Hammock Beach Resort – Marina at Yacht Harbor Village (Statute Mile 802)
We went to the marina just south and on the east side of the ICW from Palm Coast, Hammock Beach Resort, a new condo-marina. No one responded to the VHF call or to a phone call so we pulled into a large, mostly empty marina, tied up and went looking for personnel. A person in charge, Neil, arrived and was quite welcoming, charging us $1.50/ft, electricity included, for a luxurious facility. The showers and toilets were in a nearby condominium building ‘“ towels included. Use of the condo swimming pool was also included. There was a shuttle bus to a restaurant in the main condo complex.
We were passage-making so only stayed the night but it was a nice taste of luxury. Clearly the rates and availability will change as the condo fills up but for now, it’s an opportunity you may want to take advantage of.
Fair winds and following seas,
Austin Whitten
S/Y `Discovery II’, Vancouver 27
8 May 2010.
Our previous visit was in February when the marina officially opened. This time, the rate was higher but we experienced the full impact of the luxury on offer during a two-day visit, fully justifying, in our view, the $2.25/ft charge with only one minor extra charge. Electricity, wi-fi, access to the full resort, shuttle service and complimentary ice ‘“ a first ‘“ were included. A 25 lb bag nicely topped up our ice box.
The extra charge was triggered by Hammock Beach Resort’s `no tipping’ policy, with a 20% gratuity built into everything purchased at the resort. In the case of marina charges, I’m not sure who receives the gratuity, but the staff certainly aimed to please. Our $67.50/day docking charge (yes, they have a 30-ft minimum, which is a pet peeve, but it affects few cruising folks these days) resulted in a $7/day service charge.
Now for the luxury’¦ We have paid as much as $3.50/ft at other marinas that cannot hold a candle to what Hammock Beach offered. Showers, toilets and swimming pool are housed at a nearby condominium building. Towels at both the swimming pool and baths are provided. The uncrowded nature of the marina and condominium adds to the exclusivity.
A 24×7 shuttle bus is available at your beck and call ‘“ for a cell phone call ‘“ to transport you to the main resort complex on the ocean side, a couple of miles away. The resort hotel is HUGE. Several restaurants are located in the complex. Neil, the marina manager, recommended the Atlantic Grill, with a panoramic view of the ocean. A qualified chef was obviously in charge, attested to by the cuisine not the price, which was reasonable, for lunch.
You are provided with a card when you arrive at the marina that gives you `membership’ status, equivalent to those staying at the resort. Restaurant charges and anything else purchased at the complex are charged to the card. A credit card, upon arrival, backs this up.
For us, the numbers of people present at the resort were a bit overwhelming. Many were there for golfing. Families on holiday also proliferated. The marina area was more simpatico but it was interesting seeing how others spend their vacations and then to be able to return to the marina.
As noted in the description, the shuttle bus passed a Publix on the way to the main resort and I was assured they would let us off and pick us up on a phone call, making this a truly special marina.
In summary, everything at the marina seems ephemeral ‘“ take advantage of it while it is on offer. Hopefully, others passing through will provide updates on the current status. I have always depended on local knowledge from other cruisers for valuable updates.
Austin Whitten
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Marina Directory Listing For Hammock Beach Resort ‘“ Marina at Yacht Harbor Village
Marineland Marina, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, lies south ‘“ southeast of AICW marker #87, along the Waterway’s eastern shore. This marina had been closed for many years, but just recently reopened. While there are not yet any nearby restaurants or good provisioning possibilities (though these are planned for the future), the new incarnation of Marineland Marina IS already another excellent stop for cruisers plying the AICW between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach.
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Broadway Bridge
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