Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
conchs - delightfully, many still house colorful occupants (who, by law, must be left
there). Cycle dirt roads to more-distant beaches; hike interior island trails; and kayak man-
groves. The ranger station near the dock sells water and firewood, and rents bikes and
kayaks, but otherwise bring everything you need.
The 30-site campground (per tent $22) is exposed and hot, with fire-pit grills, restrooms
and showers, but sleeping on this beach is its own reward. Twelve plain cabins (per night
$40) have bunk beds with vinyl-covered mattresses. January to April is best; by May, the
heat and no-see-ums (biting midges) become unpleasant.
The only access is by boat, which doubles as a scenic nature-and-dolphin cruise.
Tropic
Star
ferries depart from Pine Island, Captiva and Punta Gorda on Charlotte Harbor.
Pine Island
The 17-mile-long Pine Island, the region's largest, is a mangrove island with no sandy
beaches to call its own, but offers relaxing, quiet lodgings for anglers, kayakers and ro-
mantics fleeing the tourist hordes. It encompasses several communities: Matlacha, the is-
land's center, with a small amount of commerce and funky Old Florida art galleries; the
northern communities of Pineland and Bokeelia, where you can find boat and fishing
charters; and the largely residential St James City at the southern tip. Pine Island is a great
jumping-off point for all-day adventures among the region's tarpon-rich waterways and
gorgeous barrier islands.
Sights & Activities
Matlacha
VILLAGE
The tiny fishing village of Matlacha (pronounced mat-la-shay) straddles the drawbridge to
Pine Island and provides a quirky window into local life. In addition to its unpretentious
fresh-seafood markets and restaurants, a collection of old fishing huts have been trans-
formed into gift shops that sit like a clutch of chattering Day-Glo-painted tropical birds.
Matlacha Bridge
FISHING
