Bokeelia is a small town along Florida’s very popular southwestern coast, but it rarely has any crowds. Its island location keeps comings and goings low and the atmosphere is quite communal. The tranquil environment is made up of bright pastel buildings, many on stilts, with the soft blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico as a backdrop. Visit this part of Pine Island where sunsets become exciting daily highlights.
At the northern part of the island, Bokeelia is easy to find on the single main road that runs north to south. Travel along 18-mile-long (29-kilometer) Stringfellow Road, which passes farmlands, marshes and pine forests, connecting to Saint James City at the southernmost point.
Walk along Bokeelia’s fishing dock and stroll through the community with its many canals mooring personal boats. Near the dock is a seafood restaurant that has become a destination for hungry visitors and locals. It’s also the oldest building in the community, dating from 1904. Eat and stay at the historic Tarpon Lodge, which retains the style of a much earlier time in Florida.
This northern part of Pine Island is surrounded by nature preserves. Rent a canoe or kayak to explore Big Jim Creek Preserve and paddle past mangrove forests, looking for herons, egrets and porpoises. Charter a fishing boat for deep-sea action.
Farther south on the main road is Pineland, where the Randell Research Center is located. Southwest Florida’s history, ecology and archaeology are featured here. The interpretive Calusa Heritage Trail and a display of the Native American Calusa tribe that lived on the island are attractions of the center. Look for the immense shell mound that covers over 100 acres (40 hectares). Visit Museum of the Islands for additional fascinating information on the area’s past.
Find Bokeelia on Pine Island, north of Sanibel and Captiva Islands, about a 40-minute drive from Cape Coral and Fort Myers. Travel here May through October to try island-grown mangoes.
