EXPLORING PINE ISLAND SOUND
Pine Island Sound is located in Lee County, Florida, lying between Pine Island and the barrier islands of Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, North Captiva Island and Cayo Costa, which separate the Sound from the Gulf of Mexico. The Sound connects to Gasparilla Sound and Charlotte Harbor to the north, and to San Carlos Bay and the Caloosahatchee River to the south. The Sound is conterminous with the Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve, which was established in 1970 and consists of 54,000 acres of submerged land. Important habitats in the Sound include mangroves, seagrasses, salt marshes, oyster communities, tidal flats and sponge beds.
CAYO COSTA STATE PARK
On Cayo Costa Island, you will find a nine-mile long beach of pristine white sand just waiting for some footprints. The island has sand dunes, pine forests and oak-palm hammocks along with mangroves, grassy areas, dunes and palms.
You may see dolphins frolicking in the wake behind the boat, and there will certainly be pelicans and other sea birds flying overhead.
The beaches are a turtle nesting area from May to September and nests may be marked with wooden sticks to avoid visitors accidentally disturbing the eggs, which are protected by law.
There are about six miles of hiking and biking trails for exploring the 2,426-acre Cayo Costa State Park. Bicycles can be rented from the Ranger Station which has an interactive exhibit and sells ice. You can go fishing, shelling, bird watching or relax on the beach and catch the sun’s rays. The safe waters are ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
https://www.floridastateparks....
CABBAGE KEY
This 100 acre island is located directly north in Pine Island Sound. The Inn, built in the 1940's by the family of Mary Roberts Rinehart, houses the famous Restaurant & Dollar Bill Bar.
The restaurant's main claim to fame is that it is reportedly the inspiration for Jimmy Buffet's great song "Cheeseburger In Paradise" In addition to the famous cheeseburger, other typical tiki bar kinds of food are on the menu here. Plenty of seafood offerings including shrimp, salmon, crab craws, clam chowder and basic salads. Good black beans and rice complement many of the dishes. Sandwich varieties include mahi-mahi, grilled cheese, Reubens, and a lot of other simple fare.
CAPTIVA ISLAND
A popular stop is McCarthy’s Marina where boats up to 24′ are able to dock. From here, it is only a short walk to restaurants like the Key Lime Bistro with its irresistible desserts. If you really want to spoil yourself and your loved ones, there is no better dining spot than The Green Flash. This upscale restaurant has more than enough docking space, and serves fresh seafood specialties. The spectacular ocean view makes the food taste even better.
Just a short 5 minute walk from Jensen's Twin Palm Marina is world famous Bubble Room. Born in 1979, the world famous restaurant that it is today followed a very modest beginning of just a few tables in the front room of the home of the Farqhuarson family. Today’s famous multi- theme restaurant slowly took shape. Starting with old toys from the 1930’s and 1940’s as its décor in the one room, the collecting began and has continued to the present day.
SANIBEL ISLAND
Your first stop should be the Sanibel Marina, where 65 boats of up to 70′ can moor. The marina not only provides gasoline, boating equipment and free WIFI. It is also the perfect place for lunch or dinner: Gramma Dot’s Restaurant serves excellent Clam Chowder New England Style as well as salads, sandwiches and Florida’s famous Key Lime Pie.
