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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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Sailboats at Matlacha

Pine Island

Once an important cultural center for the indigenous Calusa, Pine Island is a laid-back outdoor destination


ISLAND CLOSED indefinitely due to damage from Hurricane Ian.



Contents

  • 1 Resources
  • 2 Exploring Pine Island
  • 3 Trails and Parks on Pine Island
    • 3.1 Cayo Costa State Park
    • 3.2 Little Pine Island High Marsh Trail
    • 3.3 St. Jude Trail
  • 4 Articles

Resources

South Florida Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in South Florida book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us continue to provide public information on this website.


Exploring Pine Island

Pine Island is an oddity among Florida’s coastal islands. It sits where the waters of San Carlos Bay and Charlotte Harbor meet.

There is another island, North Captiva, protecting it from the Gulf of Mexico. So Pine Island has no beaches: it’s ringed by mangrove forests.

Without a sandy strand as an attraction, it’s remained very low-key, with much of its acreage taken up in tropical fruit orchards and public lands.

A bike path parallels the main road of the island, Stringfellow Road, showcasing the agricultural bounty.

There are several communities on the island. Artsy Matlacha, at the bridge from the mainland, is the one you won’t miss. Pineland, on the mangrove coastline, showcases Calusa history.

At the north end, Bokeelia is the launch point for trips to offshore Cayo Costa State Park. The south end, St. James City, is more residential.

Trails and Parks on Pine Island

View of La Costa Island south tip

Cayo Costa State Park

Cayo Costa State Park
Fiddler crabs in marsh

Little Pine Island High Marsh Trail

Little Pine Island High Marsh Trail
St. Jude Trail

St. Jude Trail

St. Jude Trail
 
More Trails More Parks


Articles


INCLUDES: Bokeelia, Matlacha, Pineland, St. James City | NEARBY: Cape Coral, Charlotte Harbor, Fort Myers, Punta Gorda | PART OF: Pine Island Sound, Southwest Florida

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