Captiva Island camping options sit at the southwestern edge of Florida's Pine Island Sound, with most sites located at sea level on flat terrain. The area experiences high humidity with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while winter months bring milder 70-75°F days. The barrier islands provide limited camping facilities with no maintained hiking trails, but excellent water access.
What to do
Beach exploration: 9 miles of shoreline at Cayo Costa State Park Campground offers excellent shelling opportunities. "The beach is great! Nice and shallow for a bit (on parts of the beach) but the shelling is awesome. Lots of different shells and sharks teeth from many varieties of sharks," writes Jeanene A.
Stargazing: zero light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing from the more remote camping areas. Dave V. notes about Cayo Costa, "Stargazing is to die for...no ambient light to wash out the blackness of the night sky."
Kayaking: 8-mile paddling route from Pineland Marina to Horseshoe Primitive Campground offers a challenging water adventure. "Take the time to plan your paddle around, between and through the barrier islands to Cayo Costa. There is some big water, that might put your panties in a bunch if you aren't use to it," advises Dave V.
Bicycling: rental bikes available for exploring island paths. Jennifer L. mentions at Cayo Costa, "Although bikes are also available for rent, I would probably bring my own bike next time as it would be helpful to get around during the 4 days I was there and find more remote locations."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: abundant birds and marine life make glamping in Captiva a nature photographer's dream. "You'll enjoy a myriad of water birds (herons, egrets, diver ducks, anhinga, spoonbills, pelicans, sea gulls) along with osprey, bald eagles, kingfisher and kites," shares Dave V. about the Picayune Strand area.
Quiet beaches: off-season solitude when visiting outside peak tourist season. "A group of us went down for the weekend in September. There were very few people camping and we had the tent section all to ourselves. Some of us also slept on the beach which was quite a treat," reports Nora M. about Periwinkle Park.
Clean facilities: well-maintained bathrooms at many glamping sites near Captiva. Rob Y. shares about Periwinkle Park, "Bathrooms were probably the cleanest I've ever seen at a campground. They were cleaned daily and it showed."
Fishing opportunities: excellent catches in the area waterways. Paul W. notes about Horseshoe Primitive Campground, "Fishing in the canals is excellent."
What you should know
No-see-ums and mosquitoes: severe biting insects require serious protection year-round. "Insects are a serious issue, even in the fall and winter. Hope for a breeze to deter the no-see-ums. I used DEET spray and a thermacell and a permethrin-treated tent and still left with dozens of bites, and that was in November," warns Jennifer L. about Cayo Costa.
Transportation logistics: ferry loading/unloading can complicate glamping trips to island locations. "Given the tram and ferry loading and unloading processes you may want to travel as lightly as you can," advises David I. at Cayo Costa.
Limited services: no electricity at more remote glamping sites means planning ahead. "There is no electricity but cell service with AT&T was great (not that I wanted to use it much). The camp store sells souvenirs and necessities (snacks, cold drinks, firewood, ice, more insect repellant)," shares Jennifer L.
Wildlife concerns: rats can be an issue at some sites. "Well, the night belongs to the Rats on this island. There are literally thousands of them. If you camp here take precautions and know that rats will chew through any bag that contains food," warns a camper at Koreshan State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Food storage: bring secure containers to prevent wildlife encounters. "Don't put food in your tent or sleeping area. I had buns in a Tupperware container and they chewed through it. A storage bin or bear proof container is needed," advises a camper at Cayo Costa.
Travel timing: weekday visits offer more space and privacy at glamping sites near Captiva. "Sites fill up quickly especially on the weekend," notes Mary Jo R. about Koreshan State Park.
Water supply: bring plenty as not all sites offer potable water. "Bring all of your food and WATER. Also pack lots of bug spray for no-see-ums and mosquitos, Sunblock, Sunglasses and a hat," recommends Jeanene A. about Cayo Costa glamping.
Check weather forecasts: afternoon rain is common June through October. Dave V. cautions, "Also know, that from June through October, it'll ordinarily rain for a short duration in the afternoon. Nothing to worry about and it cools things down (just kidding...it cranks up the humidity)."
Tips from RVers
Site reservations: book 6 months ahead for premium glamping spots in Captiva during winter. "Cayo Costa can book out as much as 6 months in advance. Plan your trip accordingly," advises David I.
Parking considerations: overnight parking fees at marinas if boat access is needed. "We left Pineland Marina (overnight parking was $8 for your vehicle)," notes Dave V.
Hook-up availability: electric options limited at some Fort Myers-Pine Island KOA sites. "We had an issue with the breaker kicking. We ended up using the box for the next site, issues were done," explains Steven B.
Site placement: choose locations away from sewage facilities for better glamping experience. Joshua B. warns about Periwinkle Park, "The campsite is beautiful and well maintained. Lots of landscape and birds to see. Good location. However, be mindful of your location. There is an area right next to the sewage treatment facility and it stinks bad when the wind is wrong."
