Getaway Guide To Favorite Marinas

MARINA AT PENN'S LANDING

Whether your boat is at the shore or on the Chesapeake, you owe it to yourself and guests at least one trip to Philadelphia and a few nights snugged up at Penn's Landing. If you enjoy crowds, pick a weekend. If not, weekdays are tame. The marina has floating docks and can handle a boat up to 150 feet and 6-1/2 foot draft. If you have a 150 footer it probably has a large staff and is flying a Cayman Island flag. The transient rate here is a modest $1.75 a foot.  The marina is right on top of the Moshulu and Chart House restaurants and a short walk to the storied bars and eateries in old city in the heart of the historic district.

SOUTH  JERSEY MARINA

1231 route 109
Cape May, NJ 08204

For boaters who want a Delaware Bay or offshore experience, Cape May fills the bill, especially if fishing is your kick. The South Jersey Marina is closest to the action in town and accessible to the Atlantic jetty and the Cape May Canal entrance from the Delaware Bay. Transient rates are $2.95 a foot. This modern marina has floating docks, fuel and a bait and tackle shop. It's in sight of the popular Lobster House restaurant and the lively C-View bar. It's a 15 minute walk to the center of Cape May and taxi service is available.

CHESAPEAKE INN AND MARINA

Chesapeake City, MD 21915

If you want to break up the passage between Delaware and Chesapeake Bays, Chesapeake City, split by the C&D Canal is the spot. For overnights I pick the piece of town that lies on the southern shore. That's where most of the action is - The Taproom crab house, shops, a range of restaurants from the casual, music filled Chesapeake Inn to the upscale Bayard House and a menu that blends old and new world with a heaping helping of Chesapeake Bay fare. The Chesapeake Inn operates the marina where transient rates are $2.25 a foot on weekdays, $2.75 a foot on weekends. If you're just tying up for lunch or dinner, docking is on the house.

GREAT OAK LANDING MARINA

Great Oak Landing Rd.
Chestertown, MD 21620

Passing through the C&D Canal and the Elk River, head south, favoring the eastern shore for some of the region's most fun filled cruising. Make a stop at Fairlee Creek and the Great Oak Landing Marina. If you thought to carry your golf clubs on board, you'll find a 6 hole course, 26 rooms for lodging, a casual eatery and a happening waterfront bar called, Jellyfish Joel's. The marina is a total package. Overnight docking rates here are $1.75 a foot Monday through Thursday, $2.75 on weekends. One tip: From a distance, the channel approaching Fairlee Creek looks like it's on the beach. It's close, but you won't park on the sand. Just trust your chart and pay close attention to markers and buoys.

HAVEN HARBOUR MARINA

20880 Rock Hall Avenue
Rock Hall, MD 21661

The Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay is a smorgasbord of fascinating waterfront towns, creeks, rivers and harbors. Among them, Rock Hall, Maryland is my favorite. The population here is 1,500 people. But it has 1,700 registered boats including, crabbers, oyster dredgers and charter fishing craft. My home marina is Haven Harbour on the picture perfect Swan Creek. Yes. There are swans. It offers pools,  a casual deck bar and restaurant, 2 small inns, free bicycle use and a ships store. Haven Harbour combines floating and fixed finger pier docks. Transient rates are $2 a foot Monday through Thursday and $2.40 a foot on weekends. It's a 10 minute walk to the Waterman's Crab House or the bustling Harbor Shack. Both have weekend music and a lively dance scene. For a small town, it's awash in great restaurants and eateries including the Bay Wolf (Austrian), Osprey Inn (fine dining) and the bay oriented Swan Point Inn.

ST. MICHAELS MARINA

305 Mulberry Street
St. Michaels, MD 21663

St. Michaels attracts a boating crowd that arrives in everything from kayaks to luxury yachts flying foreign tax-haven flags. The St. Michaels Marina is the hub of waterfront activity. Two restaurants including a crab house and a lively sippery named for a favorite Caribbean Tiki Bar, Foxy's provides the nighttime hi-jinx. A swimming pool, well stocked ships store and fuel dock round out the complex. It's a short walk to the highly regarded Maryland Maritime Museum, the venerable Crab Claw crab house and other popular restaurants, shops and bars in the heart of town. Overnight transient rates are $2.60 a foot Sunday through Thursday, $3.65 a foot on weekends. Make reservations in advance, weekends are extremely busy. During the week, the town quiets down.