Excursions
Beaches
Beaches around Cape Corall
What would a vacation in Florida be without relaxing on one of the beaches at the beautiful Gulf Coast sometimes? The coastal region from Naples to Tampa is characterized by beautiful beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters. The water temperatures are pleasantly warm all year round about 24° Celsius and yet offer a welcome refreshment. The coastal sections with mostly shallow beaches are ideal for families with children Whether you are looking for recreation or prefer to dive into the hustle and bustle, whether you are looking for shells or want to enjoy a beautiful sunset by the sea, there is something for everyone on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Below you will find a small selection of beaches easily accessible from Cape Coral:
Sanibel and Captiva Island
Sanibel und Captiva Island
The trip from Cape Coral to Sanibel Island alone is quite amazing, it goes over a (toll) bridge that will make your heart beat faster. Once you reach Sanibel Island, you feel like you’re on vacation. At the crossing to the left is the Lighthouse Beach with Fishing Pier and old lighthouse. If you turn right at the crossroads, you get to Bowman’s Beach or you drive until you can’t go any further to Captiva Beach. Sanibel and Captiva Island are a paradise for seashell collectors, but please note that it is not allowed to take living shells.
Barefoot Beach Bonita Springs
The Barefoot Beach in Bonita Springs is located in a nature reserve, the drive there leads through an impressive community with exclusive houses. The parking fee is currently $8.00, but you can park all day. A special feature of the Barefoot Beach is the free running turtles. Before you leave, you should check under the car to see if a turtle has made itself comfortable there. Barefoot Beach:
Fort Myers Beach
The beach closest to Cape Coral is Fort Myers Beach and can be reached from Cape Coral in about 25-30 minutes. There is a fishing pier right on the beach as well as a small shopping mall/pedestrian zone (Times Square) with a few shops, restaurants and bars. An offer of windsurfing, parasailing or jet-skiing will make your heart beat faster.
Lover´s Key State Park
Countless hiking trails and pristine beaches make Lover’s Key State Park one of Florida’s most beautiful waterfront parks. Here you can canoe through mangrove-lined inlets, stroll along secluded white sandy beaches or stroll along miles of wetland trails. Nothing stands in the way of enjoying a swim, of course. Many water birds call this park their home and it is not uncommon to see endangered manatees or dolphins hunting on the coast or in the inlets. The park is also one of Lee County’s most popular fishing grounds.
Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Park
In the heart of Cape Coral lies the Yacht Club Community Park, which is located directly on the Caloosahatchee River. This public beach offers about 200m of sandy beach and is surrounded by a beautiful landscape with picnic facilities, BBQ grills, a fishing pier, playground, restaurant/bar, and a public boat ramp..
Pine Island
Within easy reach of Cape Coral is Pine Island, the largest island in the state of Florida. However, there are no sandy beaches on this island, but with its picturesque little colorful cottages, it is always worth a trip – Caribbean feeling guaranteed! Pine Island consists of several small villages: Matlacha, Pine Island, Bokeelia, Pineland and Saint James City. Formerly known for its fishery, Matlacha has now grown into a community of artists. Here you will find a variety of small galleries, souvenir shops and, of course, restaurants, bars, and vacation homes. The bridge leading to Matlacha is particularly popular with fishermen. Also recommended for fishing enthusiasts is the pier in the center of Matlacha, which is located near a park that invites to a picnic or BBQ. Another place to go for enthusiastic fishermen – a catch is guaranteed – is the fishing pier in the small village of Bokeelia. The entrance to the pier is subject to a fee ($8.00), which includes bait and fishing license. For those who are not satisfied with the pier, Matlacha and the surrounding villages offer the possibility to explore the local waters and mangrove rivers by canoe. There is also something for culinary lovers. Especially for seafood fans, we can highly recommend a visit to one of the picturesque, small, colorful restaurants. The view, which you can enjoy during your meal, will inspire you..
Naples Pier
With the second highest density of millionaires, Naples is one of the wealthiest cities in the USA. Located in the heart of Naples, the pier is a popular spot for anglers, tourists and also locals. The surrounding beautiful wide sandy beaches invite you to plunge right into the cool water. If you want to have the chance of watching dolphins swim in the open sea or watch a breathtaking sunset, this is the right place for you.
Would you mind driving a little further away?
Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key has not only been named the No. 1 beach in the USA, but it is also one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The beach is characterized by very fine quartz-containing sand, like icing sugar that doesn’t get hot. As the water is very shallow here, it is considered to be very family-friendly and safe. The complex also offers tennis courts, volleyball courts, playgrounds, picnic and BBQ areas and, of course, opportunities to buy food and drink. The journey from Cape Coral takes a little longer (about 75 miles), but it is definitely worth it.
- Siesta Key Beach: 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key, FL 34242
Speaking of beaches, here is some interesting and useful information:
Beach flag system:
This system serves the safety and informs swimmers or beach visitors about the current water conditions. However, if you are on a beach or beach section without flags, this does not mean that it is safe to enter the water. Please check with the beach guard or park manager responsible for this section beforehand. There are several different colored flags to consider:
- Blue or green: The sea is calm and swimming should be safe
- Yellow: Light current/surges
- Red: The sea is very restless and there is an increased danger for the visitor
- Red double flag: The beach is closed to the public
- Purple: The water may contain unwanted marine life such as stingrays, jellyfish or dangerous fish
Fishing license:
Fishing on public piers in Florida is generally free but requires a fishing license. Freshwater fishing is subject to the same regulations as saltwater fishing. Tourists can also purchase a fishing license. The offer includes a 3-day, 7-day or annual license; the prices are affordable and currently range from $17.00 to $47.00. The licenses can be purchased in the tax collector’s office as well as in sports equipment stores such as Dicks Sporting Goods, Wal-Mart Supercenter or ACE Hardware. Fishing without a license should be avoided at all costs, as the Code Enforcement may impose severe penalties. Some piers are free of charge, others are subject to a fee. There is no need for a separate fishing permit, it is already included in the price for using the pier.
Stingray Shuffle:
Even if the water is calm and everything looks very peaceful, the appearance of the water surface can often be deceptive. The “Stingray Shuffle” is an advisable gait where you drag your feet across the seabed when stepping into the water. This is to prevent the accidental stepping on stingrays, which like to dig themselves into the seabed in shallow waters close to the beach. By dragging your feet, the animals get scared and leave. Stingrays are not aggressive animals by nature but will try to hit you with their spines if they are in danger. From our own experience, we can report that the stinging of a Stingray is a very painful affair. In such a case it is advisable to consult a doctor or a walk-in clinic immediately. There you will receive the necessary treatment and painkillers. An insider tip is to dip the affected area in hot water in order to make the pain more bearable. Although very painful, a stingray sting is usually not life-threatening and, with good and fast treatment, will be forgotten within a few hours.
You are a homeowner or you know a homeowner in Cape Coral:
Then you might be interested in the following topics.
