa State Park
Located 4 nautical miles west off the coastline of Pine
Island, FL 33922
P.O. Box 1150 , Boca Grande, FL 33921
(941) 964-0375
FloridaStateParks.org
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Park Guidelines
Southwest
Florida
Cayo Costa
State Park
A Gulf Coast island paradise
Hours are 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year.
An entrance fee is required. Additional user fees
may apply.
All plants, animals and park property are
protected.
Pets are permitted in designated areas only. Pets
must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet
and well behaved at all times.
Fishing, boating, swimming and fires are allowed
in designated areas only. A Florida fishing license
may be required.
Fireworks and hunting are prohibited.
Alcoholic beverage consumption is allowed in
designated areas only.
Become a volunteer. Inquire at the ranger station.
To join the Barrier Island Parks Society, Inc., call
(941) 964-0060.
Florida’s state parks are committed to providing equal access to all facilities and programs.
Should you need assistance to enable your
participation, please contact the ranger station.
Alternate format
available upon
request at any
Florida state park
FLORIDA
State Parks
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Real Fun in
The park encompasses 2,420 acres on one of
Florida’s largest unspoiled barrier islands. The
southern portion of North Captiva Island, which
lies off the coast of North Fort Myers, is also
included in the park. Away from the hustle and
bustle of the mainland, visitors will find beautiful
white-sand beaches, hiking trails, primitive
campsites and rustic cabins.
Fishing is excellent in Charlotte Harbor, especially
at Boca Grande Pass. Limited bayside docking is
available for day visitors and overnight campers.
A free tram transports visitors from the bayside
docks to the gulf side of the island during normal
operating hours. No electric or water hook-ups are
available at the docks.
Other beach activities include swimming and
shelling, but you may not remove live shells (i.e.
hermit crabs or sand dollars). Several hiking trails
crisscross the island. Tables, grills and two picnic
pavilions are available on the gulf side of the
island.
Twelve rustic cabins and 30 tent sites are
available. For cabin reservation information,
contact Reserve America at (800) 326-3521 or
(866) I CAMP FL or TDD (888) 433-0287 or visit
ReserveAmerica.com. Other state parks in the
area include Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island
and Stump Pass Beach.
Directions
The island lies 2 miles south of
Boca Grande, and is accessible only
by boat. Take I-75 to exit 143. Turn
west on State Road 78 (Pine Island
Road), then north on Stringfellow Road
to Pineland. Contact the park’s office at
(941) 964-0375 for ferry service information.