Southeast US Marina Guide
A comprehensive guide to marinas across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida’s Atlantic coast — covering amenities, nearby accommodations, supply stores, ICW navigation, and cruising tips for recreational boaters.
Cruising the Southeast US by Boat
The Southeast US coast is the destination of the annual ICW migration — the great seasonal movement of cruising boats from the mid-Atlantic and New England southward to warmer waters. From the barrier islands of the Outer Banks through the tidal creeks of the South Carolina Lowcountry, the wild marshes of Georgia’s Golden Isles, and the urban waterways of Fort Lauderdale and Miami, this is one of the most varied and rewarding cruising grounds in North America.
This guide covers 15 marinas across 4 states, selected for their quality of facilities, transient-friendliness, and strategic importance along the ICW and the Atlantic coast. For each marina, we provide key details including slip counts, amenities, nearby hotels, and marine supply stores. The guide is organized by state, running north to south from North Carolina to Florida.
The cruising season varies by latitude. North Carolina and South Carolina offer the best conditions from April through November. Georgia is navigable year-round but most pleasant from October through May. Florida’s Atlantic coast is a year-round cruising destination, with peak season from December through April when the snowbird fleet is in residence. The ICW connects the entire coast, running 1,088 statute miles from Norfolk, Virginia to Key West, Florida.
ICW tip: The Georgia section (185 miles) is the most remote and tidally influenced stretch of the entire ICW. Controlling depths can be as shallow as 6 feet at low tide. Plan transits of shallow areas for high tide and carry up-to-date Waterway Guide or ActiveCaptain data.
North Carolina
NC · 3,375 mi coastlineNorth Carolina’s coast features 301 miles of ocean shoreline and 3,375 miles of tidal shoreline, encompassing the barrier islands of the Outer Banks, the sheltered sounds behind them, and the Cape Fear region to the south. Beaufort and the Crystal Coast serve as the primary cruising hub, with direct ICW access and one of the best-maintained inlet approaches on the Southeast coast. The state’s coastline marks the transition from the mid-Atlantic to the subtropical Southeast.
Beaufort Town Docks
Beaufort, NC
Municipal marina on Taylor Creek in the heart of historic Beaufort, one of the most popular stops on the entire ICW. The waterfront boardwalk connects directly to Front Street restaurants, shops, and galleries. Wild horses from Carrot Island are visible across the channel. Transient reservations via Dockwa.
99 slips + 8 side-tie spaces
~130 ft (side-tie)
Inlet Inn (0.2 mi)
East’ard Marine Supply (2 mi)
Seapath Yacht Club
Wrightsville Beach, NC
Full-service marina and yacht club on the Banks Channel at Wrightsville Beach, one of North Carolina’s premier beach communities. The facility offers resort-calibre amenities including a waterfront pool, fitness centre, and the on-site Bluewater Waterfront Grill. Easy beach access and proximity to downtown Wilmington.
70 slips
130 ft
Holiday Inn Resort Wrightsville Beach (0.5 mi)
West Marine Wilmington (5 mi)
Town Creek Marina
Beaufort, NC
Full-service marina and boatyard on Town Creek, a sheltered basin off the Newport River near the ICW. The 75-ton Travelift and extensive boatyard services make this a preferred maintenance stop for ICW transients. Located within the Jarrett Bay Marine Industrial Park, adjacent to East’ard Marine Supply.
140+ slips
~120 ft
Inlet Inn (1.5 mi)
East’ard Marine Supply (0.5 mi)
Southport Marina
Southport, NC
A Morningstar Marina occupying a sheltered position along Cottage Creek, a block or two from downtown Southport. Modern floating Cumaru docks and well-maintained shower facilities are consistently praised by transient cruisers. Transient rates of approximately $1.75 per foot per day make it one of the more affordable full-amenity stops on the southern North Carolina ICW.
128 floating slips
~80 ft
Quality Inn Southport (0.8 mi)
West Marine Wilmington (30 mi)
Marine Supply & Chandlery — North Carolina
The closest West Marine to the popular Beaufort cruising area, serving the Crystal Coast boating community with a full range of marine electronics, safety equipment, maintenance supplies, and fishing tackle.
A specialist independent marine supply shop at the Jarrett Bay Marine Park, stocking over $1 million in parts and supplies. Over 15,000 parts in stock, plus a special-order department and equipment rental. Accessible by boat via the ICW at mile marker 198.
South Carolina
SC · 2,876 mi coastlineSouth Carolina’s Lowcountry defines the cruising experience here — an intricate labyrinth of tidal rivers, creeks, and salt marshes penetrating 30 to 50 miles inland. Tidal ranges of 5 to 7 feet create swift currents in narrow channels, demanding attention to tide tables. Charleston serves as the principal cruising hub, where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers converge at one of the finest natural harbours on the Atlantic seaboard. The coast encompasses over 40 barrier and sea islands and 504,000 acres of salt marsh — approximately 20% of the entire Atlantic Coast’s total.
Safe Harbor Charleston City
Charleston, SC
Home to the MegaDock — the longest free-standing floating fuel dock in the Southeast at 1,530 feet — Safe Harbor Charleston City is the region’s premier superyacht destination. The marina has hosted vessels exceeding 450 feet and offers a complimentary hourly shuttle into the heart of Charleston’s historic district. Part of the Safe Harbor network.
460 slips across 40 acres
460 ft (MegaDock)
Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Waterfront (0.5 mi)
West Marine Charleston (3 mi)
Harbour Town Yacht Basin
Hilton Head Island, SC
One of the most photographed marinas on the East Coast, overlooked by the iconic red-and-white-striped lighthouse within the Sea Pines Resort. Located on Calibogue Sound at ICW mile marker 565. A recertified South Carolina Clean Marina with yacht club membership available to slip owners.
100 slips
135 ft
The Inn & Club at Harbour Town (on-site) (On-site)
West Marine Port Royal (10 mi)
Safe Harbor Beaufort
Beaufort, SC
Directly on the ICW opposite Marker 239, placing cruisers in the heart of one of South Carolina’s most beautiful and historically significant towns. The downtown historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and restaurants, galleries, and shops are within 300 yards of the docks. Year-round operation. Note: Beaufort, SC is pronounced “BEW-fort.”
225 slips
~150 ft
City Loft Hotel Beaufort (0.3 mi)
West Marine Port Royal (5 mi)
Georgetown Landing Marina
Georgetown, SC
Positioned at ICW mile marker 403 — roughly midway between New York and Miami — Georgetown Landing Marina is the area’s largest full-service marina and a top-rated fishing destination. The deep-water facility sits directly off the ICW (not in Georgetown Harbor), providing easy access for transient cruisers. The historic town of Georgetown is South Carolina’s third-oldest city.
100+ slips
200 ft
Hampton Inn Georgetown Marina (1 mi)
West Marine Murrells Inlet (15 mi)
Marine Supply & Chandlery — South Carolina
Serving the Charleston boating community where the Ashley, Cooper, and Wando Rivers meet the Atlantic. Full inventory of marine electronics, fishing gear, boat parts, and safety equipment.
Warehouse-style marine supply retailer offering a vast selection of boat parts, accessories, and maintenance items. Serves the southern Charleston area and is convenient for boaters docked around Kiawah, Seabrook, and the Stono River.
Georgia
GA · 2,344 mi coastlineGeorgia’s coast is remarkably undeveloped compared with its neighbours. The ICW traverses 185 miles of salt marshes, tidal creeks, and barrier islands collectively known as the Golden Isles. Only four of the eight major barrier island groups are connected to the mainland by road, preserving a wild and remote character. Tidal ranges of 6 to 9 feet — among the highest on the Southeast coast — create swift currents and require careful timing through notoriously shallow spots such as Little Mud River, Hells Gate, Buttermilk Sound, and Fields Cut.
Isle of Hope Marina
Savannah, GA
Founded in 1926 and recently renovated, Isle of Hope Marina is set within a scenic historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The marina’s 4,000 feet of concrete docks include a dedicated mega-yacht facility on the ICW. Complimentary loaner cars and bicycles make provisioning and exploring downtown Savannah straightforward.
200 wet slips + 80 dry storage + 600 ft mega-yacht face dock
220 ft
Comfort Suites Savannah South (3 mi)
West Marine Savannah (5 mi)
Morningstar Marinas Golden Isles
St. Simons Island, GA
A 2025 Marinas.com Boaters’ Choice Award winner at ICW mile marker 675 on the Frederica River with no vertical obstructions and direct ocean access through St. Simons Sound. Deep-water marina (10 ft controlling depth at MLW) welcoming everything from trailered runabouts to transiting mega-yachts. The Golden Isles region is one of the most celebrated stops on the entire ICW.
137 wet slips + 180 dry slips + 1,100 ft transient dockage
200 ft (side-tie)
Inn at Sea Island (2 mi)
West Marine Brunswick (6 mi)
Jekyll Harbor Marina
Jekyll Island, GA
At ICW mile marker 685, serving as the gateway to one of Georgia’s most distinctive barrier islands. Jekyll Island’s 10 miles of beaches, 25 miles of paved bicycle paths, and historic district are all accessible from the marina. The on-site Zachry’s Riverhouse provides waterfront dining, and the pool and hot tub make this a resort-calibre stop along the ICW.
206 slips
~125 ft
Jekyll Island Club Resort (1.5 mi (bicycle))
West Marine Brunswick (12 mi)
Marine Supply & Chandlery — Georgia
Located mid-town at 7700 Abercorn Street, serving the Savannah-area boating community with a comprehensive inventory of marine supplies, electronics, and fishing equipment. Roughly equidistant from the Isle of Hope Marina and downtown Savannah.
At 1919 Glynn Avenue, the primary marine supply outlet for the Golden Isles cruising area. Serves boaters from St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and the Brunswick Landing Marina community. Staff are knowledgeable about Georgia ICW navigation and tidal conditions.
Florida (Atlantic Coast)
FL · 3,341 mi coastlineFlorida’s Atlantic coast is the terminus and prize of the annual snowbird migration. The ICW runs the full length, transitioning from wide natural lagoons (such as the Indian River Lagoon) in the north to densely developed, bridge-heavy urban waterways from Palm Beach south through Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Fort Lauderdale is widely regarded as the yachting capital of the world, with over 100 marinas and 165 miles of navigable canals. The coast offers all-weather inlets at St. Augustine, Fort Pierce, and Port Everglades, plus staging points for Bahamas crossings from Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale.
Conch House Marina Resort
St. Augustine, FL
A Florida Clean Marina on Salt Run channel just off the ICW, only 3,000 feet from the St. Augustine Inlet with no bridges to clear. The 194-slip facility combines full marina services with a resort atmosphere, including the iconic tiki bar built in 1976 — perched 300 feet over the water. Historic downtown St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States, is one mile to the north.
194 slips
200 ft
Conch House Motel (on-site) (On-site)
West Marine St. Augustine (4 mi)
Fort Pierce City Marina
Fort Pierce, FL
Established in 1937, Fort Pierce City Marina is a publicly owned facility at ICW mile marker 966 featuring an innovative eco-friendly storm protection island system. Fort Pierce Inlet, immediately to the east, is widely acclaimed as the best all-weather inlet on the East Coast. The marina sits in the heart of downtown Fort Pierce, within walking distance of galleries, restaurants, and the weekly waterfront farmers’ market.
198 slips + deep-water superyacht basin
200+ ft (superyacht basin)
Sunrise Inn Fort Pierce (0.5 mi)
West Marine Fort Pierce (3 mi)
Bahia Mar Yachting Center
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Internationally renowned 40-acre mega-yacht marina and permanent home of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show — the world’s largest in-water boat show. Over four miles of state-of-the-art dockage with a 3,000-foot parallel dock, steps from Fort Lauderdale Beach and Las Olas Boulevard. Foreign Trade Zone designation simplifies customs for internationally flagged yachts.
250 berths (100+ over 100 ft)
300 ft
Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach — DoubleTree by Hilton (on-site) (On-site)
West Marine Fort Lauderdale Flagship (50,000+ sq ft) (1.5 mi)
Miami Beach Marina
Miami Beach, FL
Located at the southern tip of Miami Beach with direct Atlantic access through Government Cut — the primary shipping channel into the Port of Miami. 400 slips in the vibrant heart of South Beach, making it a popular staging point for Bahamas crossings and a destination in its own right. Proximity to restaurants, nightlife, and the Art Deco Historic District sets it apart from quieter ICW stops.
400 slips
250 ft
Marriott Stanton South Beach (0.3 mi)
West Marine Miami (6 mi)
Marine Supply & Chandlery — Florida (Atlantic Coast)
West Marine’s largest store in the country at over 50,000 square feet. Located at 2401 South Andrews Avenue, it carries hundreds of display units for hands-on testing of marine electronics, plus comprehensive safety gear, sailboat hardware, fishing tackle, and paddle-sport equipment. Open seven days a week.
South Florida’s largest independent yacht and marine supply company, founded in 1979 with eight locations across the state. The Fort Lauderdale store on SR-84/Marina Mile stocks over 32,000 OEM and aftermarket parts, backed by a 100,000 sq ft warehouse. Known for competitive pricing and expert staff serving both recreational boaters and professional yacht crews.
Southeast US Cruising Tips
Weather & Seasons
The Southeast coast experiences hot, humid summers (June–September) with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Most cruisers time their southbound passage for October–December and their northbound return for March–May. Winter in Florida (December–February) is the prime cruising season with warm temperatures, lower humidity, and the bulk of the transient cruising fleet in residence. Hurricane season runs officially from 1 June to 30 November, with peak activity August through October.
Tides & Currents
Tidal ranges increase dramatically from North Carolina (3–4 ft) through South Carolina (5–7 ft) and peak in Georgia at 6–9 feet — among the highest on the Atlantic coast. These large tides create swift currents in the narrow ICW channels of the Lowcountry and Georgia marshes. Plan transits of notoriously shallow spots (Little Mud River, Hells Gate, Buttermilk Sound, Fields Cut) for high tide. When anchoring in tidal areas, add at least 20 extra feet of scope and consider a Bahamian moor to reduce swing.
ICW Navigation
The ICW runs 1,088 statute miles from Norfolk to Key West. Most cruisers average 40–70 nautical miles per day, completing the Norfolk–Miami run in 2–4 weeks. The federal project depth is generally 12 feet and 90–150 feet wide through land cuts. Florida’s segment from Fort Pierce to Miami carries a 10-foot project depth; Miami to Cross Bank is 7 feet. ICW markers carry supplementary yellow symbols: when heading south, keep yellow triangles to starboard and yellow squares to port. Hail drawbridges on VHF well in advance — if you miss an opening window, you may wait 30–60 minutes.
Popular Cruising Routes
ICW Snowbird Run (3–6 weeks): Norfolk → Beaufort, NC → Charleston → Savannah → Jekyll Island → St. Augustine → Fort Pierce → Fort Lauderdale → Miami. The classic autumn migration route following the ICW south.
Outer Banks & Crystal Coast (1–2 weeks): Beaufort, NC → Cape Lookout → Ocracoke → Hatteras → return via Pamlico Sound. World-class barrier island cruising with historic lighthouses and outstanding fishing.
Georgia Golden Isles (1 week): Savannah → Isle of Hope → Sapelo Island → St. Simons → Jekyll Island → Cumberland Island → Fernandina Beach. Wild, remote cruising through some of the most pristine coastline on the East Coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to cruise the Southeast US coast southbound?
What is the minimum draught required to transit the ICW from Norfolk to Miami?
How do I navigate the bridges along the ICW?
Is it safe to anchor overnight on the ICW in the Southeast?
What tidal ranges should I expect in the Southeast?
Where are the best spots to cross to the Bahamas from the Southeast US?
What are the typical transient dockage costs in the Southeast?
What should I know about hurricane season when cruising the Southeast?
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