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On the way to the beach (see the Hand Drawn Map ), turn right and go to the Park on the North end of the island.
Go over the Service Road (by permission of Ranger Barry Stevens) and park just before the main Park road. They have great t-shirts, brochures, cold drinks, ice and water at an outside hydrant. The t-shirts are a great remembrance of the island. We understand the Park now rents kayaks.
See Cayo Costa State Park and download the Brochure on the left for all the trails.
Cabbage Key Island Restaurant
Cabbage Key (239 283 2278) is not far from Cayo Costa. Its lunches are good. Jimmy Buffet is said to have written "Cheeseburger in Paradise" when there one summer. The dinners are romantic, but fine for children, and are very good. We suggest that you have the water taxi pick you up at the dock at 7:30 pm for 8:00 pm reservations; they stop serving at 8:30. The water taxi will usually make a round trip to Cabbage Key at a special rate.
The Tropic Star (239 283 0015) goes to Cabbage Key for lunch from the Park dock for $5 per person. Call for their schedule and confirm prices. The Park dock is a 2-1/2 mile walk from the house. See the Hand Drawn Map.
Fishing
If you go out to the beach and turn right, north and go about 3/4 mile you will come to the inlet to the lagoon. The fishing is very good here at tide change. Redfish and snook are caught frequently.
The grass flats betwen Cayo Costa and Pork Chop are a good source of spotted seatrout.
You can get a fishing license using your credit card by telephone (888-347-4356). A non resident saltwater permit is $47.00 annually; 7 day is $30.00; 3 day is $17.00 for 2008. All are plus $3.25 + 2.5% surcharge.
Call the Pine Island Eagle (239 283 2022), Bokeelia FL for a current copy showing the fishing charters available; many will pick you up on Cayo Costa.
Kayaking
Pine Island Sound is a great place for kayaking. There are many nooks and cranies to explore and the water is very calm on most days. Steve Harman (239 283 7335) or Reliable (239 283 6060) at Bocilla Marina, uses a boat that is large enough to carry your kayaks. Kayaks can be rented at Pineland Marina from the the Tropic Star (239 283 0015) and the Tropic Star water taxi (not the Tropic Star) can bring you to our dock. We understand the Park now rents kayaks.
Our dock is just south of point 1 and Pelican Bay of the Great Calusa Blueway . Also there is a great article about the Blueway in the AmericanWay Magazine .
Also see U Tube Kayak Tour of Cayo Costa .
Bicycles
Bicycles can be rented at the Park for $16.00 per day. However because of sugar sand they sometimes run into difficulty.
Hiking
Walk out to the beach and turn left, south. There is 6 miles or so of beautiful beaches and coves. Two coves before you get to the southern tip is the nude beach, it is quite a site during the spring. Look across the water at the southern tip, this is North Captiva across Captiva Pass. Go around the southern point and you'll see some beautiful, large homes. This is a great hike; take a lunch with you.
On the way to the beach (see the Hand Drawn Map ), turn right and walk up to the main park road which is described above.
The Beach, Sunset, Shelling-INCREDIBLE!!