Reviews: Cayo Costa State Park - Beach Open, Rebuilding Docks and Overnight Accommodations

Review Now

These are observations from the boating community. Waterway Guide information is verified regularly and all efforts will be made to validate any new updates submitted here. Thank you for taking the time to share comments about your experience.

Waterway Guide reserves the option of editing reviews and comments for grammar, clarity and the removal of defamatory or potentially slanderous language. When appropriate, reviews are forwarded to businesses for response prior to being made public. We will make every effort to be objective and impartial when posting reviews, but do not publicize details of disputes between parties.

Cayo Costa State Park - Beach Open, Rebuilding Docks and Overnight Accommodations

Pine Island
Cayo Costa, FL 33922

Lat / Lon: N 26° 41.152' / W 082° 14.700'
Hours: 8am to sundown
Contact: Bill Nash
Phone: (941) 964-0375
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Cayo-Costa

3.50

(4)

3.50 out of 5 stars

Review for Cayo Costa State Park - Beach Open, Rebuilding Docks and Overnight Accommodations

Reviewed by: Adam , Lucky J, on Nov 25, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 30'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 1

We anchored in Pelican Bay and rowed our dinghy into the landing area and were greeted by an orange piece of construction fence and several signs saying "No Terspassing". I saw several people congregating by the concession area and approached them to ask some questions about the signage of the park being closed and no tresspassing. I was approached by a park staff member and asked when the park/restrooms/beach would be open. She explained that the beach and west side restrooms were open and everything on the east side of the island was closed. I asked if I could walk across the island to use the open restroom/ beach area and the answer was no, I could only access the area from the west side of the island. So be aware of this if you have a rowing dinghy and anchoring in Pelican Bay. You are not being allowed to transit the island on foot.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Cayo Costa State Park - Beach Open, Rebuilding Docks and Overnight Accommodations

Reviewed by: G. Haring , Pegasus, on Jan 30, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

AS of January 2023 not only is the marina still closed but landing in the Park is not permitted. However the anchorage is open and it appears the rangers are not objecting to boaters landing on the entrance sand spit or alone the northern beach. Just don't wander into the Park.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Cayo Costa State Park - Beach Open, Rebuilding Docks and Overnight Accommodations

Reviewed by: Lawrence Wolfenden on Nov 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Docks for 25' or less powerboats and/or dinghies. It's about a mile walk from here to the beach side of Cayo Costa where one has a good chance of being one of only a half-dozen or fewer people in sight on an amazing white sand beach. An unusual feature, about two-thirds of a mile south, is a sandbar that juts perpendicularly from the beach out about a third of a mile. It appears to be formed by the interaction of the tidal flows from Boca Grande (north) and Captiva Pass (south).

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Cayo Costa State Park - Beach Open, Rebuilding Docks and Overnight Accommodations

Reviewed by: Scott DeVoll , DunRunnin, on Jan 30, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

One of our favorite anchorages. Can get very busy in season on the weekend. Lots of room and good holding. Watch your chart at the entrance and for shallow areas in the anchorage. State park with trail to the Gulf and Cabbage Key near by.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer