is not exactly considered a top tourist destination. And that's a good thing, because that’s what makes it a wonderful place to unwind and relax — especially in style at the Bokeelia Tarpon Inn on the northern tip of the island.
How many tons of Jelly Beans were delivered in January 1981 for President Ronald Reagan’s inauguration festivities? This Trivial Pursuit question has me sweating. But everything else here at the Bokeelia Tarpon Inn is anything but nerve-racking. Quite the opposite. The small bed & breakfast in the fishing village of the same name at the northern tip of Pine Island radiates relaxed coziness and heavenly peace.
There’s no bustling hotel bar or blaring TVs here. Evenings are spent playing board games or enjoying a good book. And you might just discover how nice it is to have a conversation without “Super Nanny” or “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” constantly interrupting.
At the Bookelia Tarpon Inn, it’s all about relaxation and contemplation — and doing so in a stylish way. The house, with its stunning view over Charlotte Harbor, was built in 1914 by wealthy plantation owner Poe Johnson. Generations of guests have since enjoyed the fish-rich bay, the picturesque sunsets, and the peaceful seclusion.
But sometime in the late 1990s, the building began to fall into disrepair. A businessman from Pennsylvania saw the potential and carefully restored the historic property, turning it into a thoroughly elegant Inn. Today, the wooden floors creak and the fireplace crackles just as cozily as it did 80 years ago.
Once a year, things get a bit livelier here – when the tarpon season hits its peak on a few summer weekends and dozens of sport fishermen chase after the “Silver King.” The six rooms – all tastefully decorated in island style – are usually booked well in advance.
In the evenings, the anglers gather in the “Chart Room,” decorated with fishing memorabilia and nautical collectibles, or swap fishing tales over a glass of red wine on the screened veranda. And they don’t even have to exaggerate much — the waters around Gasparilla Island are known as one of the best tarpon fishing spots in the world.
“Would you like another sandwich?” asks our host Cynthia, interrupting my musings on presidential sweets and jelly beans. Cynthia came to America from Ireland many years ago and is locally famous for her delicious homemade marmalade.
Of course, we gratefully accept — after all, we’ve spent the entire day paddling around the waters off the northern tip of Pine Island. When the wind picked up around noon and whitecaps started forming, we retreated into the shallow bays where the dense mangroves offered shelter from the waves.
Later, we spent an hour fishing from the pier belonging to the Inn — and caught a few quite impressive specimens. But given Cynthia’s excellent cooking, we suddenly felt a bit sorry for our catch and released them back into the wild, following the sporting motto “Catch & Release.” For now, at least…
Speaking of freedom: We quickly realized that the people of Pine Island are a special breed. True islanders — proud to be a bit different from the mainland folks.
Developers hoping to strike it rich by filling this romantic island with apartment complexes quickly found themselves at odds with the defiant locals. Everyone here seems quite happy that Pine Island has no sandy beaches — it’s helped keep commercialism and crowds at bay.
“We want our island to keep its rural charm,” someone told us yesterday at the lovely Crossed Palms Gallery, located just next to our inn. As it happened, the first of the season’s popular “Art Nights” was underway — a kind of open house where most of the galleries on Pine Island and nearby Matlacha participate.
Art lovers stroll through exhibitions with finger food and sparkling wine, chatting with gallery owners and like-minded enthusiasts. A real insider tip, because nowhere else can you learn so much about this charming tropical island — where plantations have been cultivated for generations and where you can still feel the authentic atmosphere of “Old Florida.”
Bedroom: 3 (King, 2 Queen)
Bathroom: 3
