In the late 1950's, the Rosen Brothers developed Cape Coral into their dream of a "Waterfront Wonderland." With 355 days of sunshine and 400 miles (640 km) of navigable waterways, the city soon became a place where people came for sun and fun. That tradition continues to this day.

One of the earliest areas of development was the Cape Coral Yacht Club. Today, Cape Coral boasts two additional marinas: Tarpon Point in the Rose Garden area and Cape Harbour off of Chiquita Boulevard. Both areas offer shopping, dining, and boat rentals/tours. Visitors to can get out on the water with a short drive or ferry ride to some of Southwest Florida's best beaches.

Off the water, visitors may engage in sporting activities such as tennis, cycling, and golf. Lush public and private golf courses are available in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs, Naples, and Sanibel.

Day trips are an option both on and off the water. As the biggest city between Tampa and Miami, Cape Coral is a great central location for day trips to some of Florida's top-rated destinations. Whether driving to Orlando for a Disney Adventure or cruising to the Florida Keys, a vacation rental in Cape Coral allows an affordable home base for those who want to keep their vacation options flexible.