In the midst of a Nature Preserve at the southern end of Florida's Nature Coast, Aripeka is a small historic fishing village and artist colony located on the Gulf of Mexico, an hour northwest of Tampa. The feeling of being off the beaten path prevails even though all the amenities of shopping, grocery stores and restaurants are as little as 5 miles away. Nature's Island Retreat is nestled in the middle of 2 acres completely surrounded by huge Cedars.

Visiting Aripeka is a step back in time. This tiny fishing village straddles the Pasco-Hernando County Line on the Gulf Coast. Astonishingly, little has changed in Aripeka since it’s early days in the 1800's. Luckily, due to Florida’s wetland laws, it’s not likely to change much in the foreseeable future. Baseball great, Babe Ruth, once had a fishing cabin here in Aripeka where he loved to come and fish. His cabin now sits behind the main house here at Nature’s Island Retreat. The reason Babe loved to come to Aripeka still exists today...it’s still “old” Florida at it’s best and it’s still a true fisherman’s dream!

Located on Indian Bay, Aripeka is known as Kayaker's Heaven – filled with natural beauty and great fishing. Enjoy exploring freshwater coastal marsh lands and springs nestled in unspoiled woods from a kayak. A trip to Nature’s Island Retreat is a trip to nature lover’s heaven. Depending on which way you turn your kayak, it’s possible to see osprey catch mullet and majestic Bald Eagles soaring above while manatee and dolphin swim right up to your kayak. Fish the back country in search of redfish, trout, snook, cobia, black drum, sheephead, snapper and flounder. Travel up the road a short 9 miles and explore the clear Weeki Wachee River.

Come home to the relaxation and true peace of watching the abundance of butterflies and birds. Walk the two blocks up to the bridge where the locals meet to celebrate the sunset over the Gulf each evening. Enjoy the fireflies as they light up the night to the music of a whippoorwill off in the distance. Open the window to fall asleep to the music of crickets and tree frogs singing in the night without the noise of traffic continually going by.

This is the peace and serenity you will find at Nature's Island Retreat.

We offer a 4000 sq. ft., handicapped accessible, “Old Florida” home on 2 fenced acres surrounded by majestic aromatic cedars. We can comfortably accomodate up to 12 people with full house privileges, Hi-Def Cable and WIFI.

Walk or ride one of our bikes to the Gulf and spring fed Hammock Creek. Aripeka has a church, a post office, a general store with boat ramp and a 1-chair barbershop -- you will never have to leave town!!!!