Exploring the Islands of Pine Island Sound by Ferry

 27 January 2022

FT. MYERS / PINE ISLAND KOA HOLIDAY,  Pine Island, FL

 

Marc- Early start today to get to the Ferry dock by 8:30.  Partly cloudy and 70 degrees.  The plan was to pay for a two island visit: Cabbage Key and Cayo Costa.  It worked out very well.  We first took the Ferry to Cayo Costa State Park passing by many small islands in Pine Island Sound.  We left Cayo Costa after a brief stopover for the ferry ride over to Cabbage Key for lunch.  Cabbage Key contains one resort and one cool restaurant renowned for being the inspiration for Jimmy Buffett's “Cheeseburger in Paradise”.  You got it, we ordered cheeseburgers for lunch and they were good.  We wandered about on the island trails and climbed the water tower before taking the ferry back over to Cayo Costa State Park.  

A rather stringy form of cactus on a palm tree.

Cabbage palms.

Wax Mallow, aka "sleeping hibiscus"

Mangroves as habitat for oysters.

Finally reaching the Park we set out for its famous Gulf beach.  The mile walk to the beach was mostly shaded by a tropical forest.  Once at the beach, we got our feet wet (burr cool) and sought out some seashells.  Unfortunately the shells were mostly crushed, but the hike was pleasant.  The campgrounds here consist of tent sites and several cabins, all near the beach.  The nearest supplies are across the island at the ferry dock.

Minnie cactus.

Our return trip to Pine Island was eventful for a detour to a manatee hole (seeing one manatee) and a playful dolphin who repeatedly jumped in our ferry’s wake.