Marinalife is excited to announce the winners of the 9th Annual Best Marina Contest. Marathon Marina in Marathon, FL, and Dolphin Marina & Restaurant in Harpswell, ME have been voted 2018’s Best Large Marina and Best Small Marina, respectively. The winners are determined by a six-month long survey of boaters in the U.S. and abroad.
As a premier marina in the Florida Keys, Marathon Marina can accommodate vessels up to 125 feet for daily, weekly and long-term stays. Nestled on Boot Key, this marina resort serves as a great halfway point in the Florida Keys and offers easy access to great sightseeing, dining, water sports and fishing excursions. Marathon Marina also offers fantastic amenities onsite, including a waterfront pool, fitness facility, lodging, RV sites and the award-winning Lazy Days South Restaurant and Bar. They also have a full-service boatyard as well as a fuel dock with high speed gas and diesel. 
“We are honored and humbled to be recognized as Marinalife’s 2018 Best Large Marina,” said Susan Prichard, General Manager, Marathon Marina. “We are especially proud as it was our loyal customers who bestowed this award upon us. Marathon Marina suffered great devastation from Hurricane Irma and our exceptional team worked tirelessly to bring the marina back to life in record time. We set a goal to turn this disaster into an opportunity to further enhance the customer experience enjoyed at our property – and we are thrilled to have achieved this end. Thank you to all who voted for us – and thank you for choosing Marathon Marina as your destination in the Florida Keys.”
Dolphin Marina and Restaurant in Harpswell, ME takes the 2018 Best Small Marina award. Centrally located in the heart of Casco Bay, Dolphin Marina is the gateway to Downeast Maine and serves as a premier destination for seasonal mariners, transient boaters, and cruising yacht clubs exploring the coast. With direct, deep water access from the ocean, and protected by the surrounding islands, Pott’s Harbor is a picturesque harbor that boaters love to explore.
“We are pleased to accept the 2018 Marinalife Best Marina Contest Award,” said William Saxton, Marina Manager, Dolphin Marina and Restaurant. “We are grateful to have amazing staff and loyal customers who make ‘The Dolphin’ a first-choice destination on the coast of Maine. It’s an awesome experience to manage a family-run business in one of the best places in the world. Our commitment to our heritage, and our desire to constantly improve, will never diminish. It’s always a beautiful day on Casco Bay!”
Due to the high number of votes, we recognize second and third place winners in each category. Orange Beach Marina in Orange Beach, AL and Haven Harbour in Rock Hall, MD placed second and third, respectively, in the Best Large Marina category. Harbour Town Yacht Basin in Hilton Head, SC and Chick’s Marina in Kennebunkport, ME placed second and third, respectively, in the Best Small Marina category.
We appreciate and thank all the marinas and boaters nationwide for participating in this year’s contest. Keep an eye out for announcements starting in the Spring of 2019 for Marinalife’s 10th Annual Best Marina Contest.