Cape tourism numbers are up and the city says a new form of transportation could be in the waterfront community’s future

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — Cape Coral is exploring ways to use its more than 400 miles of canals to move people around the city.

Sharon Woodberry, Cape Coral economic development manager, said the city is looking into long-term plans to utilize the canal system more efficiently. That could include moving people by water.

"They [transportation department] have looked at how we structure mobility fees, and how that can support revenue that's coming in, and use those funds to provide infrastructure for that transportation that we're talking about," Woodberry said.

The City of Cape Coral tells WINK News’ Bella Line they counted 2.2 million trips/visits from April 2025 to March 2026.

Line spoke with people at Horton Park who said they support the idea of water transportation.

"I think it'd be pretty great," Joey Gregory said. "I mean, gas prices are getting pretty crazy, traffic's rough, so any kind of better ways to get around are always a great option."

"I think it'd be a great idea, and allow more people to be on the water that probably can't get on the water a different way," Stephanie Hooker said.

Woodberry said visitors are a large portion of people who utilize the canals. However, she said only 10% of the city's economy is from tourist dollars.

"Honestly, I thought it would be a little more, but that, that's kind of nice," Nichole Clements said.

Gregory said he expects tourism numbers to continue improving.

"Things are coming back together from the hurricanes and whatnot, so I would expect to see numbers start to go back up," Gregory said.

Woodberry said the city does not have any solid plans as to when public transportation on the water could be implemented.