Cayo Costa – The Complete Guide to Florida’s Hidden Gem

What to Do in Cayo Costa State Park

Cayo Costa State Park stretches over 2,420 acres on one of Florida’s largest unspoiled barrier islands. You come here for life in the slow lane, away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. A $2.00-day use fee is charged to all visitors of the park, separate from any shuttle fees you may pay. You should note that all services on the island are cash only. This includes use fees, rental fees, and firewood. Make sure you bring cash to Cayo Costa because they don’t take American Express (or any other credit card). You will also want to bring a picnic or food for your full stay if camping because there are only snacks at the camp store. One final warning, pets are allowed in Cayo Costa Park, but not the beaches or camp area, so bringing Fido along will limit what you can do. Activities in Cayo Costa include:

• 9 Miles of pristine beach – A free shuttle from the boat ramp takes you across the 1-mile wide island. This is particularly helpful if you have a cooler, beach toys, or camp gear. You can swim on the beach, but there are no lifeguards. You should also be aware of red tide (more on this later) and jellyfish. We saw a significant number of jellyfish on our visit that washed up from several days of onshore breezes.
• Shelling – Cayo Costa beach offers amazing shelling, especially if you wander down from the campground where the shuttle drops you off. You should check the tide tables and plan your shelling around low tide. Remember, don’t take live shells (i.e.hermit crabs or sand dollars).
• Biking –  Miles of packed dirt roads criss-cross the park. (you are prohibited from entering the private land south of the park). These trails lead you to highlights like Boca Pass, Quarantine Rocks, and Murdock Point. You can rent a bike (cash) at the store or bring one over on the ferry for a nominal fee.
• Hiking – You can hike the same biking roads across the island. There is some cool stuff to see around the island like the old cemetery from the island’s days as a tuberculosis quarantine location. You can also venture out on the bike trails to the farthest end of the island, but be mindful of how far out you get so you can return to your shuttle on time.
• Animal Viewing – Cayo Costa is a great place for birdwatching, especially during the spring and fall nesting season. Turtle season is mid-summer, but they mainly come on shore during the night. Out on the water, you might see dolphins or manatees. Don’t forget the smaller animals crawling along the beach too.