Pine Island, Florida is located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, sandwiched between Sanibel Island and Captiva Island. It is also situated near the urban areas of Fort Myers and Cape Coral on the mainland.
It is a journey back to a portion of Old Florida that is quickly vanishing.
Lee County is situated in, with Pine Island Sound serving as its western border and Matlacha Pass and Matlacha Island serving as its eastern borders.
Pine Island Sound is surrounded by Pine Island and the barrier islands of Sanibel, Captiva, North Captiva, and Cayo Costa.
These islands divide the strait from the Gulf of Mexico.
Pine Island Road is the only highway onto the island and it runs through Matlacha (pronounced Matt-La-Shay), an old historic fishing village.
You can take a leisurely walk through the main street of Matlacha, a quirky arts community, where you’ll find a mix of shops and quaint artist displays.
There are vibrant exhibits, lively seafood markets, and cozy eateries. Most of the time, you will be serenaded with live music.
It was built on one of a series of small islands that were dredged up years ago to construct the road and bridges from Pine Island to the mainland.
These islands are located in Matlacha Pass, the shallow body of water that divides Pine Island Florida from the mainland.
While the commercial fishing industry may not be as thriving as before, angling in the region remains a beloved pastime.
It is indeed true that the Matlacha Bridge is famously known as the “World’s Fishingest Bridge.”
The slender bridge and roadway spanning Matlacha Pass and traversing the town serve as both a cause of irritation and a method of getaway.
In Matlacha and for several miles in both directions, there are instances when traffic congestion can occur due to the influx of tourists during the peak season, particularly on Pine Island Road.
The solution could be that there appears to be no simple or cost-effective way to resolve the traffic issue.
The road easement through the historic area of Matlacha is only 66 feet wide.
To widen the road, it is necessary to destroy the village. Nobody is willing to spend the fortune that it would cost to build another highway and bridge.
The outcome may be a Pine Island that will stay less developed compared to the other parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
There are no designated beaches in this area and you won’t come across any tall buildings or large crowds.
The biggest reason people come to visit and stay in Old Pine Island, Florida is the quiet and peaceful ambiance of the island, which least attracts around 9,000 permanent residents.
Current and former residents encompass acclaimed Florida writers Robert N. Macomber, residing in St. James City, and Randy Wayne White (formerly residing in Pineland but presently residing on Captiva Island).
Pine Island Rd. Continues west through Matlacha for a few miles to an intersection with Stringfellow Road known as Pine Island Center.
Stringfellow serves as the primary thoroughfare creating a dual carriageway that runs north-south, linking the northern and southern tips of the island.
Pine Island, located in Florida, continues to be predominantly rural, featuring expansive stretches of farmland, pine forests, and wetlands.
It is inhabited by residential communities in Bokeelia at the northern tip of the island.
On the southern end of the island is St. James City, then Pineland, and finally, coming from Bokeelia, you will head south.
All three of these are extremely tiny villages.
Your exploration of Pine Island begins at the Pine Island Center intersection. Take your pick, north or south, and head that way.
If you go north, you will come to Pineland, a quiet countryside community located west of the little town.
You will recognize your arrival when you come across the vintage post office.
Once, during my visit, a female peacock on the veranda of the establishment approached me in a friendly manner.
Marina Pineland is a popular waterfront office located on the west side of Useppa Island or Cabbage Key, where you can dock your boat and catch some fish.
Pineland is one of the oldest native settlements in Florida and has a long history. Despite its small size, the community of Pineland has a population of less than 500 people.
It served as a Calusa Native American settlement for over 1500 years.
You can visit the Randell Research Center today, which is open to the public and dedicated to the history and archaeology of the Calusa Indians.
You can walk the Calusa Heritage Trail or take a guided tour to learn more about their culture and the region’s history.
The pathway is nearly a mile in length and guides visitors through the archaeological location, waterways, and historic shell heaps.
The biggest mound features observation decks at the summit for an even more enhanced perspective of the island’s inherent magnificence.
When you are prepared to dine, you can explore the Tarpon Lodge and Restaurant, a renowned retreat established in 1926.
The small hamlet of Bokeelia, with a stunning vista of Charlotte Harbor, Cayo Costa, and Boca Grande, is situated on the northern edge of the island, to the north of Pineland.
Some ancient structures still stand and a sprawling fishing dock is a magnet that attracts visitors from the entire region.
Bokeelia is a collection of small condos and mobile homes that have been dredged into several canals on this part of Florida, making it a good place to have a boat.
In Bokeelia, there are additionally numerous small inns and rental cottages. Capt’n Con’s Fish House is a well-liked restaurant with excellent perspectives northwards to the harbor and the fishing pier.
The region is encircled by ecological reserves with extensive stretches of mangrove woodland.
The cultivation of mangoes, which includes palm trees and fruit orchards, is one of the primary sectors on the island. The farming of tropical fruits and plants is prevalent across vast areas of land.
The only golf course on Pine Island is Alden Pines Country Club, which features an 18-hole course.
From Bokeelia, you will head south on Stringellow Road until you reach the city of St. James on the very southern tip of Pine Island.
It’s approximately a 16 mile journey and you will witness vast expanses of farmland and woodland throughout the route.
The first structure of note you will see as you enter St. James City is the Ragged Ass Saloon on your right.
St. James is a compact town, yet it is slightly livelier and more dynamic compared to Bokeelia.
A sign in the town reads “We do not have a town alcoholic. We all take turns.”
It’s a tidy sign, but you will not feel intimidated by the fictional outlaw image.
In every high-end Florida neighborhood, St. James City stands as a residential community featuring a captivating array of waterfront mobile homes, Florida styled houses elevated on stilts, and a growing abundance of McMansions.
If you prefer being on solid ground, you will also discover numerous nature paths. Angling and sailing rank high for enthusiasts of water activities, transforming the city into a sought-after location.
Maintaining its original Florida allure, St. James City is a fantastic location to unwind and appreciate a stunning sunset.
Tarpon Lodge Restaurant located at 13771 Waterfront Drive in Pineland, Florida 33922 can be reached at 239-283-3999.
The inn and restaurant, Lodge Tarpon, are located in a historic building from the early days of Florida that captures its grandeur in 1926.
The dining area is well-lit and lively, with options for both indoor and outdoor seating.
The eatery crew is amiable and knowledgeable about the menu. It brings to mind, in a manner, some of the more pleasant establishments I’ve visited in the Family Islands of the Bahamas.
If you visit during a chilly period in the winter, endeavor to secure a table close to the hearth. Access to this eatery is possible via your accommodation in the nearby lodge, your personal watercraft, or by automobile.
There is something for everyone on the menu, whether you’re a seafood enthusiast or prefer land-based dishes.
The appetizers are a great way to start, with a selection of soup, wide variety of chowder, corn and crab bites, blackened fish tips, tenderloin sliders, pork shrimp, gulf bronzed skewers, and bruschetta.
Their Island Pine Salad uses a mix of fresh organic local spring greens, topped with a dressing made with citrus vinaigrette and served with all the goodness of walnuts, kalamata olives, grape tomatoes, red onions, fresh cucumber, and palm hearts.
The entrees include fresh Gulf shrimp scampi, slow roasted pork rib filet, and sauteed chicken with Monterrey Jack cheese, crabmeat, and crab.
The daily catch is occasionally a tasty regional fish called tripletail.
Featuring toasted bread crumbs and bacon bits, this gourmet macaroni and cheese dish showcases a delightful assortment of seafood including shrimp, crab, fish, scallops, and lobster.
The eatery offers a pleasant variety of wines and a complete bar.
This is a moderately high-end eatery.
It’s best to dress a bit better than your normal wife beater tee shirt and ragged shorts when you’re okay with flip flops and resting on the Florida Island Pine, even though you don’t have to wear a tuxedo or a tie and coat.
The Tarpon Lodge Restaurant operates daily from 11:30am to 9pm.