Pine Island -
Pine Island - Bokeelia - Vacation Rental
The Malu Lani Inn
Vacation Rental on
Pine Island Florida
Pine Island Lodging
Captiva
Once a pirates' refuge, legend has it that Captiva was named for a dozen women captured by the pirate Gaspar. The barrier islands that make up Sanibel and Captiva offer visitors to Florida's Gulf Coast a most unusual mix of Mother Nature and resort relaxation.
Embraced by the sun and caressed by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, our islands are strung like pearls along the SW Florida coast.
Great fishing, fine food and splendid boating make Captiva worth a visit. Miles of beautiful, unspoiled beaches are a hallmark of this Gulf coast paradise and offer wonderful shelling, swimming and sunning. Picturesque marinas are great starting places for fishing expeditions and fine resorts and restaurants top it all off. Captiva is truly a fabulous place to get away from it all.
Pine Island
Most visitors will remark that Pine Island is perhaps the last bastion
for those seeking the flavor of "Old Florida" in Southwest Florida. Travelers will
not find high-rise buildings, amusement parks or white sandy beaches — what is waiting
to be discovered, however, are numerous natural preserves, fine dining in dozens
of restaurants, comfortable and affordable accommodations, outstanding fishing and
shopping opportunities, and a chance to kick back and enjoy a little bit of island-style
relaxation.
In addition to ample fishing opportunities and shopping, the galleries and gift shops for trinkets and artwork produced by local artisans, those looking for a chance to commune with nature will find much of Pine Island still is undeveloped. The Calusa Land Trust has dedicated many years and raised thousands of dollars to preserve some of the island's most environmentally sensitive lands, many of which are accessible to the public on foot. Areas maintained by the Trust can be found in St. James City and Bokeelia, providing visitors with the rare chance to spot gopher tortoises, osprey, bald eagles, and a host of other creatures amid their natural environment.
Matlacha
When approaching Pine Island from the mainland, travelers will first meander through the tiny, quaint village of Matlacha. Some say the brightly painted businesses lining the roadway are similar to those seen in Old Key West — the main drag could easily be renamed "Gallery Row". The businesses along this route include restaurants that offer both spectacular food and magnificent views of Matlacha Pass, while others are inns within walking distance of gift shops and galleries, as well as "the world's most fishingest bridge." The famed drawbridge is the only connection between the mainland, and has been attracting anglers from near and far for decades.
Boca Grande
Located at the south end of Gasparilla Island, Boca Grande is about 70 miles north of Fort Myers on Charlotte Harbor and is unique among Lee County attractions.
The island straddles both Lee and Charlotte counties, and to reach it you either have to drive through Charlotte County or go by boat.
Boca Grande attracts well-to-do northerners seeking perfect weather and some of the
most exclusive real estate in Florida. The rich and famous love it for its quiet
shaded streets and famous bayfront golf course at the Gasparilla Inn.
The Bush family visits Boca Grande most years during the Christmas-New Years holidays,
virtually taking over the Inn. But hardly anyone notices as they come and go, doing
what everyone else does — fish, dine out, and be pampered at the Inn with its world-class
beach club and salon.
The island has grown about as much as it ever will. Preservation of both historic structures and the island's natural history is now the order of the day. The town of Boca Grande is protected by a historic district ordinance, which controls not only new construction but also alterations to existing buildings. That's the primary reason the island has no fast food restaurants. The lone gas station sold out rather than go through the expense of replacing its underground tanks.
With its tranquil aura, upscale shopping and dining, tarpon tournaments and pristine beaches, Boca Grande is indeed a great place for an unusual getaway!
Cape Coral
In 1957 two brothers, Leonard and Jack Rosen, from Baltimore, Maryland, spent weeks looking over Southwest Florida for a piece of property to develop. Late that year they purchased a parcel of land from Grandville Keller and Franklin Miles, (owner of the Alka Seltzer Company) for $678,000. The land once known as Redfish Point was renamed Cape Coral. The development company, Gulf American Land Corporation started what was to be known as the "Waterfront Wonderland." Ground was broken on November 4, 1957. On June 10, 1958 the first residents moved into their home in the southeastern part of the Cape.
At that time a waterview homesite sold for $990, waterfront, $1,990 and riverfront $3390. Property sales reached over $9 million the first year. By 1965 approximately 500 prospects a day toured the property. When sales reached a peak in 1969, Cape Coral was sold to General Acceptance Corporation of Allentown, Pennsylvania for $250 million.
In 1970 with the population at 11,470 the City of Cape Coral was incorporated becoming
Florida's second largest in area, trailing only Jacksonville. Barely a decade old,
Cape Coral was poised and ready for the future, destined to become one of the nation's
fastest growing and most desirable cities. In the ensuing years since incorporation,
the city population has steadily increased to exceed 150,000. At build-out it is
estimated Cape Coral will have a population of approximately 400,000.
Ft. Myers Beach
Most vacationers get their first glimpse of Fort Myers Beach's beauty from the top
of the Matanzas Pass Bridge. To the left, shrimp boats cluster around docks in the
historic working waterfront area, designated by the state due to its 50-plus years
in the commercial fishing industry.
On the right: marinas, a casino boat, Coast Guard station and rookery dot Matanzas Pass before surging into the Gulf of Mexico. The sight that transforms visitors into residents lies straight ahead.
Boomerang-shaped Estero Island cups the glittering Gulf of Mexico, which flowers
with pastel hotels, palm trees and Times Square with its teal, gold and Mediterranean
blue-tiled sidewalks, upscale sushi bars, neighborly watering holes, and funky souvenir
shops.
In the afternoon, sun worshippers flock to Lynn Hall Memorial Park armed with beach towels, sunscreen, beach chairs and swim fins to enjoy everything from refreshing dips in the waves to stolen siestas under hot pink, yellow and orange umbrellas.
As neon lights flicker on in bars and restaurants, a quick drive or hike to the northernmost point of Estero Island — Bowditch Point Regional Preserve — offers the best spot for watching the colorful sunsets.
Nightlife at Fort Myers Beach is vibrant, with places to dance, sing karaoke, or listen to live bands seven nights (and days) a week.
Sanibel
These barrier islands offer visitors to Florida's Gulf Coast a most unusual mix of Mother Nature and resort relaxation.
Embraced by the sun and caressed by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, our islands
are strung like pearls along Florida. They share much in common - beaches of white
sand and colorful shells, friendly communities, waves that shine in the sunlight
and twinkle under the moon. Yet each has its own personality and character.
Nature and Ecology are the heart and soul of Sanibel. Shelling on the pristine beaches, fishing the passes and the fishing pier, or touring Wildlife Drive at the “Ding” Darling Refuge, visitors get a good feel for the qualities that make this island such a special place. An abundance of bird species call this place home, and more visit each year on their migrations. Other aquatic wildlife can be found here, and volunteers are happy to explain what can be seen at the various facilities. Much can be explored on foot, by car, on a bicycle or in a kayak and each method offers its own unique perspective.
Hospitable as the area is for wildlife, it is equally enticing to visitors, offering beautiful beaches, the best shelling in North America, remarkable art galleries and a wide variety of tempting restaurants and intriguing shops, along with a casual, relaxed style of living enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
Whatever you seek in a vacation, you'll find on the tranquil, relaxed barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva.
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