Cape Coral Gulf Access
Choose the right rental location

Because it is surrounded on three sides by water and has over 400 miles of canals, the City of Cape Coral has many vacation rentals with gulf access. If you are planning on a boat rental during your stay, choosing the right gulf access home will improve your enjoyment of the area.

If you are not renting a boat, but are coming just for the sunny, tropical weather and a swimming pool, skip this page and focus on my advice about choosing a pool.

If you look at the map of Cape Coral, Florida at the bottom of this page, you will note that there are canals throughout the entire city. While many owners can honestly advertise that they offer gulf access from their back yard, other waterfront properties are part of a closed system that will never get you to the open water.

Consider what it is you want to do with your boat rental Cape Coral. Are you interested in going out to dinner by boat? Do you want to fish? Are you planning to visit the beaches on Sanibel and Ft. Myers? Consider the distance to these activities when planning where to rent.

I recommend the follow approach to those planning a boat rental Cape Coral:

1. Ask the owner how long it takes to get to the main channel on the river from the property. While many properties in the southwest area city are on the coast, the shoal waters require a long ride on the rim canal to get to the open water on the main channel - ask very specific questions, then check on a map (see step three).
2. Ask the owner if there are any locks between the property and the main channel. If there are, you will need to note that the time the owner quoted for getting to the main channel may be extended by an hour and a half (I’m not kidding) during the peak season when many boats attempt to go through the locks at the same time. There can be a literal traffic jam at the lock!
3. Obtain the property address and look at its location on a map. Choose a property located near the coast in the southeast area of the city. (Use caution when renting in the southwest due to the extended travel time required on the rim canal mentioned in item one.)
   

View Larger Map

Return to Cape Coral Vacation Rentals from Gulf Access

Return to Cape Coral Vacation Guide from Cape Coral Vacation Rentals Gulf Access