⚓ Marinas We Loved — The Places That Felt Like Home Between Anchorages
- Anna Wanecka Swiacke
- Apr 27
- 5 min read
The Places That Felt Like Home
After three years of living aboard and sailing thousends of miles,we've expirianced marinas that were just a quick stop and others that made us want to stay longer then planned.From the U.S. East Coast to Dominican Republic,theses are the marinas that truly stood out to us as a sailing family.Life at anchor is what we love most.But every now and then, a marina becomes exactly what we need.A place to reset, catch up, explore, and sometimes just take a break from the constant awareness that comes with life onboard—watching the wind, checking the anchor, always thinking about the next move.These are the marinas that stood out to us. Not just for what they offered—but for how they made us feel.
🌉 Kent Narrows, Maryland
Kent Narrows is one of those marinas that offers a little bit of everything.
It’s a very convenient stop, but what really makes it stand out is how much there is to do around it. From here, you can even make your way across the bridge toward Annapolis, adding a whole different experience to your stay.
We loved having access to biking trails nearby, making it easy to get off the boat and explore at a slower pace. It’s also a great place for families, with amenities like a pool that make longer stays more enjoyable.There are plenty of restaurants and spots to visit in the area, which makes it feel more like a destination rather than just a stop along the way.
It’s one of those places where you can easily stay longer than planned—and not run out of things to do.
⚓ Norfolk Ocean Yacht Marina, Virginia
Norfolk Ocean Yacht Marina is one of those strategic stops along the ICW.
Located near a key transition point, it’s a great place to regroup, prepare, and think ahead to the next leg of the journey. It’s practical, well-positioned, and serves as an important stop along the route.Sometimes, it’s not just about the marina itself—but about where it sits in your journey.
🚀 Titusville, Florida
Titusville is one of those stops that feels completely different from anywhere else along the ICW.Located on Florida’s Space Coast, it brings together cruising life with something unexpected—space exploration. Being so close to the Kennedy Space Center, there’s a constant sense that something extraordinary is happening just beyond the horizon.
If you’re lucky, you can even witness a rocket launch during your stay—something that’s hard to describe until you experience it. Watching the sky light up while sitting on your boat is one of those moments that stays with you.But beyond that, Titusville is also incredibly practical and comfortable.For us, it was a great stop with a dog onboard. The large nearby dog park made it easy for Bolt to get off the boat and really enjoy some space—something that always makes a difference after time underway.
The marina itself is easy and welcoming, and one of the things we really appreciated was how walkable everything is. You can head into town, explore local spots, and enjoy a break from the boat without needing to plan much.There’s also a peacefulness here that balances out the uniqueness. Between the calm waters, open views, and slower pace, it’s a place where you can reset while still experiencing something completely different.
We had a great time here.It’s one of those places that surprises you—and ends up being far more memorable than you expected.
🏛 St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is easily one of our favorite towns along the route—and one we always look forward to returning to.There’s something about this place that pulls you in. The history, the architecture, and the feeling of walking through streets that have been there for centuries—it’s unlike anywhere else along the ICW. You can spend days exploring and still feel like you’ve only just scratched the surface.Stepping off the boat here feels different. It’s not just a marina stop—it’s an experience. Wandering through the old town, finding small cafés, listening to live music in the evenings… it all creates a rhythm that makes you want to slow down and stay awhile.The marina itself is often busy, which says a lot about how popular and well-loved it is. But even with that, it offers all the comforts you need. It also has moorings, which we’ve really appreciated—they give you the flexibility to stay longer while still being right in the middle of everything.And we often do.We’ve spent holidays here, met many friends along the way, and even have friends who now live here. It’s a place that feels familiar every time we return—less like a stop, and more like somewhere we belong.
For us, St. Augustine isn’t just a destination.It’s a place filled with memories, connection, and a feeling that keeps drawing us back.
🌊 Fort Pierce, Florida
Fort Pierce is one of those practical stops that becomes part of our routine.
For us, it’s been an important place to take care of things before leaving the U.S.—especially when it comes to our dog. Having access to veterinary services here has made it a reliable stop to get everything in order before heading offshore.It’s also a good place to regroup, prepare the boat, and take care of those final details before the next big step.
It may not be the most dramatic stop, but it’s one that serves a purpose—and does it well.
🇩🇴 Puerto Bahía Marina, Samaná
Puerto Bahía is, without a doubt, the crème de la crème along the Thorny Path.
After miles of planning, patience, and carefully choosing weather windows, arriving here feels like more than just another stop—it feels like a reward.The first impression is unforgettable. Tucked into the lush surroundings of Samaná, the marina feels calm, protected, and almost removed from the effort it took to get there. After days at sea, stepping into that kind of stillness is something you truly feel.But what made this place stand out for us wasn’t just the marina—it was what it gave us.We don’t often stay in marinas for long periods of time. Life at anchor is what we love. But here, we stayed.And in doing so, we realized how much we needed it.For a little while, everything slowed down.Just having time to breathe.Days fell into a different rhythm—pool mornings, slow afternoons, and evenings where there was nowhere else we needed to be. It gave us the chance to reconnect as a family in a way that’s hard to find when you’re always moving.
And beyond the marina, there was so much to explore.
We drove to Las Terrenas, wandered through Santo Domingo, and hiked to El Limón waterfall—experiences that reminded us how much more there is to this journey than just the water.It’s definitely one of those places we didn’t expect to stay as long as we did—but absolutely loved it.And maybe that’s what makes it so special.Not just where it is…but how it makes you feel when you’re there.We don’t choose marinas often—but when we do, it’s for a reason.Sometimes it’s convenience.Sometimes it’s location.And sometimes… it’s simply the need to pause.They offer something different from anchoring.A chance to reset, recharge, and experience a place in a new way.And over time, we’ve come to appreciate that balance just as much as the freedom of being at anchor.We may always prefer life on the hook.But there are places—like these—where tying up feels just as right.
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