The Camping Gem of Cayo Costa Island

northern most end of Cayo Costa

If you moved to Miami as a young adult, chances are you were partly drawn here for the same reasons I was.  Sun, fun, and surf.  My first three years of living along South Florida’s Atlantic coast, between Broward and Miami was spent in bumper to bumper traffic and long lines for dinner, drinks, or the hottest club.  What do you expect when you live in one of the two most densely populated counties in Florida.  Together, Broward and Dade boast a combined population of nearly five million folks living along fifty miles of beaches.  Anyway you slice it, your can never really get away from the crowds.

It took awhile, but eventually the nightlife and South Beach lost its Midas touch and I was looking for another experience that fed my soul.  Fortunately, I met a crew of international and domestic immigrants who felt the same way and we began to discover the eco-diversity just beyond the city lights.

One of my favorite getaways is to the island of Cayo Costa, about three hours by car and another hour boat ride from the city of Fort Meyers on Florida’s Southwest Coast.  I recently returned from my third camping trip in the past six years.  It’s as unique of a camping trip as one can expect in South Florida.  Unlike other popular camping spots in the Everglades, Cayo is an island.  Not just any island, but a state park, so it is protected from development… a rarity down in these parts.

Originally, the island was settled by the Colusa Indians and they thrived here for about 1500 years, but due to Spanish colonization, enslavement and genocide the island was deserted by the time Teribo Jose Padilla, the first settler who arrived in the 1850s.  He arrived from the Spanish Canary Islands with his Mayan wife, and raised his family fishing the surrounding estuary.  Eventually a few other fishing families settled the island.  Eventually, the Padilla family was removed from the island for suspicion of rum running Cuban rum and cigars to Florida’s west coast, Cayo never really developed because it was so remote.  After WW2, most of the original pioneers left and the island and eventually was incorporated by Lee County.  Today, 94% of the island is a public state park.  It remains as pristine and untouched as it always has.  No paved roads, electricity, or running water.

Here is a clip from the descendants of the first settlers of the island.  Mullets and Mangroves

Visitors can enjoy day trips or stay overnight in one of twelve rustic cabins or thirty primitive campsites. There is a ranger station near the dock.  Once on the island, you can fish, swim, sunbath, shell, hike, rent bikes or kayaks. Bring all your provisions and food, as you will be completely cut off from any beer or food runs once you arrive.  There is a small store that sells firewood and ice, which is a huge convenience.  If you’re brave enough, you can even search for the small cemetery where a few of the original pioneers area buried.  There are certain times of the year, where you can even experience the phenomenon of bioluminescence when wading in the water after the sun has gone down.

Another added feature is the bio and eco-diversity that this 9x1 miles island offers.  More than 2400 acres of pine and hardwood forests, sand dunes, and swamplands, which make for spectacular hikes.  You can see a vast diversity of wildlife, such as alligators, wild pigs, raccoons, armadillos, manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, and a variety of sea birds and of course fish.  The waters are so rich in conch and fish that you’re sure to eat seafood every night if you bring your fishing pole.

Cayo Costa is one of my favorite getaways from the big city, but understand this is South Florida, so timing is crucial.  If you want to avoid the worst of the mosquitoes and sand flies, then you want to book ahead and make your reservations well in advance.  The island is remote but is extremely popular, so make your reservations are at least several months in advance.  You won’t be disappointed, and positive you will make this a family or friend tradition for years to come.

P.S. 22 private homes in the south end of the island do exist.  One of these are available for rent for about $250 a night (7 day minimum) and sleeps up to six people.  My fourth trip to the island will be here.  Just look at the photos of Sandy Seagull Hideaway on VRBO.com

https://www.vrbo.com/437018

one of the rustic cabins.  $40 a night.  Sleeps 6.

Spanish Moss on hardwood

one of the campsites. $25 a night

pathway to the beach

the dock

the channel from the mainland

northern most tip of the island

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