Bokeelia is an unincorporated community and census-designated place on the northern tip of Pine Island, in Lee County, southwest Florida. With a population of 1,855 at the 2020 census, it is part of the Cape Coral–Fort Myers metropolitan area, yet it retains a distinctly rural, island character that sets it apart from the mainland's rapid growth. The community lies north of Sanibel and Captiva Islands, facing the waters of Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound. The area's human history is deep. Pine Island's fishing heritage stretches back more than a millennium to the Calusa people, who built substantial shell mounds and lived off the rich waters. That legacy is interpreted today at the Calusa Heritage Trail, part of the Randell Research Center in Bokeelia, where visitors walk among ancient mounds and archaeological sites. In more recent times, Bokeelia has been home to generations of fishing and crabbing families who made their living from the surrounding waters. Modern Bokeelia is known for its laid-back, old-Florida atmosphere. Pine Island as a whole has no traffic lights and is mostly zoned for agriculture, which has helped preserve its low-density, watery landscape of canals, mangroves, and small farms. Marinas, seafood markets, and casual waterfront restaurants anchor daily life, and boating and fishing are woven into the community's routines. For residents, Bokeelia offers a quieter alternative to the mainland. Children attend Pine Island Elementary School in the community and Lee County middle and high schools in Cape Coral, reached by crossing Pine Island Road. Cape Coral and Fort Myers, about a 40-minute drive away, provide employment, shopping, and services. Bokeelia is a place for those drawn to island living, maritime heritage, and a pace of life that remains closer to old Florida than to the region's more developed coastal communities.