Welcome to the Sandy Seagull, one of only a small handful of homes on pristine Cayo Costa, a gorgeous boat-access-only island off the coast of Southwest Florida. (Yes, we can help you find a water taxi!) You will feel like you are a hundred miles from civilization, but with all the comforts of home. Our robust solar system provides plenty of power for all of the amenities of a typical mainland home -- guests often comment that they'd never have known we're off grid if they hadn't been told.
The island is very quiet and secluded. It's not unusual to find that you have the beach all to yourself as far as you can see in either direction. Only about 1% of the island is private property, with the rest owned by the state park, creating a unique slice of Old Florida unlike you will find almost anywhere else. It's a paradise for nature lovers. Many threatened or endangered species call our island home. You may see dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, otters, gopher tortoises, alligators, seabirds in abundance, and many other animal neighbors.
While the majority of the island feels barely touched by the things of man, our home provides all the comforts you would expect on the mainland. Air conditioning on each level keeps the indoors comfortable even in the hottest weather. (There's also heat, if you happen to be visiting during one of the very few days per year it's needed!) We also have high speed internet, fast enough to support anything you need to do, including video calls or streaming your favorite movies. We have an excellent well-equipped kitchen, with granite counters, a countertop icemaker, Instant Pot, air fryer, and more. There are 2 full baths, plus a 1/2 bath in the laundry room and a large, comfortable outdoor shower, perfect for washing up after coming home from the beach. The loft is the captain's quarters, with a king size bed, its own private bath, and the stairs to the roof deck. The main level bedroom has a queen size bed and a sliding door out onto the deck. There is also a sleeper sofa in the living room, and additional bedding available on request. The large wraparound deck surrounds 3 sides of the house, with the west side screened in to create a comfortable lanai. Sliding doors lead from the living room and kitchen onto the lanai, which includes a dining table and chairs. You can enjoy the gentle island breezes or watch an afternoon thunderstorm roll in from the comfort of the lanai hammock.
Other amenities include a Roku, dvd collection, cell phone reception, propane grill, pool table, hammocks both on the lanai and on the ground level, kayaks, 2 electric golf carts, gear trailer, fishing cart, and use of our boat dock. The roof deck provides 360 degrees of gorgeous views, with the Gulf to the west and Pine Island Sound to the east.
Cayo Costa is an incredible place for beachcombing, shelling, kayaking, fishing, and bird, dolphin, and manatee watching. More than 95% of the island is state park, and there are many trails available for hiking. Come see the magic of our gorgeous beaches and nature's untouched beauty. You will love our stunning rooftop views, 9 miles of pristine beach, and fantastic shelling.