Q: We will be visiting Cayo Costa State Park during mid-March and will be camping with another family (a total of 5 kiddos). Have you ever talked to anyone who has taken kayaks over on the shuttles? Looks like the shuttles land on the sound side and camping is on Gulf side. I'm just wondering about where we could keep 2 kayaks and if it would be safe to lock them on the sound side. I'm worried it will be a hassle if I need to drag them back and forth. Thanks for this and any other info. We are excited and looking forward to the trip -- John Kuhl, Austin, TX

A: Hi, John, you should be excited. I'm excited for you. Cayo Costa is on my list of places to visit. I can't wait to explore this pristine southwestern Florida island.

So because I've never been there, I called the park directly. (I might as well find out for myself, too, eh?) A ranger told me that although there's nowhere to lock up kayaks, the place to store them is very near where the assistant park manager lives. She also said the park has never had any problems with belongings getting stolen. The ranger also said she hopes you have camping reservations because the park is about full for the next 3 months!

Then I called Tropic Star (941-283-0015), a company on Pine Island that operates the shuttle to Cayo Costa. A person there told me they would charge you $10 for each kayak you brought onto the shuttle. Other costs are $25 per person if you're camping ($20 if you're not camping -- go figure) and $15 per person for children under age 12, regardless of whether they're camping. Children age 2 and under are free.

You can also try New River Transport (941-283-6060, which quoted $25 per person over age 12, $15 per kayak and mentioned you'd have to pay a $5-per-day parking fee at Hideaway Marina in Bokeelia, as well as have your group split onto 2 boats), Jug Creek Marina (941-283-9512), Boca Grande Charter (941-964-1100) and Ghost Riders (941-283-1150).

I hope this is enough information to help you decide whether bringing the kayaks would be a hassle -- and whether touring the barrier islands on kayak would outweigh that hassle.

Let us know how your trip goes!

Read the current Q&A

Do you have a question? Contact the editor.