I am a real estate agent in the Cape Coral/Ft Myers area. I have lived on a canal in Cape Coral for a few years, I could show you around and show you what is available in this area.

I have been a licensed contractor working on homes from Siesta Key down to Marco for 16 years. Been running hot rod boats all along. Have lived in a couple different homes in Cape the entire time. I think if you are after the most expensive gulf /bay properties then you go maybe to Sarasota/Siesta Key area, Sanibel, Fort Myers, parts of Bonita, Naples and Marco. If you are after a lot on a navigable canal with gulf access I believe Cape would have the largest selection. Need to pay attention, I have seen many a home that looks to have a great lot, that is supposedly "minutes" away from the gulf. Come to find out you need to go thru a lock, or worse yet under a bridge, or the idle zone is 45 minutes to an hour away from a major river or bay. Cape has a few of these. But I think the number of desirable lots there definitely outweigh the restricted lots locations, overall having the best selection. Good luck!

Folks buying lots north of Matlacha (in Cape Coral) are finding this out. Not only do the have 45 minutes to get to the pass, then to go anywhere they need to go up and around Pine Island. Lots along the east side of the Cape might be minutes from the river, but it is another 1/2 hour to the Boathouse! If you are a boater, I really suggest sticking to south of Cape Coral Parkway, west of Coronado/driftwood and east of Pelican. There is another area inside of Skyline/Chiquita/Cape Coral Parkway. When we bought 6 years ag, we spent hours in a rental boat just cruising the canals and making notes. There may be 400 miles of canals, but if you really like to get out in the boat, there is only a fraction of that. I am sure it is the same anyplace. Good luck with the search!

The waterfront RE market is on fire here, neighbor just sold his canal front home:

1455 Centaurus Ct, Merritt Island, FL 32953 | Zillow

I went with Sarasota, well accually Bradenton (9 month rent). I will be there in mid July. Now, whose boat am I buying booze and fuel for to show me the ropes?

I’ll look you up when I get back in mid August.

Looks like you got here just in time for red tide.😡

I've vacationed in Florida countless times and of all of the places that I've visited, I liked Naples the most. When the Florida real estate bubble burst 12 years ago, I flew down to buy a couple of condos and ended up purchasing two condos in Ft. Myers instead, because the prices in Naples were quite a bit higher...(!) The rental market in Ft. Myers has been great and I've never had a problem renting out my condos, but when I retire in 3 years, I would really like to Winter in Naples.

I have officially landed in Cape Coral. I bought a home on a direct access salt canel - SE 10th Street. My dock permits are submitted, dock build will be sometime this spring (fingers crossed). I'm bringing down the little 28 ft cigarette 'bicycle' next week.

I have yet to be on the water in Florida, only knowing lake life from my past 20+ years. Who's willing to take a Okie out for an afternoon? I have fuel and booze.

Chad

I cannot offer a boat at this point in Cape Coral but I have followed this thread since it was started. I hope you will share your experiences and new ownership to this area. Like many, a course for Fla is in our future, Congrats on the new purchase.