Discover that Pine Island, the largest island on Florida’s Gulf Coast, has a quiet, hometown feel and a lifestyle that centers around two things. The first is life on the water, and the second is agriculture (you’ll see plenty of fruit and tree farms as you explore the island). Visitors and residents enjoy boating, fishing and exploring three aquatic preserves dotted with mangroves. The area is known for its rich wildlife and restaurants serving just caught seafood.

Pine Island is also a place to learn about archeology and ancient cultures, as a visit to the Calusa Heritage Trail at the Randell Research Center in Bokeelia offers a glimpse into the lives of the indigenous Calusa people. Also stop in at the Museum of the Islands at Pine Island Center to learn about the island’s early history. Bokeelia is a boating paradise where canals, marinas and a breathtaking waterfront await at the island’s end. Check out Street Eatz & Ale, dig into fresh seafood at Capt’n Con’s Fish House, or enjoy a meal at the waterfront Tarpon Lodge Restaurant, which takes you back to 1920s Florida. At the south end of Pine Island, treat yourself to fresh seafood and delicious barbecue at Fine Swine in St. James City.