Best liveaboard Marina on the US east coast
The US east coast is a common destination during hurricane season for liveaboards. After spending winter in the Caribbean, liveaboards look for a comfortable and well-priced marina on the US east coast to spend their summer. Brunswick landing marina matched our marina dreams and convinced us with an engaged cruiser community, easy access to downtown, free laundry, free water and complimentary bikes. After our stay, we can say that Brunswick Landing Marina is the best liveaboard marina on the US east coast
Brunswick Landing Marina (an honest review)
We did not know what to expect when we got invited to Brunswick Landing Marina on the East Coast. Our first marina stop in Fort Lauderdale was cut short by unfriendly staff and the long distance to any downtown. Marinas, in general, are not our first choice, but luckily we accepted the invitation to stay at Brunswick Landing Marina.
Why Brunswick is the best liveaboard marina on the US east coast?
We believe that Brunswick Landing marina is great for liveaboards. The marina offers amenities liveaboards actually care about, making it the best marina for liveaboards in our eyes. Don’t believe us? Here are 10 reasons why Brunswick Landing Marina is the best marina for liveaboards.
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1. Amazing Cruiser Community
This liveaboard marina is not your fancy yacht club. It’s where cruisers from around the world meet up and exchange information gathered in years of sailing. Every question we had about the ICW, sailing in the US or boat problem, someone had the answer. During the regular Happy Hours, we even got answers to questions we did not know we had about sailing the US east coast. We felt welcomed before even docking, as liveaboards jumped up to help us dock the second we pulled in.
2. Location
Sometimes Marinas are located on the outskirts of a town, but this is not the case for Brunswick Landing Marina. The downtown is a short walk away, and the local farmers market is nearby. Brunswick is also a great place to explore Georgia. The golden isles (Saint Simmon and Jekyll) are a short drive away and offer great beaches and shoreside restaurants. Savannah is just a 1-h drive away, as is Jacksonville and its IKEA.
3. Free Laundry
This might be a first for us. Never heard of a marina which offers complimentary laundry service, but Brunswick Landing Marina does. This perk alone makes it the best liveaboard marina we have ever visited.
4. Complimentary bikes
Though downtown is around the corner, Walmart or Target are slightly farther out. Thanks to the complimentary bikes, you can save your Uber money and get some movement in simultaneously.
5. Cruiser events
While you might get to know cruisers on your dock quickly, regular happy hours and cruiser events bring together liveaboards from all docks. It’s the best place to engage, and free booze helps even the shyest cruiser to open up. Check out their ongoing liveaboard marina events here.
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6. Free gym
Need to counterbalance all the American fast food? We loved running along the marina docks, but you might prefer the gym with AC.
7. Full-sized bathrooms
One of the perks of marina life is access to long, hot showers whenever you feel like it. Brunswick Landing Marina takes it one step further, giving you access to full-sized bathrooms. No dodgy, small, dark shower stalls. Full-sized bathrooms. If this does not make it the best liveaboard marina ever?
8. Countless Amenities
The marina offers many more amenities we still need to try out. Find the full list here.
9. Boatyard and WestMarine in town
Luckily we did not have any open boat projects when we visited. However, we know the marina has a boatyard, and a WestMarine is in town if needed.
10. Reasonable Rates
In our experience, American marinas have been the most expensive so far. Fortunately, Brunswick Marina Management sees some reason and offers reasonable rates to cruisers. The same goes for the boat yard and haul-outs. Check their rates here.
What we did not like about Brunswick Landing Marina
Nothing in this human world is perfect, and though Brunswick Landing Marina comes close, there are some negative aspects to this liveaboard marina.
Hurricane insurance problems or premium discounts?
Brunswick does advertise as hurricane save for Boats due to its geographic location. The marina is landlocked on three sides, equipped with heavy-duty wave attenuators, and the concrete floating docks keep your boat safe in every weather. We did not face any problems with our European Insurance, but we heard American sailors discuss they had to move because of their insurance. Though others mentioned they get premium discounts when staying here. Guess this is a case-by-case situation.It gets really hot. Like boiling hot.
During our stay in Brunswick, we had peaks of 97F / 36C. A bit of breeze is coming through the marina, but some nights were tough without AC on board. Luckily they have a lovely Cruiser Lounge with AC, where we moved to work during the day.
Conclusion
Finding a safe marina is one thing, but we consider the surrounding area and the local cruising community if we are looking for a great this liveaboard marina. Do you prefer to stay at a “sterile” marina with empty yachts or a lively marina with a cruiser community? After spending many days at anchor, greeting boat neighbours every time we left the dock was lovely. It gave us a neighbourhood feeling hardly known to liveaboards.
All the above reasons make Brunswick Landing Marina the best liveaboard marina to us. Like many liveaboards we met during our stay, we will be back.
