Reviews: Island Time Marina

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Mar 3, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

I spent two nights here; on the second night there was a launch at the Cape and I was able to see the glare of the rocket ascending until it entered clouds. Not the best place to watch a launch but it was somewhat visible.

That said, the marina has fixed docks with short finger piers, which means you'll likely have to back in if you want to get off the boat. Trouble is, the fairway between the two docks is narrow, with many larger boats jutting into it. I did not think I'd be able to turn my 32 ft LOA Ranger Tug around in the fairway -- even with thrusters -- so they let me dock on the outside of one of those docks. I was very close to the marina facilities in shallow water. We made it work but I don't think the place is suitable for larger boats.

The marina has a restaurant/bar that opens at 11 AM and closes around midnight. There's live music every night, so if you're looking for peace and quiet, this is not the place. There are liveaboards. The folks there are friendly. The restroom facilities were clean and well-equiped. A good view of sunset was available from the restaurant upper deck or a short walk away on the west-facing shore where there's another restaurant/bar.

There is a Winn-Dixie supermarket walking distance away. Also a short walk away is a huge Ron Jon surf shop, a handful of other shops, and an Atlantic Ocean beach. There are numerous restaurants in the area. I liked the one by the beach access, where I had fresh oysters and a mojito while overlooking the ocean from the upper deck.

While I would not call this a luxurious marina, it ticked the boxes I needed for a two-night stay out of the wind and within sight of the launch.

Would I go back? Probably not. It's definitely off the beaten track -- follow the channel markers closely if you go! -- and there are better places to view a launch.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Robert Miller on Jun 7, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 30'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

This has recently became my permanent marina. While not yet as feature loaded as some others and might be considered little off the path for ICW travelers, this place is perfectly placed to allow a transient to be within a 15 minute walk to almost all the best that Cocoa Beach has to offer. Docks and facilities are new, approach channel should not be an issue for anything with 4' or less draft; 5 should be fine also as long as you watch the channel.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer