Resources
Resources for exploring the area
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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
Calusa Heritage Trail At the Randell Research Center, explore the remains of an ancient city on Pine Island along a set of trails with abundant signage detailing its history.
Cayo Costa Hiking Trails Offshore from Boca Grande and Pine Island, Cayo Costa State Park is tough to get to but the 6.5 miles of trails and many more miles of beaches will be yours to roam
Cayo Costa State Park To spend a day or a weekend on your own deserted island? Heaven. This is one of the tougher and costlier state parks to get to, but well worth it. 
Little Pine Island High Marsh Trail Get to know the little details of the coastal estuary protected by Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park on this loop through tidal marsh habitats.
Nancy Weir Mangrove Preserve At the southern end of Pine Island, a hidden trail winds through mangrove habitat, crossing numerous bridges and navigating surprisingly uneven terrain. 
St. Jude Trail A ramble to the mangrove-lined shores of St. Jude Harbor, the St. Jude Trail is a birder's delight, tucked away in a residential neighborhood on the edge of St. James City on Pine Island and protected by the Calusa Land Trust.