BOATING, Bars and Bungalows in Cape Coral, Florida

Last Updated on December 6, 2020 by Marybeth

With the closest beach being Ft. Myers beach, which sounds pretty crowded and touristy (no offense, Ft. Myers, I’m not sure you’re our kind of place) we were happy to settle in for a few days of R and R and exploring in the boating community of Cape Coral. You probably didn’t know that Cape Coral has more canals than Venice, Italy.  Or maybe you haven’t heard of Cape Coral at all! Which makes it our kind of place!

We saw all shapes and sizes!

Cape Coral has a kind of weird history. In 1957 two brothers from Baltimore, Leonard and Jack Rosen, flew over the tangled wilderness and chose the land that was to become the largest master-planned community in the U.S.  In 1959 you could buy a riverfront lot for $3390, with $20 down and $20 a month! A two bedroom/one bath house cost $10,990.

Houses here were given away as prizes on game shows such as The Price is Right. Celebrities like Anita Bryant and Bob Hope were flown in to help promote the town, and in 1966 a movie was filmed here, The Fat Spy, starring Phyllis Diller. An “amphicar” took potential buyers around to look at lots.

Photos courtesy of Come to Cape Coral

There is much more to the history of Cape Coral, some of it hinting at nefarious dealings and lawsuits… I confess I have a bit of a morbid fascination with bad boys (and girls) in history. Read a comprehensive and fascinating tale of Cape Coral, on Come to Cape Coral.

Just like our visit to Matlacha (which is only 12 miles from Cape Coral) we didn’t do any boating or fishing, but not-boating is almost unacceptable here. With so many options – bring your own, rent, take lessons, even buy a boat – Cape Coral is a quintessential boating lover’s paradise. (Next time I’ll bring Robert, and maybe WE’LL buy a boat…. 🙂

Here is a partial list if you’d like to rent a boat, click on each for a link to their website:

Cape Coral Boat Rentals
Paradise Boat Rentals
CC Boat Rentals
Florida Adventures R and R

Tours and charters:

Banana Bay Tour Company
Cape Coral Canal Charters
Sail Southwest Florida

And for you fishermen and women:

Captain Rob’s Bait, Tackle and Charters
Captain George Howell Fishing and Charter
Southwest Florida Fishing Charters
Conway Charters

After boating, or while boating pull up to The Bar:

THE BAR

The Boathouse Tiki Bar and Grill

5819 Driftwood Parkway

Cape Coral Yacht Club

Early Riser Happy Hour Every Day! We love that!

• VIBE:  Upscale feel with a friendly staff; vibrant, happy buzz.
• ARRIVE:  You may have to park a block or two away if you arrive on a busy weekend or holiday. You can also arrive by boat and tie up at the dock (which I’ve heard may also be crowded at busier times of the season.)
• SIT:  Inside at a table or the indoor bar. There are lots of tables at various levels outside under sail covers, and also bar stools along a table/ledge overlooking the water.
• SIP: Early Riser Happy Hour from 8 – 10 a.m.
• NOSH:  We enjoyed the Turkey and Avocado Panini, and the Mahi Fingers Basket, one of the “baskets you can’t live without.”
• LISTEN:  Live music every day! 12 – 4 p.m.and then again 5 – 9 p.m.
• WE LOVE: You can rent paddle boards, book a charter, and fuel your boat here. Grab a to-go lunch, soft drinks and beers from the snack bar to take for your day of boating.

There is also a small public beach next to The Boathouse, with a playground, bathroom facilities and grills

THE BUNGALOW

The Hideaway Waterfront Resort and Hotel

4601 SE 5th Avenue

• VIBE:  Cozy, very clean, with a sparkly heated pool and a welcoming huge deck out back on the water that made us want to invite all of our friends and family and have a party!
• WALK:  The Hideaway is hidden away in a quiet, mostly residential neighborhood. The Farmer’s Market is within easy walking or biking distance (bikes are available for guests) as are grocery stores and other shops.
• DECOR:  Tommy Bahama-ish, soothing neutrals.
• SLEEP:  I took over the very comfortable king sized bed, and the kids had the pull-out couch and a love seat. Not sure why no one wanted to share with Mom….
• EXTRAS:  There are a TON of extras! Check out their website in case I’ve missed anything: Fully equipped kitchens, full size fridge, bathtub AND shower, on-site laundry, paddle boat and kayaks, tiki huts, guest barbecue, hammock, little sandy beach, PET FRIENDLY YAY!
• WE LOVE:  That back deck! Seriously, look at it. Don’t you just want to book the whole place for your next family reunion?

And some shots of the interior, which felt like our own spacious cottage:

You can probably tell by these photos that we didn’t want to leave. Am I too old to say I was “blissing out”?  Hell with it, I’m saying it anyway.

And here are some photos taken around Cape Coral:

Cork Soakers Deck and Wine Bar

Ciao Wood Fired Pizza and Trattoria

I didn’t realize this is the BACK of The Island Restaurant until we were driving out of town, past the front.. even the back looks like fun!

Paradise Tiki Hut Bar and Grill has a huge covered outdoor dining area

Not sure who this guy is supposed to be… Big John? Who is that?

He might scare the kids, I’m thinking…  (If this is the Mayor, or a representation of an actual person, let me know and I’ll take out that comment)

With a newly revitalized downtown bustling with shops and restaurants, a huge farmer’s market – with live music! You know how we love that! – every Saturday from October thru May, the small placid public beach next to The Bar, and of course all the BOATING, I promise you won’t miss going to a big-water many-touristed happening kind of beach. Sorry, Ft. Myers…. I’m sure you’re lovely in your way. We just long for understated Florida – eclectic mixed with peaceful – and we found it here in Cape Coral.

Cape Coral is a short boat ride on the Caloosahatchee River to the Gulf of Mexico, 20 miles east and slightly north of Sanibel Island, 66 miles south of Boca Grande, and 43 miles north of Naples.