Matlacha, FL

Pronounced "mat-luh-SHAY," Matlacha sits right on the water between Cape Coral and Pine Island. It is a tiny, colorful fishing village packed with brightly painted cottages, quirky art galleries, and mom-and-pop seafood shacks. With only a few hundred year-round residents, the town feels worlds away from the bustling suburbs nearby, even though Fort Myers and Cape Coral are just a short drive down the road. The community was hit hard by recent hurricanes like Ian, but locals have put tremendous effort into rebuilding and keeping the island's funky, old-Florida personality intact.

Daily life here revolves around the water. Anglers regularly line the drawbridge to catch snook and mangrove snapper, while kayakers launch right into the mangrove tunnels of the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve. Because there is only one two-lane road connecting the island to the mainland, traffic can back up during peak season, but day-to-day living remains delightfully unhurried. For anyone looking for a tight-knit coastal haven with authentic character, Matlacha offers a rare glimpse of Florida the way it used to be.