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Latest update: January 2023

Pine Island Bike Path

Biking Southwest Florida's Largest Island

The 16 mile path runs the length of Pine Island (the largest island in southwest Florida) along Stringfellow Road between St. James City at the south and Bokeelia at the north. Popular with bikers and walkers, the path provides access to businesses, neighborhoods, and parks. Little shade. The only access to the mainland is at Pine Island Road (SR 78) - the largest road crossing along the path - through Matlacha, with its quaint shops and restaurants. There are no beaches and the island is surrounded by mangrove, so has not become highly developed. It maintains an "old Florida" feel with no traffic lights, and no chain restaurants or hotels! (Map link and photos below.)

Map link - Pine Island Bike Path

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Location: Lee County
End Points: St. James City to Bokeelia (south to north)
Mileage: 16 miles
Surface: Paved
Nearby points of interest: Pineland Monument Park, Matlacha, Fort Myers, Sanibel Island

Bike Shops/Rentals:
Island Bikeworks (rentals, sales, service)

Support and Advocacy:
Calusa Land Trust

Page Summary:

Biking at Pine Island
- St. James City to Bokeelia
- Matlacha - Pineland
More Information and Resources

Biking at Pine Island... Comments and Photos

St. James City to Bokeelia

Here we visit from south to north. While mostly a separate bike path, a few sections are bike lanes or sharrows (1.5 mile at St. James City, 1 mile at Bokeelia). Parking is available at businesses along the route, or park at Phillips Park (parking, restrooms, picnic, playground, playing fields). Once out of St. James City, the path runs through several nature preserves for a very rural feel. Where SR 78 comes in from the mainland is another shopping district, and nearby is Phillips Park. Continuing north to Bokeelia features many farms and orchards.

End of route at St. James City - sharrow

St. James City - bike lane

St. James City - bike path

Crossing at Pine Island Rd. (to Matlacha)

Path at Phillips Park

Phillips Park

Path crosses the road

Path along the road

To Bokeelia - bike path

Bokeelia

Approaching Bokeelia, the bike path ends and a bike lane starts twice - the first starts at Barrancas Ave. and runs to Boyce Drive (about 4/10 mile), then the bike path restarts for just another 2/10 mile before ending again at Four Winds Marina just before the Jug Creek bridge. The second bike lane runs over the bridge and about 4/10 mile to the end of Stringfellow Road and beginning of Main Street. After the bike lane ends, ride on the road into Bokeelia. This is a quiet area, but keep alert to vehicles. Located at the northern tip of the island, Bokeelia has great views of Charlotte Harbor, a fishing pier, and restaurant.

Bike lane starts at Barranca Ave.

Bike path restarts at Boyce

Bike lane over Jug Creek

Bike lane ends at Main Street

Bokellia - share the road

Fishing pier

Restaurant

Marina

Matlacha - Pineland

Two worthwhile stops while visiting Pine Island: (1) Matlacha - quaint, funky and colorful, and (2) Pineland Monument Park and the Calusa Heritage Trail at Randall Research Center (a University of Florida facility).

Matlacha

The only access from the mainland is at Pine Island Road (SR78) across Matlacha Pass and through Matlacha, with its quaint shops and art galleries, restaurants and accommodations. The crayon-box colors are eye-catching. Fishing and boating/paddling are also popular here.

Quaint Matlacha

View from bridge

Matlacha Community Park

Paddling at Matlacha (Great Calusa Blueway)

Pineland Monument Park

Pineland Monument Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Once inhabited by the Calusa tribe, the site includes several shell and sand mounds and other historical remnants. The Calusa Heritage Trail is a 1 mile interpretative walkway through the site.