Pine Island is a hidden gem! We were visiting from upstate NY and found this place when browsing the internet. Beautiful scenery and very relaxing, although I am sure it is busy during the summer months.

I made a recent trip out to Pine Island to see what the only beach in Hernando County is like. Also a fair warning, there is no beach in Hernando Beach, it's just a community with a misleading name. I've been asked about this "Hernando Beach "beach" and I want to clarify; Pine Island is the only beach in Hernando County! Anyway I'm more of a fresh water guy so hence the reason for the 4 stars. Also if you're a beach person this pales in comparison to Clearwater Beach which all the youth rave about. Also the name is kind of stupid, there are literally no Pine trees on the whole island as it is nothing more than palm trees everywhere less a scrub oak here and there. A fair warning, Willy's Tropical Breeze (diner at Pine Island) is expensive! Like $3.50 for a plain hot dog, I doubt it's even all beef. Serious busting heads out there with the food prices but I guess you pay for the remoteness of it. The drummers show up every other Sunday to bang out the island beats while some gypsy-esque ladies do a dance with fabric. Pretty cool to say the least, pretty cool.

I loved it here small playground for children. Lots of birds. clean and nice picnic pavillions. And small beach area. Concessions and bathrooms. Smaller area. Around $5.00 or so to park. Nice for kids.