Marina Review for Boca Grande Marina

Reviewed by: Gary Haring , Pegasus, on Feb 7, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Boca Grande marina remains one of my favorites. Excellent facilities and service par excellent. The staff took one look at my leg brace and delivered a set of steps. Now that's service! We were placed on the wall this visit, my first time and I liked it even more than the slip we usually go in. Just a little more into the marina to get away from any surge coming through the inlet. The marina and town looked to be fully recovered from the hurricanes yet it seemed every other home had construction ongoing and city employees were everywhere fixing and cleaning. Many of the restaurants and businesses that had been closed during our last visit were open. We even ate at the restaurant in the marina, something we normally don't do, and found it a good value. The town is very walkable but If you want to explore further out the marina rents gulf carts and the town is cart friendly. It is such a nice marina and town that my cruising club, Cape Coral Cursing Club, has scheduled a 3 day junket. Now that's a recommendation.

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Marina Review for Tarpon Point Marina

Reviewed by: Gary Haring , Pegasus, on Feb 7, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 3

I do not like, and I seldom post a negative review. When I do there is a compelling reason. First the positive. Tarpon Point Marina has a great location, and they are working hard to repair the hurricane damage and will soon have much of what was destroyed repaired although to a lesser capacity. The administrative staff was very professional and pleasant with check in. Now the negative. I did not see the value when compared to other marinas in the area. I was told they have no affiliation with the Hotel so hotel facilities are not available. They buil d up the local amenities but these are assessable via the Weston's courtesy dock (note: this dock is in poor to fair condition). The marina facilities that are functional need that last 10% to be finished. The slip I was assigned had nothing to keep my lines from sliding down them. For a crewed mega yacht this wouldn't be an issue but for our 44 foot boat it was difficult to tie up on these unfinished pilings. The dock itself was in excellent condition but then again not made for our little 44 footer. They are very protective of their marina and chase off anyone entering uninvited but after I was approved to enter no one came out to assist and no one followed up to see if I had everything I needed. I asked for a 50 amp hook up but had to stretch to the vacant slip next to my assigned slip to find it. There is no pump out at the dock and while the water had great pressure it took pliers to work the valve. Yes these are little things but as one of the most expensive marinas in the area I expected better service and facilities. It's like paying for champagne and getting beer. Nothing wrong with either but this is about value. I'll chalk this up to repair pains and I will try them again in hopes of improving their review.

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Nav Alert comment on FL: Lake Okeechobee Lake Stage, Marine Weather Forecast and Water Quality Status

Comment by: Gary Haring, Pegasus, on Dec 27, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.0'

Mr. Heisler is so correct. Okeechobee lake stage is very important to know. Having property on both Lake O and the Caloosahatchee river (fresh side) I can tell you that in less than 24 hours the lake level can change by feet . So the boat reporting 8 feet last week might not be able to transit today. Usually the the lock tender can tell you the lake level. Most are very helpful.

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Marina Review for 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa

Reviewed by: Gary Haring , Pegasus, on May 7, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Tween Waters marina
May 2024
It has been years since we last visited this marina. This area was hard hit by hurricane Ian and is still recovering with that last ten percent still visible here and there but the work is ongoing and soon it will be better than ever. The resort seemed busy for the off season and the resort staff helped us with our dinner reservations, concierge service privilege of staying at the marina. Many of the charter boats looked new, spit shined, floating in their slips awaiting passengers to go sightseeing and fishing but not many takers this day. There were a steady supply of couples wandering the docks greeted by the abundant area wildlife including several manatee with young calf, a nurse shark munching on discards from the fish cleaning tables, monster tarpon everywhere, and the resident great blue heroin snatching up pint sized minnows on the marinas sandy dingy beach. The staff's service was excellent and professional helping many a boater with their needs at the fuel dock. Pump-out was free and with an exceptionally long small diameter hose very easy carried out at the fuel dock. There are three restaurants on the property. The Old Captiva House, the legendary Crows Nest, and Tween Waters newest arrival The Ship Yard. The Crows Nest was not open during our stay. The Ship Yard took over the old Crows Nest restaurant which moved upstairs. I would call it mid-range fair and very affordable considering this is a resort. They served us a very good breakfast. Dinner at the Old Captiva House brought mixed review. We'll give it another try but I'll time my next visit to sample the up-scale fair of The Crows Nest. A storm blew in during the night which forced me on deck to bring down some shade canvas and the nasty chop woke up the entire boat but as fast as the storm came it went leaving behind a soaked cat and skipper. This and we were in a slip protected by a wave fence. What can I say, Florida storms, this is a well protected marina. We will return.

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Marina Review for Boca Grande Marina

Reviewed by: Gary Haring , Pegasus, on May 7, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Boca Grande Marina
May 2024
We visited this marina a day before the Tarpon fishing season opening tournament began. We were lucky to get a slip since all the tournament sized boats filled every other available space. We had a great time, the staff and fishermen exuded a fun vibrancy and everyone had a good time. The marina appeared recently refurnished, very clean. Even the dockside pump-out was painless, although pricy at $20 added to our per foot charge. With the lack of functional pump-out services in this area glad to pay it. The only signs of hurricane Ian were found ashore but I must say this town has worked a miracle in their recovery effort. The very walkable downtown was spotless. Our stay only a few days limited our food sampling but offerings ran the gamut from bar food to high end so all appetites were satisfied. With our 21 foot beam we were moored on the outer T head which put us facing the well marked inlet and while there is a formidable shoal guarding this inlet a strong NE wind managed to disturb our sleep with an annoying chop. Not complaining just informing. We will come back.

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Marina Review for Moore Haven City Docks

Reviewed by: Gary Haring , Pegasus, on Apr 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

April 2024
We stayed at the private dock but walked and had a view of this dock which is in almost new condition. I was told it was recently rebuilt after a fire. Pilings are high enough to reach most boat's rub rails. The only issue I saw with this dock is the payment system. You have to pay at City Hall, not the library, and they need to be open otherwise you wait to pay or put payment in the honor box. Please note this dock is open to the public. For what it is worth I was warned by the locals to lock up my bikes although I saw nothing in town that concerned me. I may up my rating when I get an opportunity to stay here but do to the payment method and unlimited public access only 4 stars.

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Marina Review for River House Marina

Reviewed by: Gary Haring , Pegasus, on Apr 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

This is the only privately owned marina of the 3 in town. Docks and utilities are in good order. The owner is very accommodating and ran the Dockwa reservation for us as a courtesy. Dock is gated. The only issue we had was the pilings were a little low for our rub-rail but fender-boards did the trick. This is our number one pick for marinas in this town but the 2 City run marinas are a good choice but we like the added security the gates brought. The train runs all the time and there is no escaping its horn. Very calm on this windy day and the few wakes were minimal.

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