Getting to know Pine Island & Matlacha
Pine Island sits between Cape Coral and Sanibel, reached by the bridge through Matlacha, the tiny fishing village known for its brightly painted shops. The island's communities include St. James City at the south tip, Bokeelia to the north, and Pineland on the sound side.
The whole island is unincorporated Lee County. After Hurricane Ian, the county even ran a weekly permit office at the Pine Island library so islanders could pull permits without driving to Fort Myers.
What Pine Island & Matlacha boat lifts look like
St. James City is laced with canals that lead to Pine Island Sound and San Carlos Bay, and nearly every canal home has a lift. Matlacha and Bokeelia have older docks and working waterfronts. Salt exposure here is constant.
Many lifts on the island are older and have been rebuilt piece by piece, so motors, cables and switch boxes often come from different years and makers.
Free estimate, no obligation, one licensed local contractor.
Free EstimateCommon lift jobs in Pine Island & Matlacha
- Boat Lift Cable & Pulley Replacement
Constant salt exposure on the sound wears cables fast.
- Boat Lift Repair
Patched, mixed-part lifts need careful troubleshooting.
- New & Replacement Boat Lift Installation
Storm-damaged lifts are still being replaced around the island.
Write down your lift's parts
If your lift has been repaired over the years, note the motor brand and cable size. It helps the tech bring the right parts across the bridge.
Which office handles Pine Island & Matlacha lift permits
Pine Island, Matlacha, St. James City and Bokeelia are unincorporated Lee County, so lift replacements and electrical work are permitted by Lee County.
The office to call is Lee County Building & Permitting Services at 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers, FL 33901, (239) 533-8585.
Most repair visits need no permit. Installing a new lift is different: building offices commonly want plans showing the lift, its capacity and how it ties to the dock or seawall, plus any electrical work. Ask your contractor to pull the permit in their name.
- Building permits
- Lee County Building & Permitting Services, 1500 Monroe St., Fort Myers, FL 33901, (239) 533-8585
- Check your parcel
- Lee County Property Appraiser
Sources: Lee County Department of Community Development, checked November 2026.
Things to check first in Pine Island & Matlacha
- Note the motor brand and horsepower
- Check the cable for rust and broken strands
- Confirm power at the dock outlet
One contractor, one visit, a written scope. No call lists.
Free EstimatePricing a Pine Island & Matlacha lift job
Use these published ranges as a starting point, not a quote. The bridge trip can add travel time to a call, so bundling repairs into one visit helps. Island lifts often need cables and switches together. See the full cost guide.
Reference figures, not quotes. HomeAdvisor, boat dock repair cost: boat lift repairs about $175–$500, around $340 on average. Boatzon, boat lift cost in 2026: citing Angi, a new boat lift averages about $8,000, with most between $2,000 and $20,000. Checked November 2026.
Pine Island & Matlacha boat lift questions
Do you cover St. James City and Bokeelia?
Yes, the whole island, plus Matlacha.
Who permits a new lift on Pine Island?
Lee County, since the island is unincorporated.
Is it worth fixing an old mixed-part lift?
Often, if the frame is sound. A tech can tell you whether the beams and cradle justify new parts.
Also serving near Pine Island & Matlacha
- Cape CoralEast across Matlacha Pass
- SanibelSouth across the sound
- Iona & McGregorSoutheast across the bay
- North Fort MyersEast past Cape Coral