City & Neighborhood Guides

Fort Pierce Marina: What It Is and How Locals Use It

By Jiffy Rozario7 min read
In this article

"The Fort Pierce City Marina is a public marina in historic downtown Fort Pierce. The city owns and runs it. It opened in 1937, it is open to the public, and you do not need a boat to visit. You can watch boats, eat nearby and walk the downtown waterfront. This guide explains what the marina is and how locals use it.

All marina facts below come from the City of Fort Pierce's own page, About the Marina, unless we say otherwise. Rates, hours and rules change, so use the city's page for anything that matters.

Fort Pierce City Marina docks with boats and downtown buildings.png

What the marina is

The city describes the marina as publicly owned and operated, with a modern dock system. It sits in downtown Fort Pierce on Florida's Treasure Coast. The city says it was established on October 28, 1937.

The page also says the marina has an eco-friendly storm protection system, and that it was the first of its kind in the state. That is one reason boat owners pay attention to it.

Why people care about the inlet

The city's page calls the Fort Pierce Inlet the best all-weather inlet on the East Coast. That is the city's own description, so take it as their opinion. But it tells you what the marina is known for.

The page says the inlet and the Indian River Lagoon give easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and to many small islands. It lists day trips, barbecues, diving, snorkeling, kayaking and fishing as things people do from there.

If you like fishing, the page says the marina hosts many fishing tournaments during the year. It also lists an official IGFA weigh station among its features.

What the marina offers

The city lists a long set of features. Here are some that make sense even if you are new to boating.

  • Free Wi-Fi

  • Restrooms and showers

  • Laundry

  • Ice

  • Fuel, including diesel and non-ethanol gasoline

  • Electric and water hookups at the slips

  • A pump-out service

  • Transient dockage, which means a short stay for boats passing through

  • A supply store and gift shop

You do not need any of this unless you own a boat. But it shows the marina is set up for visitors, not just for locals with a slip.

Fishing boat passing through the Fort Pierce Inlet.png

You do not need a boat

Most visitors arrive on foot. The city says the marina's spot in downtown gives easy access to the library, shops, galleries, restaurants, theaters, museums, parks and events.

Visit St. Lucie also keeps a Fort Pierce Marina webcam page. It calls the marina a central hub of maritime activity in downtown. It says you can visit or dock at Marina Square, dine at a waterfront restaurant, or go to a weekly farmers market.

So a simple visit looks like this. Walk down, look at the boats, have lunch and stroll back through downtown.

Places to eat near the marina

Visit St. Lucie's Top 10 list names places with a marina view. Cobbs Landing is described as having a view of the Fort Pierce City Marina. Other places on the list sit by the inlet. We walk through the list in our post on the best restaurants in Fort Pierce, FL.

Restaurants change, so call or check their pages before you go.

Fishing and boating from Fort Pierce

If you are new to Florida, you may wonder what boating here is like. Here are the basics.

Fishing. The city and Visit St. Lucie both talk about fishing. The marina hosts tournaments. Visit St. Lucie also has pages about fishing trips and guides.

Boating. The marina page lists dockage and boat ramps. People use the lagoon and the inlet for day trips.

Tours. If you do not own a boat, you can take a guided trip. Visit St. Lucie has a page on water tours.

Safety. Weather and tides matter on the water. Listen to local advice and check the forecast before you go out.

A simple first visit

If you have never been to a marina, here is an easy way to do it.

  1. Pick a clear day. A sunny morning is easy to enjoy.

  2. Walk the waterfront first. Look at the boats and the signs.

  3. Read about the marina. The city's page has a short history and a list of features.

  4. Sit down for a meal. Choose a place with a view if you can.

  5. Check the webcam later. Visit St. Lucie's webcam page lets you look at the marina from home.

Take your time. A marina is a place to slow down, not to rush through.

Questions to ask if you own a boat

If you already own a boat, or plan to buy one, a few questions are worth asking early.

  • What is the size of my boat, and does a slip fit it?

  • Do I want a slip at a marina, or would I keep the boat on a trailer at home?

  • What does dockage cost, and how does the city handle reservations?

  • Does the marina have a waiting list for long stays?

  • What are the rules for fuel, waste and storm plans?

Do not guess at any of these. Call the marina or read the city's page. The answers change, and a wrong guess can be costly.

If you plan to keep a boat on a trailer, think about where it would be stored and how you would launch it. Plan that early, and ask us if you want help looking at the options.

How the marina fits your home search

You may not own a boat. That is fine. The marina still says something about the city. It tells you that Fort Pierce is a working waterfront town, and that the water is part of daily life.

If you love boats, think about where you would keep one. The marina page lists dockage rates and reservations. Ask the city what is open and what it costs. Do not rely on old numbers.

If you do not own a boat, think about how often you would walk the waterfront. Picture a normal weekend. Does a stroll by the marina and lunch downtown sound like fun? If so, Fort Pierce fits.

Creekside is a new D.R. Horton townhome community at 8100 Cobblestone Dr. in Fort Pierce. It has two floor plans, the Pearson End Unit and the Pearson Interior Unit. You can see both on the Creekside community page. For more ideas about the area, see things to do in Fort Pierce, FL, our guide to downtown Fort Pierce and our post on Fort Pierce beaches.

Common Questions

Is the Fort Pierce City Marina open to the public?

Yes. The City of Fort Pierce says the marina is publicly owned and operated and open to the public. Check the city's page for hours and rules.

When did the Fort Pierce City Marina open?

The city says the marina was established on October 28, 1937. It is in historic downtown Fort Pierce.

Do I need a boat to visit the marina?

No. You can walk the downtown waterfront, watch boats, and eat at nearby restaurants. Many visitors come on foot.

Can I fish from Fort Pierce?

Yes. The city says the marina hosts fishing tournaments and the inlet gives access to the ocean and the lagoon. Always check local fishing rules.

Are there restaurants by the marina?

Yes. Visit St. Lucie lists waterfront places, including Cobbs Landing, which looks out on the marina. Call first to confirm hours.

Are there new homes in Fort Pierce?

Yes. Creekside is a new D.R. Horton townhome community at 8100 Cobblestone Dr. Call 561-704-0091 to ask about the floor plans and today's options.

Want to see Creekside and ask about the area? Call Simon Karim at 561-704-0091 or schedule a Creekside visit.

Related reading: Best restaurants in Fort Pierce | Things to do in Fort Pierce | Downtown Fort Pierce | Fort Pierce beaches | Creekside community page "