Posted on June 20, 2013
By Special to news-press.com
Restaurant Reviews
Albert Keijl lives in Cape Coral and is a father of four. He has worked at Tarpon Lodge for a year and a half. The restaurant opened to the public in 2000 at 13771 Waterfront Drive, Bokeelia; 283-3999 or tarponlodge.com.
Posted on February 16, 2013
By Florida Travel & Life
Cabbage Key, Fishing, Restaurant Reviews
The Weekend: Go Fishing at Pine Island Pine Island may not have a single beach, but you’ll hardly notice while napping on a hammock or fishing along the 17-mile island’s coast.
Start Here: An old-school fishing lodge with upscale trimmings, Tarpon Lodge provides comfort; we love the island house, a building on stilts with views of Pine Island Sound. (You’re so close that the waves will lull you to sleep.) Get fortified with a complimentary continental breakfast at the 1926-built historic lodge building before heading out for the day.
Posted on December 26, 2012
By Florida Sportsman
Fishing, Restaurant Reviews
Twas the day after Thanksgiving, so we gave the turkeys a break and invited these twin 24-inch redfish in to a four-star dinner at the Tarpon Lodge and Restaurant on Pine Island.
From boat to table in two hours, the reds somehow equaled the previous day’s holiday feast in the opinions of Ralph Hudson and me and wives Kay and Sheila.
Capt. Erik Flett had orchestrated the capture of the redfish along a mangrove shoreline a mile south of the Tarpon Lodge.
Posted on December 30, 2011
By Jeff Book, CNN Travel (Coastal Living)
Pine Island, Recreation, Restaurant Reviews, Tarpon Lodge Reviews
Plan a weekend getaway to one of these coastal inns for inviting accommodations, great food and plenty to keep you busy. Or, just kick up your feet and relax!
Tarpon Lodge offers waterside accommodations in the original 1926 inn and auxillary buildings, plus fishing and boating day trips with osprey, egret and dolphin sightings; 239/283-3999.
Eat: The Tarpon serves always fresh (never frozen!) fish and outstanding blue crab-and-roasted corn chowder. Bert’s Bar & Grill in Matlacha, an islet towards the mainland, features tasty seafood, live music and dockside dining.
Do: Hike the Calusa Heritage Trail that winds among ancient shell mounds and the remnants of an impressive cross-island canal built by the Calusa Indians. Or, rent beach cruisers from Pine Island Cycles; 239/560-0320; or vessels from Gulf Coast Kayak to paddle the area’s placid inlets.
Posted on December 29, 2011
By Drew Sterwald, Florida Weekly Cuisine
Restaurant Reviews
WHEN WE LONG TO GET AWAY FROM THE city traffic and the sea of chain restaurants, savvy Southwest Floridians take a leisurely drive to the islands.
There’s nothing like wending your way through the tree-lined curves of Sanibel- Captiva Road or crossing the Matlacha Pass bridge into the Old Florida wonderland of Pine Island to make you feel like you’ve left the workaday world far behind.
Such is the singular charm of a destination like Tarpon Lodge, which is even more thoroughly steeped in history and the authentic Florida experience than most coastal landmarks. Dating to 1926, the lodge and restaurant sit on the edge of Pine Island Sound, a renowned angling hot spot and storied commercial fishing hub.
Posted on December 28, 2011
By Coastal Living Magazine
Restaurant Reviews, Tarpon Lodge Reviews
Pine Island, Florida: Tarpon Lodge offers waterside accomodations in the original 1926 inn and auxillary buildings, plus fishing and boating day trips with osprey, egret, and dolphin sightings; 239/283-3999.
Eat: The Tarpon serves always fresh (never frozen!) fish and outstanding blue crab-and-roasted corn chowder. Bert’s Bar & Grill in Matlacha, an islet towards the mainland, features tasty seafood, live music, and dockside dining.
Do: Hike the Calusa Heritage Trail that winds among ancient shell mounds and the remnants of an impressive cross-island canal built by the Calusa Indians. Or, rent beach cruisers from Pine Island Cycles; 239/560-0320; or vessels from Gulf Coast Kayak to paddle the area’s placid inlets.
Posted on July 7, 2011
By Capt. Rob Modys
Cabbage Key, Fishing, Fishing & Boating, Restaurant Reviews, Tarpon Lodge Reviews
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the expression, “Old Florida”. Most of the time the description is close, but not right on the money. Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island, in my opinion, is the exception.
My wife, JoNell, has a fairly grueling travel itinerary associated with her job. She goes on excursions both near and far to preach the gospel of vacationing in the Collier County area of Florida. In the month of May, her birthday month, she traveled to New York City and San Francisco and spent her big day on the road, or in the skies as it were. She very much wanted to do something special for her birthday. She told me so, but our schedules just didn’t mesh. The window of opportunity was made smaller when she told me she had another trip scheduled to the state of Texas in early June. What’s a guy to do? ….
Posted on March 10, 2011
By Jeff Book, Coastal Living
Cabbage Key, Fishing & Boating, Pine Island, Recreation, Restaurant Reviews, Tarpon Lodge Overview, Tarpon Lodge Reviews
Pine Island’s sparse traffic–and the bike path running from one end to the other–makes it ideal for cycling. Hikers take the Calusa Heritage Trail, which winds among ancient shell mounds and the remnants of an impressive cross-island canal built by the Calusa Indians, who settled here around A.D. 1. Trail signs illustrate the thriving seaside village that greeted Spanish explorers in the early 1500’s.
Posted on June 8, 2006
By Cheryl Blackerby, Palm Beach Post, The (FL)
Restaurant Reviews
The Tarpon Lodge has a reputation as a getaway for sport fishermen, but its restaurant is equally well-known among those interested in fine dining.
Posted on April 25, 2006
By Natalie Moore, Gulfshore Life
Restaurant Reviews
Pine Island, the barrier island that lies west of Cape Coral, may first appear to be a sleepy fishing village, where smoked mullet, beer and locally grown tropical fruit are considered primary food groups. While it’s true that all of those items are abundant in Pine Island, there’s a serious amount of upscaling going on as property values rise and savvy investors discover its charms and potential.
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
October 27 – Gatlin
A crowd favorite returns! Enjoy a 4-course dinner while being entertained by the dynamic duo Gatlin, known for their harmonies and fun stage presence.
November 12 – Bring Your Own Blanket
Join us under the palms for a relaxed evening on the Tarpon Lodge lawn—spread a blanket, watch the sunset over Pine Island Sound, and enjoy live music by award-winning Jessica Norman.
December 1 – Mad Violets Wine Dinner
Celebrate the season with a festive wine dinner featuring bold pours from Mad Violets Wines and a menu designed to delight.
December 17 – Brush & Bubbles
Join us under The Island House at Tarpon Lodge—paint your own “Message in a Bottle,” sip wine, and let your imagination drift to sea.
January 26 – Long Shadows Wine Dinner
Ring in the new year with a premier wine experience, highlighting the artistry of Long Shadows’ award-winning collection.
More information can be found by calling us at 239.283.3999 or checking out our EVENTS page.
Why not spend the night?
Check out our SPECIAL OFFERS for discounted rates or extra days in paradise!
