Located on Pine Island, one of the largest islands off of Florida’s Gulf Coast, is the secluded agricultural and fishing community of Bokeelia, Florida.
Bokeelia is one of five communities on Pine Island. The other four communities are Pineland, St. James City, Matlacha and Pine Island Center.
Bokeelia is perhaps best known for its romantic pirate history, world-renowned tropical fruit and world-class fishing. Visitors can choose to fish in the Gulf, along one of the area’s rivers or in the famed Charlotte Harbor.
Charlotte Harbor
Considered the second largest bay in Florida, Charlotte Harbor was once home to such notorious rogues as Jean Lafitte, Calico Jack, Black Caesar, Anne Bonney, Gasparilla and Brewster Baker. Over the centuries the harbor’s watery depths have claimed more than its fair share of notable shipwrecks and pirate’s treasures.
Stories of shipwrecks such as the “Florida Blanca” still drive treasure seekers to this region today. The “Florida Blanca” was a ship that belonged to the pirate Gasparilla and was sent to her watery grave in 1821 at the hands of naval forces. At the time of her demise the “Florida Blanca” was reportedly carrying over nine million dollars in ill-gotten treasure. All of which allegedly ended up at the bottom of the harbor.
Modern day visitors to the harbor can still enjoy it’s seclude sandy beaches, boating excursions, world-class fishing and pirate lore thanks to a plethora of marinas, outdoor outfitters and area tourism sites. Visitors to the “Four Winds Marina” web site can check out the marina via a live web cam and find out more information on outfitters like “fish with Hawkeye.”
Four Winds Marina
16501 Stringfellow Road
Bokeelia, FL 33922
800-523-9223
Calusa Ghost Tours
Charlotte Harbor is not the only waterway in Bokeelia that visitors can enjoy. “Calusa Ghost Tours” affords visitors with several different river kayaking excursions such as three day fishing safaris.
The fishing safari takes visitors to the premier fishing spots along both Estero Bay and Pine Island Sound. Would be anglers can fish using both the wade and kayak method for grouper, red fish, snook, snapper and more.
Another one of the many excursions offered by “Calusa Ghost Tours” is the four hour “Adventures to Mound Key” tour. The “Adventures to Mound Key” tour takes travelers through the areas once inhabited by the Calusa people. At a price tag of $65.00 per person it is a fun and affordable way to get up close and personal l with Florida’s history and ecology. Those wishing to learn more about “Calusa Ghost Tours” varied trip offering can find additional details on the company’s web site.
Calusa Ghost Tours
16305 Quail Trail
Bokeelia, FL 33922
239-938-5342
Museum of the Islands
The pirates were not the first to discover the charms of Bokeelia. The region was once home to the great Calusa people, who were later driven almost to extinction by early Spanish Conquistadors like the famed Ponce de Leon.
The indigenous Calusa or “fierce people” as they were known, cultivated a sea faring culture that dominated most of south west Florida’s coastline.
The Calusa were known to build and use huge shell mounds for everything from foundations for their longhouses to ceremonial alters for their religious rites.
Remnants of these shell mounds can still be found throughout island including the largest shell mound site accessible by car in southwest Florida, Randell Research Center.
Randell Research Center is located near Bokeelia in the community of Pineland.
The “Museum of the Islands” pays homage to the Calusa people through exhibits, murals and artwork that are based on the field notes of the renowned 18th century archeologist and consummate explorer, Frank Cushing. In addition to the Calusa exhibits the “Museum of the Islands” has several other notable displays such as the 18th century beaded tapestry of George Washington created by Sarah Kuster and Mary Custer Close.
The tapestry took over 10 years to make and is comprised of over 300,000 glass beads imported from Europe. It has previously been on display at both the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and the 1939 New York’s World Fair.
Other exhibits include over 17.000 different sea shells native to the island, an 18th century doll collection, nature exhibit, vintage house hold items and a fisherman’s display.
The “Museum of the Islands” is open year round and its hours of operation vary by season. As of 2010 admission to the “Museum of the Islands” is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children.
Hours of operation and more information on the exhibits can be found on the museum’s website.
Museum of the Islands
5728 Sesame Drive
Bokeelia, FL 33922
239-283-1525
Bokeelia Self-Guided Walking and Bike Tours
The streets of Bokeelia are perfect for strolling and bicycling. There are plenty of unique boutiques, quaint eateries and fruit markets along the way.
While in Bokeelia visitors should make it a point to sample some of the communities’ world-renowned tropical fruits like the Carambola, which is also used in making Eden Spice Wine at Eden Winery in nearby Alva, Florida.
Other tropical fruits to try are the logan, lychee, loquat, papaya, mango and pineapple.
Additional Information
Whether its pirates, papaya or fishing, Bokeelia Florida is the ideal place for taking advantage of all Mother Nature has to offer.
Would be visitors can find out more about this secluded slice of tropical paradise by logging onto the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce website.
