With its scenic canals, little islands and untouched nature, Cape Coral is the perfect place for a trip on the water – no matter if you want to ride a boat or Jet Ski yourself or join a guided tour. In this article, you will learn everything about boats and Jet Skis in Cape Coral.
BOATS UND JET SKIS IN CAPE CORAL: RENT A BOAT
Beautiful weather, idyllic coastlines and turquoise waters make Florida a prime destination for boaters. And the best thing: In the Sunshine State hobby skippers do not need a boat license. If you are 21 years or older, a driver’s license is enough. Guests under 21 can get their permit online – a straightforward process that rarely takes more than 4 hours.
There are reasons why Cape Coral is especially suited for boaters:
- Cape Coral is often called the “Venice of Florida” thanks to its many canals. Some of these waterways take boaters directly to the Gulf of Mexico and to open waters.
- Oftentimes, vacation houses in Cape Coral are equipped with boat docks, so you can start your trip from the comfort of your home.
- There are many boat rentals with German speaking owners in Cape Coral, so you can easily get your instruction in German.
Top 5 things you need to know before boating in Cape Coral, Florida
We like to present you a short video about the Top 5 things you need to know before you want to boating in Cape Coral Florida.
BOATS AND JET SKIS IN CAPE CORAL: THE RIGHT BOAT FOR EVERYBODY
Guests who have never steered a boat before should opt for models with 115-140 HP engines. These beginner-friendly boats can carry 4-6 guests and are perfect for fishing trips on the canal. Of course, if you really want to feel the wind in your hair, a 360 HP jetboat should be your top-pick. These streamlined vessels by Yamaha, Chaparral and co. reach speeds of up to 62 mph. They also allow for fast turns and can operate in shallow waters thanks to their small draft.
With a capacity of 8 people, most rental boats in Cape Coral are big enough for your whole family. You can also rent boats for 10 people if you need more space. For your party on the water, you should get an extra-spacious pontoon boat with comfortable seats and a high-class sound system.
No matter which boat you choose – all professional boat rentals in Cape Coral offer the following services:
- Registration with SeaTow, a boat towing service that will assist you in case of an emergency
- proper boat maintenance
- comprehensive insurance and final cleaning included in the price
- swim vests and safety equipment
- A navigation system showing routes, speed limits, shoals and sand banks
- A detailed instruction explaining the handling of the boat and the characteristics of Cape Coral’s coastal waters.
Where can I rent a boat in Cape Coral?
For all those who do not know how and where they can rent a boat in Cape Coral, we would like to point out our partner boat-rental-in-Cape-Coral.net. Here you can choose from a lot of boats and providers and can easily get in touch with the owner.
BOATS AND JET SKIS IN CAPE CORAL: THE BEST BOATING DESTINATIONS
Now that you have rented your boat, the question is: Where should you take it? Cape Coral’s canals lined with luxury mansions are a good start. Real adventures, however, cannot resist the open ocean. Here, untouched tropical islands and white, sandy beaches await you.
SANIBEL ISLAND
Just 9 miles south of Cape Coral lies a secluded island where no cars or big hotels disturb the peaceful atmosphere. Instead, Sanibel Island is famous for its white sandy beaches, colorful sea shells and untouched mangrove forests. Sanibel´s Marina has room for 65 boats. From here, you do not have to stroll far to relax on the beach or enjoy excellent seafood at the island’s restaurants.
CAPTIVA ISLAND
Caribbean vibes await you on this little island north of Sanibel – complete with colorful flowers and lush palm trees. The scenic beach stretches for 5 miles, so everybody can find a quiet spot on Captiva Island. Fishing enthusiasts will be amazed by the huge population of tarpons off the coast.
FORT MYERS BEACH
If you want to enjoy the good life at the beach before strolling down beautiful boardwalks, Fort Myers Beach south of Cape Coral is perfect for you. Thanks to a number of public and hotel-owned marinas, the city has no shortage of boat docks. The beach not only attracts visitors with its fine, white sand and excellent cleanliness. Here, even little children can splash around safely, as the water is relatively shallow. After your beach trip, it is time to check out the city’s many restaurants and shops.
Hungry boaters should stop by at the Rumrunners Restaurant, a Cape Coral original with 12 mooring spots. Here, you can enjoy hearty Southern cuisine as well as Caribbean specialties and tender steaks before continuing your trip to the Gulf of Mexico.
BOATS AND JET SKIS IN CAPE CORAL: GUIDED TOURS
You do not want to steer the boat yourself? No problem. Guests in Cape Coral have ample opportunity to discover the coastal waters on guided boat trips. No matter which company you choose – dolphin watching should be part of every tour. The playful animals can be found in huge numbers off Cape Coral´s coast, following in the boat’s wake and even jumping out of the water. Dolphins are not only sighted during the day, but also on romantic sunset tours. And there are more animals: Water birds like pelicans and fish eagles hunt for fish off the coast, while alligators and manatees can be spotted in flooded mangrove forests.
Although most boat trips in Cape Coral follow similar routes, some companies offer unique experiences that you should not miss:
BANANA BAY TOUR COMPANY
Boating and fine dining – if you always wanted to have lunch on a secluded tropical island, the Half Day Ecological Dolphin Tour offered by Banana Bay Tours is perfect for you. After your picnic sponsored by a deli in Cape Coral, you can splash around in the warm water, collect colorful shells and explore untouched mangrove forest. The tour costs 55 USD.
CAPTAIN JACK BOAT TOURS
Captain Jack Boat Tours offers trips onboard its Hawaiian Tiki Boat. Cruising along the coastline of Matlacha, guests enjoy ice-cold drinks and cool reggae music while watching dolphins in the water. And no Captain Jack tour would be complete without a romantic sunset. The boat trips last one hour and cost 35 USD per person.
NO PIER PRESSURE CHARTERS
Exclusive tours with small groups of up to 6 people are available at No Pier Pressure Charters. Paul, a skipper with 40 years of boating under his belt, knows the best spots to watch dolphins, collect sea shells and watch the sunset. The tours are priced around 197 USD.
SAIL CAPE CORAL CRUISES
Motor boats are not the only way to explore Cape Coral’s coastal waters. The company Sail Cape Coral Cruises takes guests on an eco-friendly sailboat trip. You can even go for a kayak ride straight from the boat. Full day, half day and sunset tours are available.
ADVENTURES IN PARADISE
This company offers a wide variety of tours that will keep you busy for hours. Activities include dolphin watching, shelling and fishing. Wedding cruises are available as well. A highlight for children is the Sea Life Encounter Excursion. On this tour, passengers explore an unpopulated island with a marine biologist. Little adventurers can even pet real seahorses, pufferfish and baby octopuses. The excursion costs 38 USD.
FISHING CHARTERS
If you want to try open water fishing with a professional guide, Cape Coral’s fishing charters are perfect for you. More than a dozen companies take guests to fishing grounds teeming with catfish, mackerels and redfish. If you are looking for a specific catch, Captain George Howell is your man. The knowledgeable skipper will not rest until you have caught the fish you were looking for. The positive reviews speak for themselves.
BOATS AND JET SKIS IN CAPE CORAL: RENT JET SKIS
What could be more fun than racing across the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico on a Jet Ski? Luckily, there are many places in and around Cape Coral where you can rent these fast little boats. One of them is CCBoat, a German company with more than 20 years of experience. Proper boat maintenance is key at CCBoat, so you can ride their Jet Skis with top speed of 62 mph without worries. If you want to enjoy unlimited Jet Ski fun, you should head for Paradise Boat Rentals in Cape Coral – South Florida’s only rental that lets you ride Jet Skis without confining you to a certain area.
Alternatively, take a trip to Fort Myers Beach and rent your Jet Ski directly at the beach. This town has its fair share of rental companies, some of which have been in business since 1991. Here, you can always rent the newest Jet Skis – after receiving a detailed, beginner-friendly instruction, of course.
BOATS AND JET SKIS IN CAPE CORAL: GUIDED JET SKI TOURS IN CAPE CORAL
Jet Skiing on your own can get boring after a while, so why not book a group tour near Cape Coral? Holiday Water Sports and Adventure Water Sports in Fort Myers Beach take their guests to a protected bay. Here, dolphins come close to the Jet Skis, sometimes even with their young.
If you want to watch the sunset while riding your Jet Ski, head for Suny Island Adventures on Captiva Island. Their tours provide the perfect opportunity to see dolphins, stingrays and even manatees, as the gentle ocean grazers visit Captiva´s coast in the winter months.
