Marinas

Lee County Marinas

Bonita Bay Marina, 27598 Marina Pointe Dr. SW Bonita Springs (239) 495-3222 www.bonitabaymarina.net Cape Coral (Godman) Yacht Basin, 5815 Driftwood Pkwy., Cape Coral (239)574-0809 www.capecoral.net City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin, 1300 Lee Street, Fort Myers (239)321-7080 www.cityftmyers.com

Diversified Yacht Services, 751 Fishermans Wharf, Fort Myers Beach (239)765-8700 www.dysinc.com Everest Marina, 1838 Everest Parkway, Cape Coral (239)458-6604 www.capecoralboatrepair.com Fish Tale Marina, 7225 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach (239)463-3600 www.thefishtalemarina.com Four Winds Marina, Inc., 16501 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia (239)283-0250 www.fourwindsmarina.com Getaway Marina, 18400 San Carlos Blvd., Ft. Myers Beach (239)466-3600 www.getawaymarina.com Gulf Star Marina, 708 Fisherman’s Wharf, Ft. Myers Beach (239)463-9552 www.gulfstar-marina.com Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort and Marina, 15107 Captiva Drive, Captiva Island (239)472-5800 www.gocaptiva.com Legacy Harbour Marina, 2044 West First Street, Fort Myers (239)461-0775 legacyharbourmarina.com

Marinatown Yacht Harbour, 3446 Marinatown Lane, North Ft. Myers (239)997-2767 www.marinatown.net McCarthy’s Marina, 11401 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva (239)472-5200 www.mccarthysmarina.com Monroe Canal Marina, 3105 Stringfellow Road, Saint James City (239)282-8600 monroecanalmarina.com Safe Harbour Burnt Store Marina, 3192 Matecumbe Key Rd., Punta Gorda (941)637-0083 www.burntstoremarina.com Safe Harbour Cape Harbour Marina, 5828 Cape Harbour Drive., Cape Coral (239)945-4330 www.capeharbour.com

FWC encourages boaters to take a boater education class

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants to make sure that everyone recreating on our waters goes home safely at the end of the day. The FWC encourages all boaters to take a boating safety course today. Safety is never optional!

In 2020, Florida boating accident statistics indicated that, when the level of operator education was known, 72% of boating deaths occurred on boats where the boat operator had never received boating education instruction.

While not currently required, owners of human powered watercraft, such as paddleboards and kayaks, are encouraged to take a boating education class as well so they are aware of critical boating knowledge that anyone who plans to get out on the water should have, and be better prepared for the risks they may face while boating. “In Florida, boaters who were born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, are required to complete and pass a boater safety education course. But everyone interested in boating should take a course,” said Maj. Rob Beaton, FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section Leader. “There’s no reason to head out on the water without this knowledge.”

Boaters have many ways to get educated, from classroom courses offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons to online offerings available anytime day or night. Learn more about boater safety education by visiting MyFWC.com/boating and clicking on “Boating Safety and Education.”

Pine Island

By PAULETTE LeBLANC

pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com

Pine Island is easily one of the most unique destinations in southwest Florida. This 17-mile long, two-mile wide island with the small-town feel is filled with locals who have a heart for one another. From the Matlacha (most “fishing-est”) Bridge to the tip of Bokeelia or Saint James City, you will smell the salt air as it wafts in from Pine Island Sound.

Old Florida style is just one of the many distinctive qualities that make this island such a rare find. This once-upon-a-time commercial fishing village still boasts many daily deliveries from the sea to its familyowned and run eateries. Boutiques and art galleries line the road with sights that are likely to fill your day. When you’ve shopped, perused, and studied the various artistic expressions of the locals, let them fill your belly with fresh shrimp, grouper, or trout. If education piques your interest, some of these destinations should top your list.

Whether you’re here to shop, eat, or play, from Matlacha to Bokeelia and Saint James City, Pine Island has something for everyone. Enjoy your visit to one of the most extraordinary finds in Southwest Florida!

Randell Research Center

Visitors can tour this internationally significant site and learn about Calusa culture and their environment. The book store is now open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Saturday. The Calusa Heritage Trail is open daily for self-guided visits from sunup to sundown. Restrooms, book and gift shop, and classroom are open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guided tours are available by special request for family groups, with COVID protocols, dependent on guide availability. To request a guided tour, call the RRC.

More info: www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/rrc/ or 239283-2157

Address: 13810 Waterfront Drive, Bokeelia

Museum of the Islands

Located in Pine Island Center, this little gem’s exhibits include shells, dolls, household items, and fishing artifacts. The museum is housed in a former library building. It opened in 1989. Museum hours are: May-October, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. November-April, Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.

More info: www.museumoftheislands.com or 239-283-1525

Address: 5728 Sesame Drive, Bokeelia

Pine Island Tropicals

This tropical plant nursery and outdoor farmers market specializes in organically grown plants and vegetables. Frequent visits to the nursery reveal the seasonality of the fruits and vegetables; therefore not all of the produce is available yearround. They continually do research and development of different plant cultivars to further not only their education but enhance the wide varieties they offer.

More info: https://pineislandtropicals.com or 239283-4874

Address: 12870 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia

Galleries

If artwork is on your radar, you may enjoy a visit to one or all of the galleries Pine Island has to offer: • Bert’s Pine Bay Gallery: Open Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m., is a charming historic cottage, overlooking Matlacha Pass. Visitors and locals alike enjoy the unique home decor, gifts, clothing, local and best-seller books, or shirts, hats and koozies. Many favorite local artists are proudly represented.

More info: www.pinebaygallery.com or 239-283-1335

Address: 4332 Pine Island Road, Matlacha • Wild Child Art Gallery: Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., offers private classes and parties. It is a contemporary art gallery representing the works and the creations of 115 Florida artists. The original fine art, canvas art, paintings and jewelry have won many awards for the gallery.

More info: www.wildchildartgallery.com or 239-2836006

Address: 4625 Pine Island Road, Matlacha • Island Visions Gallery: Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., is an eclectic gallery of local art and curiosities from around the globe.

More info: www.islandvisions-timeless.com or 239-282-0452

Address: 4643 Pine Island Road NW, Matlacha • Leoma Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens: Hours are seasonal and subject to change. This gallery presents colorful paintings by local resident artist Lovegrove herself in a brightly hued building with gardens featuring eclectic decor.

More info: www.leomalovegrove.com or 239-938-5655

Address: 4637 Pine Island Road, Matlacha • Bokeelia Art Gallery: Hours are seasonal and subject to change. This unique Art Gallery set in beautiful Charlotte Harbor features many local painters, pottery, glass and jewelry.

More info: www.bokeeliaartgallery.com or 239-7385280

Address: 8315 Main Street, Bokeelia