Pine Island never was a big tourist destination. And that’s why it is such a refreshing place to explore today. It’s full of groves and plant nurseries with a few stops that make it worth exploring.
This out-of-the-way destination reminds us of artsy waterfront towns like Key West and Cedar Key. West of Fort Myers, Matlacha is a colorful collection of little wooden houses surrounded by good saltwater-kayak trails. Artists love this funky little village.
The 2013 Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival is a like an on-the-water convention for kayakers. It spotlights the Calusa Blueway Paddling trail, a 190-mile marked saltwater kayak trail along Florida’s Gulf Coast. If you want to attend, now’s time to make your plans.
