By: Mike Hammond
Cape Coral’s Sirenia Vista Park has been on my “Future Articles” list for quite some time. With the Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing Tournament quickly approaching, this seems like the perfect opportunity to write about it. The tournament is in Matlacha, and the park is just east in Northwest Cape Coral.
This park is well known to most local paddlers for good reason. There is plenty of free parking and you have immediate access to some very “fishy” water.
As soon as you approach the launch, you’ll see large Phase 2 Calusa Blueway maps on either side. These are complemented by the maps that are more detailed and available on the Cape Coral Parks Department website. I suggested looking at them before launching.
Paddlers can be famous for offering up criticism and reviews of ADA kayak launch sites. I find this one very easy to launch from and take out. Also, it helps get paddlers on the water who would otherwise be stuck on shore or need a lot of assistance. For those who do not want to use the launch or dock, there is still a small beach available.
Also, it helps get paddlers on the water who would otherwise be stuck on shore or need a lot of assistance. For those who do not want to use the launch or dock, there is still a small beach available.
When launching, be aware of boat traffic that passes near the launch. This area is a Slow Zone, but there seems to be a flexible definition of “Minimum Wake.” Lori Coppola, owner of Paradise SUP Adventure Tours, told me that she has moved her beginner tours to another nearby City of Cape Coral kayak launch to avoid the traffic. I would suggest others do the same on busy boating days if there are newer paddlers in the group.
Immediately across the canal from the launch is the mouth to a mangrove creek. Most of it is open enough to paddle through with rods up. You can even paddle a mile loop through the mangroves, into the canal by Miceli’s Restaurant, and then back to the launch. Be very aware of the direction the tide is flowing. Sometimes the canal flows more like a fast-moving river. Lori explained this is another reason she often uses the other Cape Coral launch. I strongly recommend using the current to your advantage. Observing the buoys by the launch will indicate which way the water is flowing.
For more information about paddling from this and other City of Cape Coral launches go to https://www.capecoral.gov/department/parks_and_recreationhome/eco_tourism_recreation.php or contact Lori at Paradise SUP Adventure Tours. For information about kayak angling in this area or the Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing Tournament, contact Bryan or Mike at Gulf Coast Kayak. Or maybe you can even track down Dan Carns, who also writes for this magazine. We miss you Dan, wherever you are.