Castaway to 7 Southwest Florida Gulf Coast Islands Reachable Only By Boat

Have you ever dreamed of being a castaway on some enchanting southwest Florida Gulf coast islands surrounded by nothing but the sea, sun, and sand? Wait til you see what we have in store!

If you’re dreaming of Southwest Florida, chances are you love the shallow water, gentle slope of the coastline, and the aquamarine waters of the Gulf coast, and appreciate the unique beauty you only find in southwest Florida.

It’s different here. In fact, the shallow coastline is part of what drew us to make SWFL our home.

Now imagine discovering a few secluded islands — maybe even spending a night or two on one — with practically the whole island to yourself.

When it comes to remote barrier islands, Florida has many to choose from.

Some are accessible only by boat, making them even more challenging to get to, but totally worth it in the end.

Get ready for a castaway adventure!

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In this article, you’ll find 7 Florida west coast islands in southwest Florida only reachable by boat and still well under-the-radar with tourism.

You’ll also find 5 more islands off Florida that are popular tourist Southwest Florida destinations and easy Naples day trips — and you should visit them for the experience, though they’re much less remote.

If you’re longing to explore some of the best islands in Florida, these Florida Gulf coast islands offer experiences ranging from upscale luxury to well off-the-beaten-path and several in between.

Table of Contents

7 Southwest Florida Gulf Coast Islands (Reachable Only by Boat)

5 More Islands on Florida Gulf Coast (You Can Drive To)

Southwest Florida Gulf Coast Islands (Reachable Only by Boat)

1. Cayo Costa Island

26.6695173° N, -82.2464838° W

How does nine miles of untouched beaches and natural barrier island sound to you?

First up on our islands list is Cayo Costa Island, one of the secluded islands on the Gulf coast of Florida easily accessible by boat from Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island.

But this particular island is a little different from the others on this list, and that’s due to the main highlight of the island, Cayo Costa State Park.

While many of these southwest Florida islands revolve around water-based activities, Cayo Costa State Park also has quite a few land-based activities.

Not only can you swim, shell, kayak, and fish as much as you want, but you can also hike, off-road bike, and birdwatch too!

It’s a great place to day trip or go camping if you wish to explore more.

• To Get to Cayo Costa Island: Cayo Costa State Park is only accessible by private boat or a local tour company. The Cayo Costa ferry departs from Pine Island daily to Cayo Costa. Admission to Cayo Costa Park is $2 per person.

2. Don Pedro Island

26.8711757° N, -82.3206507° W

Speaking of amazing islands off the coast of Florida, Don Pedro Island (also known as Palm Island), situated off Florida’s Gulf Coast near southern Englewood, is another barrier island with a secluded State Park attached.

Located between Knight Island and Little Gasparilla Island, most visitors come to explore Don Pedro Island State Park, part of which is located on the mainland (land base) with another part on the island itself.

The 1-mile long stretch of beautiful beach is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, shelling, hiking the island’s trails, or just sunbathing.

A large pavilion with restrooms, tables and grills is available on a first-come, first-served basis, but you’ll have to bring along your picnic and refreshments.

Parking and restrooms are available at the park’s land base.

• To Get to Don Pedro Island, catch the five-minute ride on the Palm Island Transit ferry which operates daily on demand. Roundtrip fare costs $6 person or $55 per car. Boaters can also tie up at the dock on the mangrove-lined bay side of the island.

3. Keewaydin Island

26.0704° N, 81.7869° W

Keewaydin Island is the first island location on this list located in Collier County.

Nestled between both Naples and Marco Island, the remote island is still only accessible by boat despite its close proximity to both and is one of Naples best beaches.

The highlight of Keewaydin is its lovely beach, littered with scores of ocean treasure, each new wave dumping seashells more beautiful than the last that washed ashore.

There’s more shells than people because of this island’s remote location, which is exactly why you should go.

You’ll quickly be able to find loads of rare shells and even a few sand dollars!

If you’re not one for shelling, you can simply enjoy your own little slice of paradise for the day.

• To Get to Keewaydin Island:

  Rent your own boat and swim to your heart’s content and work on your tan. Or take a boat tour or shelling cruise and add to your collection.

  Bring your dog as it’s Collier County’s only dog-friendly beach. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for the dolphins that like to visit!

4. Little Gasparilla Island

26.8752° N, 82.3221° W

Located halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers, there’s not much to do on Little Gasparilla Island except lounge on the pristine white sand beach and imagine you’re Cast Away like Tom Hanks and Wilson.

Except for a small gift shop there are no shops or stores on Little Gasparilla, but you can rent a golf cart and explore the island.

Whatever you want to eat or drink you’ll have to bring with you.

And remember to leave only footprints.

Don’t confuse Little Gasparilla with Gasparilla Island, the main island off the coast of Englewood which is accessible by car over the Boca Grande causeway from Placida.

• To Get to Little Gasparilla Island: The only way to the island is by water taxi, and only one taxi services the island — Pirate's Water Taxi.

  Available every day during daylight hours (but runs later with a reservation) the ride costs around $10 per person depending on the day and time of day, and it’s best to contact them at least a week or two in advance, or if you need to travel very early, after dark, or on a holiday.

  There is also a minimum trip charge of $20. Pick up the taxi from Eldred's Marina just off the Boca Grande Causeway.

5. Useppa Island

26.6621° N, 82.2128° W

Useppa Island is arguably one of the most luxurious and exclusive gulf coast barrier islands on this list.

As a matter of fact, the most popular attraction on the island is the private Useppa Island Club, enjoyed by members only and guests of members.

But the Useppa Island Club isn’t just prim and posh.

It’s historic as well — in existence since the late 19th century — and has since been added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

This is laid-back luxury at its best in southwest Florida.

• To Get to Useppa Island: The Useppa Island Club itself is open to members and their guests only, but the public can enjoy limited access through the 5-hour excursions with Captiva Cruises which leave South Seas Resort or McCarthy’s Marina daily.

  The trips include lunch at Useppa’s historic Collier Inn and a visit to the local museum.

  There’s even time to stroll the Pink Promenade, a century-old pathway made of shells and pink sand that winds its way along the island’s central ridge.

  The ride to Useppa takes one hour in each direction with a three hour visit on the island, and returns mid-afternoon.

  Captiva Cruises can also help arrange overnight accommodations at the Collier Club or a Useppa island rental cottage.

6. North Captiva Island

26.5883° N, 82.2162° W

While many visitors to Sanibel and Captiva Island think Captiva is far more secluded than Sanibel, they never realize a more remote part of Captiva lies just a short ferry ride away, with beautiful beaches that appear deserted.

For a while, North Captiva Island and Captiva Island were actually the same island.

That was, until 1921, when a hurricane split the one island into two. Now, North Captiva Island is one of the hidden islands off Florida that begs for a visit.

Despite the fact that North Captiva Island is relatively small, it still has a whopping five miles of beaches.

Considering how few people visit the island, you’re practically guaranteed to have a slice of sandy paradise all to yourself!

And with fewer people, you’ll be able to find loads of rare shells, sand dollars, and even a few fossilized shark teeth.

It’s a beach lovers nirvana!

• To Get to North Captiva Island: Arrange a ferry ride from the North Captiva Island Club resort and book in at a one of several rental cottages on the island for a romantic weekend away.

7. Cabbage Key

26.6551° N, 82.2254° W

Cabbage Key is one of the Florida Gulf coast islands with a fantastic location near Charlotte Harbor, ideal boating conditions, and the perfect fun factor — frankly it’s one of those islands I’d love to be castaway on.

Thankfully it’s one island that’s easy to overnight on too.

The Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant is the island’s only resort offering complete relaxation at their historic Inn and several more private rental cottages.

It’s the perfect place to escape to for a romantic getaway or laid-back family vacation Castaway-style.

If you’re looking to visit for the day, Cabbage Key is one of the only Gulf coast barrier islands that combines rustic nature with just enough to do.

Rent kayaks and explore Pine Island Sound and the unique Bokeelia fish houses.

Hike the 100-acre island paradise and have lunch at the Cabbage Key Inn.

Or just stop in the Dollar Bar for an island afternoon Happy Hour.

From Cabbage Key, you’re never far from many of the other hidden islands in South Florida, including Useppa Island, Pine Island, and Cayo Costa Island.

And there are other tiny islands that you can reach by kayak too, including Punta Blanca Island, Mondongo Island, and Patricio Island.

• To Get to Cabbage Key: Several tour companies run tours to Cabbage Key from Sanibel, Captiva, Pine Island, Matlacha, and Punta Gorda. If you’re staying at the Tarpon Bay Lodge on Pine Island (Cabbage Key’s sister company), the hotel can arrange for a day trip to the island for you!

5 More Islands on Florida Gulf Coast (You Can Drive To)

Gasparilla Island

Despite the fact that Gasparilla Island is named after the pirate Gasparilla, that’s surprisingly not the island’s claim to fame.

Rather, it’s one of the Florida west coast islands best-known for its State Park — Gasparilla Island State Park, a lovely little oasis filled with history and nature.

But Gasparilla Island State Park isn’t the only thing the island has to offer.

It’s also home to the little town of Boca Grande, where you can pop into the many art galleries, spend some time at the Gasparilla Maritime Museum, or stroll along Banyan Street.

Be sure and visit the historic Port Boca Grande Lighthouse as well.

Book in at Boca Grande’s beautiful Boca Grande Hotel, a charming and perfectly located resort with elegant suites and a long list of amenities.

It’s centrally located and the perfect location for an island escape.

Matlacha & Pine Island

There’s a quirky little island in southwest Florida located on the only road to Pine Island.

Artsy Matlacha is itself an island that’s 0.69 miles square and absolutely worth a visit.

With polka-dotted dolphin-shaped mailboxes, a fishing fundraising club, and colorful galleries chock full of unique and collectable artwork from local artists, there’s nowhere else quite like Matlacha Island.

Dine on great seafood at Moretti’s or fish tacos at The Blue Dog Cafe and listen to live calypso music as you watch the sun set over the calm backwater bays.

Stay Over on Matlacha!

For something completely unique, spend a night or two at the whimsical tiny houses at Matlacha Tiny Village.

5 tiny houses sit like colorful gumdrops overlooking the water — will you stay at the Alligator, the Mermaid, the Margarita, Dolphin or the Flamingo?

Spend your day fishing — depending on the season, you can catch everything from mahi mahi to grouper to red snapper, all native Florida species and delicious on the barbie.

If you’re feeling really adventurous, try kayak fishing or throw out your line from the “World’s Fishingest Bridge” just to say you did!

Just beyond Matlacha Island lies Pine Island, another of the southwest Florida islands known mostly for its fishing.

Although the population of the island hovers around 10,000 people, these residents are responsible for a relatively big commercial fishing industry.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Sanibel Island and its twin sister Captiva Island have made their mark as the “shelling capital of the world”.

On the sandy shores, you’ll find pretty little shells that wash ashore by the thousands.

Places like Bowman’s Beach, Blind Pass Beach, and Lighthouse Beach Park, are renowned for finding shells! Florida fighting conchs, olive, tulips, and lightning whelks are just the beginning.

And while shelling is the main draw of these Gulf coast islands, there are other things to do on these hidden gems.

You can also birdwatch and kayak at the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, admire the blooming flowers at the Sanibel Mooring Botanical Gardens, and purchase some local finds at the Sanibel Island Farmers Market.

Stay overnight at one of the best places to stay on Sanibel Island or further up on Captiva — and enjoy the peace and quiet you’ll only find here.

Estero Island

Estero Island encompasses the entire area known as Fort Myers Beach (different from Fort Myers), and because Fort Myers Beach is a relatively well-known vacation destination in Florida, you’ll find loads of things to do.

If you want to take to the water, head to the beach for the day, or nearby Lover’s Key, take a dolphin watching cruise, or watch the sunset at Bowditch Point Park.

But if you’d prefer to stay dry, you can visit the Mound House Museum or dine at one of the many delicious local restaurants.

Goodland Island

If you’re staying in Marco Island just a few miles away is your neighbor next door, Goodland, a tiny, 0.3-square-mile island that feels worlds away from Marco Island.

It’s the perfect place to just enjoy an island vibe from Florida’s past with fishing boats and dive bars as your backdrop.

Take in the waterfront views, grab a bite at the few local restaurants, and take pictures of the dolphins playing at dusk.

Or take one of the unique boat tours in Marco Island that explore some of the surrounding islands — some of them will stop in Goodland.

But things on Goodland really come to life on Sundays during the winter seasonal months when visitors and locals alike flock to Stan’s Idle Hour for live music, dancing, and drinking – it’s always a party at Stans!

We hope these secluded islands off Florida’s Gulf coast inspire dreams of your next romantic island getaway.

Whether you’re looking for a bustling island filled with shopping and restaurants or one loaded with seashells and sand dollars, you’ll find a few Florida Gulf coast islands that are perfect for your getaway.

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