Choosing A Marina In Florida

Marinas in Florida offer much more than just a slip and safe harbor. Today's marinas are also full-fledged service centers for the boats, inclusive of shopping outlets for marine gear. But that's not all - best part of it is the resort style facilities and the entertainment.

Summer at every marina in the sunshine state is an endless row of gleaming yachts. As such, the marinas spend big money on the facilities, and each one has its specialties. The basics remain the same, though, so it's best to check up on the max vessel and life size, power for charging, and number of slips.

It's also important to choose a marina based on why the boat is there. If all it needs is supplies and fuel, it doesn't make much difference. But if there's more purpose to the trip (sightseeing, sailing, fishing, etc.) then the marina certainly makes a big difference.

So the marinas in Miami are usually preferred by visiting tourists who use the marina and their yacht as a hotel base while they enjoy the city. On the other hand, the St. Petersburg marinas are full of boats sailing and fishing on the Intracoastal Waterway. The point here is that each marina has its own special type of boats and boat owners.

Others might be interested in being part of a marina which is effectively a club with all kinds of services for members. Being part of a marina club is not just an expression. Many of the marinas in Florida are just as good as any good old country club. It'll be a nice residential area, with a pool and lounge and health club. There will be bbq areas and bars with big screens and 24 hour weather channels.

Most important, though, is that these marinas in Florida offer a safe place to dock the boats with guards on patrol. They also offer all kinds of commercial services for boat owners, from fish & tackle shops to boat repair and supplies including fuel, freshwater and ice vending machines. Not to mention the restrooms, showers and local transport in case a member wants to head downtown.

To sum it up, ending up at the right marina is not just a matter of charting a course and finding a marina on the way. It depends on the purpose of the trip. It depends on what kind of facilities marinas in the area offer. And, of course, it depends a lot on Florida's coasts with the Atlantic on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other, plus the Intracoastal Waterway.