As Editor-in-Chief of Boating, I travel the world to run boats and test marine engines and products. As such, I have visited more marinas than anyone could easily count. Most are pretty good, but some stand above the rest for a variety of reasons. One of these is Oceans Edge Key West Resort and Marina. Read on, as I believe you’ll find many of the marina attributes we require for sea trials and photoshoots will translate to your recreational boating marina stays.
Oceans Edge Key West Resort and Marina is actually located on Stock Island, Florida, right next door to KW. You might say it’s part of the “ greater Key West area.” That puts Oceans Edge in a location that allows quick and easy boat access to the Ocean or the Gulf. From the far horizon to backwater flats, this access to different waters is one reason we favor it as a base of operations for a story or photoshoot. Why? Regardless (within reason, of course) of wind strength or direction, we can usually find water to run in and get our job done. That allows us to schedule a job in advance with greater confidence of being able to pull it off. Waiting for weather can get expensive when you have six or eight people on location and this location alleviates that concern.
Naturally, the location is boatable year-round.
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Besides its location, the boating facilities at Oceans Edge are top notch. The wide, concrete docks create 112 very well-maintained slips.There’s shorepower, water, good pilings, 12-feet of draft, and any and all services are right at hand, since this area is a boating mecca. Vessels up to 125-feet LOA are accommodated and gas and diesel are sold on site. There is a laundry, 24-hour security and an attentive staff.
Several charter operators work out of Oceans Edge, including Spinddrift Fishing Charters, Reel Fly Charters as well as FINZ Dive Center, which has a boat in the marina and a tackle and dive shop located across the street. So, whether you’d like to fish or dive or explore the area from your own boat, or take a break, and let someone else take you, the resources to do so are at hand.
Then there is the resort. Oceans Edge provides fantastic onsite accommodations, which is important for our purposes, since it’s much more efficient to have the staff and the boats all located in one place, with the boats in the water and ready to go. The rooms and suites are beautiful, with great views, and families can easily be accommodated. We often share a suite with several people. If time sleeping off the boat is desired or if you have come with an open boat of some sort, staying in the resort is a good option.
The on-location Yellowfin Bar and Kitchen has fed me on many occasions. It opens for morning coffee and the bar closes at 10:00 or 10:30 pm. As for the area, there are several good restaurants right on Stock Island. A couple of my favorites include Hogfish Bar and Grill (go for the eponymous hogfish if it’s available) and Roostica, which offers fantastic Italian Neapolitan cuisine as well a simply great pizza. Give yourself a break from galley duties and give these restaurants a try. They are a short bike ride, Uber or golf cart ride from Oceans Edge Resort and Marina.
Heading to Key West with your boat? I can recommend Oceans Edge Resort and Marina.
