Cape Coral is a Florida canal city across the river from Fort Myers, with over 400 miles of canals and mostly private-pool homes. It has no Gulf beach of its own, and you will need a car.
Cape Coral is a peninsula city with the Caloosahatchee River along its south and east sides and Matlacha Pass to the west. It began in 1958 as a planned community and is now the largest city by area between Tampa and Miami, with over 400 miles of canals, most of them navigable, so boating is a big part of life here. Our homes are spread around the city, mostly with a private pool and a garden, nearly all air-conditioned, and usually sleeping around six. There is no Gulf beach in the city, only a beach on the river at the public Yacht Basin and Club, and the Gulf beaches are a drive away at Fort Myers Beach or Captiva. Distances are large, so expect to drive to shops, restaurants and the coast. The city also has the largest population of burrowing owls in Florida.
Across the Caloosahatchee River, with outlet shopping and a mall.
A Gulf beach with the usual beach activities.
Known for boutiques along Periwinkle Way.
Its west-facing beach is known for sunsets.
Reachable only by boat or ferry, with manatees and dolphins.
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is about 14 miles away and has flights from London Heathrow. Tampa is the other airport people use. A car is practically necessary, with four routes into the city including two tolled bridges and a free road via Pine Island Parkway.
The wet season runs from May to October and is hot and humid, with brief, heavy downpours. The dry season, November to April, is pleasantly warm with only sporadic rain, and the city is sunny for most of the year. If you travel in the wet months, keep indoor options such as the shopping malls in Fort Myers in mind.
Not a Gulf beach. There is a beach on the Caloosahatchee River at the public Yacht Basin and Club. For the Gulf, drive to Fort Myers Beach, or to Captiva for its west-facing sunsets.
Over 400 miles, most of them navigable. That is why boating is the big pastime.
Cape Coral has homes with private pools and gardens, but it is large and car-dependent. Fort Myers lies across the river and has an outlet mall and a shopping mall.
Southwest Florida International (RSW), about 14 miles away, with flights from London Heathrow. Tampa International is the other airport visitors use.
Yes. Cape Coral has the largest population of burrowing owls in Florida, which is an unusual draw for wildlife watchers.
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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