Boating in Cape Coral: 4 Best Boating Destinations Near Cape Coral

The beautiful southwestern Florida city of Cape Coral is widely known for being home to several of the best boating experiences in the United States. The boating options are endless, with over 400 miles of canals with direct access to the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico!

You could spend entire days, weeks, or even months exploring the waters in and around Cape Coral. It's the ultimate home base for exploring pristine beaches and nearby islands, grabbing a bite to eat at a stunning waterfront restaurant, or even catching your own lunch or dinner, and homes with boat docks are the perfect home bases for all of it. This guide explores all the various ways and destinations to enjoy boating in Cape Coral.

Island Hopping, Cape Coral Style

With access to several pristine islands within easy boating distance, Cape Coral is a boating enthusiast's dream. There are five main, easy-to-navigate islands to explore, each offering a unique experience and different attractions.

• Captiva Island: Known for its crystal clear waters and some of the best fishing in the Gulf
• Cayo Costa: Just north of Sanibel Island, home to nine miles of immaculate beaches and an unspoiled state park with campsites, cabins, and 6.5 miles of hiking trails
• Pine Island: The largest island off the Florida Gulf Coast, best for snorkeling and paddleboarding, plus a launching point for many fishing charters and tours
• Boca Grande: Widely considered the the "Tarpon Capital of the World" due to its unbeatable tarpon fishing, as well as home to a charming, historic downtown area

Dine Out at Rumrunners

Not much beats sitting down to a delicious dinner and ice-cold drink after a day of exploring the waters around the Florida Coast. Deservedly one of the most popular boating destinations near Cape Coral, Rumrunners offers live entertainment seven days a week year-round, a menu centered around fresh seafood and sushi, and a large selection of refreshing beach-themed cocktails.

The restaurant is directly accessible via boat, with several complimentary dedicated boat slips and a dock. However, they are limited and often fill up, especially on weekends, during holiday weeks, and for popular live performances. It's a good idea to call the restaurant before heading over to find out how busy it is.

Rumrunners is even dog-friendly and offers a complete doggie menu for boaters who enjoy taking their four-legged friends out on the water.

• Rumrunners Boating Coordinates: Latitude 26.543674, Longitude -82.007170
• Hours: 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. daily
• Location: 5848 Cape Harbour Drive, Cape Coral, FL 33914
• Phone: (239) 790-5786

Picnic at Yacht Club Community Park

Pack a picnic with some favorite goodies (or better yet, plan to catch lunch right out of the sea!) and head to the community park at the Yacht Club. Located on the southwestern tip of Cape Coral, The Yacht Club Beach and Community Park is a great place to dock your boat for an afternoon or sunset picnic.

At the park, you'll be right on the shores of the Caloosahatchee River, where you'll find a boat ramp, sandy beach, fishing pier, community center, tennis courts, and an exciting playground for the kids.

Several events are also held at the park year-round, including the popular Sunset Celebration. Held on the first Wednesday of each month, this street festival features several local vendors, live music, food, and more.

• Yacht Club Community Park Physical Address: 5819 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904

Spend the Day at Cape Harbour

Cape Harbour is one of the more unique boating destinations in Cape Coral—and perhaps the entire United States. The luxurious waterfront community has various restaurants (including Rumrummers!), shopping, and fun events, and the homes in Cape Harbour are extremely boater-friendly, too.

There are three delicious seaside restaurants to choose from, a coffee shop, and many boutique shops and galleries to check out. Often, you'll also find live music on the weekends.

It's the perfect boating day trip destination from Cape Coral, and day boaters can dock along the seawalls. Rent daily, weekly, or long-term slips at the full-service Cape Harbour Marina for overnights or longer visits.

Boat Rentals Near Cape Coral

For folks without a boat but still wanting to experience Cape Coral's renowned boating culture and some of its epic destinations, great news: you can easily rent a boat!

Cape Coral Boat Rentals offers a variety of boats as half-day, full-day, and multi-day rentals, so no one has to miss out. Choose from several sizes of deck boats or fishing boats to fit your specific needs and interests. Pricing starts at $230 and goes up to $1,995, depending on the boat you select and the number of days. Rentals even include a full tank of gas, tow coverage, and all required Florida Coast Guard safety equipment.

Note: There is a minimum age of 28 years old to rent a boat. Renters born on or after January 1st, 1988, must also complete Florida's Boater Safety Course.

Ready to Explore the Waters of Cape Coral?

With world-class fishing and so many waterfront restaurants, pristine islands, and seaside communities, you'll quickly fall in love with the numerous boating experiences near Cape Coral. Whether you're a current resident or are moving to Cape Coral—and whether you have a boat or choose to rent one—there's no shortage of ways and places to explore.

So, the only question is: which Cape Coral boating destination are you heading to first? Happy boating!

Cape Coral Boating Resources

• Boating in Cape Coral: 4 Best Boating Destinations Near Cape Coral
• Boating in Cape Coral: 4 Best Boating Communities
• Best Dock and Seawall Builders in Cape Coral - Coming Soon!
• Search Cape Coral Homes With Boat Docks For Sale