How about a day trip from Cape Coral to to Labelle?
The Caloosahatchee River tends to be treated as a “means to an end” and not as an experience. Sure, many boaters will head up to Fort Myers and visit some of the restaurants accessible on the riverfront, but have you traveled past the Edison Bridges?
It is only eight miles from the Cape Coral Bridge to the Edison Bridges. A trip up river past that point provides a glimpse into Florida’s past and an idea what tourists in the early 1900’s experienced as they traveled to and from Kissimmee via the water.
Three miles past the Edison Bridges the river begins to narrow as you approach Beautiful Island. Between November 15th and March 31st, you will find Manatee zone speed restrictions from marker 25 up to marker 5 east of the Thompson Cut-off.
In the middle of Beautiful Island, you will pass the historic Seminole Gulf Railway bridge. This is used by one of many short line rail companies serving Florida. The Fort Myers Division runs from Naples to north of Arcadia where it connects with the CXS railroad. The Murder Mystery Dinner Train in Fort Myers runs up these tracks along with freight service making it’s way to Ft. Myers.
The bridge, when closed, has a clearance of 4.9 feet but is typically only closed when a train is going to use it as the river is part of the Intracoastal Waterway system. If the bridge is down, you can hail the bridge operator on channel 9 on your VHF radio.
Once past the bridge the change in scenery is dramatic. Inland river boater can expect to feel right at home. This stretch of river up to Labelle is a as close to the original look of the river as you will find. The river was straightened in the late 1880’s after the H. Disston Drainage Canal was completed, connecting the river to Lake Okeechobee.
Here you will find many oxbows on both sides of the river. These oxbows are U-shade section of river left behind after the process of straightening the course of the river. The Thompson Cut-off is just past Interstate 75 is one of the larger ones. Up near Olga is Devils Elbow which was the bane of early river boat captains and today provides a few lucky land owners with a piece of river history and protected dock space.
Between Interstate 75 and Route 31 you will pass the entrance to the Orange River marked by a statue of manatees. Don’t get too close to the statue or you will go aground as the water is very shallow. Also be on the lookout for manatees in the river as is the entrance to their winter home at Manatee Park.
On the west side of the Route 31 bridge, you will find the Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill. This is as far as many boaters go when heading up river. Here you are only about 16 miles from the Cape Coral Bridge. But there is still more to see up river so if you have not ventured past this point here are some other things to look for.
Four miles upriver from the Route 31 bridge is the first of five locks run by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) on the Okeechobee Waterway. If you have never been through a lock this is a good one to start with. The lock operators are friendly, helpful, and want to make sure you get through safely. The operating hours 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. so plan accordingly.
To prepare in advance for this experience you can download “Safety in Locking Through” available online at the USACE website. Or visit America’s Boat Channel on YouTube and watch “Navigating Locks” which was filmed in part at the Franklin Lock.
If you are not ready to try locking though there is a dock on the south side of the river, and you can walk out and watch boats lock through. The park also has a small beach, picnic tables and restrooms. On the north side of the river is a campground, but to get to those docks and the boat ramp you must lock through.
Still within day trip range is Labelle which is only 38 miles from the Cape Coral Bridge. If you choose to continue there you will pass some more interesting places. For example, near Alva the river used to be so narrow, and shallow, cattle were able to ford the river on their way from Arcadia to Punta Rasa. There is an Idle Speed zone in Alva and the signs are posted near the shore and are easy to miss.
The Fort Denaud Swing Bridge has a closed vertical clearance of 9 feet. It is run by the USACE between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. If you need more clearance hail the bridge operator on channel 9 on your VHF radio.
After passing that bridge you are on the home stretch to Labelle. In Labelle you will enter a Slow Speed Minimum Wake zone before you reach the Hendry County boat dock on the north side of the river. You can tie up at The Launch at Labelle Yacht Club and have some lunch. The trip to Labelle should only take a couple of hours if you didn’t get held up at the lock.
One last historical note, east of Labelle is the end of the Caloosahatchee River. Here you connect with the Caloosahatchee Canal, C-43, also known as the H. Disston Drainage Canal. In this area was Fort Thompson which was found on the south side of the river. Near the site on the north side of the river was a waterfall at the southwest end of Lake Flirt. The waterfall marked the headwaters of the Caloosahatchee River.
Enjoy the trip, and Stay Safe.
Thomas E. Dawson
Cape Coral, Florida
Tomas E. Dawson has been teaching safe boating at the Cape Coral Sail and Power Squadron in SW Florida since 2018. Dawson developed and is teaching a local waters seminar that discusses boating in Lee County. The seminar is offered during snow-bird season starting again on October14th. You reserve your seat by signing up for the seminar on line at ccsaps.org. Clicking on the Events/Seminars button to find all upcoming dates and signup. A book based on the seminar, “Barret Bonden’s Local Knowledge Recommended” is available on Amazon along with i WSn Thomas E. Dawson has been teaching safe boating at the Cape Coral Sail and Power Squadron isince 2018. Dawson developed and is teaching a local waters seminar that discusses boating in Lee County. The seminar is offered during snow-bird season starting again on October14th. You reserve your seat by signing up for the seminar on line at ccsaps.org. Clicking on the Events/Seminars button to find all upcoming dates and signup. A book based on the seminar, “Barret Bonden’s Local Knowledge Recommended” is available on Amazon along with i WSn Thomas E. Dawson has been teaching safe boating at the Cape Coral Sail and Power Squadron isince 2018. Dawson developed and is teaching a local waters seminar that discusses boating in Lee County. The seminar is offered during snow-bird season starting again on October14th. You reserve your seat by signing up for the seminar on line at ccsaps.org. Clicking on the Events/Seminars button to find all upcoming dates and signup. A book based on the seminar, “Barret Bonden’s Local Knowledge Recommended” is available on Amazon along with “Safe Boating in Southwest Florida, Cape Coral Edition.”
