In the United States, the nickname “Venice of Florida” is very common for the city of Cape Coral due to the many canals, but it may raise false expectations.
Cape Coral is a relatively young city in the southwest of the Sunshine State. It is located on the Gulf of Mexico in the vicinity of Fort Myers and was only created on the drawing board at the end of the 1950s. At that time, canals and roads were built through the fallow and pasture land that prevailed here and the first houses were built. Cape Coral is one of the largest cities in Florida with an area of around 298 km².
During the winter months, about 10,000 so-called “Snow Birds” are added to the almost 180,000 inhabitants. These are Americans and Canadians who come to Florida from the cold states in the north of the USA to spend the winter here. The climate in Cape Coral is extremely pleasant and temperatures rarely drop below 22° C during the day, even between December and February. During the summer months from May to October, the thermometer often shows values of 33° C, but due to the pleasant sea breeze it rarely gets extremely hot.
We recommend renting a vacation home in Cape Coral and exploring Florida from here. Cape Coral is a great starting point for discovering Florida’s south. If you want to experience a relaxing beach holiday, like water sports and boating, you will feel very comfortable here. Around the marina in the south of the village, you can choose between many inviting cafés and restaurants directly on the water.
Sights and attractions around Cape Coral
An absolutely worthwhile destination for nature lovers is the Four Mile Cove Ecological National Park. On the 365-hectare site, visitors can hike along the well-developed 2.7 km long trail and, with a bit of luck, see the native animals. The trail is 2.7 km long in total and leads through mangrove forests and to fantastic viewpoints. The relatively unvisited and quiet area is home to eagles, ibises and raccoons, among others. In the information centre of the protected area, you can get exciting background knowledge in advance. If you want, you can also rent a kayak and discover the landscape from the river.
For a short stop, we recommend the Butterfly House in Rotary Park, which regularly offers free guided tours. Especially for children, getting to know the different life phases of butterflies in this beautiful environment is very vivid and instructive.
The Cape Coral Military Museum may not be for everyone, but those who are passionate about historical uniforms and other Army items from different eras will certainly want to plan a visit.
The real attractions of Cape Coral, however, are the beaches and the boat tours to the offshore islands. The climate in southern Florida is suitable for a beach holiday all year round, as the average water temperature rarely falls below 25° C.
Around Cape Coral there are beaches for every taste. There are well-organized sections with sanitary facilities, snack bars and playgrounds, but also natural coasts. In general, the sand is white and wonderfully fine, so that nothing stands in the way of a relaxing holiday.
Cape Coral’s city beach is popular with tourists and locals alike. Families with small children in particular are happy about the gently sloping shore, where even the offspring can safely go into the water. On the jetty, which juts far out into the sea, numerous anglers always pursue their hobby, because the fish population here is extremely large. Romantics like to enjoy a cocktail in the evening, at sunset time, and listen to live music.
Explore the area around Cape Coral
The best way to travel to the area around Cape Coral is by renting a car. In this way, you will always discover beautiful spots for swimming and relaxing. Off the coast are hundreds of small islands with absolute dream beaches that can only be reached by boat.
Tours to Sanibel and Captiva Island are offered everywhere and you should definitely take at least one during a stay in this part of the USA. Strict building regulations on the islands prevent mass tourism here and so the beaches are often still immaculate and not lined with high hotel complexes.
Sanibel Island is a shell hunter’s paradise, as millions of them wash ashore every day. The Bailey Matthews Shell Museum exhibits the most impressive (there are 400 different species). A boat trip through the island world is definitely a must and a fantastic holiday experience for young and old. Very popular with all animal lovers are also the excursions to the natural habitats of the dolphins. Such observation tours are guaranteed to be remembered by all participants for a long time after the end of the holidays.
Although there is no shortage of beautiful natural swimming spots, a visit to a water park is usually at the top of the wish list for tourists with children for a successful holiday. To the north of Cape Coral is the Sun Splash Family Waterpark, which offers a variety of slides, lazy rivers and lots of different playground equipment.
Cape Coral is only separated from Fort Myers by the Caloosahatchee River, making it an ideal base for exploring other cities in the region. If you are looking for a destination for a relaxing beach holiday and at the same time want to experience a beautiful landscape as part of boat tours or hikes, you will certainly feel at home in Cape Coral.
