By: Mike Hammond
Just five miles south of Pine Island Center is a small Lee County park with excellent paddling opportunities. Tropical Point Park offers immediate access to Matlacha Pass, free parking and an easy beach launch. Its only drawback is limited space. Much like the Pineland Monument launch on the island to the north, this site has only a few parking spaces and fills up quickly. I highly recommend carpooling and/or having a backup plan.
To the north of Tropical Point Park, there are more than 5 miles of mangrove shoreline on both sides of the pass before reaching the town of Matlacha. Paddlers can turn into Pine Island Creek and Rock Creek along the way, where they’ll find several additional miles of mangroves and even smaller creeks accessible only by paddlecraft. Be mindful of the tides, however, or be prepared to drag your boat through deep mud.
To the south, anglers need only paddle a little more than half a mile to reach Manatee Bay. While Manatee Bay is a popular fishing spot, it is also the northern access point to Saint James Creek. Paddling the length of Saint James Creek from Manatee Bay south to the Dawson Canal is less than 4 miles; however, the distance can approach 10 miles if you explore all the hidden lakes and side creeks.
I recommend using Google Earth to zoom in and check out all the possibilities. While these miles of mangroves provide critical habitat for fish and other marine life, they also offer excellent protection from the wind, making this a great option on gusty days.
There are several oyster bars within a mile of the launch, both to the north and south.
For paddlers who enjoy wildlife, on my last outing I saw a pair of bald eagles being harassed by an osprey, dolphins chasing fish, noisy kingfishers, numerous wading birds and picturesque pelicans.
After your paddle, the park offers picnic tables and a grill to enjoy. Pine Island also has several fantastic restaurant options. Much like the hidden lakes in the mangroves, I suggest trying them all and discovering your own favorite.