Look, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with your standard day trip. You pack the cooler, hit the water, and head back before dark. It’s great, no complaints here. But, if we’re being 100% honest with ourselves, the real fun starts when you stop watching the clock.

Ready to trade the evening boat-ramp rush for a weekend getaway? Same here. Check out these 5 marinas where you can do just that. 

Hawks Cay Resort & Marina – Duck Key, Florida

Hawks Cay sits right in the sweet spot of the middle Keys. It’s a 66-slip, deep-water setup on a private island. 

Highlights:

• Handles boats up to 92 feet
• On-site live bait and custom fish-cleaning stations
• Easy access to both the Atlantic and the Gulf 
• Five pools and six restaurants on the resort’s property (no Uber needed) 

Safe Harbor Montauk Yacht Club – Montauk, NY

If you want to experience the Hamptons without the bumper-to-bumper traffic, Safe Harbor Montauk Yacht Club is the answer. It’s located on prime real estate right on Lake Montauk.

Highlights:

• 300' slips and 45' moorings
• Complimentary Wi-Fi, shore power hookups, fresh water hookups, pump-out, and slip-side parking all available at your slip
• 3 pools, a private beach, and bikes and paddleboards available to rent

The Harborside Inn – Edgartown, MA

Edgartown Harbor doesn’t really need an introduction. If you’ve been to Martha’s Vineyard, you already know it’s one of the busiest boating spots on the East Coast. And the Harborside Inn is right in the middle of all the action.

Highlights:

• Steps from downtown Edgartown
• Can accommodate yachts up to 140 feet (at the dockmaster’s discretion)
• Fishing charters available
• Heated waterfront pool and BBQ patio with private grills

Brown’s Wharf Motel & Marina – Boothbay Harbor, ME

Boothbay Harbor is the biggest boating hub north of Boston. Brown’s Wharf sits right on the east side of the waterfront (the quieter side of the harbor). You can tie up the boat and walk straight into your hotel room.

Highlights:

• Docks offer power, fresh water, and Wi-Fi
• Surrounded by classic Maine lobster shacks, bars, and local shops
• Tucked nicely along the inner harbor shore

Champlin’s Marina & Resort – Block Island, Rhode Island

Champlin’s is one of New England’s largest resort marinas, featuring 4,700+ linear feet of dock space and a 30-foot harbor depth. It’s located on Block Island’s Great Salt Pond. 

Highlights:

• Mostly fixed docks (limited floating docks along the main dock)
• GFI electric pedestals at the marina
• Waterfront heated swimming pool, complimentary shuttle to town, firepits, and playground on site