The Best Liveaboard Marinas In Florida In 2024

If you live aboard your boat, the world is your office and your playground. 

Wherever you want it to be. You have a privilege that most people can only dream of: Living on a boat. Of course, the big question is: Where do you want to live? In a place with a good climate and world-class facilities and amenities? Welcome to Florida, then!

This article will explain why you would want to live in Florida and where exactly it might be the ideal location for you. Here, you will find some of the Best liveaboard marinas in Florida.

The Best Liveaboard Marinas in Florida

Florida liveaboard marina sunset

Image credit: Fort Pierce City Marina

Our list includes some of the best marinas in Florida, sorted by location. We hope that at least one or more of them will meet your expectations if you are searching for “Liveaboard marinas near me in Florida”.

The marinas are listed first by location and then by quality. The higher up on the marina list, the better it is, not the more expensive. Of course, you have to decide for yourself which marina is the best for you. The closer to city, the better for you if you are looking for new employment opportunities. 

It is much easier to find something in South Florida than in the North. You will quickly find that your options in the North are very limited. In the south, there are many more options. There is nothing wrong with living in the North, and it just doesn’t offer as many options as the South.

Central Florida

  • Astor Bridge Marina in Astor
  • Green Cove Springs Marina in Green Cove Springs
  • Monroe Harbor Marina in Sanford
  • Sanford Boat Works and Marina in Sanford
  • Sea Hag Marina in Steinhatchee

Central East Florida

  • Fort Pierce City Marina in Fort Pierce
  • Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona Beach
  • Harbortown Marina on Merrit Island
  • Melbourne Harbor Marina in Melbourne
  • Titusville City Marina in Titusville
  • Harbortown Marina in Fort Pierce

Central West Florida

  • Blind Pass Marina in Saint Pete Beach
  • Gulfport Municipal Marina in Gulfport
  • Marina in Saint Petersburg
  • Longboat Key Club Moorings in Bradenton
  • Pasadena Marina in Saint Petersburg
  • Marina Regatta Pointe in Bradenton
  • Riviera Dunes Marina in Palmetto
  • St. Petersburg Municipal Marina in St. Pete
  • Twin Dolphin Marina in Bradenton

Northwest Florida

  • Panama City Marina in Panama City
  • Bay Point Marina in Panama City Beach

Northeast Florida

  • Fernandina Harbor Marina in Fernandina Beach
  • Mandarin Holiday Marina in Jacksonville
  • Ortega Villa Yacht Club Marina in Jacksonville

Southwest Florida

  • Calusa Island Marina in Goodland
  • Fort Myers City Yacht Basin in Fort Myers
  • Legacy Harbour Marina in Fort Myers
  • Marco Island Marina in Marco Island
  • Marinatown Marina in North Fort Myers
  • Old Cover Marina in Naples
  • Port of the Islands Marina in Naples
  • Snook Bight Marina in Fort Myers Beach

Southeast Florida

  • 5th Street Marina
  • Vice City Marina
  • Hollywood Marina in Hollywood
  • Harbour Town Marina in Dania
  • Bahia Mar Yachting Center
  • Lauderdale Marine Center
  • Marina Bay Resort
  • Miami Beach Marina
  • Palm Harbour Marina in West Palm Beach
  • Royale Palm Yacht Basin in Dania Beach

Why Would Someone Want To Live Aboard Their Boat In Florida?

Florida is a fantastic place to live on a boat. There’s plenty to do, plenty to see, and employment opportunities abound.

Florida is very safe, has strict laws, and has impressive transparency. If that appeals to you, that alone may be a good reason to move there.

If you’re looking for a financial incentive, consider that there is no income tax in Florida. That’s right – zero income tax. 

So, moving to Florida is like getting an instant raise. It’s also important to keep this in mind when calculating your marina budget.

You will have much more disposable income and be surprised at how much more you can spend on quality mooring in a prime location.

Choosing the best marina depends on many factors, many of which have already been mentioned. But in most cases, it comes down to two things: location and price. Just like buying a house, location is everything.

Speaking of location:

What To Consider When Living On A Boat In Florida?

boating in Florida

Not everything in Florida is glamorous. Many of the things are, but not everything. Florida is very hot, which is great. Also, Florida is very humid, which you may not like. 

Much of Florida is swampy terrain, which provides the perfect climate for mosquitoes and other insects, combined with the humid air. If this bothers you, Florida may not be for you. On the other hand, there are far fewer insects if you live on the coast or near the city. Not zero, but fewer.

Depending on where you live in Florida and your personal preferences, you may also find the party culture unpleasant. South Florida can be crazy, but the marinas give you easy access to the big cities. It’s a playground for the young, the party lovers, and the rich. If that’s not a problem for you, that’s great!

On the other hand, if you’ve left partying and drunkenness behind, it can get pretty annoying over time. If you want to avoid this kind of nightlife, you should stay in Tampa Bay. Even though it may not seem like it, Tampa is much more laid back.

The weather has already been briefly mentioned, but there is nothing to worry about on a day-to-day basis. Bugs are annoying but not necessarily the biggest problem. A more serious challenge is the tropical storms, which Florida has many, especially during the Hurricane season.

Devastating hurricanes do hit Florida, and people might need to evacuate to safer waters before that happens. For people living aboard their boat, it’s literal. They have to pull up the anchor and sail to safer waters. A hurried trip up the coast to New York is a headache. And it can also be costly.

If, after all that, you’re still looking forward to living in Florida, maybe even more so, it’s time to decide where you want to live. Choosing a marina is not as big a commitment as renting an apartment. Leases can be much shorter and are much more flexible. However, this usually comes at a price. 

You can get a much better deal if you opt for a longer lease. Therefore, it is essential that you choose the best marina the first time. In the long run, this could save you a small fortune. This section will help you do just that.

What To Look For In A Marina?

Your marina should work for you. How much money you can get differs from place to place. Do you want to live close to a big city? Great, but maybe you can only afford to live in a marina with little or no additional amenities.

Utilities may not even be included. Here are some things you may not have known you needed but may miss once you’re without them.

1. Electricity and water connections

Not all marinas have electricity and water hookups. You will not only want but need both if you plan to stay there long term. If electricity and water are not included in the lease, you will need to discuss their additional cost.

Electricity costs, in particular, can add up over a year. Solar is a great alternative and can help you find your way to energy freedom. Keep electricity costs in mind when comparing multiple locations.

2. WiFi

Not all marinas have WiFi, and those that do may not have particularly good WiFi. You can, of course, connect yourself with a satellite router. However, this is not always ideal. 

If you can find a marina that will provide you with WiFi, you should have a head start, even if it’s not free. If you plan to work from your boat, it may not be ideal or even impossible to do so without WiFi.

3. Facilities for washing and drying

If you live on your boat, you probably don’t have a washer and dryer unless it’s a megayacht. That means you have to rely on a laundry facility. That’s fine, of course. But when you consider that you probably don’t have a car, it can become a real pain. You’ll have to do laundry at least once or twice a week. 

Driving across town with all your laundry on public transport is a hassle at the best of times. That’s why it’s so important to choose a marina with good washing and drying facilities. It can save you a lot of time and money because the equipment is usually free. 

4. Other Amenities

You might want to grab a hot coffee in the mornings or some iced drink during a hot day, so a coffee bar and a small restaurant can be handy.

If you have pets make sure that the marina is pet-friendly. 

Sailing with children and pets

You might also want to use the recreational areas and see if there is any social area nearby for smaller gatherings and private parties.

5. Security

Good security is essential. Everything you own is likely located there if you live aboard your boat. Boats are not particularly difficult to break into.

Someone who is up to it could enter and leave your boat with everything of value in 5 minutes. Choosing an enclosed marina with video surveillance and even 24-hour security is ideal and advisable.

6. Health & Fitness Facilities

Being stuck on a boat is many people’s idea of living in paradise. But it’s not always ideal for your health. This comes from someone who lived on various boats for more than a decade.

Humans need to move around, and walking or jogging is good for your mental and physical well-being. People living on a boat typically don’t have much space, but that’s not a problem with portable fitness equipment.

It’s a hassle to drive across town to find a good gym, but some marinas have a gym and pool in their facilities. It’s not a necessity, but worth considering if you have to choose between two identical marinas.

Takeaway

There you have it: The Best Liveaboard Marinas In Florida! We hope that many of the above liveaboard marinas near you have the facilities you are looking for. Which one to choose from our list also depends on your budget and specific needs. 

If you have the freedom to live where you want, you are in luck. Some Northern marinas are quieter and cheaper, and they offer a much more relaxed pace of life. At the same time, they also don’t provide as many opportunities to work or play. 

There’s more to do in South Beach than up North, which usually comes with a heftier price tag. North, Central or South, you cannot go wrong with any of our recommended marinas, as long as it has all the amenities you need and are within your budget.

See Also:


Featured Image Credit: Fort Pierce City Marina