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Lee County · FL

Moving to Pine Island, Florida

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

Pine Island, Florida offers rural island life in Lee County, outside any city. It has fishing villages, farms and preserves, and no city government. You reach it by a single road through Matlacha from Cape Coral. The island area includes Matlacha, Bokeelia, St. James City, Pineland and Pine Island Center.

At a glance

County
Lee County (unincorporated)
Communities
Matlacha, Pine Island Center, Bokeelia, Pineland, St. James City[1]
Road access
Pine Island Road through Matlacha[1]
Standard rural density (Coastal Rural)
1 home per 2.7 acres[2]
Water
Greater Pine Island Water Association (since 1965)[10]
Electric
LCEC[11]
Largest county preserve on the island
Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve, about 945 acres[6]
Nearest Lee Health hospital
Cape Coral Hospital[12]

What is it like to live on Pine Island?

Pine Island is the largest island on the Gulf Coast of peninsular Florida, and much of it is zoned for agriculture. There are no traffic lights. Visitors come from far away for the lychee, mangos and other tropical fruit grown here. The island is unincorporated, so Lee County handles planning, permits and services.

Growth is limited on purpose. The county's Greater Pine Island Community Plan sets a standard rural density of one home per 2.7 acres. It also bars new canals. Hurricane Ian hit in 2022, and Helene and Milton hit in 2024. They damaged homes, parks and the bridge area. Rebuilding follows county flood rules.

Which parts of Pine Island should I look at?

Matlacha sits on the causeway before the main island. It is the arts and fishing village you drive through first. Pine Island Center is where Pine Island Road meets Stringfellow Road. Most services are there.

Bokeelia sits at the north end, and Pineland is on the northwest shore near the Randell Research Center. St. James City is at the south end near two county preserves. Between them, the interior is farmland, nurseries and preserve land. Because Stringfellow Road is the island's spine, where you live on it sets how long every trip to the bridge takes.

How do I get on and off Pine Island?

Pine Island Road is the only road link to the mainland. It runs from Cape Coral through Matlacha and over the Matlacha Pass drawbridge. Locals call it the fishingest bridge in the world. On the island, Stringfellow Road runs north to south as the main spine.

LeeTran does not list a regular bus route to the island. It does run buses from Pine Island during evacuations. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is on the mainland. It offers nonstop flights to more than 75 places.

How do schools work for Pine Island?

Pine Island Elementary is the island's public school, run by the School District of Lee County. Any county student may request it, without district busing. Under the 2026–27 plan, its fifth graders move on to Trafalgar Middle in Cape Coral. High school students attend mainland schools through the district's West Zone choice process.

Check the school for any address directly with the district. Official grades are on the FLDOE school grades site.

What is there to do outdoors on Pine Island?

Fishing and paddling come first. Matlacha Park has a pier, a boat ramp and a kayak launch. Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve covers about 945 acres of trails. St. James Creek Preserve has had an active bald eagle nest for more than 20 years.

At Pineland, the Calusa Heritage Trail at the Randell Research Center is open for self-guided tours. Mango and tropical fruit stands draw crowds in season. Matlacha Pass and Pine Island Sound wrap the island, so there is water for boating on both sides.

What costs should I plan for on Pine Island?

Flood and wind insurance, elevation and Lee County's 50% rule drive costs, mostly near the water. For the 50% test, the county uses the Property Appraiser's value of the building. New work in high-risk zones must sit one foot above base flood elevation. Ask if a home is on septic. Also ask if it uses a well or the water association.

To reach Cape Coral and Fort Myers, you drive Pine Island Road. Many trips farther east cross Lee County toll bridges. Is Pine Island your full-time home by January 1? Then file for the homestead exemption with the Lee County Property Appraiser by March 1.

What are the next steps to move to Pine Island?

Browse homes for sale on Pine Island. Then compare with the Cape Coral guide and the North Fort Myers guide for mainland options nearby.

Estimate payments with insurance in the mortgage calculator. Check what your current home is worth. Then contact Mariela to plan a drive around the island.

Parts of town to know: Pine Island

  • MatlachaThe small village on Pine Island Road between Cape Coral and Pine Island. It is known for the Matlacha Pass bridge, art shops and fishing.
  • Pine Island CenterThe crossroads at Pine Island Road and Stringfellow Road. The island's stores and services cluster here.
  • Bokeelia and Pineland (north and northwest)Waterside towns at the north end. Pineland is home to the Randell Research Center and Calusa Heritage Trail.
  • St. James City (south end)The south end town at the end of Stringfellow Road. It is near St. James Creek Preserve and Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve.
  • The rural interior and farmlandFarmland and larger lots along Stringfellow Road, zoned Coastal Rural with limited density.

School assignment can change and differs by address. Verify with the school district, and see official ratings at FLDOE School Grades. School District of Lee County.

Homes for sale now — Pine Island

Search all homes in Pine Island

Common questions

How many roads go to Pine Island?

One. Pine Island Road is the only road link between Pine Island and mainland Cape Coral. It crosses Matlacha and the Matlacha Pass drawbridge. In 2022, Hurricane Ian did major damage at the bridge to the mainland. Plan to leave early in an evacuation, because every car uses the same route.

Can I build or split land on Pine Island?

The Greater Pine Island Community Plan limits building. The Coastal Rural standard is one home per 2.7 acres. It is one per acre when 70% of the parcel stays native habitat or farmland. Bonus densities are not allowed. Projects with ten or more homes need a Planned Development rezoning. Check the current Lee Plan text, since amendment CPA2026-00005 is under review.

How does the 50% rule work on Pine Island?

Pine Island follows Lee County's rule. If repairs or improvements equal or exceed 50% of the building's value, the structure must meet current flood rules. That may mean elevating it. The county uses the Property Appraiser's structure value, and new work in high-risk zones must sit one foot above the base flood elevation.

Who provides water and power on Pine Island?

The Greater Pine Island Water Association provides public water. It is a member-owned utility that has served the island since 1965. LCEC provides power. Ask each seller if the home uses association water or a private well. Also ask if it is on septic or sewer.

Which school serves Pine Island?

Pine Island Elementary is the island's public school. Under the 2026–27 plan, its fifth graders move to Trafalgar Middle in Cape Coral. High school students go to mainland schools through the district's West Zone. Check the school for any address directly with the district.

Where is the nearest hospital to Pine Island?

Lee Health's Cape Coral Hospital (636 Del Prado Blvd.) is the closest Lee Health hospital. You reach it by driving east on Pine Island Road into Cape Coral. It offers emergency, surgery, women's and imaging services. For emergencies, call 911.

Sources

  1. Pine Island (Lee County, Florida), Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  2. CPA2026-00005 – Greater Pine Island Community Plan Changes (Lee Plan Goal 24), Lee County Department of Community Development (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Lee Plan (Comprehensive Plan) page and maps, incl. Existing Pine Island Farmland, Lee County Department of Community Development (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Understanding the 50% Rule – Substantial Improvement & Substantial Damage, Lee County Department of Community Development (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Matlacha Park and Community Center, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  6. Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Pineland Site Complex, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  8. St. James Creek Preserve, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Randell Research Center, Florida Museum of Natural History (read 2026-09-24)
  10. Greater Pine Island Water Association, GPIWA (read 2026-09-24)
  11. About LCEC (service area), LCEC (read 2026-09-24)
  12. Cape Coral Hospital, Lee Health (read 2026-09-24)
  13. Library Branch Locations (Pine Island Public Library), Lee County Library System (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Southwest Florida International Airport, Lee County Port Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  15. LeeTran Maps & Schedules, Lee County (LeeTran) (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Evacuation (zones, clearance times, evacuation transportation), Lee County Public Safety (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Notifications & Resources (AlertLee, LeePrepares), Lee County Emergency Management (read 2026-09-24)
  18. General Exemption Information, Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  19. New Resident – Welcome to Florida, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (read 2026-09-24)
  20. New Florida Resident, Lee County Tax Collector (read 2026-09-24)
  21. How Do I Register to Vote?, Lee County Supervisor of Elections (read 2026-09-24)
  22. Student Enrollment Plan 2026-2027, School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  23. Florida Statutes 509.032 (vacation rentals), Florida Legislature (read 2026-09-24)
  24. Disaster and Flood Related Frequently Asked Questions (NFIP waiting period and limits), Village of Estero (read 2026-09-24)
  25. New Residents' Guide, Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Tolls (LeeWay) – Midpoint and Cape Coral toll plazas, Lee County (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.

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