January 12 – 19, Margaritaville Adventures is offering an 8-day trip filled with panoramic vistas, little waterfront restaurants, an ancient Indian town, abundant wildlife, and even a murder-mystery writer’s hidden getaway.

The Some Moonlit Bay Matlacha Getaway ™ is all about unwinding and exploring. Geography may have saved one of the most original and scenic out-islands in Florida.  You see, in order to get onto Pine Island, you have to cross a little bridge in Matlacha (Mat-La-Shay), a tiny fishing town turned artist colony that crowds the bridge on both sides, making expansion nearly impossible.  This quirk of geography renders Matlacha and Pine Island as places much like Key West before Key West was discovered.  On this island adventure, we will reveal it for you in a way you will never forget. Once we cross this very tall bridge, it’s time to get the party started!

We will spend our first night on bustling Fort Myers Beach should offer one of the higher adrenaline bursts of the trip. After we check into the Pink Shell Beach Resort (pictured, right), we’ll head out for a night of fun and camaraderie at Nervous Nellie’s (The place used to just be called Nellie’s until we told them we were bringing you there). Afterward, we’ll take in Fort Myers Beach’s Times Square, framed by the island’s fishing pie.

Day 2: Today we learn about Cellular Cosmogony & the function of a rectilineator…
What if we told you that we were heading for an oak-shrouded, densely tropical river where we will board canoes in search of an isolated, now–uninhabited, Victorian religious colony which practiced bizarre rituals? Well, you won’t be able to say I didn’t tell you.

Tonight, we add some levity to the day at Smuggler’s Cove Miniature Golf; Arghh… hole in one

Day 3: Another day, another Island…how does Sanibel-Captiva sound to you?
We start off a little lazy this morning but that’s only because we have an activity-packed, rest-of-the-day to follow.  We’ll check out the beautiful Sanibel/Captiva Islands where the theme is shells, wading birds, winding beach roads with stunning views, and maybe a native crocodile and some good eating.  Then tonight we settle into a genteel, old-Florida resort on the tip of Captiva Island.  Anyone up for the Bubble Room?

Day 4: There’s definitely something about island life that slows the heartbeat and soothes the nerves
Rumors of a cheeseburger in paradise have us boarding a catamaran to an island associated with a 1930’s era murder mystery writer. Late afternoon will deliver us to Tarpon Lodge, our ‘island paradise’ for the remainder of our getaway. This day in paradise is definitely going to be a hoot!

Day 5: A King’s temple once rose 30 steps from our front door
Today, guided by archaeologists, we travel back a century to discover an ancient Indian capital and its fascinating people, the Calus.  Then we’ll head north for lunch to the harbor town of Bokeelia with its magical shoreline.  The afternoon will be dedicated to poolside lounging, walking island roads, maybe a little fishing but tonight…

Tonight is reserved for a visit to the southern Pine Island town of St. James City and dinner with live music at Woody’s. Usually, some friends from past trips drop in on us for the festivities.

Day 6: A boat, a white sand beach and tiki gods facing the mainland
There is an entire barrier island, uninhabited with glistening white sand beaches not far from here.  It is only accessible by boat.  Do you want to guess where we are going today? Dinner will be in the cozy, wood-floored, charming restaurant of our very own inn.

Day 7:  ‘The greatest little place you’ve never heard of’
This afternoon is dedicated to Matlacha; a place that gives one a view of what Key West may have been like before it was discovered:  great food, cool shops, live music.  Tonight we will party in ‘the greatest little place you’ve never heard of’.

Day 8: One day, we will have to make this paradise stuff permanent
Sometimes you just don’t want it to end. But it must… until the next Margaritaville Adventure.

The Some Moonlit Bay Matlacha Getaway™ is January 12-19, 2018. The adventure packaged includes most meals, all accommodations and transportation, portage and entry fees while on tour.

Click here for pricing and to book your next Margaritaville Adventure!