Are you looking for one of the south Florida marinas? Similar to when you purchased your boat, there are a lot of things to think about and some sacrifices that you may have to figure out how to manage. There’s a chance that a marina won’t provide the facilities or services you need to retain your boat, even if it may have enough space for storage or docks. Is there a sufficient number of mechanics in the surrounding area to repair or maintain the boat, or do the south Florida marinas provide these kinds of services on their own? Do you need to be paying for a range of facilities such as a swimming pool and clubhouse activities if you just plan on going fishing every once in a while?
No matter the size of the boat you have, you may find a marina in Florida that can fit it. It has been estimated that the state of Florida is home to more than 1100 different marinas. But for the sake of this essay, we will be concentrating on the south Florida coast. This list is not intended to be an entire compilation of all of the marinas that are open to boaters in the state of Florida; rather, its purpose is to only serve as a guide for you while you do your search. Alternatively, this list can come in handy if you want to organize a “marina hopping” trip, which is something that a lot of boaters in Florida like doing.
The Best Marinas on Florida’s West Coast
South Seas Island Resort – Captiva, FL
South Florida’s premier resort is the South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island. Excellent hotel, eating, and recreational choices are available at the resort for visitors of all ages. Fortunately, South Seas offers two marinas at two distinct sites for the boating community.
On Captiva Island, in South Seas, there is a full-service marina called Yacht Harbour & Marina. The marina is fully staffed and equipped to accommodate vessels up to 120 feet. There are connections for electricity, cable television, and freshwater. Additionally close are laundry facilities and showers.
Smaller boats and owners that want to maintain their boats are the focus of Bayside Marina. Boats under 25 feet are eligible for dockage. At Bayside Marina, trailer boat launches are permissible, but get in touch with the marina first. Both freshwater and wireless internet are accessible.
Pink Shell Resort – Ft. Myers, FL
The Pink Shell Marina, voted one of the best marinas in North America, provides dockage for yachts up to 100 feet in length and a range of exceptional facilities. The resort and marina include three swimming pools, two restaurants, a full-service spa, and a beautiful white sand beach. There are 41 floating docks with power connections, water hookups, and other amenities. Fuel savings are offered for marina clients.
The Vinoy Renaissance Resort Marina – St. Petersburg, FL
The Vinoy Renaissance Resort is a riverfront hotel in the center of St. Petersburg’s downtown. The marina has 74 concrete slips that can accommodate vessels between 35 and 120 feet in length. In addition to the numerous resort facilities provided to Vinoy visitors, boaters have access to dry cleaning services, self-service laundry, and room service delivered directly to their vessels. Daily transitory fees vary from $2.75 to $3.50 per square foot per day, however, there are reductions available for accommodation bookings.
Longboat Key Club Moorings – Longboat Key, FL
The 291 spots available at Longboat Key Club’s full-service marina can accommodate boats up to 150 feet in length. With a complete staff and several first-rate amenities including a swimming pool, tennis court, free bicycles, laundry facilities, bathrooms, and more. The Longboat Key Club Moorings is a great place to stay. The property is next to The Resort at Longboat Key Club, so resort visitors may also use a variety of resort facilities. There is a free shuttle service that will take you to the neighboring St. Armands Circle for eating and shopping. Additionally offered are a fuel dock and maintenance and repair services.
Galleon Marina – Key West, FL
In Key West, Florida, the Galleon Marina is a short walk from Duval Street. It has 91 slips for boats and yachts up to 150 feet long. At each slip, you can hook up to fresh water, electricity, and cable TV. You can also do laundry, use the bathroom and shower, and connect to WiFi. Galleon has a popular tiki bar and a pool that people can use.
Marina Jack – Sarasota, FL
In downtown Sarasota, Marina Jack has 316 slips that can fit boats up to 228 feet long. At each slip, there is electricity, fresh water, cable, and WiFi. A fuel dock and Ship’s store are also nearby. There are restaurants on the water, fun piano bars, and shuttles to downtown Sarasota for guests. Marina Jack offers maintenance and repair services for boats.
Marker 1 Marina Clearwater/Dunedin
Marker 1 Marina just went through a big expansion and now has more than 150 wet slips and 350 high and dry racks for boaters in Tampa Bay, Clearwater, and Dunedin. The wet slips can fit boats that are up to 65 feet long, and the high and dry slips can fit large center consoles that are up to 50 feet long. A fuel dock, a swimming pool, showers, a restaurant, and a ship’s store are among the amenities.
Lands End Marina – Apollo Beach, FL
Lands End Marina, located on the southern side of Tampa Bay, is a prime marina for boaters of all sorts. The marina has approximately 100 wet slips that can accommodate yachts up to 100 feet long and high and dry storage for vessels up to 32 feet long. Technicians are on-site to provide repair and maintenance services. The experience is completed by a restaurant and tiki bar.
Tips for Choosing the Best Marina
When searching for marinas on Florida’s south coast, keep the following questions in mind: Do you have a deep draught or a very broad beam? If this is the case, be certain that your yacht is suitable for both the waterway coming up to the marina and the docks. How well is the canal illuminated and marked? Would you feel safe returning to the marina after dark? How far is the marina from your house? While one marina’s facilities may be amazing, if it’s a two-hour trip from your house, you may find it difficult to go such a long distance every weekend.
If you want to leave your boat at the marina all year, evaluate how safe the facility is in the event of a storm or hurricane. Before signing any contract, inquire about storm protocols.
While tiki bars and waterfront restaurants are appealing, don’t overlook the less attractive parts of utilizing a marina, such as head pump-out services. Is the gasoline for your boat available at the facility?
Furthermore, what are the marina’s rules? Every marina is unique, and each may have its own set of regulations. Make careful to read the regulations thoroughly and ask pertinent questions to verify that the restrictions align with your expectations and desired boating lifestyle.
Finally, during a busy weekend, try visiting the marina by boat. What about the other visitors and tenants? Is your yacht compatible with the other vessels in the marina? Examine the complexity of the approach channel and the ease with which you may reach your slip. Attempt docking your boat multiple times to get a sense of what it’s like. What is the noise level at night? Is the marina secure and safe? Spending time at the marina in realistic scenarios is the greatest method to decide whether or not the marina is a good match for you and your family.
