I have good news and bad news about Cayo Costa State Park, a subtropical barrier island located off the coast of Southwest Florida.
The good news: the island is one of the state’s most unspoiled and uncrowded zones, especially if you’re able to visit on a weekday. The bad news: the public ferry stopped services in 2025, meaning you need to own a boat or charter one to get there.
While the lack of a public ferry is a bummer for would-be visitors, it at least guarantees that the hordes won’t have easy access to one of Florida’s last sandy frontiers.
If you’ve had your eye on visiting, you can book passage in a few ways. Captiva Cruises operates a daily service for day trips. You can also book a private charter via companies like Saltwater Dreaming Charters.
Additionally, Tropic Star Adventures lets you reserve a drop-off for overnight camping trips. These have been paused since 2025 due to damage from Hurricane Ian, but should start up again this year or next year.
Which means one thing: You need a place to stay. The closest location is Captiva Island, along with Sanibel. Here are a few beachy Airbnbs on Captiva Island to serve as a great overnight location for your Cayo Costa adventures.
I’ve rounded up Airbnbs of all sizes. The first selections are larger homes with luxury price tags—and the amenities that fit the bill. Just know that they sleep over ten guests, meaning you should be able to split the price into more reasonable amounts, depending on how many adults you bring along.
Airbnbs on Captiva Island close to Cayo Costa State Park
Mansion with 40’ dock
- Sleeps: 13 guests in 5 bedrooms
- Type of rental: Luxury mansion
This luxury mansion will cost you a pretty penny—but it has the over-the-top amenities that you’d expect for the cost. That includes a six-person golf cart, which you can use to zip to the beach… even though it’s located just one block away. The rental also comes with a large, heated outdoor pool, kayaks, and a private 40-foot dock.
Other perks include free sightseeing tours (by boat) for stays of at least seven nights, board games and puzzles, beach cruiser bikes, and, uniquely, two master suites. The main perk here is that 40-foot dock, which you can use for your boat between Cayo Costa adventures.
Sommergluck
- Sleeps: 10 guests in 5 bedrooms
- Type of rental: Waterfront mansion
Looking for direct access to the channel? Between your Cayo Costa State Park adventures, you can enjoy direct access to the gorgeous Roosevelt Channel. There, you’ll notice dolphins, manatees, and more passing by—which is also a perfect spot to soak up the colorful Florida sunsets.
Perfect setting aside, this rental is spacious, comes with a heated indoor pool, hot tub, paddleboard (singular), grill, kayaks, and a few life jackets. There’s also a dock out back, but you can’t dock a boat there, unfortunately.
Beach Cottage 1411
- Sleeps: Four guests in two bedrooms
- Type of rental: Beachfront duplex
Looking for direct beach access for four? This luxury duplex is located within Island Resort and gives you access to a shared outdoor pool. It’s styled like a beach cottage, giving you a blend of classic beach vibes, luxury amenities, and waterfront views. The kitchen is fully stocked with high-end appliances and, downstairs, you’ll find a ‘man cave’.
Depending on availability, you might also have access to Tween Waters Inn and Marina, which has two pools, restaurants, live entertainment, and more. Just ask the host before you book whether you’ll have access to Tween Waters.
Beachfront Residence
- Sleeps: Four guests in one bedroom
- Type of rental: Beachfront condo
You can sleep up to four guests with a pull-out sofa at this beachfront condo. It’s got all the basics you could want in a beachfront rental, including luxury finishes and comfortable mattresses. It’s part of the Beach Village complex, giving you access to a heated pool, tennis courts, grills, and a community laundry room.
The real perk here is the sunset-facing patio. There, you can soak up gorgeous sunsets with a glass of wine in hand.
South Seas Beach Villa
- Sleeps: Six guests in two bedrooms
- Type of rental: Resort condo
Located within the 330-acre South Seas Resort, this two-bedroom condo is perfect for families who don’t want to overthink their planning. Between your Cayo Costa adventures, you can kick back and enjoy everything South Seas has to offer.
That includes Club Captive amenities like the outdoor pool (and cabanas), beach service, fishing, golfing, bike rentals, marina access, and more. Plus, you have multiple dining options, from cocktail lounges to seafood extravaganzas. This two-bedroom has a king-sized bed in the master, along with two twin beds in the second room.
Pearl Cottage
- Sleeps: Four guests in two bedrooms
- Type of rental: Townhouse
This classic beach cottage (part of a two-home townhouse) delivers on classic Florida beach vibes. The unit is surrounded by tropical vegetation and located on a private street, giving it a tucked-away feel. You’re only three blocks from Captiva Village, too, meaning you can walk to restaurants, shops, and other venues—including a Starbucks.
This rental is ideal for double-date adventures and couples, as each bedroom has a king-sized bed. Outside, you can enjoy beach chairs, a BBQ grill, and even mini-golf. Just a note: This property prefers week-long Saturday-to-Saturday rentals. The unit next door is also rented on Airbnb—not the hosts.
Jensen’s Marina and Cottages (#6)
- Sleeps: Two guests in one bedroom
- Type of rental: Beach cottage
If you have your own boat or want to spend as much time on the water as possible, Jensen’s Marina should be on your radar. This is one of several rentals on the property, which gives guests access to a bait shop, ship store, and private docks. In short, this rental gives you access to a quaint fishing-village style setup located in the heart of Captiva. The only catch is that you can’t park your boat trailer on the grounds, but the host will help you find another place to store it during your stay.
Bayside Villa
- Sleeps: Six guests in one bedroom
- Type of rental: Waterfront condo
Thanks to a lovely Lanai setup, you can enjoy views of the marina from the porch. There’s a Murphy bed in the living room for added sleeping space—but it seems ideal for four guests, not six. (I don’t see a third bed listed in the description.)
This lovely condo is part of the Bayside Villas complex. It comes with access to a shared outdoor pool, spa, grill area, and communal laundry room. You’re also a ten-minute walk from Captiva Village, letting you park your car and forget it for a few days.