December 20, 2024

Waves of Success: Palm Beach Marina Celebrates Three Remarkable Years

This December marks a milestone for the Town of Palm Beach Marina – our third anniversary. Just three years ago, the Marina was transformed from the “town docks” into a world-class superyacht-sized facility for residents and visitors, blending luxury, innovation and community. As we celebrate this remarkable journey, let’s take a look back at what has made the Marina a gem of fashionable sophistication on the South Florida coast.

The Transformation: From Vision to Reality
Originally constructed in the 1940s, the town docks were overdue for a significant upgrade. With a $40 million renovation completed in 2021, the Marina underwent a complete facelift, evolving into a cutting-edge global-grade yachting center adjacent to a beautified Lake Drive Park. This overhaul didn’t just elevate the Marina’s aesthetics; it redefined its role as a hub for luxury yachting. Accommodating vessels up to 295 feet, the revamped Marina caters to the modern demands of the global yachting community while preserving the charm and tranquility of Palm Beach living.

Anchors of Success
Since its ribbon cutting on December 9, 2021, the Marina has exceeded all expectations. With over 1,800 reservations secured and an ever-growing waitlist for annual slips, demand for this premier facility has been extraordinary. It generated over $41 million in revenue, surpassing yearly budget projections and creating a robust net profit to support municipal services.

Awards & Accolades
The Marina has made waves in the industry, earning prestigious awards and recognitions that reflect its exceptional quality:

  • Elite Fleet & Boater’s Choice Awards: Recognized by Marinas.com powered by Dockwa, the Marina achieved Elite Fleet status in 2024 and earned the Boater’s Choice Award in both 2022 and 2023 for exceptional service and facilities.

  • Visit Florida Flagler Awards: In 2024, the Marina won two Visit Florida Flagler Awards,  the state’s official tourism marketing corporation. We snagged the Bronze Award for our beautifully designed brochure as well as secured the coveted Best of Show Henry Award for our innovative #IYKYK (If You Know, You Know) creative campaign.

  • Building and Growing Award: This accolade from Marina Dock Age in 2023 was a testament to the dedication of our staff, the quality of our facilities, and the exceptional experiences we provide to our guests. These not only serve as a source of pride for the Palm Beach Marina’s team but also reinforce our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in the industry.

  • Neptune Awards: The Marine Marketers of America recognized the Marina with three awards in 2022 for its "Anchored in the Heart of Palm Beach" advertising campaign, including best Regional-Local MarketingNational Magazine Ads in a series, and an Honorable Mention for National Magazine Ads in a spread.

New Merch, New Vibes: Palm Beach Marina Launches Fashionable Shopify Store
The Town of Palm Beach Marina launched a trendy online store featuring nautically inspired apparel and accessories. The designs feature the Marina’s signature anchor and rope logo, framed by a classic, campaign-style border that nods to the island’s rich nautical traditions and timeless Palm Beach Regency style. The store sells Turkish towels, long-sleeved athletic shirts, leather ribbon belts, and trucker hats offering boat enthusiasts a way to embrace Palm Beach’s nautical lifestyle. This exclusive collection is now available online cementing the Marina's position as not just a place to dock a boat but a lifestyle brand.  Check out the store here.

Defining Our Place: Two Campaigns, One Iconic Marina Experience
The Palm Beach Marina embodied "quiet luxury" with its #IYKYK ("If You Know, You Know") campaign. This popular catchphrase perfectly captured the secretive yet alluring nature of the island. Highlighting Palm Beach’s understated glamour, the campaign featured models styled by Danny Santiago of And Just Like That fame, capturing the understated elegance and the aspirational exclusivity of being in Palm Beach—complete with luxury yachts, Worth Avenue strolls, and waterfront dining.

Our previous campaign “Anchored in the Heart of Palm Beach" launched in 2021, during our $40 million renovation – and there was no physical Marina to showcase. With a fully built and functioning Marina, we were thrilled to present the world with a new chapter.

Our two campaigns since our reopening perfectly complement our tagline, The Only Superyacht Marina in the Town of Palm Beach.

Sustainability in Action
Palm Beach Illustrated featured our Marina, calling it Squeaky Green! Our commitment to sustainability and protecting the oceans, especially the Florida waterways, is a year-round mission. We are a proud member of the Clean Marina Program, a voluntary initiative that encourages marinas to adopt best practices for protecting the environment.

Commitment to Excellence
At the Palm Beach Marina, our commitment to excellence never stops. Over the past year, our team — Morgan Springer, Mark DeCosta and Keith Enright — have dedicated themselves to advancing their skills through courses from the Association of Marina Industries. Morgan earned her certificate in Intermediate Marina Management, Mark became certified as a Clean and Resilient Marina Professional, and Keith received a certificate in Advanced Marina Management. The team is always striving to enhance their knowledge and professionalism to better serve you.

Making Waves on a Global Stage
Palm Beach, renowned as one of South Florida's most exclusive and sought-after communities, is home to some of the most sizzling real estate in the country. While the glamorous mansions and chic condos have always been the talk of the Town, there is a new trend emerging – our Marina slips. The Palm Beach Marina was featured in several stories including a 12-page feature in Navis Magazine, Boat International's article about the Race for Space and the demand for slips in Florida, The New York Post's Marina Mania article highlighting the superyacht influx and Private Air Magazine’s article Where Quiet Luxury Meets World-Class Yachting.

Palm Beach Marina Vibes
No outing on your yacht, or a day trip on land, would be complete without a great soundtrack of catchy tunes. Here at the Town of Palm Beach Marina, we’ve launched our very own curated Yacht Rock Spotify playlist for your listening pleasure – hum it, strum it, or sing along with it. Listen here.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Palm Beach Marina?
The Palm Beach Marina’s success over the past three years is just the beginning. As we look forward to welcoming more residents and visitors, the Marina remains committed to providing an unparalleled yachting experience. Annual and transient reservations can be made through TownofPalmBeachMarina.com. Here’s to the future of this world-class destination—happy yachting! 🌊⚓️

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