Reviews: Sunset Bay Marina & Anchorage

Reviewed by: Ron Morrrison on Jun 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 33'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

We just completed the Florida loop (along with a side trip to Binimi). This marina was one of the best along the way. Very well managed, great clean facilities, restaurant, and bar along with a separate building with bathrooms, laundry and plenty of space to relax off the boat on the covered patio or in the comfy living room area. Really great amenities for travelers. The marina was expecting us coming over from the Bahamas and noticed a pop up storm and called to talk about our ETA and notify us of the pending storm in case we did not see it. We increased speed and made it in just before the storm him (glad we did as the wind and hail were pretty fierce) I can not say enough about how well the marina is managed and their concern for their guests. I would highly recommend it.

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Reviewed by: Elizabeth Scott on May 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 51'
Draft: 3.6'

Rating: 5

Well run marina with great facilities. The dock staff are top notch. The restaurant onsite is fantastic as is the coffee shop and you are walking distance to downtown Stuart and many other restaurants and shops.

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Reviewed by: Richard Lewis , Sea-Quel, on Apr 3, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 56'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

By far one of the better run marinas we have docked at. Great facilities, nice docks and great staff. Stayed two days and wish we had time to stay longer. It has all the amenities one could ask for plus a beautiful sunset every night.

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Reviewed by: Kevin Williams , m/v Blue Tortuga, on Mar 8, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

We stayed here on a mooring ball for one night after crossing Lake O. Marina staff super helpful. Good dingy space with lots of options close. My only criticism is it is first come first serve, and based on your boat size they will direct you to certain ball numbers. It makes for a bit of a guessing game where to go and what the numbering sequence is. Seems like a large sophisticated marina like this could establish a reservation system for mooring balls as others do. But overall a good experience.

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Reviewed by: Albert Bouchard on Mar 4, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 82'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

This Marina is probably one of the finest you'll find in southern Florida, staff is great… It's like a small community movie night, trivia night, potluck dinner, happy hours and more… Close to town….Electric and Wi-Fi is very good. Matt and Nichole, keep everything in great shape…. Will return

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Reviewed by: CAPTAIN TONY , LOONAROSSA, on Jan 1, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 30'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Hello: Tony Smith here (cruising editor at Waterway Guide Publications)
This marina is first class and the prices reflect it. (we paid $25 for 30 amp hook up for 1 night) I won't quote any other prices because they change constantly..
The onsite restaurants are great. This marina is very close to the town center. We stayed here in preparation for crossing Lake Okachobee to the west. This is the last good marina before crossing the lake. Fuel prices were reasonable.

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Reviewed by: Michael Cotton , M’aisling, on Jun 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 0.0'

Rating: 1

Multiple phone call messages and emails with zero response.

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Reviewed by: Brian Wicks on Jan 19, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 2.0'

Rating: 4

Great docks and nice restaurants on site
Thought prices high and cancellation policy says no refund even for weather related conditions
It is a nice place for sunset

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Reviewed by: Heath Phillips , Philyria , on Mar 26, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 35'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 3

Expensive for what you get. Other than that it is a good spot close to downtown.

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Reviewed by: C. Barns Davis , Attitude, on Jan 18, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.9'

Rating: 5

We lay in a transient slip for two days then left the boat on a mooring for almost 3 weeks. Great facilities and staff.

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Reviewed by: Jason Spitz , Breathe, on Aug 18, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We have been at Sunset Bay Marina for almost 3 months at the time of this review. The marina and mooring field is situated within walking distance of the cute town of Stuart, Florida, known as the sailfish capital of the US. It's about 7 miles up the St. Lucie River from the St. Lucie Inlet. Sailboats and other underpowered vessels should transit the St. Lucie only under calm conditions and recommend going near high slack tide. Coming up the river, there are two opening bridges within 100 feet of one another. The railroad bridge is usually in the open position, the bascule opens every 30 minutes.

The marina staff is very diligent and helpful. They host pre-hurricane season preparation meetings, check on boats regularly, ensure everyone has insurance, and maintain the property well. The bathroom/shower/laundry facilities are kept clean. There is a big air-conditioned lounge with big screen tv, tables, and library, which is regularly used by those on the moorings to escape the summer heat. The electric service at the docks has been very reliable and voltage is stable. WiFi is excellent and fast throughout the entire marina and mooring field if you have an extender. Cell service is ok for T-Mobile and Verizon. There are free loaner bikes for those staying at the marina. It's a short ride to many shops, grocery stores, boat supply stores. The two restaurants on-site, Gilbert's Coffee Bar and Sailor's Return are excellent. Gilbert's hosts live music for Friday happy hour with local microbrews available and has some amazing coffee drinks each morning. Sailor's Return has a wonderful menu, loyal following, and live music EVERY night! Parking can be tight around dinner, especially when a popular band is around. But there's valet parking, which always means you can get a spot if you have a car. There are parks on both sides of the marina. Stuart is a great place to spend some time. Many end up staying much longer than expected! You can see many of our pictures from Stuart and the surrounding towns at facebook.com/breathesaildive

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Reviewed by: Frank on May 15, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Very service oriented. Friendly staff. Many restaurants and shops within short walk. WM is a quick Uber ride. Publix within walking distance. Gilbert’s coffee house on site as well as Sailors Return. A quick ride will put you in Port Salerno, Manatee pocket with more restaurants and music.

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Reviewed by: Julia Flaherty on Apr 26, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

We enjoyed the night we spent at Sunset Bay. Fuel prices were reasonable, there was a convenient pumpout on the gas dock and a lively restaurant on site. As a transient, we were put on a large concrete dock adjacent to a mooring field, which had some annoying wave slap until late evening. The water inside the marina itself is dead calm and we would have preferred that, but . . . . There are security gates, laundry facilities and spectacular sunsets. The old Roosevelt Bridge opens on the hour and half hour, so if you're approaching from the Atlantic, watch your timing. No time to explore Stuart, but we will next time.

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Reviewed by: Ross Wiltse on Apr 1, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

A worthy stop. Easy walk to Publix, as well as a downtown area with restaurants and shops. It is a bit off the AICW, worth the trip. We were on a floating dock, helpful staff, clean restrooms, and laundry facility. Overall a very nice marina.

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Reviewed by: John Tyrell , Hydrophilic, on Mar 14, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Transient dockage long sturdy concrete fixed dock. Also large mooring field. Good depth. Can be a little rolly – not terrible. Weekly pumpouts in-slip. Coffee shop and upscale restaurant on site. Very convenient location for Stuart. Two female and two male clean showers; five washers and 5 five dryers. Beautiful sunsets.

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Reviewed by: Terrence Bidnick on Apr 2, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Great staff. Easy walk to town and parks. Good restaurant and coffee shop with great place to sit and enjoy sunset. Offers many pluses such as movie night with free pizza, dinners on special occasions etc. Train and high noise are only minuses.

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Reviewed by: Angela on Dec 11, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 41'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 2

The pictures online are old and I'm not impressed with the staff. The dock hands SPEED down the docks on Segways and the leash rule is not enforced. It's just an OK place, not great, not bad, just OK.

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Reviewed by: Garry H on Oct 12, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 80'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

A well run and very professional marina. Strong power, water and WiFi. Sam, Matt and Nicole have this place ticking over! Great local community with so much to do in the town. high quality restaurant on premises and free shuttle into local grocery for provisioning. Definite must stay and return!

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Reviewed by: Eddy Johnsen , Spiritus, on Mar 4, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Everything about this marina says "First-class Operation." Most notable is the extremely helpful staff. Is it pricey? Yes. But as they say, you get what you pay for!

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Reviewed by: Terrance Godbold on Feb 8, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

THIS IS A GREAT MARINA!!!! Albiet, they are very proud of their fees. Good help tying up. Great restaurant, great showers, great laundry and good ships store. But, $3.00 a foot night is just a little too much. Oh well, it's the season and is expected.

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Reviewed by: Eric Anderson on Jul 10, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 3.1'

Rating: 5

One of the best, and a great restaurant, too. Sunsets are gorgeous. Efficient fuel dock. Trains are a bit noisy. Has Florida not heard of "quiet zones" for trains?

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Reviewed by: Chris Caldwell , AskCaptainChris, on Jul 1, 2016
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Good new design Marina, mixed docks, floating and fixed. Tidal current flow through Marina with trains nearby. Farmers market weekends, shuttle to shopping. Great dinghy dock and boaters lounge. Mooring balls are challenging to pick up because new pennants have small opening on plastic thimble. Use boat hook with only ONE hook, not the two sided hook.

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