We called these marinas home. And so can you.
Want an affordable waterfront in some of the most beautiful areas of the US?
A marina might just be the right neighborhood for you. And a boat the right home.
Before our family of five sailed away into the international sunsets, we explored the East Coast of the US. And stayed at quite a few marinas.
Here are our favorites, sailing north to south (the better direction).
Salt Ponds Marina
Located in Hampton, Virginia, Salt Ponds Marina is a small oasis right on the Chesapeake Bay.
Wondering if you can even live on a boat? Read this post: Can you Live on a Boat? Yes, and Now is the Right Time.
The marina is very spacious with long docks leading right to the beach. No other marina we have visited has had such convenient and safe access to a sandy beach.
The famous Virginia Historic Triangle is just a short drive away. If sailing with kids, this can be an excellent history-packed stop.
In the fall, take advantage of their homeschooling days, when the tickets are much cheaper and the crowds are gone, because everyone else is in school.
The marina has a nice swimming pool, a captain’s lounge and clean facilities.
Perhaps one of our favorite features of this place were the boating neighbors. We found life-long friends there.
St. Augustine Municipal Marina
The mooring field at St. Augustine Municipal Marina is one of the prettiest locations one can call home, on a boat.
When we visited, we stayed at a slip, which is the more expensive and less awesome option. Go for the mooring field.
The cruising community at St. Augustine is very active and supportive.
The marina is right in the middle of the busiest area in town, so to use their facilities, one sort of walks into the shower right off of the main street. Not ideal.
Then, again.
Old Town St. Augustine is within a walking distance. Do I need to say more?
Vero Beach Loggerhead Marina
We spent some time in Very Beach, on our way to Miami.
It is a charming town, very popular with boaters.
While the city marina is the busiest and most affordable, we decided to stay at Loggerhead Marina. It is in a gated neighborhood with miles of trails for walking and biking.
Also, a very safe area.
The neighborhood is beautiful, with large, mature trees, for plenty of shade during your morning run.
They offer bikes, but if you have your own, it is quite safe to store them at the property. The closest Publix is just over a mile away, most of the biking is through the neighborhood.
The facilities and the bathrooms are some of the nicest we have seen. The pool is amazing too.
Small social gatherings are organized every week (with donuts and coffee), but the predominant guests at the marina are retired couples. Not an ideal place, if you have older, louder kids…
Titusville Marina
Titusville marina and mooring field is one of our all-time favorites.
The park next to the marina has a large and clean playground, a skate park and a spacious dog park. We were there every day.
Not to mention the adorable manatees who swim right around the docks.
Just a side note – try not to touch and pet them. They will swim right next to you, but are still wildlife. The fine is pretty high too.
The marina is located right on the ICW. We watched a rocket launch right off of our boat one night. It was spectacular.
There is a great restaurant close by, that you can dinghy to.
The marina is a very popular place for boaters to stop, so life is never boring at the docks.
Halifax Harbour Marina
We purchased our catamaran, at Halifax Harbour Marina. And stayed there for a while, as we were fixing a few things and replacing the engines.
The marina is excellent, located in a huge park, with more than enough space for people and pets.
We met a few amazing families at that marina, who were always ready to help and have been friends ever since.
The facilities are spacious and clean. It is quite common to have breakfast aboard while watching playful dolphins right next to your boat.
And owls at night.
For fans of car races, you could not be at a better spot. We could hear the races from our boat some days.
The close-by beaches of Daytona Beach were a favorite PE playground every morning, before we would start our school.
Parking is free at a few. Go early, before the vacation crowd wakes up around noon.
Right next to the marina are a few adorable shops for antiques and chocolate. But most of the fun places to see require a car to reach.
Dinner Key Marina
You will never be bored in Miami. Which is where we stayed, at Dinner Key Marina.
Miami can also be a bit too much. So it is sometimes best to enjoy it from a distance.
From the water, that is.
Dinner Key Marina is located in one of the nicest neighborhoods in Miami – Coconut Grove.
It is a popular location for a few international sailing races. We watched them right off of our boat. We even cheered the only Bulgarian boat, but I don’t think he heard us.
Just five minutes down the road is one of the fanciest city areas with charming cafes, fashion shops and lush parks.
Oh, did I mention the peacocks – free-roaming the neighborhood mansions.
Oh, and the prettiest library in the world.
Oh, and the sweetest coffee in Little Havana…
Miami has way too much to offer, to fit into a short paragraph, you have to see it to believe it. From the water.
Are you Ready?
Life at marinas can be as slow and relaxed, or as adventurous and diverse as you wish. Changing neighborhoods without changing your home is hard to beat, if you love traveling.
Think about it.
If you already have, send me an e-mail, let’s get you moving.
Did I forget to mention my favorite part about living at marinas – I never had to clean the shower.
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