We all have those favorite vacation spots that keep bringing us back. It’s that feeling of peace and comfort that draws us again and again. That’s the way it is for me and Pine Island. I’ve been there four times and still want more.
There are any number of reasons to visit laid-back Pine Island off Florida’s Gulf Coast near Fort Myers. There is solitude and relaxation. Art galleries, fresh seafood, peace, and quiet are in abundance. There are no beaches, no hi-rise condos, not much traffic. But the biggest reason people come here is to fish!
Shake off the buzzy East Coast and nuzzle up to some Old Florida charm
If travel isn’t front and center yet on people’s agendas, there is a solution. Try rediscovering your own backyard for a little easy, close-to-home getaway. These small-town destinations will take you just down the road—but into some other worlds entirely.
Matlacha
An artists studio in Matlacha. Photo: Don Johnson.
This impossibly bright little artist colony in Lee County between Pine Island and Little Pine Island off Cape Coral on the mainland is just short of three hours from Boca, but may as well be on another planet. Matlacha was once a fishing village, in the South Florida days people made a living fishing for mullet instead of selling real estate. When a 1992 ban on net fishing was enacted, those days were over. The mullet fishermen burned their boats, and the town reinvented itself as“a funky arts community that likes to fish,”according to one descrip- tion. This is a place to wander through the art galleries and little boutiques, maybe rent a paddle- board, stay overnight if you have a hankering. A popular choice is the modest and comfy Bridgewater Inn with its big porch, or go a few miles north on Pine Island to the Tarpon Lodge in Bokeelia, which is the top pick for both food and lodging. Other people like Sandy Hook Fish & Rib House, Bert’s, Blue Dog Bar & Grill—but there are plenty of places to get your fish on. This is tiny, laid-back and a great day trip.
Plan your escape to these off-the-beaten-beach-path gems, from wild mangrove islets to salty stilt-house hideaways (coordinates included!)
PINE ISLAND
26.5958° N, 82.1115° W
THE GOODS A half hour from Fort Myers and a world away with a dose of Old Florida charm including brightly colored cottages, fruit-tree nurseries, and seafood dives. BEST ESCAPE Long weekend (book a day of fishing) at Tarpon Lodge; tarponlodge.com.
This is an excerpt of an article by Tracey Minkin which originally appeared in Costal Living.
To experience the definition of old Florida, all you have to do is take a drive to dine at the Tarpon Lodge at the northwest tip of Pine Island. You’ll meander through a pocket of restaurants and galleries in Matlacha as the landscape transitions to more rural tropical foliage and native scrubs; an occasional glimpse of water in Pine Island Sound.
Islands in the Sun: 80 miles and a world away from Sarasota!
Over the past 10 years and dozens of articles, this weekend staycation was among the most memorable. It’s not for what it had, it’s more about what it didn’t have. It’s about a weekend that got better by the hour—but not for the usual reasons.
We drove south from Sarasota on Interstate 75 and began angling toward the coast just after Punta Gorda, arriving about an hour later. We checked into a place called Tarpon Lodge, a quaint Old Florida resort on the banks of Pine Island Sound.
Florida has long been known as one of the country’s most popular vacation destinations. Whether it’s the cool vibes of South Beach, the oodles of family fun that can be found in Orlando or the wild wetlands of the Everglades, there really is something in Florida for everyone.
But, for those looking to get off the beaten path just a little bit, Pine Island is the place to be. Today’s guest contributor, Fred Mays from North Texas Active Life,is here with some great recommendations for finding active travel on Pine Island. From fishing to kayaking to just taking it easy, this is the spot to be! Read More
Island Dining on the beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel
Tarpon Lodge’s Fettuccine with Key West Pink Shrimp & Prince Edward Mussels
Tucked away inside of a historic lodge on Pine Island, this four-star restaurant serves a range of continental cuisine for lunch and dinner with a side of Old Florida charm. Accessible by car and boat, it offers guests an upscale dining experience — compatible with live music on most Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights — while still maintaining a casual island vibe. Guests can take in the beautiful waterfront views of Pine Island Sound from both inside of the restaurant as well as out on its patio while savoring an array of fresh seafood, succulent steaks and even a daily vegan special. Menu highlights include the Blue Crab & Roasted Corn Chowder and the Fettuccine with Key West Pink Shrimp & Prince Edward Mussels.
This article excerpt originally appeared in the August-September edition of Sunseeker Magazine.
Our staff is standing by to help you book your stay and answer any questions you may have about your relaxing Old Florida getaway. (239) 283-3999or Make a Reservation
