Port Of Call: Stock Island Marina Village

Stock Island Marina Village is a Select Adventures Of OLOH Partner – Please click here for the very latest

Why We Love It as Cruisers &  How You Get There

Reservations for Stock Island Marina (SIMV) are easily made here on our site through the Dockwa app although they are very good about accommodating boaters who prefer to do things by phone.  It will still be processed through Dockwa but the marina will handle it for you (please be sure to tell ’em OLOH sent you!).  Advance reservations are always encouraged and strongly recommended during season.  After your reservation is all set you will receive a terrific email with pertinent information about the marina village, its amenities and other very helpful info.  The email also includes their slip map which should be standard practice for every marina.  Attention to detail like this from first contact is something that really sets destinations like Stock Island Marina Village apart.

The Bellingham concrete floating docks are as good as they get, down to the beefy cleats and modern pedestals. Electric is spot-on and consistent and dockside water pressure is excellent. Pumpout service is right at your slip, available either on a regular weekly schedule or within 24 hours of requesting.  For those who use shoreside laundry and restrooms, you will find both convenient to your slip and the facilities are clean and bright.  Other amenities in addition to all that the Perry Hotel has to offer (see below) include complimentary wifi, a Ship’s Store with ice and some basic provisions (ice cream!), a comfy Captain’s Lounge above the marina office with a great view for those times when you want to relax or have some privacy off the boat and plenty of parking.  Obviously some adjustments have been made as to what is available as steps are taken to safeguard everyone’s experience.  For the latest on what steps are being taken, please see SIMV’s Peace Of Mind Promise.

Arriving At Stock Island Marina

Stock Island is the small island just to the east of Key West proper and the approach from the Atlantic side of Key West is very straight-forward.  You enter the well-marked channel into the Stock Island harbor (Safe Harbor) from the Hawk Channel on the south side of the island, east of Key West International Airport and just west of the charted Boca Chica Channel.  Leave red “2” to starboard and green “3” to port as you turn north into the entry channel which is plenty wide and deep.  Be aware that commercial fishing traffic may be entering and exiting, sometimes with nets out and in the center of the channel.  While there is plenty of room for everyone, large yachts often make securité calls or confirm passing arrangements with other vessels.  Stock Island Marina’s working VHF channel is 10 and you should hail the marina on 16 or 10 as you begin your approach.  They will instruct you to enter the harbor leaving the tall red and white tower to starboard and will direct you to your slip or the fuel dock as needed.  Dockhands will meet you at your slip and it is refreshing how well they know what they’re doing.  Regarding fuel, their prices are typically the best in the area, there are quantity discounts and the long, floating fuel dock with multiple pumps is easily approached and accessed with a side-to tie.

Fantastic For Your Furry Family

“Dog-friendly” is an understatement here and for us, that is not a small thing.  Jasper is a part of our family (in addition to being our boss) and when he’s included that only makes us love a place more. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor bars and outside at Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen and Bar where the staff is always happy to serve up a bowl of fresh water.  There are plenty of great dog walking areas throughout the property in addition to two fantastic new dog parks.

The Perry Hotel Makes All This Good Even Better

Stock Island Marina would be fantastic in its own right even if The Perry wasn’t there, but how wonderful that it is!  The award-winning Perry Hotel and all of its amenities being available to marina guests brings things to a whole different level.  The Perry is a boutique hotel that strikes an almost magical balance of casual sophistication and authentic island outpost that is so perfectly Key West and, perhaps more importantly, Stock Island.  They have truly succeeded in blending the rich history of the island with the hotel’s modern design in a way that makes it so comfortably interesting, artsy and edgy all while feeling luxurious without an ounce of pretense.

The highlights for marina guests are surely the inviting waterfront pool and adjacent Salty Oyster Bar. The 100 beautiful hotel rooms make it easy to provide a very convenient and comfortable way to accommodate guests not staying on board.  And when you need your fill of what Key West is best known for, a comfy, free shuttle leaves from the front of the hotel hourly to take you to the heart of Old Town.  An Uber ride is typically available in short order if you want to be on your own schedule.  But you may not leave as often as you imagine you might, as was the case for us.

The Salty Oyster Dockside Bar and Grill – Resistance to its Siren Song is Futile

This very quickly became one of our favorite haunts and another one of the amenities that makes SIMV such a wonderful destination.  Each of the several times a day we would walk by the poolside Salty Oyster it was difficult not to be drawn to it.  We’re not sure if it was the promise of an ice cold beer from their always interesting selection, one of their tantalizing signature cocktails, their hot, crisp and salty-perfect fries (or anything else from their ideal menu) or the smiles from the always friendly and smiling staff there.  But there is rarely a day where we don’t at least pop by, often on Jasper’s insistence, what with the treats waiting for him behind the bar.  The daily happy hour with discounted drinks and food always brought a lively crowd with a mix of marina guests and Key West locals.

Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen and Bar

We have had a lot of meals at Matt’s during our stays in Key West and if we had been staying at another marina (for shame) we would have had a lot of meals at Matt’s.  It’s simply terrific.  We talk a lot about balance when describing aspects of Stock Island Marina Village and Matt’s is another case of where they just get it right.  The vibe, the food, the service – even the carefully curated playlist about which we’re typically very critical…  each time we were there it all fell right into place to enhance the easy-going life we settled into during our time on Stock Island.

Barrel House – Brews & BBQ

Brand new to the property and located by the brand new pool, The Barrel House is Key West’s new go-to spot for all of your barbecue and brew needs. Their award-winning chefs have designed an authentic smokehouse menu, complemented by a unique selection of specialty cocktails and craft beer—perfect for enjoying on the waterfront.  We particularly love the pulled chicken and smoked jack fruit.  And the atmosphere is our favorite kind of easy-goin’!

Stock Island is the last holdout of old Key West and has the feel of what things were like before tourism took center stage.  Blended seamlessly with all of the modern touches, the unmistakable Stock Island vibe can be seen and felt at every corner of the marina village, from the resident guinea hens to artists’ studios and artisans’ workshops.  World-class dockage and guinea hens on patrol… where else in the world would you find anything like that other than Stock Island Marina Village?!

Try Someone Else’s Boat

When you’re ready to let someone else show you the sights there are so many great charter options available right at Stock Island Marina Village.  “Charter Row” just in front of the pool is lined with a variety of boats and friendly crews waiting to take you diving, snorkeling, sunsetting, just plain cruising and more.  During our stays we have had some amazing charter experiences including an exciting afternoon at sea on the sleek new sailing catamaran Southern Crosser  which is also available for multi-day charters and as a Boat B&B.  The other excursion was a sunset cruise on the historic sailing yacht When and If  which was built for General George Patton in 1939.  It was… here comes that word again… magical!   You can read all about our adventure on the When and If by clicking here and check out all of the available experiences at SIMV by clicking here.

A Great Place Keeps Getting Better

In the last year, Stock Island Marina Village has added 4,000 feet(!) of additional floating linear dockage, which is fantastic given how quickly this place books up.  There is also the new, additional pool, an amazing new event space, the new dog parks, a distillery with tours and tastings, retail shops and more.

As you can no doubt tell, there’s a lot we love about this place  But it’s the staff and management at Stock Island Marina Village that really sets it apart. Professional, friendly and clearly hired with great care, the crew there set a very high bar. They’re eager to see that your needs are met or issues quickly resolved, should any arise.  All of this, in our opinion, is what makes this marina not simply a Key West destination but a destination unto itself and an ideal spot for an extended stay. We have never felt so at home outside of our home port and can’t wait to return.

Whether by sea or land, we hope you have the chance to enjoy Stock Island Marina Village and the surrounding area as much as we do.  It’s not everyday we find a new home to fall in love with – maybe you will too!  See you out there…

Make your reservation today below through Dockwa or by calling 305-294-2288.  Whether by phone or in your Dockwa reservation notes, please be sure to tell them that OLOH sent you!

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