Pine Island, FloridaOverlooked, and out-of-the-way, Pine Island still has one foot in the good old days. Pine Island, Florida has no beaches. It is surrounded by thick mangroves and shallow mucky bay waters. There is a fear of development on Pine Island. Most people who live here don't want their sleepy little island turned into another island covered with condos, hotels, and golf courses. Nevertheless, some development is happening slowly. Because there are no beaches on Pine Island, real estate prices have not been nearly as high as prices on Sanibel. But that is changing now. The development of the mainland area just west of Pine Island along Burnt Store Road is well underway and prices are going up up up. More and more realtors are specializing in helping people find properties on Pine Island. Right now, Matlacha, Pine Island Center, Bokeelia, Pineland, and St. James City are the centers of population, but that will slowly change as development gradually spreads out. The few residents are very protective of their island, which is quite large--nearly 20 miles in length. Much of the island is covered with pine forest. Wild hogs abound. The two enterprises most encouraged here seem to be fishing and tropical fruit agriculture.
Pine Island is very much a small town island, a family island. People here look out for each other. There are no resorts or attractions or big shopping centers...and there won't be any. Compared to most everywhere else, life moves slowly here on this out-of-the-way island with a colorful and fascinating history. If you come here, be sure to stop by the Museum of the Islands for a visit. It is very small and cozy. You will get personal attention from the staff. It only costs a buck to enter, but be generous and make an additional donation. The museum has some GREAT books on Florida and some wonderful crafts for sale.
To get to Pine Island from I-75, take exit #161, Jones Loop Road. It will take you across US 41 and will become Burnt Store Road. Burnt Store road is a fairly narrow, mostly straight, two-lane road through a rural area. Many of the locals don't take kindly to people driving the speed limit. Follow Burnt Store Road about 20 miles to Pine Island Road (SR 78). Turn right on Pine Island Road and keep going several miles to the four-way stop at Stringfellow Road. On Pine Island Road, before you actually get to Pine Island, you will cross a small bridge and find yourself on the small island village of Matlacha (say it Mat-la-shay). Don't blink or you'll miss a true gem of Florida history. When you finally get to Stringfellow Road and the four-way stop (there are no traffic lights on Pine Island), turn north (right) to get to the places I visited as shown in the photos below. Don't come to Pine Island if you are looking for Disney. They shoot mice here. If your idea of a great day is to do some fishin', go kayaking, buy some mangoes, have shrimp and beer for lunch, or visit the museum or an art gallery, then maybe you will like it on Pine Island. Don't forget your mosquito repellent during the rainy summer months, and watch out for the alligators and salt-water crocodiles. See you there.... |
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The Pine Island Fruit Market attracts people from all over. Some are trying the various fruits for the first time, others are discovering that fruit they ate back in their home country can be found right here in Florida. They sell many varieties of mangoes and lychees. They sell longans, sapodillas, mamey apple, tamarind, and various types of local bananas, just to name a few. The market is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 10am to 4pm during the June, July, and August. But you have to get there early Friday morning to get the choice varieties. The market is about two-and-a-half miles north of Pine Island Road, on Stringfellow, about where Stringfellow passes Valeria Road. The market is on the right side of the road. It's easy to miss. They took a hard hit from Hurricane Charley in 2004, but 2005 was a good year and I can't wait for Mango Season 2006!!! | |
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Here is a photo of one of the many fruit-laden mango fruit trees
at the Pine Island Fruit Market. Each year, in July, Pine Island hosts
Mango Mania, a festival in celebration of the mango. See the official
Mango Mania website at >http://www.mangomaniafl.com.
Pine Island has some outstanding mangoes. The Tommy Atkins variety is the
most common (I don't care for it), but if your are persistent you can find
Julie, Kent, Keitt, Glenn, Carrie, Valencia and many of the Asian varieties of mangoes.
Mango season on Pine Island is usually July and August.
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You don't even have to wait till you get home to start enjoying the mangoes. For about $3 they'll make you a fresh mango smoothie. The one I'm drinking here is made with ice, fresh mangoes, and coconut milk. It's the best you'll ever have in the states. | |
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In late June the lychee fruit is ready to eat. The Pine Island Fruit Market has many varieties of lychee for you to sample and buy. On this particular day I went home with 10 pounds. I gave away about 2 pounds and ate the rest. They will keep in the fridge for several weeks. | |
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Longan fruit is also grown at the Pine Island Fruit Market. They ripen later in the season. They are similar to the lychee. | |
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There are a few sapodilla trees at the Pine Island Fruit Market. You have to keep coming back often and get there early in the morning if you want any. The only way I can describe their taste is to tell you to imagine peeling a ripe Bartlett pear, rolling it in light brown sugar, then eating it. That's about what a Sapodilla tastes like. | |
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Here is a fresh haul of lychee fruit on my dining table. | |
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Here is a fresh haul of several varieties of mangoes and some very tasty tamarind fruit. | |
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Be sure to drive by the Pine Island Post Office. To get there, take Stringfellow Road north to Pineland Road. Turn left on Pineland Road. The Post Office is on the right, about a half-mile off Stringfellow. Keep going and Pineland Road becomes Waterfront Road, which is a very interesting and scenic drive that takes you to Pineland. | |
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Drive to the north end of Pine Island to a town called Bokeelia, right on Charlotte Harbor. There is a private pier there that you can fish on for a fee. | |
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The residents along Bokeelia Road have a great view of Charlotte Harbor. | |
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Have lunch at Captain Con's Fish House, a real family
restaurant run by "just folks," and very popular with the
locals. No pretense here. It sits on the north end of Pine Island, in
Bokeelia, overlooking Charlotte Harbor.
Take a walk up the street under the beautiful palms and tropical foliage. Imagine living here on this quiet street, overlooking Charlotte Harbor. Florida's explosive growth has passed this island by, but things are definitely not in favor of this island remaining this way for long. |
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After lunch, walk up the street to the Crossed Palms Gallery and enjoy the beautiful artwork and crafts for sale, some of it from local artists. I first discovered this gallery in the early 1990's. At that time it was only open during the winter tourist season. Now it is open year-round. The sea-grape trees in front of the gallery are works of art all by themselves. | |
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My recommendation of where to stay on Pine Island: The Beachouse Lodge |
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| I discovered this 3-level
wood frame Bokeelia,
Pine Island getaway back in about 1993. It was my first trip to Pine
Island and getting very late in the afternoon. We either had to find a
place to stay or drive off the island and get a hotel. At the end of one
of the most beautiful streets on Pine Island, Bocilla Lane, stood this
beautiful place, right on Charlotte Harbor, surrounded by coconut palms.
It was at that time called the Beachouse Motel. Also at that time, the
owners, the Johnsons, lived on the top level. They weren't home that
weekend, but a caretaker was there and we rented a second-floor
apartment for several days. I'll never forget the peaceful walks out
onto the 300 foot dock, watching the dolphins catch fish, listening to
the quiet, and just feeling like we were a million miles away. I came
back again and again, and once brought my parents and son for the 4th of
July weekend.
The Beachouse has a new owner now and the top level is available for rent as well as the lower levels. It is really nice and has an incredible view of Charlotte Harbor. From the Beachhouse you can easily walk to Captain Con's restaurant and the Crossed Palms Gallery. There is a newspaper stand on the corner in case you really need to know what's going on. Otherwise you can eat, fish, sleep, walk around the quiet neighborhoods, buy some mangoes at the Pine Island Fruit Market, take the boat to Cabbage Key and Cayo Costa, visit the museum, go kayaking, or just relax and catch up on your reading. There is no one here to bother you. Especially during the summer months. There are mosquitoes during the summer though. Hey, that's Florida! The Beachouse has two bedroom, one bedroom and efficiency units. And, the price is right! Visit their website for the best place to stay on Pine Island, Florida. Their website has all the info and photos you need, as well as contact information and a reservations form. |
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