Coconut Island (Florida) facts for kids
 Coconut Island
Location in Florida
Coconut Island
Location in Caribbean
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Gulf of Mexico |
| Coordinates | 25°58′16″N 81°44′44″W / 25.97111°N 81.74556°W |
| Administration | |
| State | Florida |
| County | Collier |
Coconut Island was once a small island. It was located in the mouth of the Marco River in Collier County, Florida.
Contents
How Coconut Island Was Formed
Coconut Island came into being in 1960. A powerful storm called Hurricane Donna hit the area. This hurricane cut a path through the southern part of Sea Oat Island. This action separated a piece of land. That piece of land became known as Coconut Island. The island was about 650 feet long. It was also about 400 feet wide at its widest point.
Why the Island Shrank
In 1967, a new waterway called Capri Pass opened. After this, Coconut Island started to shrink quickly. By 1990, it was only 10% of its original size. By 2005, Coconut Island was just a sandbar.
The island used to block the entrance to the Marco River. Boaters had to go around it to reach the Gulf of Mexico. Coconut Island was full of trees. It had beaches all around its edges. It was also home to nesting Bald Eagles. Many types of seabirds lived there too.
Coconut Island became a favorite spot for people from Marco Island and Naples. They would visit on weekends. It was great for finding seashells and fishing. There were also places for camping and picnics. Between Coconut Island and Hideaway Beach, boats could anchor safely.
What Caused the Island to Disappear?
Nature played a big part in the island's shrinking. But human actions also contributed. In the late 1990s, the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve removed all the trees. They said the trees were not native to the area. They believed these trees were harming the natural plants.
Without trees, the sand had no protection. Wind and water erosion increased. The island began to disappear very quickly. Each week, less and less beach remained. The final blow came in 2005. Equipment used for a beach restoration project changed the natural water flow. Within a few weeks, Coconut Island was gone.
The Island Returns!
However, coastlines are always changing. A new island began to appear six years later in 2011. This new island is in the same area.
Rookery Bay has marked off a part of this new island. This area is for nesting seabirds. The beaches around the edge are open for everyone. People can enjoy picnics, shelling, and fishing there. Once again, there is a safe place for boats to anchor. It is also a fun weekend spot for everyone to enjoy.
