The Cape Romano Dome House is not technically on Marco Island, Florida. They are located on the following Island down called Ten Thousand Island and are only accessible via water. The Island belongs to a larger group of Ten Thousand Islands. It was built by Bob Lee, a now-deceased retired oil producer, in 1980. The self-sustaining solar-powered dome homes started as a dream vacation home.
2022 – The Destruction Of The Dome Houses of Cape Romano
Sadly, as expected, The Cape Romano Dome Home has been destroyed and now lies at rest. The iconic dome homes at Cape Romano didn’t make it through hurricane Ian. Ian was simply too much and the once beloved attraction and historical building is now under water – permanently.
The Dome Homes survived Hurricane Charley in 2005, Wilma a year later — when it actually made U.S. landfall at Cape Romano — and Irma in 2017.
Hurricane Ian claimed the homes in September 2022.
Don’t despair; you will still be able to view them underwater as they take a new shape as a reef.
History Of The Dome Houses of Cape Romano
The Dome Houses of Cape Romano are not technically on Marco Island. They are on the next island, Ten Thousand Island, which is only accessible via water.
Who Built The Cape Romano Dome Houses?
They were built by Bob Lee, a now-deceased retired oil producer, in 1980. The self-sufficient solar-powered dome homes started as a dream vacation getaway.
When Were The Cape Romano Dome Houses Built?
Lee started the construction in 1980 and completed it by 1982. Lee purchased a barge to move the necessary supplies to build the dome homes. The masterpiece consisted of six connected dome structures for 2,400 square feet. The house boasted three bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Why Build The Dome Houses?
According to the family members and locals alike, Lee did not like corners and felt they were wasted space. It’s also been written that he built a dome style to capture runoff water as the main supply for the house.
In 1984, the Lee family decided to sell the dome homes but repossessed them in 1987. The family moved in a few years later, and the dome houses became their primary residence. That is until 1992, when Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida. While some windows broke, the structure remained intact.
Fast forward to 2005. At this point that the family decides to sell the property to John Tosto of Naples, Fl. Tosto planned to renovate the homes, but a sea wall was required and sadly never built. In 2005, Hurricane Wilma damaged the house and severely eroded the beach, ending the renovation dream.
As the years went on, the beach eroded more and more, making the once dream beach home an abandoned water-logged ruin of its former self. In 2017, sadly, Hurricane Irma hit, and two of the original six domes were sunk. You can still see the tops of the domes, but they are submerged. By 2016, the house was approximately 180 feet offshore. Today, the dome homes stand about 200 feet away from the beach.
Photo of the Florida Dome Homes While On Land
Photo Credits: Vintage pictures credited to Kristian Maples (Bob’s grandson) and Coastal Breeze News. Brit took all other photos on the Move.
Photos Inside The Bob Lee Dome House
Marco Island Fan Must Have’s
Why Visit The Cape Romano Dome House?
I have always had an obsession with dereliction. It’s a thing called Urban exploration (often shortened as UE, urbex, and sometimes known as roof-and-tunnel hacking). Who knew?
For me, it started when I was growing up in a neighborhood full of empty buildings filled with vintage goodies. I thrived on rummaging through the left behind artifacts of years gone by. A favorite for me was an old hotel at the end of our street, where the other kids and I would explore for hours. I find myself daydreaming about how and why a place is derelict. The mystery of places frozen in time is chilling and surreal. It provokes imagination, followed by a burning desire to research why. This is the second part of the fascination – I love history!
Given my obsession visiting The Dome Houses of Cape Romano was a must! I’ve done many tours seeking various abandoned places from homes, mansions, castles, and cities! But never have I explored a water-bound abandoned house.
Seeing The Cape Romano Dome House in person is an exhilarating experience. When the domes appear in the distance, you will recognize the alien-like shapes. The sun is beaming down on top of the birds that now call them home. As you get close, you will see the graffiti that now adorns them. You will also look at the underwater domes’ rims – a stark reminder of the decrepit state. Every abandoned building has a story, but Cape Romano Dome House is unique. Most of all, it will not be with us much longer. It’s only a matter of time before another storm crumbles the remaining four, eliminating this treasure forever. The Cape Romano Dome House survived the 2019 hurricane season, and fortunately, Dorian did no damage.
Visit The Cape Romano Dome House
If you plan on visiting Cape Romano, you will have to get there via water. There is no bridge to the Island. Some people kayak, some go on paddleboards, some boat. It could be as much as a five to seven-mile trek depending on where you start, so plan carefully. Here are some maps to see before deciding if you will go solo or take a tour.
Can You kayak To Cape Romano?
Yes, you can, but you need to be physically fit, know your way around, and check the tides long before taking off!
Map of Cape Romano
How Do You Get To The Cape Romano Dome House?
As mentioned, the home is only accessible by water. So you either need to navigate there on your vessel or take a tour.
We choose to take a tour to explore the islands and the dome houses. A brilliant decision for several reasons.
- If you are not familiar with this area, there is a strong potential to get lost.
- We wanted a guide that knew the area and who could give us some of the history.
- Neither of us fancied paddling anything for five to seven miles with or against the tide.
Book You Boat Tour To Cape Romano Dome Homes Here!
We took a 2.5-hour tour, and our guide was fantastic! The tour guides are brilliant, local Floridians who know the waterways like the back of their hands and are also expert boaters! I can’t say enough good things about this tour. The tour guides carefully navigate you through no-wake zones while stopping along the way to capture photographs of you!
In addition to seeing The Dome Houses of Cape Romano, we also got up close and personal with a family of dolphins! An added and much enjoyed bonus.
Rent a Craigcat From Ten Thousand Island
If you want a really exciting way to view the dome houses, rent a Craigcat catamaran! There’s no better way to explore the Ten Thousand Islands area than by boat. Join a guide and drive your own Craigcat catamaran to explore the region. Enjoy a slow ride down a quieter canal and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife including alligators, dolphins, manatees, and stingrays. Then, hop out at White Horse Key to walk around and collect some shells before heading back.
Where To Stay In Marco Island
Photos of The Cape Romano Dome House Today
Other Dome Homes In Florida
Now you have the chance to buy a dome home of your own in Florida! However, a unique one is now on the market outside Gainesville.
Closing Thoughts
It’s only a matter of time before Mother Nature claims these structures. Once they are submerged they will become a reef so book your tour now!
Are you planning to explore The Cape Romano Dome House? If so, share your experience here!
Looking for more posts on Florida? Start here:
- Coco Key Water Park – Orlando Florida
- Disney World Resorts on A Dime
- Rainbow River – Why You Should Visit
- The Howey Mansion – Florida
- Vero Beach – A Tropical Paradise
- Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo
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thank you for the article
Please update your post. The dome home has been taken by the sea sadly B. The 2022 Hurricane Ian destroyed them no longer there. So sad
Please read….
2nd Paragraph: 2022 – The Destruction Of The Dome Houses of Cape Romano
Sadly, as expected, The Cape Romano Dome Home has been destroyed and now lies at rest. The iconic dome homes at Cape Romano didn’t make it through hurricane Ian. Ian was simply too much and the once beloved attraction and historical building is now under water – permanently.
And, FYI – I was one of the first reporters to provide insight when they went down – quoted in many news papers!
Wow, wonderful weblog structure! How long have you been blogging for? you make running a blog look easy. The overall look of your website is great, let alone the content!
Hi there,
A couple of years.. glad you like it :) NIkki
We’re these on land and the water just subsumed them? Or were these pictures taken before they were moved to the water?
Hi Frank,
They were on land and then over the years the ocean claimed them. There are photos before and after. Also, the info on why they succumbed to the ocean is in the article (lack of sea walls etc…). Nikki
AND about 50 yards front of the dome houses was a 50×50 wooden stick house, Just one room ,hice and high, if I good remember even on hi tide it was good 15ft high to the floor of the thing, great fishing spot in the day….
Oh, I can only imagine how cool that must have been… Do you happen to have any photos you could share?
Thanks Nikki
Been checking this place out every time I vacation in Naples. Cool to see pics of it when it was still on solid ground.
Hi there,
I am glad you liked the photos it really is a cool place and a cool story:) Nikki
Great story…if you got the island name right. The dome homes are on Cape Romano Island. How thick can you be?
The map shows they are on Cape Romano Island part of Ten Thousand Islands! But here’s the thing, no one searches for “Cape Romano Island” cause there is nothing there! And it’s not like you can get to that island without starting at Marco or some other inland island. So, do yourself a favor and learn some SEO before you write such a shitty comment. How thick can you be? Seriously, wanker.
Perfect response!
Great pics. Most sites only have the derelict photos. I appreciate the ones taken in its prime. It’s like going back in time. It gives the whole story a surreal overtone.
Glad you liked it :) Nikki
Yep, took the tour this year :)
This is my home town of naples the story behind these domes is really awsome
Hi there,
Yes! I love this story too…. I wish they were still on land:) Nikki