The Best Places to Park Your Yacht in South Florida
South Florida is known as one of the best places to dock a yacht in all of the world. Known as the “Venice of the Americas,” Fort Lauderdale, and most other South Florida beach communities, have thousands of miles of canals to explore along the Intercostal Waterway, not to mention the crystal blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean offshore. With this optimal environment for cruising large vessels, many yacht clubs, country clubs, and luxury condominiums now offer docking and complete yacht maintenance and cleaning services. However, joining a yacht club is not just finding a place to store your vessel, but more about becoming part of an exclusive community. South Florida’s yacht clubs have expanded to offer more than just boat services, and many offer exclusive memberships to adjacent golf clubs, dinner clubs, and nearby activities. Many luxury condominiums in South Florida also offer yacht storage and docking, many with their own private yacht clubs, such as Portofino Yacht Club in Miami or The Yacht Club at The Brickell apartments in Miami.
Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club – Boca Raton
The Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club in Boca Raton is considered one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the region. Founded in 1959, the club has been a staple of the region for over 50 years, with both full-time residents, seasonal residents, and visitors alike. This 450 acre parcel is secluded and private but also easily accessible from any of the major thruways in South Florida. The state-of-the-art TimberTech floating dock system is one of the most advanced in the world and is capable of housing vessels up to 120 feet. Once the crew on staff has secured your vessel, stop by “The Office”, a popular watering hole for cocktails and lite fare. The Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club also has a PGA-sanctioned 18-hole golf course that members and guests may enjoy. In addition to the elegant dining and clubhouse areas, there are also luxury and waterfront condominiums for sale in all areas of the property and just steps from the club and docks. Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club also allows for in-vessel living at any of its docks, allowing you to pull in for a night, a week, or until the next adventure takes form. Imagine pulling into this beautiful club with a business associate or family members, playing a round of golf, enjoying lunch, then cruising on home after a fun day.
Miami Yacht Club – Miami
The Miami Yacht Club has been a cultural institution in the city for over 80 years. While this club is capable of accommodating large yachts and vessels, the club is primarily known for its competitive and leisure sailing programs. The club offers dozens of options for learning to sail, including adult and child “learn to sail” programs. The club also serves as a community meeting place for the Rotary Club, Kiwanis, and other community groups. The Miami Yacht Club hosts several sailing races each year, both for professionals and amateurs and draws thousands of spectators to these races. As a member of the Miami Yacht Club, you’ll have preferential viewing options. Additionally, the club is home to a dining room that offers a diverse menu of fine dining and casual cuisine for both lunch and dinner. The club also provides event services and catering for weddings or private parties. The club and activities surrounding it could not be more safe for you or the family, as the Miami Marine Patrol and Underwater Recovery Unit are housed directly on the premises.
The Yacht Club at Marina One – Deerfield Beach/Boca Raton
The Yacht Club at Marina One is a no-nonsense yacht club to store your vessel. The club offers top-of-the line and state-of-the art mooring and docking techniques to keep your vessel of any size safe. The Yacht Club at Marina One is conveniently located off of Federal Highway in the canal on the boundary of Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach. By water through the scenic Intercostal Waterway, you’ll be just 15 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. Marina One also offers a full service marine store so you can easily pick up any needed supplies and fuel before embarking on your adventure. Marina One is also equipped to dock and store smaller vessels, both in the water and through dry docking services. While the club offers a lobby stocked with snacks and cigars, it does not offer a full clubhouse or golf course access. However, because it is conveniently located on Federal Highway, there are dozens of options for golfing or dining in the vicinity. Marina One has long been relied upon as a trusted supplier of marine essentials and fuel and has expanded their service offerings in recent years. This is likely the most budget-friendly option to store your boat in South Florida.
Seadream Yacht Club – Miami
The Seadream Yacht Club in Miami is a fully-equipped yacht club with places to store your private vessel or to take a chartered yacht vessel just about anywhere in the world. Seadream vessels are known for their on-board accommodations and full service staff. If you are thinking of taking a yacht voyage or purchasing a yacht of your own, the Seadream is a great place to check out available models as well as see if the yacht life is for you. The onboard amenities on Seadream yachts include dining, nightlife, wellness, events, and many others. Members of the Seadream Club can ride on private charters at any time and will receive preferential treatment for services on board.
Sunset Harbor Yacht Club – Miami Beach
The Sunset Harbor Yacht Club in Miami Beach offers full-service yacht docking, storage, sales, and charters. It’s centrally located harbor on the wester shores of Miami Beach means almost instant access to any area of Miami Beach or Downtown Miami, as well as the Intercostal Waterway. The Sunset Harbor Yacht Club is also close to dozens of luxury condominiums in the area. The clubhouse is a great place to stop for drinks or dinner following an excursion and is always buzzing with activity during peak months. The yacht club provides the best in amenities but without the exclusive country club feel. Sunset Harbor is also home to a heated pool and fitness center and is seen as a community gathering place, independent of vessel storage.
Grandview Palace Yacht Club – North Bay Village
The Grandview Palace Yacht Club and Marina in North Bay Village, just between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, accommodates vessels of any size and offers a full range of yacht services. Amenities at the Grandview Palace include metered pedestals, fresh water, pumpour areas, showers and laundry, and 24-hour on-site security. The yacht club is also in close proximity to dozens of luxury condominiums in the region.
Turnberry Marina – North Miami
The Turnberry Marina is part of the legendary Turnberry Golf & Country Club in North Miami. The club offers exclusive membership and docking privileges to celebrities and some of Miami’s elite. The facility provides docking and accommodations to vessels up to 180 feet and has an average slip length of 90 feet, providing plenty of room for privacy and care when docking your vessel. Turnberry Marina offers eight different membership packages depending on the level of services and access you are requesting. This yacht club is truly elite with their offerings, presenting many exclusive features to members that are not even advertised.
Marina Palms Yacht Club – Miami Beach
The Marina Palms Yacht Club is attached to the Marina Palms Yacht Club & Residences campus and offers first-come first-come yacht services to residents and visitors. Located next to these stunning luxury condominiums, the community offers a full suite of amenities including storage, and a full-time dockmaster. The club has 112 slips that can accommodate vessels up to 100 feet in length. The full-service yacht club concierge can help you to navigate any aspect of vessel docking or amenities on land that you and your crew need. If you purchase a luxury residence at Marina Palms, your vessel will be just steps from your front door.
Yacht Club at Aventura – Aventura
Located in one of South Florida’s most exciting and fastest-growing neighborhoods, the Yacht Club at Aventura has been around since 1994, serving the residents of South Florida and its visitors with exceptional boat-docking and maintenance services. This yacht club also has a plethora of luxury residences available in all sizes and budgets to complete your dream of waterfront living. The Yacht Club at Aventura can handle vessels up to 60 feet and is just steps from the Aventura Mall and other popular dining and nightlife attractions. Being in Aventura, you’ll have your boat in perhaps the best place in South Florida as the wide-open swaths of the Biscayne Bay in this region make getting to the ocean or bays of the Intercostal Waterway a breeze. Additionally, boat traffic along this area is much less congested.
Miami Outboard Club – Miami
The Miami Outboard Club is a less expensive and no-frills place to store your vessel. Because this facility focuses on outboard-motor vessels only, it typically only houses smaller fishing vessels and yachts. The facility offers full docking services and a modest clubhouse for dining and community gatherings.