Things to Do in the Cape Coral | Activities and Attractions
The Cape Coral and Fort Myers area has a wide variety of things to do. You can choose fun family activities, interesting attractions, and those who are more adventure may want to try an exciting excursion.
We have provided a list of some of the most popular things that draw people to Southwest Florida so after you’ve chosen the ideal Cape Coral vacation rental for your group, you can start planning your visit.
Please be aware that days and hours of operations may change according to local or state regulations. We suggest you contact each venue or event organizer to obtain their latest information and make reservations whenever possible.
Nature Parks
3 Parks & Preserves to Visit During Your Trip to Cape Coral
When people think of Southwest Florida, they often think of the beach and palm trees, but the area is also full of nature parks and preserves. Whether you’re looking for a walk through the swamp or a kayaking adventure, these parks and preserves offer something for everyone. If you’re visiting Cape Coral for the first time or if you’ve been here many times before, here are five of the best parks and preserves to visit during your vacation:
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Corkscrew Swamp is located north of Naples and was established by the National Audubon Society. The park features a 2.25-mile boardwalk and a one-mile shortcut. The boardwalks wind through pine flatwoods, wet prairie, around a marsh and into the largest old growth Bald Cypress forest in North America.
The forest is also home to hundreds of animals, including alligators, otters, white-tailed deer and red-bellied turtles. There are also a wide variety of wading birds, songbirds and raptors that can be seen throughout the year. Corkscrew Swamp is perfect for the photography lovers out there, as there are photo opportunities available at every turn on the boardwalk.
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
The J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is located on Sanibel, and it is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. The refuge is well known for its migratory bird populations. Ding Darling offers a visitor and education center where you can learn about the wildlife and ecosystem, the work of “Ding” Darling and the National Wildlife Refuge System. The park also offers a wildlife drive that gives you the opportunity to see wildlife up close and personal. For those who are looking for a fun adventure on the water, you can also take kayaking tour through Ding Darling through Tarpon Bay Explorers.
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is located in Fort Myers, and the slough is over 3,400 acres of a wetland ecosystem. The park features daily guided tours and private group tours. Guests can also roam through the slough’s boardwalk at their own pace. Six Mile Cypress Slough has five observation decks for wildlife viewing, and guests often see alligators, otters, turtles and wading birds.
Explore Nature With a Kayak Tour Around Cape Coral, Matlacha or Sanibel
Are you ready to explore Florida's environment? The views from the water would be a natural choice. Join Gulf Coast Kayak for one of their many Guided Kayak Eco-Tours, Guided Kayak Fishing Trips, Kayak or Paddle Board Lessons. Or blaze your own trail and explore a variety of mangrove-laced water ways on a kayak or stand up paddleboard (SUP) rental. You could explore numerous mangrove islands and waterways previously fished by the Calusa Indians over 1000 years ago.
Both Pine Island Sound and Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve are famous for their shallow grass flats averaging 1-4 feet in depth and home to a variety of marine life and birds. While exploring part of the Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail you may encounter dolphins, manatee, stingray, Spotted Eagle Rays, sea turtles, Great Blue Herons, Osprey and Bald Eagles just to name a few. Discover the beautiful and peaceful waters of the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve and explore the mangrove tunnels, back bays and estuaries on a stable, easy to paddle kayak or paddle board. Kayak and canoe outfitters around Cape Coral rent a wide variety of kayaks, from recreational single and tandem sit in kayaks and sit on top kayaks, to fishing and touring kayaks.
Gulf Coast Kayak in Cape Coral, offers Guided Kayak Tours, Weekly & Daily kayak and SUP Rentals, And E-Bike Rentals
The guided kayak tours will get you up close and personal with an abundance of wildlife such as Dolphins, Manatees, Jumping fish and many different species of Birds. The Weekly kayak & SUP rentals are a great option if you are on a canal as you have the opportunity to go kayaking or paddle boarding whenever you please! Cape Coral has many great bicycle trails that are a blast to ride on an E-Bike!
Tarpon Bay Explorers on Sanibel Island offers many guided tours designed to be both educational and fun.
See wildlife up-close and discover the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge with an experienced naturalist by your side. Birds, dolphins, manatees, and alligators are just some of the amazing wildlife found in the pristine native tropical and subtropical vegetation of Sanibel Island.
Rent a kayak at Manatee Park in Fort Myers and kayak with the Manatees.
A unique park where visitors can view the endangered Florida Manatee in a non-captive, natural environment. Site features: viewing areas, picnic shelters, native plant and butterfly gardens, kayak/canoe rentals and launch to the Orange River.
Parks
A Visit to Manatee Park in Fort Myers
Manatee Park Ft. Myers is a fantastic place to see manatees in the wild! During the winter there are sometimes up to 100 manatees to be seen. Located just outside the city, the park is on the Orange River, a small stream that branches off the Caloosahatchee River, near the Florida Power and Light plant.
Manatee Park is open year round, but to see these gentle creatures, you need to come during the cooler months of November – March when they are searching for warmer waters.
There are 3 covered observation areas along the river with seating and telescopes. The observation areas are connected by a pathway lined with native plants and beautiful butterfly gardens, it’s another lovely place for watching manatees. A playground, tiki hut rentals for parties, picnic shelters, gift shop, and a visitors center are available. You can also take a walk on nature paths that wind through gardens, the park, or rent kayaks and fish from the fishing pier on the Orange River.
Volunteer naturalists give talks during season once or twice a day. The program is free, for all ages, and is about what manatees eat, where they live, and the challenges they face.
Sport Fishing & Boat Tours
Cape Coral Area Fishing Charters
No trip to Cape Coral is complete without a day casting a fishing line! Luckily, there is no shortage of fishing adventures to be had in the Cape Coral area. Book a fishing charter to enjoy a day out on the waters exploring the freshwater and saltwater fishing hotspots. Get ready to reel in a catch!