Neighborhood guide
Matlacha & Pine Island Travel Guide
Photo by Airborne Pilot via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
From RSW airport
50 min
Best for
Art lovers
Price level
$
Vibe
Artsy
Cross the drawbridge from Cape Coral and Matlacha appears all at once: cottages painted turquoise, coral, and lime, hung with mosaic fish and open studio doors. Beyond it, Pine Island stretches 17 miles through mango groves and palm nurseries to Bokeelia, where the pier faces some of the best sunsets in Southwest Florida.
What makes Matlacha & Pine Island different
The rainbow art village
Dozens of galleries and studios packed into a few walkable blocks, including the landmark Leoma Lovegrove gallery and gardens.
World-class back-bay fishing
Matlacha Pass and Pine Island Sound hold snook, redfish, and tarpon; guides launch from Matlacha and Bokeelia year-round.
Island-hopping launch point
Ferries and charters run from Pine Island to Cayo Costa, Cabbage Key, and Useppa — car-free islands reachable only by boat.
Tropical fruit country
Pine Island grows mangoes, lychee, and starfruit; roadside stands and farms sell them in summer alongside palm nurseries.
Things to do in Matlacha & Pine Island
- Gallery walk in Matlacha — Park once and walk Pine Island Road; most studios open late morning through late afternoon.
- Book a fishing charter — Half-day back-bay trips for snook and redfish are the signature local experience.
- Boat to Cabbage Key — Lunch at the dollar-bill-covered bar said to have inspired “Cheeseburger in Paradise”.
- Sunset at Bokeelia Pier — The northern tip of Pine Island, facing Charlotte Harbor — bring a camera.
- Kayak Matlacha Pass — A protected aquatic preserve with mangrove tunnels, wading birds, and easy launches.
- Randell Research Center — Calusa Heritage Trail interpreting 1,500-year-old shell mounds near Pineland.
Where to eat
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bert’s Bar & Grill | Seafood dive | $ | Waterfront, live music, Matlacha icon |
| Perfect Cup | Breakfast | $ | Small, excellent, cash-friendly |
| Blue Dog Bar & Grill | American | $ | Casual dockside seating |
| Miceli’s | Seafood | $$ | Waterfront dining with boat slips |
| Tarpon Lodge | Fine dining | $$ | Historic 1926 lodge in Pineland |
| Woody’s Waterside | Bar food | $ | St. James City, sunset over the water |
Tips from our editors
- Go as a day trip: Matlacha is 30–40 minutes from Cape Coral and works best as a half-day outing with lunch.
- Parking is tight: The village is narrow — use a gallery or restaurant lot and walk the strip.
- No Gulf beach here: Pine Island is ringed by mangroves. Plan sand time at Sanibel, Bonita, or a boat trip to Cayo Costa.
- Check hours after storms: Small businesses here rebuild on their own timelines; call ahead in the off season.
Frequently asked questions
Is Matlacha worth visiting?
Yes — it is the most distinctive small stop in the Fort Myers area: a walkable, rainbow-painted art village with waterfront seafood bars and excellent fishing, about 40 minutes from Fort Myers.
Does Pine Island have beaches?
No Gulf sand beaches. Pine Island is edged by mangroves, so visitors boat to Cayo Costa or drive to Sanibel and Bonita for beach days.
How do you get to Cayo Costa from Pine Island?
Passenger ferries and charter boats run from Bokeelia and Pineland, typically 30–45 minutes each way to the state park docks.