Jimmy Buffett states on his Web site Margaritaville a journey to Tortola, British Virgin Islands inspired his famous “Cheeseburger in Paradise” song but Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant in Southwest Florida (Tel: (239) 283-2278) claims to have served the inspirational burger. While the inspirational cheeseburger is debatable, a day trip to Cabbage Key, Florida, is worth the trip.
Reasons to Plan a Day Trip to Cabbage Key
Cabbage Key is a Southwest Florida island in Pine Island Sound and only accessible by boat so a visit is worth bragging rights. Visitors can navigate their own boat, buddy up to a boat owner, take a water taxi, or hop on a cruise either from Captiva Island, Pine Island or Punta Gorda. Cabbage Key is also accessible by helicopter or seaplane. There are no roads on the 100-acre island just winding paths through tropical foliage and along residences.
Cabbage Key is home to historical intrigue. The island was purchased by playwright and novelist Mary Roberts Rinehart in 1938 as a wedding gift for her son and sold in 1944. Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant sits atop a 38-foot Calusa Indian shell mound and next to the inn is the Historical Cabbage Key Water Tower dating back to the 1930s. Its 41 steps lead to a bird’s eye view of Pine Island Sound.
The inn is literally dripping in wealth. Aptly named the Dollar Bill Bar, thousands of dollar bills, most signed by previous guests, are taped to the restaurant’s walls and ceiling. One story says a fisherman taped a dollar bill on the wall in case he had a dry fishing day and could return to at least a dollar. Whether true or not others followed his lead and annually innkeepers Phyllis and Rob Wells donate the fallen bills to area charities which have totaled as much as $10,000.
Cheeseburgers in paradise satisfy the palate and the view is equally fantastic with palm trees framing panoramic scenes of Pine Island Sound. An outdoor seating area is the most popular and the screened porch is second choice. During season, between February and June, the restaurant estimates to serve between 650 and 700 people a day.
Cheeseburgers ($7.99) are not served with “french fried potatoes” as Jimmy Buffett sang but with choice of cole slaw or potato salad. And no draft beer, as Buffett sang. Beers are served either by the can or bottle. Homemade key lime pie and mud pie are large enough to share. In addition to burgers the restaurant is recognized for its fresh seafood selection and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Planning Day Trip to Cabbage Key
Following are four cruise companies either offering scheduled trips or water taxi service. Advance reservations are required.
- King Fisher Fleet from Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda, offers full-day excursions to Cabbage Key Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The trip departs at 9 a.m. and returns by 5 p.m. Cost: $26.95 plus tax, lunch not included. (Tel: (941) 639-0969)
- Captiva Cruises from Captiva Island, offers daily excursions departing from McCarthy’s Marina and South Seas Island Resort at 10 a.m. and returns at 3 p.m. Cost: $35 plus tax, lunch not included (Tel: (239) 472-5300)
- Daily nature cruises with Tropic Star departs from Pineland Marina on Pine Island, at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 4 p.m. In addition to a lunch stop at Cabbage Key, visitors can swim and shell at nearby Cayo Costa State Park, which is also only accessible by boat. Cost: $30 plus tax, lunch not included. Tropic Star also provides water taxi service (Tel: 239-283-0015)
- Island Girl Charters provides water taxi service from North Captiva Island (Tel: 239-633-8142)
Stay on Cabbage Key
Those with more time than an afternoon can spend a few nights on the private island. Cabbage Key Inn rents six hotel rooms and seven cottages. Depending on time of year, rates range between $99 and $139 for hotel rooms and $140 - $389 for cottages.
Nearby Sanibel Island offers additional funky dining options and descriptions of four must-visit restaurants are included in "Where to Eat on Sanibel Island, Florida."
Jennifer Huber - A 20-year veteran of the tourism industry, Jennifer's career path began during college when she followed the hiking path in Yellowstone ...
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