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Waterfront Canals

Many people come to Cape Coral to live on one of the many canals. Over 400 miles of waterfront property is available, including riverfront, saltwater canal, lakes, freshwater canals, preserves, intersecting canals, basins - you name it! Not everyone can (or wants to) live right on the beach or the river. A terrific and protected way to enjoy waterfront living is to own property on a canal.

Gulf Access?

Some of these properties offer Gulf Access, some do not. Before you choose your property on water, give some thought to what you want. It is better to buy a property that fulfills your desires and your needs the first time if you can. A poor choice in real estate can be costly. Here are some things to think about BEFORE you decide to look at waterfront property.

When considering Gulf Access property you need to take into account the type of boat you will want. This bridge, for example, will only allow boats 9' or lower beneath. Learn about obstructions that will affect your choice.

Do you dream of salt water fishing or cruising? Do you own a boat, or plan to get one? What kind of boat will you choose? What type of fishing do you like?

Direct Access Required

Sailboats in this area require DIRECT GULF ACCESS. Any other type of access to the Gulf will have bridges to go under. The canal bridges have a maximum clearance between 7.25 ft. and 11.25 ft. A 30 foot boat with a radar tower may not fit under some bridges. A sailboat definitely won't clear the canal bridge. Some canals are shallower than others. Sailboats draft a lot of water. Choose property on a DEEP DIRECT GULF ACCESS or you will be limited.
 

How Close is Close?

If boating is your dream and reason for being here then also consider your time out to the Gulf. Gulf access canals take you to the river. The river takes you to the Gulf. The farther "UP" the river you are when your canal meets the river, the longer your time out. The farther you are from the river by canal, the longer your trip out to the Gulf.

Traveling the canals is at "NO WAKE" speeds, which is about 5 MPH. We are talking slow! Some people buy property up river, with 3 bridge access and find that they are spending 2 hours getting to the river! While other people buy down river on a DIRECT ACCESS canal and are out in 20 minutes.

Think about what kind of boat you will want, how often you think you will use it, when you will use it (weekend trips or after work 2 hour fishing trips, or day trips) and how important it is to you to get to the Gulf in a timely manner.

Consider Resale Value

The fact is, the better the access, the more the property is sought after. If you want quick appreciation and resale value for your investment, choose direct access as close to the mouth of the river as you can get. Too often "good deals" here mean you can get to the Gulf by boat, BUT, you will spend the whole day doing it, or there is a limiting factor that is not desired, such as a boat lift, boat lock or low bridge clearance!

Not all locks, lifts or bridges are bad, it just depends on what your needs are. Up front, you may not care, but it will be a factor that will impact you as it has the current seller. That's why it's selling for less!
 

Canal Width

Canals come in many widths. Canals range from 80 feet to over 200 feet wide! Some canals offer an intersecting view. The wider the canal, the better the "water" view. Intersecting canal views are usually expensive as are the wide canals. Excellent Gulf access can be found on many size canals. Canal end property is desirable because you have a straight view down the canal. Basically, the more water you can see, the better the view, the more desirable the property.
 

These are examples of  80 foot wide canals. These properties will generally be less expensive than those on wider canals.
	This 200+ foot canal brings higher property values.

Fresh Water or Salt Water

Some of the canals and lakes here are fresh water. These canals are equally as beautiful, however, they limit you to fresh water only. A canal may lead you to a man made lake or just wind you around through other canals. If you like to bass fish, go canoeing, putt around, or just look at the water, this may be an excellent option for you. Fresh water property is less expensive than salt water property but a better value for resale than "property without waterfront".

Link to: Cape Coral Canal Owner's Manual
 

We're Here to Help

We recommend that you talk with us about what is important to you so that we can assist you in making a good decision about location. A home is an investment, even though people often do not think of it that way. If you have visited here, but never lived here, we can help guide you into a suitable purchase and eliminate the guesswork!

The 14 Lb. Black Drum above was caught in the  Plato Canal, right next to the River!