Cape Coral, whats it like?

[florida girl]

Does your villa back onto a canal Sandra? the one we have booked does ,it's nice to have water in your back yard. When we stayed at AMI we used to watch the manatees everyday we loved it.

[Sandra & co]

Yes it does, Pelican is the place we are staying and it looks really nice with lovely views

[florida girl]

We are staying at Pelican too.

[Sandra & co]

Originally Posted by florida girl

We are staying at Pelican too.

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Oh wow, I want to hear all about it when you come back. We are in Orlando for 10 days first to do a couple of park days, shopping and maybe Volacno bay or TL again. You are going soon I have to wait ages xx

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by florida girl

We are staying at Pelican too.

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We're hot on your heels FG, 27th Nov we arrive on Bokeelia. If you need directions to your villa/anything in the area give me a shout.

If you like pizza try Chicago Pizza on SE 47th Terr, which is only a couple of mile or so from your villa. Tuesday is half price night, superb pizza.

[florida girl]

Originally Posted by ChrisS

We're hot on your heels FG, 27th Nov we arrive on Bokeelia. If you need directions to your villa/anything in the area give me a shout.

If you like pizza try Chicago Pizza on SE 47th Terr, which is only a couple of mile or so from your villa. Tuesday is half price night, superb pizza.

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Thanks Chris,think Chicago Pizza is on my list 😊. We are going to visit Pine Island any recommendations for places to visit? Blue Dog and Berts are on our list too. Also have you tried Bubbas Roadhouse looks like a similar style to Mannys.

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by florida girl

Thanks Chris,think Chicago Pizza is on my list 😊. We are going to visit Pine Island any recommendations for places to visit? Blue Dog and Berts are on our list too.

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Whilst we no longer eat out FG I've heard excellent reviews about Saltwater Smokehouse on PI. Apparently the chef is on TV occasionally and highly thought of. Come onto the island at Matlacha, over the bridge and drive to the 4 way stop at PI Centre. Turn left, Saltwater is about a mile on your right, directly opposite The Dollar General. Altho the sun is now setting at Randall Pier/Pineland apparently Capt Con's at Bokeelia Pier has the best chowder in the area.

If you're up for a sunset, due to current setting location, best view is Randall Pier/Pineland Marina. PI 4 way cross, filter right, drive for circa 4 miles, after the left hand bend, just past the tall palm tree plantation turn left into Pineland Rd. Drive for a couple of mile and you'll come to a twisty area, after you take the last right hand twist the water is immediately on your left, park in the small area on your left and walk along Randall Pier - kayakers enter the water here. My signature photo was taken from Randall Pier. A few more below.

Lightning bolt taken from Randall/Pineland area

Randall pier, cloudy but stunning

Pineland Marina; continue past Randall Pier; drive a couple of hundred yards, past the Tarpon Lodge ($$$ restaurant), 100 yards or so on turn left into Pineland Marina, drive to the bottom/boat ramp where the large tiki hut is and watch sunset from there. The fishermen come in the boat ramp there, they'll gut their catch on the table provided, depending on your disposition for this it's a typical Florida island activity. There is much bird activity here, great egret, large blue heron, pelicans et al.

[Sandra & co]

Omg these menus look amazing x

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by Sandra & co

Omg these menus look amazing x

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Which ones Sandra, Saltwater Smokehouse or Capt Cons? Want some more island eatery ideas?

[ChrisS]

There's a Vietnamese pho restaurant, hits 5* reviews all the time. Island Pho and Grill. On the left as you head towards Matlacha Bridge, opposite one to apparently avoid, Hooked Island Grill.

Micelis Italian, first place on right coming into Matlacha.
Berts Bar and Grill, on left afore bridge.
Blue Dog, just over the bridge on left.
Sandy Hook fish and rib house, on left just afore you leave Matlacha towards PI Centre.

If you want to prepare a BBQ with fresh fish you'll find Island Seafood Market just afore the bridge on the right, opposite Berts. Their boat heads out nigh on daily and is docked out back, that's how fresh their catch is!

El Pollo Rico, at PI Centre 4 way stop, on right handside coming towards the centre.
Waterfront Restaurant - St James City, south section of the isle.
Low Key Tiki - St James City
Ragged Ass Saloon (great breakfast apparently) - St James City

Apparently there are some to avoid, but you'll have to pay me for those names... just kidding, perhaps avoid Island Grill, couple of doors down from Winn Dixie, Hooked Island Grill, on your right afore Matlacha Bridge, that place has changed hands 4 times since 2011!

Do have a walk around Matlacha, it's a smashing part of the island, very artsy, buildings brightly coloured. Go into Lovegrove art shop, she's a total Beatle freak and has many paintings she did of the Fab Four. Nip into her back garden that backs onto the canal, she's done amazing things out there, well worth a look. When you're finished, or before, pop a couple of doors down to the Matlacha Great Licks Ice Cream shop.

Have a Matlacha 'drive' on Google maps (set to Leoma's), then perhaps onward to PI centre and up to the furthest tip Bokeelia Pier.

Yes indeed, roll on 27th Nov