%20(1).png){kind=spacer}
For over a decade, Marinalife hosted the annual Best Marina Contest to honor best in service at top transient destinations. In celebration of Marinalife’s 25th anniversary, we revamped with a newly expanded Readers’ Choice Awards to highlight categories ranging from best marina facilities and services to favorite experiences.
What makes a perfect marina? Only true, dedicated boaters know. That’s why we asked our readers to highlight what they love most about their favorite spots. If you take all the Readers’ Choice Awards categories and combine them into one — from best marina services and facilities and friendliest staff to best entertainment and destination — you get the Best Marina Overall category.
A unanimous poll says to head southeast this season as our first and second place winners are both located along the Atlantic coast in Georgia and South Carolina. Let’s raise a toast to this year’s best marinas!
Brunswick, GA
The city of Brunswick may be small — but the spirit of this boating community feels larger than life. The spacious 387-slip facility is nestled on the East River along Georgia’s gorgeous Golden Isles, just steps away from the heart of downtown Brunswick. The marina welcomes boaters with southern hospitality, friendly concierge services and amenities including lounges, a fitness center, propane grills on every dock and free happy hours.
In addition to 22 open acres at the property, the pet-friendly marina offers a newly built half-acre dog park for your furry friends to run free. Kids can also run free at the playground and enjoy family-friendly activities on-site. Free bike rentals are available for easy access to downtown or exploring the region’s golden nature scene.
This historic town and family-owned marina had a lot to celebrate in 2024 with two milestones, including Brunswick Landing Marina’s 30th anniversary, as well as the centennial of the F.J. Torras Causeway, a major route connecting Brunswick to St. Simons Island. Both the causeway and Brunswick Landing Marina are local Torras family legacies as F.J. Torras is the great-great-grandfather of current marina owner Michael Torras. Last summer, the Golden Isles community commemorated the causeway’s 100th anniversary with a day of live music, vendors and themed celebrations.
Since 1994, the Torras family has grown the marina into a top-notch facility and strong boating community ranging from local liveaboards to visitors from all over the world. The family built what began as an old run-down manufacturing plant and small marina with just five slips to what is now Brunswick Landing’s thriving destination.
“It is remarkable when you look at what’s been accomplished over that 30 years and you look at the fact that it started out as one dock and now it’s a massive area,” says President Daren Pietsch. “There’s continuity because this is a very successful marina and a big part of downtown, but we’ve also created an environment where people want to work, so it’s certainly the family that makes the difference in allowing us to run it like a family business.”
It’s no wonder Brunswick boasts the popular vote — the marina is known for its lively cruiser camaraderie and has prospered into a social hub with free weekly happy hours and events. Some events are even coordinated by the marina guests, such as last year’s “Summer Olympics,” where boaters competed in fun, creative games. The community is so dedicated that a few marina members participated in the “Decades” segment of the city’s Causeway Centennial Celebration in which they represented the 1980s with a choreographed dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” dressing the part and executing a hilarious yet fabulous performance at the event.
“At Brunswick Landing Marina, we don’t view our customers as just clients — we see them as extended family,” says marina manager Michael Torras. “Whether they’re here for a short visit or a longer stay, they always seem to find their way back to us. Our marina team goes above and beyond by not only meeting our customers’ needs but also creating a welcoming, social environment where everyone feels at home. Putting our customers first is at the heart of everything we do.”
The marina continues to grow with several major projects in the works, including a new dry stack storage facility, a complete replacement of the main dock and addition of 1,000 linear feet of wet storage. They also plan to work with the city to build a public boardwalk with retail, restaurants and mixed-use space for offices and condos.
“These expansions are essential to addressing the high demand we’ve experienced,” says Torras. “We can’t wait to provide even more space and amenities for our boating community.”
Check out the marina’s extensive calendar of activities ranging from “Yoga Classes in the Yacht Club” to “Cigars Under the Stars,” as well as exciting fall events, including oyster festivals and the annual PorchFest.
Hilton Head Island, SC
There must be something about the southern charm that keeps boaters coming back for more. Just 100 miles north of Brunswick, Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina is a premier destination in the heart of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. Secluded in a hidden grove, the resort- style marina offers 178 slips for vessels up to 150 feet along a lively promenade with seven waterfront restaurants, more than 15 shops, live music and family-friendly attractions.
The marina provides complimentary bikes for boaters to enjoy the island’s natural beauty along stunning paths lined with Spanish moss and oak trees. Guests can access free shuttle services to the neighboring Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort and beach area, plus amenities such as laundry, kayak dry storage, maintenance and on-site fuel services.
“It’s an incredible honor to place again in a nationwide contest among so many outstanding marina destinations,” says Harbourmaster Mason Lemon. “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, as well as the unique experience we strive to provide for every boater who visits.”
Shelter Cove is home to the iconic Neptune Statue, a 12-foot-tall King Neptune replica and largest working sundial statue in the world. Every spring and fall, visitors gather around the statue for Music & Taste on the Harbour, featuring local bands, as well as food and drink specials from two participating Shelter Cove Harbour restaurants. Recently named Best Annual Event or Festival by The Post and Courier, HarbourFest, Hilton Head Island’s largest multi-week summertime event features live music, kids activities and fireworks on select Tuesday evenings and July 4th.
The island boasts 12 miles of pristine beaches and long stretches of scenic nature trails and public pathways. The region is known as a top golf destination in the U.S. with more than 30 courses, as well as a haven for adventurers who love to kayak, paddleboard, fish, bike, and explore the local wildlife and ecosystem.
“What draws so many people here is the unique blend of natural beauty, warm hospitality and a mild, inviting climate,” says Lemon. “It’s not uncommon for our boaters to extend their reservations simply because they fall in love with everything this area has to offer.”
Kennebunkport, ME
“For over 50 years, Chicks Marina has been the name synonymous with the Kennebunk River” — this marina’s catchphrase holds true when it comes to popularity of the quaint, family-owned destination. Nestled along the southern coast of Maine, the 50-slip facility offers seasonal and transient dockage, heated winter storage, custom boat services and amenities such as shuttle services, a ships store, and gas and diesel fuel dock.
Lounge on the sundeck and patio or cook out on the gas grills in the picnic area for a perfect summer retreat. Kennebunkport is a quiet escape from the busy city and known for beautiful beaches and a tranquil environment. The marina is just a short walk from Dock Square in the heart of the historic seaport community where visitors can shop boutiques, explore art galleries and feast on fresh Maine lobster at local restaurants.
“Chicks Marina undertakes a project to maintain the facility annually, ensuring it remains safe and beautiful,” says Amy Gaynor, operations manager. “This year, the fuel tanks were replaced with new ones, an activity that typically occurs every 30 years.”
Gaynor says Chicks prides itself on offering top-notch facilities and providing the highest level of service. “The customer service at Chicks Marina is outstanding — we take pride in making your visit exceptional, and our entire team has a positive attitude and a passion for what they do which is reflected in our service.”
Baltimore, MD
Lighthouse Point’s newly redeveloped marina has prospered into a hot new destination along the Baltimore harbor. The slips boast 400 new hyper-modern floating docks with full-length finger piers that accommodate vessels 35 to 300 feet, and the east dock is constructed with an attenuator to quell wake and wave action and protect boats against chop.
“The way the marina is engineered, designed and constructed, it’s got a really long useful life, so it’s not something that’s going to deteriorate quickly,” says general manager Joel Schlossberg. “The new electrical pedestals are a great thing too and are much more sensitive to any kind of leakage — it eliminates shock hazards, reduces chance of boat fires — so, having the most up-to-date technology for the pedestals is great for marina and boater safety.”
Dock and dine on-site or at tons of local waterfront restaurants just steps away in the Canton neighborhood. Guest amenities include in-slip pump-out, laundry, pool access and convenient gate entry via smartphone. The marina is home port to Paddle Club Baltimore’s pontoon boat where groups can embark on fun social cruises around the harbor.
The property still has big projects in the works, including revamping the restaurant and remodeling the marina office, fitness center and boaters’ lounge. The marina’s iconic lighthouse will also get a fresh new look. Fun fact: The lighthouse at Lighthouse Point Marina was never actually a lighthouse — it’s an old 1800s licorice plant smokestack converted into a Chesapeake Bay-style lighthouse replica.
Orange Beach, AL
This vibrant destination is a true Gulf Coast gem. The marina is surrounded by a thriving district of shops, dining, lodging and attractions, such as The Wharf Amphitheater’s open-air venue. Visitors can enjoy everything from ice skating in the winter to strolling the boardwalks and taking a ride on The Wharf’s Ferris Wheel in the summer.
Located on Portage Creek nearly halfway between Mobile Bay and Pensacola Bay, boaters can easily access the marina from the Intracoastal Waterway. Perdido Pass on the Gulf of Mexico is just 12 miles away. The Wharf Marina offers 200 premium floating slips with all-new Bellingham Marine docks and the luxury boaters’ lounge provides access to laundry rooms and shower facilities. Guests love the convenience of high-speed fuel at the new Super Fuel Dock and shopping at The Wharf Store for nautical gear and trendy apparel.
Exciting water excursions include dolphin cruises and sailing tours aboard the 52-foot luxury sailing yacht, The Cetacean, and 40-foot pontoon boat, The Explorer. As Orange Beach is a premier sportfishing retreat, the marina hosts exciting events including The Wharf Boat & Yacht Show and the Blue Marlin Grand Championship fishing tournament. Be sure to catch annual holiday celebrations and witness the magic of SPECTRA Laser Light Experience shows with synchronized music and glowing palm trees along Main Street.
Racine, WI
Situated on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Reefpoint is the largest full-service marina in Wisconsin boasting 900+ slips. The resort-style atmosphere offers upscale amenities such as a fuel dock, ships store, outdoor heated pool, two hot tubs, lounge area with picnic tables and grills, and a cozy boaters’ lounge. Just minutes away, downtown Racine’s lakefront community is lined with Victorian and Italianate structures, boutiques, restaurants, pubs, museums and attractions along historic Main Street.
Take your boat to North Beach for a fun day on the water and then return for a relaxing evening by the marina’s fire pits. Guests can enjoy dining on-site at Reefpoint Brew House offering American dishes ranging from sandwiches and burgers to steaks and seafood. Convenient lodging is just steps away at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.
The marina is currently undergoing a $32 million revitalization with a complete redesign and new top-tier amenities. The transformation includes a new wide dock to accommodate larger yachts, complete with slip-side pump-out and upgraded power pedestals. Additional upgrades include a new high-speed fuel dock, renovated restrooms and floating party patios.
“The demo of the first phase has already been completed and the first phase of the new docks are set to install in spring,” says general manager Carrie Reid. “This project will take four years, with demo being completed on a quarter of the marina every off-season, and a quarter of the new dock system then installed in its place each spring.”
Elbow Cay, Abacos, Bahamas
Encompassing turquoise waters, blue skies and luxury, this resort marina is everything a cruiser could desire on their dream destination. Located on the west side of Hope Town Harbour next to the iconic Elbow Reef Lighthouse, the marina offers slips for vessels up to 125 feet and moorings for boats up to 45 feet.
Stay at a plush resort villa with waterfront views and find everything you need on-site from dining and provisions to shopping at The Boatique store. Boaters can enjoy relaxing by the marina’s pool and easy access to laundry, showers, freezers and fresh water. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily at Bridget’s Rum Bar & Restaurant, where guests can sip on specialty cocktails like the fruity Marina Punch or sweet Poolside Strawberry Lemonade.
Cruise your vessel around the fascinating caves, cays and beaches of the Abaco Islands to explore the region’s breathtaking topography or check out boat rentals from local companies such as Island Marine or Cat’s Paw. Don’t miss the annual Hope Town Music & Rum Festival featuring a star-studded lineup and local rum tastings!
.png)
.png)
Stay up to date with the latest articles, news and all things boating with a FREE subscription to Marinalife Magazine!
