Cayo Costa - beautiful anchorage, 12/8 - 12/10

Cayo Costa, anchorage near Captiva, Florida

We enjoyed a beautiful anchorage in this bay, bounded on one side by the Cayo Costa State Park, and an island, just off the ICW.  When we arrived, there were already quite a few boats anchored.  Just minding some shallow spots as we entered, we had plenty of water and plenty of space.  What a great place to put our dinghy to use!  The state park is fairly rustic – cost is $2 per person, on the honor system.  On the one side, there are the docks, and about a mile across is the Gulf with a lovely beach.  We started to walk, then were picked up by their tram.  It’s a great place for families, with camping in tents and cabins.  In the bay itself were 2 or 3 unnamed islands – nothing on them, just beach, crushed shells, and not even much in the way of vegetation.  They were perfect for beaching the dinghy – from the shore, it sloped gently down for about 4 or 5 feet, then dropped off quite a bit.  Pull the dinghy up on shore, and the motor can stay submerged!  People were there with their dogs – perfect place for them to run.

We stayed there 2 nights.  The boat O’Tug pulled up the second day – another of those folks that we meet and re-meet as we traverse the Loop!  We took the dinghy over to Cabbage Key, about 1.5 miles.  Turns out we should have gone over to the ICW and up their channel – we ran aground twice, not as big a deal as on the Kittiwake!  But, since I had on my Crocs, I hopped out, to pull us off the sand bar.  Dan lifted the motor, and I could easily pull the dinghy until we were clear….until the next time!  I ended up absolutely drenched.  I do believe that the gentleman sitting on his cockpit at the Cabbage Key Marina must have enjoyed our show....  As we have said many times, "Sometimes you watch the show, other times you ARE the show!"

We had a nice lunch, apparently where the Cheeseburger in Paradise was invented.  We enjoyed watching the gopher turtles and ducks on the lawn.

Fabulous sunset!

Gopher turtle at Cabbage Key

Outdoor dining area at Cabbage Key

Indoors decor - LOTS of dollar bills!

And, then there's the bar...!

One of the islands in the bay

Our dinghy beached on the island

Closeup of our dinghy - new motor this year!

Gulf beach in the State Park

Sign to greet visitors

When there's fog there, oh my!

It comes in slowly, and then...

Can't see ANYTHING!

Well, actually, we could see this one boat!

another beautiful sunset

shows all the boats in the bay - lots of room!