Reviews: Stuart Riverside Pier

Reviews Summary

The reviews for the floating docks in downtown Stuart highlight several key points:

1. Location and Accessibility: The docks are conveniently located near a variety of restaurants, shops, and the riverfront walk, making it easy for visitors to explore downtown Stuart.

2. Dock Features: The docks are described as nice concrete floating structures equipped with cleats and rubber bumpers for protection against waves. However, some reviews note that the bumpers can be loose or damaged, and there are exposed fasteners that could pose a risk.

3. Tidal Considerations: Reviewers emphasize the importance of being mindful of tide levels, as the depth can become challenging, particularly for vessels with a draft of 3.5 feet or more. Some boats have experienced being stranded due to low tide.

4. Wave Exposure: The docks are exposed to waves and wakes, especially on the outside edge, which can make docking and undocking difficult during windy conditions. Reviewers recommend using multiple fenders for protection.

5. Overnight Stays: While the docks are free to use, overnight stays are not permitted. However, some visitors have successfully obtained permission from local authorities to stay overnight in case of emergencies.

6. General Condition: Reviewers noted no signs of hurricane damage during their visits, indicating that the docks are well-maintained.

Overall, the floating docks are praised for their location and amenities, but users should be cautious about tidal conditions and wave exposure.

Review for Stuart Riverside Pier

Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER, Jessica Grace, on Apr 9, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Nice concrete floating docks with cleats. Both slips and Tdock. Easy access to downtown Stuart shops, restaurants, and river front walk. Strong northerly winds producing waves did a good job slamming boat into the TDock, so glad previous reviews said put lots of fender. Dock also had rubber bumpers for added protection. Tad bit of a challenge getting away from dock with waves pushing us into dock, but finally succeeded. Also, we agree with previous reviewer who said to be mindful of your tides, as depth can be challenging once water starts to go to down. Vessel LOA 42, 3.5'Draft

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Stuart Riverside Pier

Reviewed by: francois villeneuve on Feb 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 26'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Nice spot near plenty of restaurants. However mind your draft as we were stranded and had to wait for the next high tide to get out .

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Stuart Riverside Pier

Reviewed by: Rudy Or Jill Sechez on Sep 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

From Green '23' head approx. 200 degrees to the entrance buoys. Five foot approach and dockside depths, slightly more in some limited areas; tidal range 1'-1.5'. Outside dock lined with rubber bumpers, many of which are loose or down. Exposed fasteners are present in these areas. The outside edge of the dock is exposed to waves and wakes. Inside of the dock much more protected from waves and wakes, except from the easterly directions. Large pilings line the inside of the dock, spaced approximately 40 feet apart. Many 'slips' along this dock have three cleats, others just two, some zero.
Some smaller boat slips present, perpendicular to the dock on the west side. Note the yellow 'no docking' paint around cleats on the far end of dock. At the time of this writing, 10-24-24, they do not appear to be in service, though a call to the city of Stuart may clarify this. This dock abuts to downtown Stuart with choices of many restaurants, some 'tourist' shopping; Publix and more retail shopping approximately one mile distance along the River Walk, then along Hwy 1.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Stuart Riverside Pier

Reviewed by: Scott Gregory, My Happiness, on Sep 10, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great floating dock, but you have wake protection. We were here on a pretty windy day (Nov. 28, 23) and had 5 fenders out protecting the boat and dock. We were having some boat issues and contacted the police department looking for authorization to stay on the dock overnight. The police gave us the authority to stay on the dock overnight with no issue. Great spot to downtown and restaurants.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Stuart Riverside Pier

Reviewed by: Barry Bicknell, KAT, on Oct 30, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

City of Stuart owns the #12 slips for up to 35' boats, plus a 258 ft T-dock; all floating platform; is wheelchair accessible. Dockage is free, No Overnights! Anchorage is just off the docks to the East Only (not west!) with aprox 3' MLW. Perfectly located right in the middle of downtown Stuart with Many restaurants and quaint shops to Enjoy. On most Sundays there is a waterfront park of green market stands and music. Enjoy!

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Stuart Riverside Pier

Reviewed by: Ray Sirois, Shellerina, on Mar 17, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

No sign of hurricane damage when we stayed there for a number of hours.

For a full account go to this blog post.

https://shellerina.com/2023/03/17/stuart-fl-for-one-night/

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer