BOKEELIA FLORIDA!QUIET AND BEAUTIFULBokeelia Florida is a tiny tranquil waterfront community on Pine Island's northern end.It is bordered by beautiful Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound. You sure won't find one of the 10 best beaches in Florida here. The entire island is crowned with mangroves instead of beaches.
The photo above was taken on the pier in Bokeelia looking out to Boca Grande Pass. Cayo Costa is seen on the left and Boca Grande is on the right of the Pass. As you drive down Pine Island Road you'll first go through Matlacha . A couple of miles down the road is a 4-way stop in Pine Island Center. This is Pine Island Road and Stringfellow. Turn right on Stringfellow to get to Bokeelia.
As you get to the tip of Bokeelia Florida, you can pull your car over to the side of the road and take in the beautiful view. On the left, we're at the pier in Bokeelia looking out at Charlotte Harbor towards Boca Grand Pass. On the right we're looking east across the Harbor. You can see Burnt Store Marina's tower condominiums in the distance. Burnt Store Marina is the largest marina on the West coast of Florida. Fishing In Charlotte Harbor and BeyondIf you're a fisherman, Bokeelia is surely paradise. The expanse of fishing grounds is as good as it gets. Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound are famous for excellent fishing for ladyfish, snook, redfish, snapper and others.Only a stone's throw away is Boca Grande Pass, which is renowned for it's tarpon fishing in season. Boca Grande Pass separates Boca Grande from Cayo Costa. If you continue out through the Pass to the Gulf of Mexico you can fish for tarpon, grouper, shark and more gamefish. It's truly an angler's paradise. Also, if you'ld like to rent a boat and do some fishing or island exploring yourself, the Four Winds Marina is in Bokeelia right on Jug Creek.
Jug Creek cuts through the center of Bokeelia Florida. One end is at Charlotte Harbor and the other end is at Pine Island Sound. It's a great way for a boater to avoid some of the Harbor if it is particularly choppy, which it can very often be. If the winds are blowing and churning the Gulf of Mexico, that choppy water comes in Boca Grande Pass and through to the Harbor. Travelling through Jug Creek is a pleasant ride. We have several photos which will give a good representation of Jug Creek.
Here we're entering Jug Creek from Pine Island Sound. We're directly across the Sound From
Cayo Costa State Park
You can see the mangroves which encircle the entire island and line Jug Creek. Here's a beautiful new Florida style home on the corner of Jug Creek and Pine Island Sound.
There are several lovely waterfront condominium complexes on Jug Creek. Oh, what a life!
Some more beautiful water and more condos.
Here's a view of the Lazy Flamingo from Jug Creek and a large waterfront home.
Some great looking Tahitian style duplexes line the water and some single family homes in the distance.
Off to the right is the gas dock in Jug Creek. They also have ice and some supplies.
We're leaving Jug Creek and going into Charlotte Harbor back to Burnt Store Marina.
Bokeelia RestaurantsBokeelia has only three restaurants with the exception of a couple of tiny cafes.
10880 Stringfellow Road 239-283-4412 They are open for dinner at 4:00 p.m. 7 days a week. Red's is by far my favorite restaurant of all time. Their seafood is nothing short of fabulous! Like all seafood restaurants, their prices aren't overly inexpensive - except for their early bird specials from 4:00-5:00. During early bird hour, you can get a full dinner of tilapia milanese, fried shrimp, fried scallops, fried calamari, a captain's platter, crab cakes and more from $9.45 - $14.95. You won't find a better deal anywhere plus they also have a full bar. When you reach the 4-way stop on Pine Island Road and Stringfellow Road, turn right. Red's is about 1/2 mile ahead on the right.
16501 Stringfellow Road 239-283-5959 The Lazy Flamingo on Bokeelia is one of three restaurants by that name. The other two are on Sanibel Island and Santiva. This is a great spot to come to by car or boat. They have assigned boat slips in the Four Winds Marina on Jug Creek in Bokeelia. They have great sandwiches, fried calamari and raw oysters, plus much more. Prices are reasonable and, as you would expect, the atmosphere is casual. They overlook the marina and it is really enjoyable to see the boats coming and going. They also have a full bar. It's a favorite with locals and visitors. Don't miss it!
8421 Main St. Capt'n Cons Fish House is as far as you can go in Bokeelia. Right across from the restaurant is the spectacular view across Charlotte Harbor to Boca Grande Pass. Many folks rave about the spot. They are open for lunch and dinner.
Bokeelia Tarpon Inn8241 Main Street 239-283-8961
There are no hotels in Bokeelia Florida, however the beautiful Bokeelia Tarpon Inn is perfect for a getaway or full vacation. Here you'll find an award winning bed and breakfast. This romantic Florida mansion has been beautifully restored to it's original Olde South character, but with a full list of amenities including a 300 foot fishing pier.
For the boater who visits, there are docks which can accommodate boats up to 45 feet in length. If you would like to explore the neighboring island, the Bokeelia Tarpon Inn has it's own boat, The Bokeelia Lady to take you. If you like a slower pace, enjoy kayaking. Bokeelia Real Estate
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