You don’t have to travel deep into the Everglades to experience Florida’s untouched beauty. Within quick reach of downtown Fort Myers, Florida and its international airport, a remote stretch of the nearly 200-mile Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail gives paddlers an escape among miles of mangrove islands.
Inspired by the Indigenous Calusa, the Blueway is made up of three distinct regions along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The first meanders through Estero Bay, the second focuses on Matlacha Pass and Pine Island Sound, and the third follows the Caloosahatchee River and its tributaries inland.
Each stretch highlights different parts of Southwest Florida’s natural wonders, but the waters around Matlacha and Pine Island stand out for their mix of mangrove tunnels, shallow flats, and peaceful backwaters. It’s a stretch where paddlers can be surrounded by wildlife and enjoy visiting small coastal communities that still have an Old Florida feel that’s becoming increasingly difficult to find.
Matlacha And Pine Island: The Laid-Back Side Of The Calusa Blueway
Unlike the turquoise waters and white sands of nearby Sanibel and Captiva, Pine Island’s shoreline is shaped by tangled mangrove roots and tannin-colored waterways. The mangroves make these waters ideal for kayakers by absorbing wave energy and creating calm, protected routes to explore.
The colorful, artsy fishing village of Matlacha sits between Pine Island and mainland Florida, right where the coastal waters are pinched to a braided, tidal corridor—the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve—connecting Charlotte Harbor on the north with San Carlos Bay to the south. This makes the village the perfect entry point for slipping into the water.
Paddlers can set out right from the Matlacha Community Park and Boat Ramp. If you need gear, you can rent kayaks and paddleboards from the newly opened Matlacha Outfitters or Gulf Coast Kayak at nearby Sirenia Vista Park. The preserve spans across 14,000 acres of coastal habitat, meaning there is no shortage of mangrove channels, small islands or tucked away coves to seek out.
For those planning to spend several days paddling here, Matlacha Cottages and The Angler’s Inn both have their own ramps, making it seamless to start or end your paddle right from where you’re staying.
An On-The-Water Safari
The mix of oyster bars, seagrass flats, and mangrove islands in Matlacha Pass creates a natural haven for species of all sizes. It feels like an on-the-water safari, from the sea to the sky.
You can spot ospreys circling overhead, brown pelicans roosting in the mangroves, and double-crested cormorants perched on branches drying their wings. Listen for the sharp, rattling call of a Belted Kingfisher or the flap of white ibis flying overhead.
In other areas of the pass, you could see manatees surfacing for air and bottlenose dolphins corralling fish in the shallows. And, if you’re lucky, you may spot a loggerhead popping its head up before disappearing below the surface.
The shallow waters support more than 200 species of fish, from mangrove snapper and snook to striped mullet, often seen leaping from the water in silvery flashes. While mullet are prized as bait fish, locals love them on the menu at a number of area restaurants, including the Mullet Sampler at Blue Dog Bar & Grill, a fantastic lunch or dinner stop before or after a day on the water.
Exploring Pine Island Sound
Pine Island is made up of five small communities, each with its own personality: Matlacha, Pine Island Center, St. James City, Pineland, and Bokeelia. Bokeelia, at the northern tip, is one of the best points for paddlers to access the Pine Island Sound, where the Blueway opens from Matlacha Pass.
Start at the Bokeelia Boat Ramp, where there’s a small parking fee, and follow the sheltered coastline of Pine Island through Back Bay and Burgess Bay. The route stays mostly protected, weaving along mangrove islands and shallow flats.
If you need gear, Carmen’s Kayaks in Bokeelia offers seasonal rentals and guided trips, making it easy to get on the water even if you’re traveling light.
From the northwest side of Pine Island in Bokeelia, paddlers can cross more open water to reach Useppa Island and Cabbage Key. The Cabbage Key Inn is a great place to take a break and order one of their famous cheeseburgers before continuing toward the backside of Cayo Costa State Park. This remote barrier island remains one of Florida’s most unspoiled coastal parks, known for its white sand beaches and superb shelling.
When you return to Pine Island, Tarpon Lodge is a convenient and memorable place to stay for those tackling the paddling trail. Built in 1926, the historic fishing lodge is a favorite among because of its award-winning waterfront restaurant, dock access, and a direct connection to the Great Calusa Blueway.
Plan Your Paddle
For maps, route details, and recommended outfitters, visit the Great Calusa Blueway’s official website, which highlights local outfitters and businesses, launch points, and route suggestions throughout Lee County.
Feature photo: Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau
