Beaching the Boat at the “Miserable Mile’s” Big Shell Island

Taking our 26’ Regal XO to a sandbar beach island for some sun and fun with our dog Matey.
We find a beautiful vantage point to enjoy the waters and sun while we watch thousands of boats go by then famous “Miserable Mile” in Cape Coral, Florida right on the Caloosahatchee River and Intracoastal waterway ICW.
Located between markers 96 and 98, Big Shell Island is a favorite destination for locals to relax on the beach with some chairs and cocktails. We even meet the local Sea Tow Captain who beached there on his tow boat.

[@stevehower1986]

Beautiful. Nice job anchoring Capt.

[@PleasureVessellife]

Wonderful spot! We'll have to put it on the map when we travel down. Love a good spot to look for shells and watch the boats go by! Thanks for sharing!

[@gregvollink1215]

Hey! That was us on the Skater just coming in the canal!😁

[@paulrieger501]

The boat traffic is crazy!!!😮😂

[@AdventuresonTour]

And surprisingly well behaved and orderly flow as well..

[@MkBasile-ri4bg]

Mayte wante d to make sure that Mommy got a shore okay I love it that was beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Love your videos.

[@fierceflyer5]

Looks like a great place to people(boat) watch

[@johnwilkinson4399]

Beautiful. I could sit there all day.

[@williamtaylor9025]

I could spend a day there a lot. Some cold beers a canopy and music and I’d be set.

[@bobinthewest]

Ten years ago I had a 44' Regal. Powered by twin 450 hp Cummins diesels. It was a good boat.

[@aliassteve9055]

That boat traffic was insane! Thanks for taking us along on a beautiful day.

[@michaeltheboatinglife9359]

Love it. We are just a few months from making that same dream happen. And I know my dog will love boating there as well.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Don’t miss dog beach island!

[@takagienterprises]

Love the XO videos!

[@stew8834]

Beautiful day to be on the island Hope you enjoyed your day 👍👍

[@scotthall3816]

Love you both you are awesome people. Wanted to let you know sir that I believe everything happenes for a reason, your channel has become a blessing thank you to you both

[@AdventuresonTour]

Nice throw Capt...

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Thanks! That lightweight aluminum anchor is great for stern anchoring!

[@Skipper864]

That time lapse really puts in perspective the huge amount of traffic.

[@scottzorno8414]

wow. Traffic is huge !

[@windwardartgalleries]

Great day trip! Traffic on the MM looks like rush hour traffic on I95 up here in the Northeast!

[@bigdaddyspeeddemon]

Awesome video as usual. Love the sped up shots of the boats going through the non stop freight train of boats going through the MM. Fun just to watch them, but amazing how many people use that on the long weekends. Pretty much non stop all day. Cheers!

[@JG-wr1sl]

Great video. Thanks for taking us along.

[@Buzzinho-pn6rf]

Another great outing! A good place to enjoy the day and out of the traffic!

[@stroguy]

Finally we see the Admiral Matey once again. All 3 crew are look Florida chipper and young. Nice video and love that cruiser, great for those tactical beach landings.

[@edwardranno7119]

Looks like a major highway for boats!

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Sure is!

[@mycompasslawp.a.4328]

This is cool. Last weekend we went over to that Pink Shell place you recommended and we stopped at Shell Island on the way there and hung out for a couple hours and did some boat watching. It's a great little spot for sure.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

We probably drove by you as I’ve been on the water every day passing there. Lol

[@MrMagnum500sw]

I am jealous, I’m still covered in shrink wrap

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Soon enough. Spring is coming!

[@lordTowle]

We have never stopped there will have to try it. We have stopped at Picnic Island a few times. Lots of partying out there.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Poor picnic island got beat up by Ian. It was so nice to walk the trails, use the tree swings and picnic tables. Hopefully it comes back to its former glory.

[@eastmedic]

Awesome video! I'd love to see you visit TweenWaters with a full how-to video!

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Funny you say that as I just found out they allow day docking and use of facilities for a small fee. We will be there soon!

[@mickemike2148]

Nice! We're just now coming out of winter and can enjoy temperatures above freezing now.

[@jamesschulz5518]

Just getting my boat together in Toms River being down in Naples a few weeks. Really got me psyched for boating season. In the fall i'm towing my pro line down to Naples so i Dont have to winterize it and i can use it down There for the winter. Love your videos i think of you guys when i pass the bear mountain bridge .

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Make sure you visit Goodland in Marco Island. Sunday Funday!

[@jamesschulz5518]

How can i charter you guys for 6 people next month? 6 transplant ny/ Nj people I'd like to use you guys can. I send you my # ?

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

@jamesschulz5518 our email is [e-mail]. Or book us through Boatsetter. www.boatsetter.com/boats/mcspnzz?pos=21&start_period=2024-04-11 www.boatsetter.com/boats/blzvwds?pos=37&start_period=2024-04-11

[@1decks]

Great video 😊

[@thetinkerverse]

The SeaTow Captian I believe is Captain Izzy (spelling?) He just towed us home on Sunday morning. Great guy.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Oh boy. I wonder if I saw you. I had a charter in a 391 meridian from Rumrunners to picnic island.

[@thetinkerverse]

@@AdventuresofHappyOurs Nope, we never made it that far. Got out of our canal system and crapped out in Redfish Cove. Thankfully we didn't get too far out. As I was watching your video I saw the boat and was like....I know that captain....sure enough as he pulled away and I saw the Tiger Shark it confirmed it. I was the first tow of the day for him and his son.

[@scottklancke2066]

I was trying to slow it down to see if I could spot our boat in there lol. We usually go along a parallel path closer to shore to avoid the MM

[@r7boatguy]

The water is looking pretty murky right now. I haven't ventured around those islands, with an IO boat I'll probably hit bottom! Would be good if you could share your track, I usually take the shortcut coming out of Cape Harbour across to the miserable mile, but don't often veer to the right or left. I occasionally get to less than a foot under my skeg, but haven't had to get out and push yet!

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Follow that track and turn right a couple hundred feet before the island. You’ll be fine.

[@heyjules2008]

Beach day! You on Shell Island; we are on Shell Key 🎉🏖️. No pets or alcoholic beverages( Bruce likes to say alcoholic pets) allowed where we are… kinda😉

[@runltdan]

Is that ever an overnight boat sometimes? Cuddy would be nice but sleeping on the open area is doable. Just curious?

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Yes we have stayed on it overnight. It has a surprisingly spacious berth. We did a walk thru video on it a few months ago 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hp6UdpVjrrmZnKMsi=ejIsgnodv2jY6G5c

[@dougk63]

Nice video thanks.How many boats do you have?Do you still have the big boat

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

We have the Regal XO and the 341 Meridian “Happy Ours”

[@Sailing.Artemis]

Jealous I need warm air

[@freedomwanderer91]

Cool island. Did you find any cool sea shells?

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Lots of small shells. Nothing big found so far there

[@MarkEdelman-rx2be]

Why is it called the miserable mile?

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Technically the miserable mile is a narrow channel cut through San Carlos bay that has strong cross currents and gets shallow quick outside of channel. Busy boat traffic creates bad wakes and is a miserable ride on busy days. However, most people wrongly call the slow manatee zone between markers 92 and 99 the “Miserable Mile”, which is where this little sandbar is.

[@jamesschulz5518]

My new jersey state boating cource yesterday said never anchor to any part of your boat but your bow i Dont know if that's true or not that's what captain bill said teaching the course

[@BOBPlays]

As long as the snow birds are republicans

[@rpifass]

How are the bugs there?

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

None during the day. I’m sure nighttime may be a bit buggy.