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Cape Coral Yacht Basin

• 5819 Driftwood Pkwy. Cape Coral, FL 33904
• (239) 574-0809

City of Cape Coral Yacht Basin

Play in the heart of downtown baltimore, marina info.

The Cape Coral Yacht Basin, managed by the Marine Services Division and located on the grounds of the Yacht Club Community Park, features 89 boat slips, which are utilized to dock vessels up to 55 feet in length. Due to limited availability, daily, monthly, and annual rentals are available on a first come, first serve basis: PARK AMENITIES Fishing Pier (lighted) Outdoor Racquetball Courts (2) Picnic Areas w/ BBQ Grills Playground (ages 2-12) w/ handicap accessibility Public Beach Restaurant Shuffleboard Courts Tennis & Racquet Club Tony Rotino Senior Center Yacht Club Community Pool Boating Amenities (on site): - Fuel Dock Facility with gas, diesel, bait and ice - Pump Out Station - Clean Tiled Shower/Restrooms - Washer and Dryer

Boat Slip Rental Rates*Annual Rate (Cape Coral Resident) $ 9.00 per foot + $35.00 Utilities per month: Annual Rate (Non Resident) $11.00 per foot + $35.00 Utilities per month:Daily Rate: $ 1.75 per foot + $ 3.50 Utilities per day:Monthly Rate: $12.00 per foot + $35.00 Utilities per month* 6% sales tax will be added to all rates.

The marina holds your credit card to confirm the reservation but will not charge until you arrive.

Fuel Prices

All Year: Mon - Sun07:00 am - 07:00 pm

Payment Types

Max Length (ft):

Approach depth (ft): , dock depth (ft):.

City council votes to move forward with revised Yacht Club master plan

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — The City of Cape Coral moves forward with a revised master plan for the Cape Coral Yacht Club.

City Council voted Monday night to approve the 36-million dollar revised renovation project.

This decision sparked a lengthy discussion at Monday's city council meeting, with several people voicing concerns over the project’s safety features.

“We’re happy to see the area be renovated and rejuvenated, speaking for all of us, we ask that our lifestyles and property be secured,” said a resident during Monday night's meeting.

The big concern among residents was the need for a security barrier.

“It’s far better to compromise esthetics than to compromise the safety of the vessels or their owners that are funding these improvements,” said Stephany Helper.

Right now, a fence surrounds the boats in the marina, but the new design does not include a security barrier — something that worries Stephany Helper, who lives at the Cape Coral Yacht Club.

“Right now, we have to have a gate key to get in and out, and that’s what makes it so secure,” said Helper.

But project staff say a fence can be easily be addressed, and it’s something they will continue to work on.

Another concern was the new location for the boat ramp.

“We do want everyone to remember that the yacht club is in our backyards, off our lanais, off of our bedrooms, we have to look at and live with whatever y’all decide to do to that park," said a resident.

Cape Coral City Council is moving forward with approving a revised design concept plan that relocates the boat ramp to the yacht basin instead of the canal as initially proposed.

“When the boat ramp is open if we could do dawn to sunset, something where we don’t put them right in the backyard at midnight,” said a resident.

In total, the project is now estimated to cost about $36 million, with $14 million coming from ‘go bond’ money.

That's a 2.28 million dollar increase from the design presented last month. Project staff says the increase is to accommodate changes.

“That includes some additional sea wall demo and seawall reconstruction in the very southwest corner of the park.”

A three-story parking garage is also part of the plan, with a projected $2 fee to park per hour.

Revenue from the parking garage and yacht basin going towards refunding the additional costs of the project.

“I can foresee some problems, but we’ll just have to deal with them as they come along,” said Councilman Rick Williams.

The renovation project also includes additional boat slips, a splash pad, and a building for the Cape Coral Police Marine Unit.

“We need to make sure as we move through this project that we have solid communication to come up with not only what council wants to see moving forward but the residents who live over in that area,” said Mayor Joe Coviello.

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City leaders reveal 'final master plan' for cape coral yacht club renovations.

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Cape Coral city leaders revealed what they are calling "the final master plan for the Cape Coral Yacht Club" at Wednesday's Committee of the Whole meeting.

The Yacht Club has sat fenced up ever since Hurricane Ian destroyed the ballroom and pier.

According to the plan, the new Yacht club will have an expanded beach, new restaurant, a resort-style pool with lanes and more. For the link to the whole plan, click here .

To keep up with our ever-growing city, there will also be nearly 900 parking spaces. That includes 158 for boats and 596 for cars. To fit that much parking, they need to build a 4-story parking garage in place of the pickleball and tennis courts.

Ron Austin from the Southwest Florida Yacht Club also spoke at Wednesday's city council meeting. He is asking the city if the new community center could be his club's new permanent home.

"We have 400 miles of canals in Cape Coral. We have a lot of boats. Thousands of boats. And without that would be a great thing for the citizens to have a yacht club to be in." Austin said.

Council members said they understand the public's frustration with how long this is taking. They are frustrated too, but they need to get a lot of state and federal permits approved to take on a project this size.

NBC2 asked the city how long this would all take. They sent the following response:

"The Yacht Club Master Plan will come before the council for approval at a future meeting. A timeline for this will be developed in the next few weeks.

Once the council receives and approves the final design and associated fees, the project will move into the design phase.

We anticipate completion within 3-4 years, but this is contingent on federal and state permits."

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Cape Harbour

Cape Harbour is one of my most favorite places to go to and is one of the nicest of the Cape Coral, Florida marinas.

You will find great shopping, dining, and lovely homes in this luxury yachting community.

After shopping and dining, it is so nice to be able to take a stroll around the boats at the beautiful setting of the marina.

It is also one of the best places for Cape Coral boat rentals, fishing charters, and boating tours. The community is located at the southern end of Chiquita Boulevard.   Some of the best restaurants in Cape Coral are here!

And so are some of my favorite boutiques, fun holiday festivals and events, boat rentals, and charters for fishing or cruising.

This yachting community also boasts luxury condominiums and waterfront homes on gulf access canals, the finest in Cape Coral real estate.

The latest homes being built are the Funky Fish Cottages that are in an "old Florida" style.

Looking for something to do on the 4th of July, Cinco de Mayo, or New Years?

Cape Harbor is host to many festivals and fun holiday events, as well as other occasions.

Live music plays weekly, either outside at the center stage area or at some of the restaurants.  We think their 4th of July Great American Picnic is such a blast!

They have live music, food, sales at the stores, fun activities for kids, and a dog contest.

When we are in the mood for some fine dining and we want to get dressed up, we like to go to Rumrunners.

If the weather permits, we try to sit out side on the terrace so we can watch the boats coming and going.

You can dock your boat right there at the back of the restaurant, and stop in for lunch or dinner.

The food is very good, I love to get their seafood specials. The service is also very good.

For more casual dining, we like to go to Fathoms.

They have a terrific list of tapas for appetizers and that we sometimes like to get several of them for dinner to share.

They have the best thin-crust pizzas - my favorite pizza in Cape Coral ........ salads, sandwiches, and a few nightly specials.

We also like to sit outside and enjoy the view of the marina and all the boats.

If it's too hot though, we also like to sit in the cool restaurant where the decor matches the chic menu.

The other happening place at Cape Harbour is Fathom's outside bar under the big tiki hut right in the middle of the shopping area .

You can order pizzas from Fathoms and listen to live music on Tuesday nights.

It looks so nice with sparkly white lights decorating the palm trees.  Go for the huge New Years Eve Party which features live music, dancing, and fireworks.

The Marina Club specializes in dishes from Argentina, dine inside or outside on the terrace and watch the boats.

The French Press is a coffee shop where we go when we get a craving for gelato.

I think it's Cape Coral's best place for this creamy and delicious Italian ice cream ...... coconut, mango, lemon, and raspberry are some of my favorites.

My kids love the raspberry, chocolate flavors, and hazelnut best.

We have a hard time deciding which flavors, so we always get 2 different flavors!

You can get free samples to help you decide.

Ask for the card where you get a free gelato after purchasing ten of them.

You have the option of sitting inside or out at both places. And ............. finish up that gelato so you can then go shopping!

Islands has a nice selection of Florida lifestyle clothing: Tommy Bahamas, Crocs, and Fresh Produce. It's a good shop to get souvenirs and gift items.

I like the Hawaiian prints on the clothes at Tropics and Paradise, another boutique that has clothing and accessories to get you in the Florida groove.

Divine Divas Boutique has one-of-a-kind party clothes, they pride themselves in offering the best in personalized service. You can find unique gowns, flirty tops, and shoes.

Harbour View Gallery features 7 award-winning artists on a regular basis, and 2 visiting artist each month.

The artists work with watercolors, pottery, photography, glass, mixed media, paper casting and jewelry.

The displays change frequently and public receptions are usually on the first Tuesday of the month between 6-8PM.

Get gifts, bags, fine fragrances, jewelry and more at Scentiments, Our Perfect Pantry, or Fancy Nancy.

Other businesses include Cherie Clark Interior Design, High Maintenance Salon and Day Spa, Grand Banks Yachts, and Marine Max.

To charter a boat for lunch or sunset cruises, and eco-tours, there is the Banana Bay Tour Company. Venture Out offers fishing charters of all kinds, from flats fishing to deep sea fishing.  They are terrific and are our first choice when it comes to hiring a fishing charter.

Check out the Cape Coral Farmers Market happening here during during the summer months for fresh, local produce, soaps, artisan breads, fresh seafood, and more.

Now that you see all the great amenities here, I think it's time to live the dream and buy a beautiful Cape Harbour home!

Most of the homes, except for the coach homes, are either on a canal, on the marina, or have amazing waterviews.

You have several choices: luxury condos, coach homes, and family homes ......... condos are available for vacation rentals.

Various amenities include pools and a clubhouse, and of course, the shopping, dining, entertainment, and marina.

Either way, you have so many fun things to do, and they are all right there at Cape Harbour ..... one of Cape Coral's treasures.

Here are two short videos:

The first is a front view of the shops at Cape Harbour, and the second is a back view from the marina.

5703 Cape Harbour Drive (239)945-6116

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Demolition of historic Yacht Club to begin

By meghan bradbury - | feb 29, 2024.

In August 2023, a randomly selected group of residents dubbed the Cape Coral Yacht Club Stakeholder Group stepped foot into the Ballroom, seeing first-hand the condition of the building and getting an idea of what could be preserved, and how. FILE/CJ HADDAD

The city of Cape Coral has awarded a near $1 million contract to raze the Yacht Club park, including the historic ballroom.

The “piggyback” contract, signed Tuesday, was awarded to Winter Haven-based Jackson-Laux Construction LLC in the amount of $987, 716.04 with work to be completed in 60 days.

City Capital Improvements interim Director David Hyyti said at Wednesday’s Cape Coral City Council workshop that staff has asked Johnson-Laux to get started within 30 days. He said one of the permits may take longer — a final dewater permit to begin the pool demolition.

“We are asking them to start to get the building taken down while waiting for the final permit,” Hyyti said.

City Manager Mike Ilczyszyn said he was hoping the work would start Thursday with the interior demolition, such as disconnecting the air condition system and properly degassing it, as well as taking down fencing.

“I would like to have it start as soon as possible,” he said. “The utilities and the actual deconstructing of the walls, that is going to start after the notice to proceed. I have to figure out how to work those timelines.”

As of Thursday afternoon, the city could not provide a time and date as to when the demolition efforts would commence.

It is expected to take about 60 days to take down the buildings, get the site cleared up and restored.

The Boathouse restaurant and the beach are expected to remain open through the process.

The city plans to rebuild the park with Council approving a concept plan that calls for a two-story event and meeting center; a resort-style pool and separate children’s pool; and four-story parking garage among the new amenities. The pier and yacht basin are to be rebuilt with additional parking for boat trailering. Estimated costs exceed $100 million with the city also considering possible public-private partnerships for some of the amenities.

The Yacht Club consultant will come back with updates on architecture and building programming next month to get started with actual full-fledged design with the facilities, Hyyti said.

Councilmember Robert Welsh asked for updates regarding the pier, which was destroyed by Hurricane Ian.

The consultant will go out to further investigate the pilings next week, as jackets were put on some deteriorating places in 2006, Hyyti said.

“The first investigation did not remove any jackets,” he said, adding that none of them were damaged to the point to see what former repairs survived.

A few of the jackets will be stripped off to look at the repairs to see if they are staying intact. Hyyti said they have a high level of confidence that the pilings are good and they can move forward to restore the pier on the existing pilings.

The city’s plans to demolish the complex, built by the city’s developers as the Cape’s first public facility, was heavily protested with a concerted effort to save at least the Ballroom, a state-designated historic building.

Former city council member Gloria Tate, who grew up in the Cape as a member of one of the city’s “pioneer” families, was a vocal supporter of the save-the-Ballroom effort as was the Cape Coral Museum of History and the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral.

Tate remains critical of the decision to tear down the Ballroom which escaped Ian largely unscathed although most of the site incurred devastating damage. Most of the city’s restoration/repair estimate for the structure is “deferred maintenance” costs.

“We’re spending a million dollars to tear down the only iconic building left in the city of Cape Coral. We did get state historic designation and that wasn’t even enough for this Council to save this building,” Tate said. “It’s just a very sad day for Cape Coral. I have asked many times for them to restore the building and no one is interested in that.”

Tate said the money allocated for demolition could have been better spent restoring the historic Ballroom — so designated for its Mid-Century Modern design and its history — as well as the pool and park grounds as the public would have been able to return to what has been one of the city’s most popular parks much sooner.

“New plans at a cost of $100-$125 million, so the land sits vacant for three years except for the Boathouse and the beach until they get it built. In the meantime, a city of 250,000 people has no community center to have events and no pool for our town.”

Her voice grew teary.

“I know my heart will break when they bring in the wrecking ball,” she said. “My heart will break in half when they bring that claw in.”

The Cape Coral Yacht Club was built by the community’s founders, Jack and Leonard Rosen, and opened in 1962 when development was in its infancy. The riverfront complex included the community center referred to as the Ballroom, pool, tennis courts, fishing pier, beach and, shortly thereafter, a teen center. The Rosens gave free family memberships to all homeowners in the community they were developing from scratch.

In 1998, the then-sitting City Council designated the Yacht Club a historic and cultural resource through a resolution.

The current Council approved the demolition last June.

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What's the future of Cape Coral's Yacht Club? Council ponders massive project

Thanks to Hurricane Ian, Cape Coral officials are looking to change the Yacht Club as we know it and start over, with a project that could cost as much as $100 million.

Mayor John Gunter said the previously approved design avoided the "nucleus" of the yacht club and was focused heavily on the outer perimeter such as the sea walls, docks, and landscaping.

"So now that we've had the damage with our buildings on the interior of this project, now it's almost an open canvas, an open area," Mayor John Gunter told The News-Press.

The changes could include a new two-story ballroom, removing the tennis courts, and rearranging the area to accommodate a parking garage and restaurant.

Hurricane Ian left a severe mark on the city of Cape Coral and its residents, and after months of recovery, the city government discussed options Thursday for its premier gemstone: the Yacht Club Community Park.

During its January city retreat, the city council decided to take a "clean slate" approach to renovate the heavily damaged facilities.

The damaged facilities include the likes of the ballroom, the Tony Rotino Center, and the pier, which could take $1.5 million to repair .

City Manager Rob Hernandez wanted direction from the city council on how the city should proceed with renovations.

"Based on our calculations, we are above the 50% FEMA rule, and so it's likely that we're not going to be able to repair the buildings and that we're gonna have to start from scratch," Hernandez said.

The 50% rule requires structures with substantial damage, or damage exceeding 50% of their market value, to meet the same requirements as new construction and current hurricane code, such as elevating the buildings.

The Yacht Club area, which includes the yacht basin, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a ballroom, and a riverside beach, has served as a popular attraction and staple for the city since the 1960s.

It was scheduled to close for two years to renovate the area and was waiting for permit approval, but Ian put those plans on hold while the city recovered.

Cape Coral after Ian Cape Coral residents weather Hurricane Ian: 'It’s been a catastrophic event for the city'

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Changes to the Yacht Club

James Pankonin, a landscape architect with Kimley-Horn, gave a presentation explaining possible changes that can be made to the design of the project.

He explained that design plans are 90% complete, Wright Construction is preparing a pricing update, and permits with the various city, state, and federal agencies are filed and under review.

The council supports changing the direction and reconfiguring the design of the Yacht Club with some suggesting a bigger ballroom, possibly removing the tennis courts, and changing the placement of the facilities to accommodate a parking garage.

"I don't want to lose the historical nature of the ballroom and what it meant," Councilman Tom Hayden said during the discussion.

The mayor said that with all these changes, the project could easily cost $100 million, so exploring public-private partnerships will also be on the table and lead to more restaurants or shops.

Councilmembers Bill Steinke, Hayden, and Gunter discussed eliminating the tennis courts as the council recently approved plans for more courts at Lake Kennedy.

"For me, I've never thought tennis courts at the yacht club were the best use of land anyways," Gunter said.

Councilmember Patty Cummings suggested completing the project in phases , and Hernandez agreed since the facilities are currently closed.

"I would think that Wright could develop a phasing plan for the landside construction to bring things on board incrementally," Hernandez said.

Cape Yacht Club original plans Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Park to close for two years for renovations

Cape Go Bond Cape Coral residents pass $60 million bond referendum for parks

More on tennis Cape Coral tennis buffs fear losing out as city plans park changes

What's Next?

Kimley-Horn will take the feedback and work on new designs, which will be presented to the council in the coming months.

"I would say up to about 90 days to at least get a preliminary, like I said this is going to be a multi-step process," Gunter said.

The city will then provide the council with finance options, possibly going the route of using bonds as previously discussed.

"There'll be a cost analysis that they will provide at that time, and then I'm sure our finance director will give us some scenarios a different type of funding mechanisms," Gunter said.

To residents worried about future changes, the mayor said there will be several chances in upcoming meetings to address the council.

"And I can see our developer or designer coming back several times, so council, staff, the community can all weigh in and craft it and move to the next step, and the next step until we get a final draft ," Gunter said added.

Luis Zambrano is a Watchdog/Cape Coral reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. You can reach Luis at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Lz2official.

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Home   Departments   Parks & Recreation   Recreation Facilities   Yacht Club Community Park   Yacht Club Boat Ramp   click here  Marine Services Division

Marine Services Division

The Marine Services Division, under the supervision of the Director of Parks and Recreation, is responsible for overseeing and managing all recreational marine operations within the City of Cape Coral. This encompasses the  Cape Coral “Godman” Yacht Basin , as well as the City’s five (5) improved boat launch ramps including:  Yacht Club Boat Ramp ,  Horton Park Boat Ramp ,  BMX Boat Ramp ,  Burnt Store Boat Ramp ,  Rosen Park  and several unimproved freshwater ramps located throughout the City. Click here to view a map of all public boat ramp locations in Cape Coral Visit the  Boat Trailer Parking Program  page for information about parking fees required at the five improved boat ramp locations which all include paved parking, restroom facilities and other park amenities on site. In addition to overseeing Cape Coral’s boat ramps, the Marine Services Division manages the Chiquita Boat Lock and Rosen Park, a boat launch facility which includes a 20-slip Marina for live-aboard vessels up to 40’ in length and additional boat ramps accessing the Caloosahatchee River. The Marine Service Division’s administrative office is located within the  Yacht Club Community Park  at the Cape Coral Yacht Basin (5819 Driftwood Park). For more information concerning any of the recreational marine operations within the City of Cape Coral, call the Harbormaster or Assistant Harbormaster at 239-574-0809. For complete rules and regulations concerning recreational boating in Florida visit the website of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at  www.MyFWC.com .

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