Coconut Grove Marinas and Boating Life: The Complete Local Guide

From sailing clubs with 80 years of history to full-service marinas on Biscayne Bay, here is why Coconut Grove is Miami's premier boating neighborhood.

Coconut Grove and the water have been connected since the very beginning. This is a neighborhood that was settled by people who arrived by boat, and that maritime spirit still defines life in the Grove today. Whether you are a lifelong sailor, a weekend angler, or someone who just wants to live near the water and enjoy sunset cruises on Biscayne Bay, Coconut Grove offers more boating options per square mile than almost anywhere else in Miami.

Why Coconut Grove Is Miami's Premier Boating Neighborhood

Coconut Grove sits on the western shore of Biscayne Bay, with direct, protected access to some of the best boating waters in South Florida. The bay is calm and sheltered, making it ideal for sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and motoring. From Coconut Grove, you can reach the open Atlantic in minutes through Government Cut or Bear Cut near Key Biscayne.

The neighborhood is home to multiple marinas, yacht clubs, sailing clubs, and waterfront access points, all within a compact area. That density of boating infrastructure, combined with the Grove's residential charm and walkable village center, makes it uniquely appealing to buyers who want a boat-oriented lifestyle without sacrificing the conveniences of living in a real neighborhood.

Dinner Key Marina: The Largest Wet Slip Marina in Florida

Dinner Key Marina is the anchor of Coconut Grove's boating scene and one of the most well-known marinas in all of South Florida. Located just south of City Hall on South Bayshore Drive, Dinner Key offers 582 wet slips, making it the largest wet slip marina in the state of Florida.

The marina accommodates boats of various sizes and offers a full range of amenities, including Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, a ship store, pump-out stations, and easy access to the Coconut Grove village center. It is operated by the City of Miami, and slip rates are generally more affordable than comparable private marinas in the area.

Dinner Key also has historical significance. It was a seaplane base for Pan American World Airways in the 1930s and 1940s, serving as the departure point for international flights to Latin America. The old Pan Am terminal now houses Miami City Hall, which sits right on the waterfront next to the marina.

Grove Harbour Marina

Grove Harbour Marina is a full-service marina located near the heart of Coconut Grove, offering both wet and dry storage, a complete boatyard with repair and maintenance services, and a fuel dock. It is known for its excellent customer service and convenient location, with easy access to both Biscayne Bay and the neighborhood's dining and shopping.

For boat owners who need more than just a place to park, Grove Harbour is a popular choice because of its hands-on service team and ability to handle everything from routine maintenance to major repairs.

Coconut Grove Sailing Club: An 80-Year Tradition on the Bay

The Coconut Grove Sailing Club (CGSC) was founded in 1946 by a group of Miami residents who shared a love for sailing and Biscayne Bay. Today, it is one of the most respected sailing clubs in the Southeast, hosting year-round regattas, youth sailing programs, and community events.

CGSC offers mooring in a protected basin with 24/7 security, on-demand launch service, and no membership requirement for mooring (though membership comes with preferred pricing and access to the clubhouse and events). The club's Learn to Sail programs have introduced thousands of children and adults to sailing over the past eight decades, and the youth program has produced competitive sailors at the national and international level.

The club's second-floor bar and restaurant, The Grove's Nest, is one of the best-kept secrets in Coconut Grove, with outdoor seating, live music on Friday nights, and one of the best sunset views on Biscayne Bay. Membership for City of Miami residents is $1,500 per year, and non-city residents pay $2,500.

Biscayne Bay Yacht Club: Miami's Oldest Yacht Club

The Biscayne Bay Yacht Club (BBYC) was founded in 1887 by Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of the original settlers of Coconut Grove. It is one of the oldest yacht clubs in the southeastern United States and remains a prestigious private club with a strong racing and cruising tradition.

BBYC hosts regattas throughout the year and has become an important hub for windsurfing, producing athletes who have competed at the Olympic level. The club's location at 2540 South Bayshore Drive puts it right on the waterfront in the heart of Coconut Grove.

Coral Reef Yacht Club

The Coral Reef Yacht Club (CRYC) is a private, members-only club that has been a cornerstone of Coconut Grove's boating community since 1955. Known for hosting world-class racing competitions, CRYC offers dockage, a heated pool, fine dining, a piano bar, and a calendar of social events.

Membership at CRYC is exclusive and typically requires sponsorship from existing members. For buyers who are serious about the boating lifestyle and want to be part of a tight-knit maritime community, CRYC is one of the most respected clubs in Miami.

Other Marinas and Boating Options Near Coconut Grove

Beyond the major clubs and marinas, Coconut Grove and its surrounding area offer additional options for boat owners and enthusiasts. Grove Isle Marina, situated on a private island connected to the mainland, offers a serene setting with luxury amenities. Bayshore Landing Marina provides both wet and dry storage with a convenient location and easy bay access. Cocoplum Yacht Club, located in the gated community of Cocoplum, offers dockage and social events in a family-friendly setting.

For those who do not own a boat, charter and rental services are available through companies like SailTime Miami (based at Prime Marina in the Grove), which offers fractional sailing memberships that give you access to a fleet of sailboats without the full cost of ownership.

Boating and Waterfront Real Estate in Coconut Grove

For buyers who want to combine waterfront living with boating access, Coconut Grove offers some of the most sought-after properties in Miami. Homes in gated communities like The Moorings, Camp Biscayne, and parts of South Grove offer private docks and direct Biscayne Bay access. These properties command premium prices (waterfront homes in the Grove have traded at over $2,600 per square foot in recent sales) and rarely stay on the market long.

Even if your home does not come with a private dock, living in Coconut Grove means you are never more than a few minutes from a marina or boat ramp. That combination of residential charm, waterfront access, and boating infrastructure is hard to find anywhere else in Miami.

To explore waterfront listings in Coconut Grove, visit our home search page or check out our guide to waterfront homes in Coconut Grove.

Looking for a Waterfront Home in Coconut Grove?

We specialize in helping buyers find the right waterfront property in the Grove, from bayfront estates with private docks to homes near the best marinas and sailing clubs. Contact the Ally and AJ Team at 305.744.2989.

Experience the Coconut Grove Boating Lifestyle

Boating is not just a hobby in Coconut Grove. It is part of the neighborhood's DNA. If you are looking for a home where the water is part of your daily life, we would love to show you what is possible. Reach out to the Ally and AJ Team at ONE Sotheby's International Realty at 305.744.2989 or visit allyandaj.com.