Waterfront Property Types

SouthWest Florida is paradise for those who love water—whether for pleasure boating, sailing, angling, or hanging out on the beach. Nearly all of the waterfront cities—Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Punta Gorda, Bonita, Naples, Marco Island, and Sanibel—offter canal systems and access to, or frontage on, the Gulf of Mexico.

There are 5 general categories of waterfront properties in the area:
Gulf, River, Sailboat Access Canals, Gulf Access Canals, and
Freshwater Canals/Lakes. Characteristics of each are below. In general:

• The closer to the mouth of the Caloosahatchee river and the Gulf of Mexico the higher the prices.
• The majority of waterfront properties available are on canals.
• Canals range from 80’ wide to 200’ wide and take boaters to the Caloosahatchee River first, and then the Gulf of Mexico. Properties on intersecting canals are premium because the water view is more panoramic. All canals are no wake zones so a trip to the river could take 5 minutes, 20 minutes or an hour or more if you are far inland. All SouthWest Florida coastal cities have canal-front properties, with Cape Coral having the largest canal system.
• Much of the Caloosahatchee River out to the Gulf is minimum wake or slow-speed 25m.p.h. zones (manatee zones) so being far up river can add travel time to the Gulf of Mexico.
• Direct beachfront properties on the Gulf of Mexico is primarily condominimums: low-rises on Sanibel and Captiva and high-rises on Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs, and Naples.

Direct Sailboat Access Canals/Basins

Sailboat access, sometimes called "direct" access, is one of the most desirable locations for boaters. Sailboat access might refer to a property on a canal or a marina. Because they are in-demand properties (and because the supply is shrinking), they are priced higher but also tend to have the fastest and highest appreciation.

Characteristics:

• No bridges that restrict access to the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf.
• Because there are no height limitations, sailboat access canals are ideal for bigger boats. So if you are planning for, say, a 40' cabin cruiser now or in the future, a sailboat access area is where you should invest now.
• These properties are generally closer to river (5 minutes to 30 minutes is typical).
• Condos range $250,000 and up. Single-family homes start around $500,000. And there are many choices in the $600,000 to $700,000 range.
• Vacant, unimproved lots range start around $450,000.
• Some areas, even though there are no height restrictions, do have a lock you must pass through, which can add travel time to the Gulf.

Gulf Access Canals/Lakes

Gulf access canals and lakes are also very popular. This type of access means you can boat to the River and Gulf, but there are some restrictions, typically the height of your boat. Characteristics:

• One or more bridges to Gulf with clearance of 8 or 10 feet typical Generally farther to river (20 minutes or more)
• Smaller boats up to approx 28 ft Condos range $250,000 and up.
• Single-family homes with pool start around $400,000.
• Vacant, unimproved lots start around $250,000.

Freshwater Canals and Lakes

Many people enjoy the freshwater canals and lakes in the area as well for fishing or just "canal cruising." Characteristics:

• No access to Gulf
• Some meander for miles to lakes and other canals; great fishing
• Smaller boats and pontoons
• Condos range $175,000 and up.
• Single-family homes with pool start around $300,000. Vacant, unimproved lots start at about $125,000.

Caloosahatchee River

The Caloosahatchee spans from the Gulf of Mexico to the east coast of Florida via the Okeechobee waterway. On the West coast, the river runs between Cape Coral and Fort Myers and is a beautiful, wide river. Properties on the river include both single-family and gated communities (condos, townhomes, single-family). The gated communities often have private marinas and prices start around $350,000 (condos) and go up from there. The single-family homes often have boat docks and lifts and prices start at about $1,000,000.

Gulf of Mexico

About Boat Storage

Most boats under 40’ in canals are stored on lifts to mitigate barnacle growth. Boats stored in the water should have bottom cleaning about every 2 months. There are many firms in the area that offer this service.

Not all condos allow lifts. Dock privileges at condos vary from first come, first-served to assigned or deeded.

There are many types of marinas in the area. Some are public marinas with slips for rent (water and dry dock or "rack" storage). A rule of thumb for slip rental is $11 per foot; marinas or racks that are lower than this price usually have long waiting lists. Some facilities are private and only available to property owners in the gated community. There are also "dockominiums" where slips are for sale.

There are also many public launches for those who trailer their boats.