Experience the funky vibe of the Florida Keys while relaxing along the waterfront at Stock Island Marina Village, a newly developed facility on Stock Island. Located just a few minutes from downtown Key West, Stock Island is easy to reach but hidden away from all the hustle and bustle of Duval Street. The island was named for the livestock-shipping industry that thrived there during the 1800s. Today, the area is known for its commercial fishing industry, especially as it relates to Key West pink shrimp — shrimp-packing facilities still operate on the isle. Stock Island Marina Village is embracing this rich history — there is a commercial shrimp boat that docks at the property, and there are plans to build an on-site seafood market — while maintaining a facility that is thoroughly up to date.
The 230-slip marina, the largest deep-water marina in the Keys, can accommodate vessels up to 300 feet and welcomes both transient and resident boaters. It recently completed the construction of 128 Bellingham concrete floating wet slips, a ship’s store and a captain’s lounge with one of the best views around, a 430-foot floating fuel dock with five high-speed dispensers, a bathhouse and laundry, a tiki bar built by members of the Seminole Nation, a food-and-beverage operation that serves locally caught seafood, a dog park, and a community garden lush with mango, cashew and Key lime trees. As if that weren’t enough, there’s also a new fitness center, gallery space where some of Key West’s top artists show their work, and on-site fishing, diving, snorkeling and sailing charters are available. The facility’s community is a lively, eclectic mix of boaters, fishermen, artists and craftspeople, and the marina offers courtesy shuttle service to downtown Key West and the airport.
Stock Island Marina Village’s mission is to build and maintain a property that is not just “green” but sustainable. Its green initiative includes using solar power — it generates 18kw from the solar panels on the roof, providing energy for the entire marina complex — and using LED lighting to get rid of light pollution and save energy. The hot water for your shower and laundry is heated by solar rooftop hot water heaters. The marina collects rain water off its roofs to water the plants in the community garden, has installed pump-outs at each dock and follows top-notch recycling practices (for instance, there are no plastic bags sold at the ship’s store). The facility is landscaped with native plants to support migratory birds, such as golden warblers, peregrine falcons, and guinea fowl. “he marina was developed to preserve the nautical elements of Key West, while including all the modern amenities of a first-class marina, and built for long — term sustainability ,” says developer Matthew Strunk. If you’re traveling to Key West to relax and enjoy the many things the area has to offer, you can’t find a better piece of paradise than Stock Island Marina Village.
