Cayo Costa, Fla. —- After setting up camp amid palm trees, palmetto bushes and sea grapes, we took a stroll past the other campsites on this island state park, accessible only by boat.

The vast majority of visitors come to this island state park west of North Fort Myers, to swim, fish, kayak, beachcomb, walk, bicycle, bird watch and watch the sunset.

Some of the 30 tent-only campsites are just across the dunes from the Gulf of Mexico, while others are 50 yards farther inland, away from the wind. There are also 12 cabins, nothing more than wooden tents with bunk beds.

Wherever you rest your head, a symphony of breaking waves will reach your ears, accompanied by the cries of egrets, ibises, ospreys, pelicans and sea gulls.

GETTING THERE

> Driving: Fort Myers, Fla., is about 575 miles from downtown Atlanta down I-75, or about an 8 1/2-hour drive.

> Flying: Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers is the closest airport; expect to pay $375 round trip from Atlanta.

> Info: The island can be reached by private boat or passenger ferry. The park's ferry concessionaire is Tropic Star of Pine Island; the ferry departs from Pineland Marina, about a 40-minute drive from Fort Myers, twice daily. Reservations are necessary. Camper ferry ride to Cayo Costa costs $30 adults, $17 children under 8. (Fee includes general camping gear; transporting a kayak costs an additional $20 and a bicycle, $10.) Day-trip ferry ride: $25, adults; $17, children 7 and under (includes basic beach gear). 239-283-0015, www.tropicstarcruises.com.