With the opening of Capri Pass in 1967, the island began experiencing rapid erosion, shrinking to 10% of its size by 1990.

The island was thick with trees, had beaches all around the perimeter and was home to nesting Bald Eagles and several species of seabirds.

Coconut became a weekend haven for Marco islanders and Naples boaters and offered magnificent shelling, great fishing and ample camping and picnic areas.

The final blow came in 2005 when dredging equipment, used for the beach re-nourishment project on the mainland, altered the flow and natural currents.

Rookery Bay has roped off an area of this island for nesting seabirds, leaving the perimeter beaches for picnics, shelling and fishing.