Located in Lee County, on the Gulf of Mexico coast of southwest Florida, it is also the 118th largest island in the United States.

The Greater Matlacha and Pine Island community has its own fire control district with an elected 5-person commission,[2] marinas, shops, and fine casual restaurants.

Utilities are provided by LCEC for electricity and Pine Island Water Association (a private member coop).

On clear days one can see across the water to Cape Haze and Boca Grande Pass where the gulf meets the harbor.

The Rendell Research Center in the district is dedicated to learning and teaching the archaeology, history, and ecology of Southwest Florida and the culture of the Calusa people.

Ospreys, herons, egrets, ibises, and roseate spoonbills often are seen on the island, as well as owls, hawks, bald eagles, and many songbirds.

The local form of the marsh rice rat has been recognized in some classifications as a separate subspecies, Oryzomys palustris planirostris.

[6] The storm caused damage to the island's power grid, and it required being rebuilt into March 2023, months after the hurricane hit.