Try your hand at saltwater fly-fishing either on the flats, or from the surf. Rent a boat or bring your own. Hire a guide, or be your own.

CHART ROOM

You must see our fisherman's "Chart Room" filled to the brim with nautical oddities, antique fishing poles, charts and a library of local resources for our guests. Fishing Knots, fly tying and fly fishing lessons are available.

KAYAKING

Explore Pine Island Sound, Jug Creek or the mangroves along Charlotte Harbor with one of our Kayaks, or join in one of the “safari” paddles offered by Tropic Star or Gulf Coast Kayaks . The Tropic Star will take you to Cayo Costa Island and lead you into and out of mangrove bays to spy on manatee, dolphin, and possibly a sea turtle or two. With Gulf Coast Kayak, you will explore the natural habitats surrounding Matlacha Bay .

BOATING

If you bring your own boat we have a launch ramp or slips with lifts available at no additional charge. Use one of our charts to plot your afternoon of discovery. Rental boats are available from Four Winds Marina , just around the corner.

ISLAND HOPPING

Pine Island Sound lies between Pine Island and a host of islands that provide a variety of activities for our guests—shelling, sunning, swimming, dining, shopping, etc.

Cayo Costa: A 17-mile long barrier island with beautiful white sandy beaches right on the Gulf of Mexico . Spend the afternoon lying in the sun, swimming in the surf, or looking for the rare Junonia seashell.

North Captiva: Another island with a beautiful Gulf-side beach, also offers a restaurant — Barnacle Phil's, for lunches or evening meals. There are two gift Shoppes within a short walk to local dockage.

Cabbage Key: Mary Roberts Rinehart, the famous mystery writer, once owned the mangrove island situated between Pine Island and the Gulf of Mexico . Now an island community of guest cottages and stay-a boards, Island hoppers often stop by for a Cheeseburger in Paradise , or the locally famous Pina Coladas. Take the short nature walk around the island and see gopher turtles, ducks, osprey, and other indigenous animal life. If you go in your own boat, be sure to look for Terry, the dock master. He'll point you to the perfect spot to tie-up.

Useppa Island: One of the more exclusive islands in Pine Island Sound. Thousands of years ago, the Calusa Indians made Useppa their headquarters. Later, the Pirate Gaspar used the Island as a holding place for his prisoners awaiting ransom. In its more recent history, Baron Collier purchased the island and built the Inn that still bears his name. The island was also both a training area and headquarters for President John K. Kennedy's invasion of Cuba – The Bay of Pigs. Today it is an enclave of old-style Florida homes and remains private to all but invited guests.

Sanibel and Captiva Islands: The southernmost barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and Pine Island Sound. The two islands are the lodestones of Florida 's Gulf Coast . Thousands of tourists make these islands their travel destination. Renown for their pristine beaches, shelling is a rewarding pastime. Restaurants of every type, major hotels, quaint get-aways, and some of the finest boutiques selling everything from custom made bikinis to Rolex watches; all are awaiting the casual and serious visitor.

Boca Grande: An island community at the southern tip of Gasparilla Island and enjoys a reputation as one of the most picturesque villages in the Gulf Coast . Travel to it by boat, then rent a golf cart to visit beaches, quaint shoppes and tucked-away restaurants.

GOLF

ARCHEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION

The Calusa Indians settled the many islands of Florida 's Gulf Coast around 700AD. They were a fishing-hunter based civilization, building mounds made of shells to elevate their housing, temples, and sacred sites. For the most part, the Calusas became extinct after the Spaniards arrived with their diseases and swords. Pine Island , and several of the nearby barrier islands were Calusa stronghold. The University of Florida maintains along with the Randell Research Center , several archeological digs to codify the Calusa civilizations. Guests are invited to participate in one of the local digs or enjoy a self guided tour through the site.

The Museum of the Islands [MOTI] is in Pine Island Center , is charged with portraying island life as it existed from the Calusa through earliest fishing settlements.

The Museum's gift shop is a venue for works of local authors and artists to be displayed.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Two major league teams conduct their spring training within a short drive from the Bokeelia Tarpon Inn. The Boston Red Sox train in the City of Palms Stadium in downtown Fort Myers . The Minnesota Twins hold their training in the newly renovated Lee County Sports Complex near Southwest Regional Airport .

GALLERIES/GIFT SHOPPES

Pine Island is known as ‘ Florida’s Creative Coast’ as we have many fine artists, writers & musicians who call this home. Their many talents can be seen at the local galleries and it is worth checking with the Chamber of Commerce for schedules of workshops and demonstrations which are held regularly.
Florida's Creative Coast

The Cross-Palms Gallery , next door to the Inn carries exquisite hand-blown glass, paintings by famous Florida artists, hand-painted wooden furniture, and many more items. The Koucky Gallery and Gardens, heading south on Stringfellow Rd, combines hand-made pottery, jewelry, and works of art along side tropical flowers, shrubs, and palms

The close-by historic village of Matlacha [pronounced Mat-la-shay] has become an artist colony. The Wild Child , Matlacha Art , and Pine Bay Galleries show local talent in all paint media, woodcarving, sculpture, and hand-made jewelry.

Not to be missed in St James City is ConniesConnection with a variety of painted furniture, antiques and crafts along with Mermaids Closset , island style clothing and Pine Island Cruises Variety store with an eclectic mix of books and crafts.