Matlacha & Pine Island - The Real Deal

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We sat on the dock of Bert’s famous waterfront pub in Matlacha sipping Coronas while watching pelicans follow a crabber checking her traps. The sun was starting to dip when Wes said, “I could stay here forever.” I concur.

A few mistakes and overlooked details got us to this remarkable spot on Matlacha (Mat La Shay), a small island connected by a draw bridge to Pine Island in the Charlotte Harbor area of the Gulf of Mexico. Our original destination was the wild barrier island of Cayo Costa via a boat from the Pine Island Marina. But, we didn’t have the requisite reservation and literally missed the boat. So we headed for the north of Pine Island to the little island of Bokeelia. We stopped in at Crossed Palms, a wonderful gallery with great views of Charlotte Harbor. We learned that there is a moratorium on buildings over 2 stories, and that many of the full time and seasonal residents count back three or four generations. So brilliant to preserve this beautiful piece of paradise. This is “Old Florida!” It’s a garden spot without the mulch. The architecture is cottage-style, "porchy" and casual. It’s a haven for artists and fishermen with a local economy that includes acres and acres of wholesale palm tree farms. It’s the real deal; and as much as we love our well tended and trimmed resorts, this wilder version of the sunshine state has a great attraction for us.

The picturesque village of Matlacha has sherbet colored galleries and cafes - with names like WildChild Gallery and All My Bad Habits - lining Pine Island Road in funky array. Like Bert’s, all of the galleries and gift shops we visited we visited went straight through the buildings to wonderful patios or decks on the waterway out back.

We picked up a schedule of Art Nights on Pine Island which were described as big parties with special exhibits, entertainment, and refreshments at some 15 galleries scattered throughout Pine Island and Matlacha. Catch it if you can: Jan.12, Feb. 9, March 9, April 13, and June 8. Also the annual Pine Island Art Show and Sale is Feb. 10-11.

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Photos

Picnic at Bokeelia
The owner of Crossed Palms Gallery told us we could use the picnic table across from her lovely shop.

Back Door View
A wonderfully diverse collection of homes line the canals in Matlacha.

Ultimate Recycling
Art takes many forms, including this charteuse Adirondack chair in a like painted old run about.

Matlacha Art Gallery
This and its neighbor, WildChild Gallery, are not to be missed. Both are amazing right from the front door all the way back to their waterfront gardens.