Fernandina Harbor Marina - Fernandina Beach, FL
Last visit: November 29, 2025

Fernandina Harbor Marina is a large marina adjacent to the ICW and just south of the St. Mary's Inlet. Reservations were made using Dockwa and the marina was quick to respond to the reservation request. It is a busy marina, and more than once we have had to hover for quite a while before being able to dock. During the fall and spring migration season many boats stop here, so be prepared for tight quarters. On one of our visits they moved boat back a few feet before we docked and it was still close with only a foot or so to spare fore and aft. Transient boaters are generally docked along the inside and outside of the long concrete floating dock. The marina also manages a number of mooring balls on the opposite side of the ICW channel. Fuel and pump out services are available at the north end of the long dock.

Amenities include code accessed laundry, private bathrooms with shower, and boaters' lounge. Marina staff are helpful with docking and other needs.

The town of Fernandina Beach is a very short walk from the marina and across an active train track. You will hear the train moving a few times a day and maybe even have to wait at the tracks for it to go by if you are heading in or out of downtown. The town is a popular destination for tourists as well as the locals from the Jacksonville area. It is also relatively convenient to the Jacksonville Airport. Fernandina is very walkable, however you will need to engage local transportation if you need to do any provisioning.

​The historic town offers a number of restaurants and shops along the tree-lined streets, however you will not be able to miss the large and active pulp industry on either side of the town and along the water. If you spend much time in northern Florida, you will become accustomed to the easily recognizable odor emanating from pulp and paper mills. 

Fernandina is on many cruisers' must stop list. It is accessed by the ICW, but the St. Mary's River deep channel inlet is at the north end of the island. This is a good inlet for those choosing to arrive from offshore or staging an outside run. The inlet is well-maintained since the Kings Bay Submarine Base is just up the river. Cumberland Island with its nice anchorages and access to the National Park is only four miles north and the town of St. Mary's is a dozen miles or so up the river. Both are worthwhile stops if you choose to spend a number of days in the area.