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In this new digital world, data paints a picture — and we’re sharing ours. We’ve gleaned tried-and-true locations for boaters from five years of website traffic at Marinalife and Snag-A-Slip. Whether an international city or a waterfront town, all 25 spots on our list have the marinas, amenities and attractions that make them hit the mark year after year. Here’s a peek at what makes them unique.
Portland Harbor bustles like none other in Maine. Berth in the Old Port neighborhood and walk the cobblestone streets or stay nearby across the channel. The city is rich in culture: literary icons Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Stephen King were born here. Add lobsters, blueberries, microbreweries, the Portland Observatory Museum, Fort Gorges and the annual Maine Boatbuilders Show.
Newburyport prides itself on being the official birthplace of the U.S. Coast Guard, with the Custom House Maritime Museum detailing the organization’s history. The Merrimack River is popular for overwintering and vessel service. An eclectic mix of boutiques, galleries, museums, restaurants and cafes line the streets of the retail district.
Unpainted shingles are the signature of Nantucket. The 14-mile-long island attracts visitors from around the world to its charming small towns. There are dune-backed beaches, manicured streets, occasional sightings of the rich and famous, incredibly good food, and a rich past as a 19th-century whaling hub. Dock at Nantucket Boat Basin, a short walk from the historic district and the Whaling Museum.
The Mystic River leads boaters to the largest maritime museum in the country, Mystic Seaport. Navigate through the historic bascule bridge to the seaport’s marina or dock at one of many options along the way. The historic whaling town, which frequents top destination lists, draws crowds to its charming Main Street.
It’s no surprise that boaters love Newport. The sailing mecca hosts the Newport International Boat Show, an annual classic yacht parade, a classic jazz festival and mansions harkening from the Gilded Age. Its historic association with the America’s Cup includes the infamous 1983 race when Australia (and a winged keel) took the trophy from America. Reserve a dock or join the feast of yachts that moor in the harbor.
Kidney-shaped Block Island swells with activity in summer. Champlin’s Marina and Resort, with 250 slips for yachts up to 300 feet and on-site eateries, is the centerpiece of well-protected waters in Great Salt Pond. The restaurants and shops in Old Harbor are a walk away. Many circle the island on two wheels and stop at Mohegan Bluffs to look out at the groundbreaking offshore wind farm.
Maritime activity has deep roots in Greenport on Long Island’s North Fork. East End Seaport Museum tells stories of the former whaling and shipbuilding town and offers tours of “Bug Lighthouse.” Well-known Claudio’s, with a marina and four eateries, fronts the town center. Long Island wineries and Shelter Island are nearby.
Victorian houses and miles of South Jersey coastline grace Cape May, one of the country’s oldest seaside resorts. The harbor is filled with amenity- rich marinas two miles away from a town square with pedestrian-only streets. Live music, theater, events and serious fishing tournaments add to the appeal. The 1859 Cape May Lighthouse offers sweeping ocean views.
Oh say can you see … Baltimore is forever tied to our national anthem and Fort McHenry. Water taxis, an attraction-filled inner harbor, public markets and a melting pot of cuisine choices make it an easy city to enjoy. Inner Harbor Marina is right in the must-see downtown while Harbor East Marina is a short walk to the Inner Harbor, Fell’s Point, and Little Italy. The newly renovated Lighthouse Point Marina is at the edge of the city in the walkable Canton neighborhood.
Annapolis is most often described as “pretty.” Tree-lined streets pass colonial buildings, shops, eateries and the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy (with a museum). Dock or moor at Annapolis Town Dock or at Annapolis City Marina for easy downtown access. The Marina at Nautilus Point on tranquil Back Creek in the Eastport neighborhood is minutes away by water taxi.
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum defines the Eastern Shore town of St. Michaels. An 18-acre waterfront campus houses an 1879 screw-pile lighthouse and runs a smorgasbord of waterfront activities. In town, the St. Michaels Marina is steps away from restaurants as well as the independently owned shops of Talbot Street, selling everything from handcrafted jewelry to infused olive oils and local distilled rum.
Boating in our nation’s capital has never been better. On Washington Channel near the National Mall, you’ll find The Wharf Marina with its own mile of parks, promenades and piers. The Anacostia River’s alternate fork of the Potomac features The Yards Marina, where you can hear Nationals baseball games from your boat or scope out the hot neighborhood’s breweries, dining, and shopping scene. On the Potomac, National Harbor Marina is in a hub easily spotted by the 180-foot glowing Capital Wheel.
Hampton, famous for the colonist landing spot on Old Point Comfort, sits on a protected waterway off busy Hampton Roads. Fort Monroe National Monument is four miles outside of town and marinas. Another draw is the Virginia Air and Space Science Center, the official visitor center of the NASA Langley Research Center.
One visitor says there are “more boats than people” in laid-back Oriental on the Neuse River. A museum details the small town’s history; it is rumored to have been settled by “Uncle Lou” in the 1870s when he anchored his sailboat in the intracoastal waters. You can visit or set down roots at The River Dunes Harbor Club and Marina, a pristine living community and marina to the north.
Southern charm and culinary pleasures set the stage in Charleston. The Georgian houses of Rainbow Row, the Pineapple Fountain at Public Pier and the French Quarter are a healthy walk or free shuttle away from marinas on the Ashley River. Other options are on Shem Creek or dock-and-dines on the Intracoastal. McLeod Plantation Historic Site and Fort Sumter are nearby.
An homage to Spanish colonialism sets St. Augustine apart. The low-lying Castillo de San Marcos National Monument fires cannons weekly at a busy waterfront park. The streets of the adjacent Colonial Quarter wind through Spanish influence, including the architecture of Flagler College and the Ponce Hotel. The St. Augustine Lighthouse affords faraway views.
Thriving Miami has one of the busiest ports in the world. Cruise ships, superyachts and jet skis all ply the waters of Biscayne Bay. Latin American influence is everywhere, especially in the cuisine. The Wynwood Arts District, trendy South Beach, artsy Coconut Grove and Little Havana are all part of a diversity like none other. Venetian Marina & Yacht Club has a premier location for enjoying it all.
From residential Key Largo to funky Key West, wonders surround the 800 jewels streaming from the Florida mainland. Ernest Hemingway and Jimmy Buffet extolled the pleasures of living on Key West, with its famous sunset celebration at Mallory Square. For a luxurious retreat, with access to downtown, dock at The Perry Hotel & Marina or Stock Island Marina.
Tampa and St. Petersburg anchor the vibrant Tampa Bay region on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Tampa is larger, with strong business activity and ongoing efforts to connect city and waterfront. Boating-centric St. Petersburg centers around the 26-acre St. Pete Pier, the ultimate place to stroll, bike, dine, drink, shop, swim. Marine facilities sit north and south.
Sportfish tournaments, Gulf beaches and watersports attract boaters to Alabama’s Orange Beach. Inside Perdido Pass, Orange Beach Marina, long known for big-game fishing tournaments, has evolved into a prime spot for pleasure craft, as well. The Wharf, to the west on the Intracoastal, boasts a 200-slip marina, 10,000-seat amphitheater, more than 60 shops and restaurants, a Ferris wheel, laser light shows and more.
Chicago Harbors runs the country’s largest municipal harbor system along the city’s 14-mile Lake Michigan coastline. Its 10 harbors hold 6,000 boats. From DuSable, Monroe and Burnham harbors, boaters enjoy skyline views and easy downtown access. Montrose, Belmont and Diversey harbors are steps away from the city’s 1,188-acre Lincoln Park. Jackson Park and 59th Street harbors sit in lagoons farther south near beaches and museums.
The scenic beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula surrounds Charlevoix. A vast network of freshwater boating on Lake Michigan, Round Lake and Lake Charlevoix goes along with small-town ambiance. Iconic mushroom-shaped homes, boutiques, galleries and the restored working South Pier Lighthouse add to the appeal.
A temperate climate and consistent breezes bless San Diego, home to the West Coast’s largest naval base. The city’s Balboa Park with the legendary San Diego Zoo, plus the amusements of Belmont Park at Mission Beach are iconic. Half Moon Marina is part of a tropical getaway on Shelter Island at the mouth of San Diego Bay, a short drive to all the wonders of Southern California.
Forget its rainy reputation. Millions of visitors head to Seattle every year. Puget Sound ferries connect a network of islands to the vibrant city featuring the Space Needle, Pikes Place Market and a plethora of hidden gems. Close to downtown, Elliott Bay Marina has a country club ambiance and panoramic views of the Seattle skyline and the Olympic Mountains.
The big city meets the tropics in The Bahamas’ capital. The destination is brimming with activity and restaurant choices downtown and is near the stones-throw-away slots of Paradise Island. Bay Street Marina and Nassau Yacht Haven Marina are in the heart of the city within walking distance to everything. The Palm Cay Marina and Beach Club puts you on the island’s southeastern point in an amenity-rich boaters’ community with easy access to The Exumas.
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