Add a personal touch to any boat or beach house with this marine-grade vinyl life ring. Decorate with letters, numbers and symbols to customize a creative design with your boat name, family name or nautical greeting. ($34.99+)
Insulated and made of of stainless steel, this lightweight, portable wine chiller is perfect for hot days by the water. Keep wine, champagne and water bottles as cool as North Pole snow for hours. The set includes a beautiful gift box, and some Vinglacé items offer custom engraving. ($89.95)
Make a statement with this luxurious navy blue fleece blanket by personalizing it with a beloved boat name. Available in three sizes, it’s the perfect holiday treat for someone who wants to accentuate their ship or cuddle up on a chilly night. ($40 - $105.50)
This floating barge cooler is sure to make your boat party the talk of the town (and sea). Fully stock condiment trays with fruit, mixers, beer, etc. and use the condensation-free compartment for ice that lasts all day. ($168.88)
This fabulous fringe-lined floating golf cart is a fun water toy for everyone on your holiday shopping list. Bring the golf course to the pool or lake and cruise around or lounge under the mesh sunshade in the comfy two-person seat. ($110)
This LED translucent tube insert is the perfect gift for fishing lovers. Adjust speed, brightness and choose from dynamic color-changing modes, as the Bluetooth controller lets you operate the LED rod holder from your smartphone. ($90, prices vary)
This lightweight, comfortable pool float is easily portable with a convenient on-the-go carrying handle and two front tie-downs for docking. Kick back and relax with a holiday punch in the side cup holder. ($85)
The Onshore weekender bag is large enough to pack several days worth of clothes, yet compact enough to take as a carry-on. Choose from a variety of neutral colors to match your swimsuit. ($290)
Bring the ultimate water park to your backyard with this fully loaded bounce house. The eight foot-tall inflatable park features a climbing wall, built-in basketball hoop, water cannon and double slides that drop kids into a giant splash pool. ($279)
This company provides elf-approved gifts for children of travel junkies. Easily occupy kids with this hands-on educational set that explores cultures of six countries through games, crafts and story adventures. ($159.95)
Lake Superior whitefish. Beef on weck. Poutine. Cheese curds. You’ll find these regional favorites and more on the menu at seasonal shoreline spots, laidback lakeside destinations and white tablecloth waterfront restaurants throughout the Great Lakes. Here’s a sampling of our must-go places to eat like a local.
Look across Lakeshore Boulevard in Marquette, MI, to the bay beyond. This eatery is based in an 1872-built foundry, with its original brickwork and flooring and old-time photos that tell the story of this once booming industrial town. It is the place for fresh Lake Superior whitefish. The mild-flavored fish with its big meaty flakes is featured in appetizers like whitefish tater tots with a remoulade dipping sauce and entrees such as fried whitefish and black-pepper chips. “Our prep cooks cart fish down the block daily from Thill’s & Sons Fish House to create fan favorites like whitefish chowder and whitefish tacos,” says Andrew Hillary, executive chef and general manager. Most of the 32 beers on tap are Michigan-sourced. A covered patio offers outdoor dining with gorgeous views of one of the town’s original ore docks, the Marquette Yacht Club and Cinder Pond Marina beyond.
The open-air Miller-branded beer garden, part of a 1930s bathhouse building, offers spectacular views of the lake and Milwaukee skyline. A taste of Wisconsin is an appetizer of hand-breaded, deep-fried cheese curdspaired with house-made ranch dressing. Cheese curds are bite-sized pieces of curdled milk. “Our cheese curds have an amazing story,” says Luke Román, interim marketing and communications manager for the Milwaukee County Parks, which operates the restaurant with proceeds plowed back into the local community. “We utilize Clock Shadow Creamery located in historic Walkers Point. Some of the milk is also from the cows at the Milwaukee County Zoo.” Milwaukee’s German heritage shows on the menu, too. The Munich burger features a beef patty, topped with grilled bratwurst, beer-braised onions, red cabbage, muenster cheese, and Leinenkugel’s mustard sauce on a pretzel bun. Take a post-prandial stroll on the paved Oak Leaf Trail along the lake and back to the South Shore Park boat launch and South Shore Yacht Club.
Stafford's Pier Courtesy of Stafford's Pier Restaurant
Seafood is the draw at this Harbor Springs, MI, dining spot whether you eat on the outdoor lakefront deck or inside, especially in the 12-seat, hull-shaped captain’s table illuminated by sailcloth light shades. “We are the only restaurant in town right on the water,” says Cristen Smith, general manager. “Whitefish and walleye are regional favorites.” Firm, flaky textured walleye is mild-tasting and ready to take on a variety of flavors. Stafford’s serves its flash-fried walleye with a tomato caper butter sauce. The chef also pairs it with a Great Lakes oak- planked serving of whitefish, with veggie sides such as duchess potatoes, julienne carrots, squash and grilled asparagus. The restaurant sits at the head of the municipal marina, where there are more than 40 slips for transient boaters available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Combine a silver- and china-set table next to floor-to- ceiling windows overlooking the Straits of Mackinac with classic American cuisine, and it’s a recipe for fine Great Lakes dining. The menu at this hugely popular Mackinac Island restaurant, located at the Hotel Iroquois in Michigan, features fresh local and regional ingredients, says Suze Oostendorp. “Our whitefish is sourced from Lake Superior, our produce comes from Presque Isle farms, proteins from a Detroit family butcher, and Detroit City Rye features in our signature Old Fashion Rye.” For lunch, try the Mackinac whitefish sandwich on homemade cheese-dill bread, or the smoked whitefish cakes with mustard vinaigrette as a pre-dinner appetizer. Call the hotel for reservations in advance to tie up at its private dock to dine. carriagehousemackinac.com
The sign outside of this Port Clinton, OH-based eatery says it all: Lake Erie’s Finest Perch & Walleye. Every room in the restaurant offers a lake view, plus a large outside patio dining area is scenic, especially at sunset. “We offer a fast-casual dining experience and specialize in fresh lake fish,” says Edmond Hoty, owner. “You can get yellow perch or walleye as a sandwich over a bed of waffle fries, or as a dinner with your choice of homemade onion rings, waffle fries, or fresh breaded mushrooms, with a side of coleslaw, roll and house-made tartar sauce. We have a breading pit where we bread to order in front of you while you’re waiting in line.” The Port Clinton Yacht Club, with limited guest dockage, is 1.7 miles to the east, with the Portage River Marina a mile and a half farther east. facebook.com/jollyrogerseafoodhouse
From the lakefront patio at this family-owned, Hamburg, NY, restaurant (opened in 1949), the views stretch to the Buffalo skyline, Peace Bridge and Canada beyond. Three special sandwiches are best sellers. the Hoak’s Famous Fish Sandwich (featured at Friday night fish fry), the Original Buffalo Chicken with house-made buffalo sauce and a side of blue cheese, and, as Aileen Hoak-Lange (who owns the restaurant with brother Kevin) calls it, “Beef on Weck. It’s thin sliced and au jus dipped prime rib served on a Kimmelweck roll.” Kimmelweck rolls — hard, crusty and topped with caraway seeds and coarse salt — are a New York State signature. Sandwiches come with a choice of sides, including Hoak-Lange’s great-great grandma’s potato salad. It’s still the same recipe and only a few people have been able to detect the secret ingredient, she says. Dock at the 1,100-slip Buffalo Harbor State Park marina and drive 6.3 miles south on Route 5 to Hoak’s.
In business for over 150 years and known for its breathtaking backyard lake view, visitors set their GPS to Point Breeze in Kent, NY, to dine here in the summer. “The menu offers local favorites like a beer batter fish fry served with coleslaw or applesauce, and Ritz Cracker breaded deep fried lake perch with basil pesto,” says Kristin Rowell, the owner. “Our beef on Kimmelweck, French dip, and hand-pressed burgers are also specialties.” While here, walk some 30 yards north to the replica Oak Orchard River Lighthouse to find a museum and gift shop. Climb the lighthouse keeper’s ladder to the third floor for a birds-eye view of the lake. A half-mile south on the Oak Orchard River, and a quarter-mile from Lake Ontario, Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina offers 80 slips. Several charter fishing operations are based here for those who want to catch their dinner.
The early April opening of this nearly 80-year-strong, family-owned lakefront landmark is an annual rite of passage. It signals warm weather and eating outside on warm picnic tables is on the way for Oswego, NY. Seafood, fried chicken and burgers are mainstay entrees. Two appetizers offer something different: New York salt potatoes and poutine. The former is bite-sized white potatoes boiled in such briny water that the spuds emerge with a white crunchy coating. “Poutine is a Canadian delicacy, made of French fries topped with cheese curds and covered in brown gravy. We’ll often add some of our house-made Texas Hot Sauce, too,” explains Douglas Appleman, general manager. When the lake is calm, Appleman says many boaters drop anchor in the bay and wade in. Wright’s Landing Marina, three miles to the southwest, provides more than 200 slips, including for transient boaters.
Join a time-honored celebration of life on the sea
As we welcome the arrival of spring, boaters are eager to christen the new season with activities ranging from a fresh coat of paint on the hull to a thorough inspection or a bottle of bubbly with glasses held high. But across the country, some seaside communities celebrate their return to the water with The Blessing of the Fleet, a ritual that turns to the heavens to safeguard mariners, pray for a bountiful catch and remember those who were lost at sea.
The ceremony dates back to ancient times and finds its roots in Mediterranean fishing villages. European colonization spread the practice around the globe, and Catholic immigrants brought the tradition to America about 300 years ago. During the 20th century, it became more widespread along North American oceans, rivers, lakes and bays, and other denominations absorbed the rite into their services.
The basic elements of the Blessing of the Fleet are quite simple: a priest or pastor offers prayers and a sprinkling of holy water to a variety of vessels including working boats, rescue vessels, trawlers, recreational craft, tugboats and even dinghies. Often in attendance are members of the Coast Guard in uniform, Knights of Columbus with their pointy hats and sabers, church choirs singing hymns and other groups.
St. Peter’s Fiesta parade, Gloucester, MA via WikiMedia Commons
Most Blessings of the Fleet take place in spring to kick off the fishing or shrimping season. Others are linked to religious holidays such as the Epiphany or Easter. Some Portuguese and Italian communities celebrate on Mother’s Day to honor Our Lady of Fatima and decorate the base of her statue with red flowers for living mothers and white blooms for the deceased. An anchor made of red and white blossoms is tossed into the sea in remembrance of those who perished beneath the waves.
A mass often kicks off the festivities, followed by a processional of officiants and the faithful from the church to the waterfront where an armada of boats is waiting to receiveblessings. Colorful flags, lights, streamers, banners, pendants and more decorate the fleet as they parade through the water. Friends and family line the shore, waving, cheering, singing, drinking and feasting.
No two Blessings of the Fleet are the same. What makes them especially interesting and unique are the size of the seaside communities and the religion, culture, history, traditions and heritage of their people. Some small towns like somber, intimate ceremonies with only a handful of vessels and watermen receiving prayers. Others prefer a more boisterous celebration with thousands of well-wishers gathered for food, music, games, pageants, fairs, fish fries, races and lavish after parties. Many are attached to other regional maritime festivals such as seafood or holiday events.
If you’d like to witness a Blessing of the Fleet this season or join one and let your boat receive good thoughts for safe journeys, see the following list for some of our favorites across the country. Or contact your local marina to find out if a blessing event is taking place near you.
Blessing of the Fleet at the Sponge Docks
Tarpon Springs, FL
January 5
Every year on the day before the Epiphany, priests from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral bless the sponge boats and divers and remember those who lost their lives. Part of the ceremony includes tossing a cross into the water and young men jumping in and competing to retrieve it.
Mariners’ Church Blessing of the Fleet
Detroit, MI
March 12 (second Sunday in March)
Hosted at this historic landmark and the oldest structure on the Detroit waterfront, Mariners’ Church has been a place of worship for seamen from around the Great Lakes since 1842. The annual ceremony invites boaters to bring their burgees, colors and pennants to receive blessings for safe passage, calm waters and fair weather on their nautical journeys.
Blessing of the Fleet U.S. Navy Memorial
Washington, DC
April 15
Since 1987 when the memorial was dedicated, waters from the Seven Seas and Great Lakes are ceremoniously poured into outdoor fountains at the memorial with a blessing to protect sailors, ships and crew.
Mount Pleasant Boat Parade | Credit Visit Historic Charleston
Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival
Mount Pleasant, SC
April 30
As tribute to the shrimp and fishing industry, the event presents a boat parade, ceremonial blessing of the vessels, shad and shrimp eating contest, art exhibits, food and crafts vendors, and family activities in Charleston Harbor.
Blessing of the Fleet
Put-in-Bay, OH
May 9
Sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce, with blessings from the clergy from St. Paul’s Church and Mother of Sorrows Church, this 34th anniversary event aims to shield from misfortune ships, planes, water taxis and other service-related boats and aircraft.
Blessing of the Fleet
Thunderbolt, GA
April 29
This festival celebrates the regional shrimp and fishing industry by offering prayer to safeguard local vessels and fishermen. Festivities include a morning boat parade, live music, food trucks, craft vendors, beer garden and other activities along the Wilmington waterfront.
Portuguese Festival
Provincetown MA
June 22-25
Four days of music, parades, food, dancing, games and more celebrate Portuguese culture and seafaring heritage and offer a blessing by the bishop to decorated boats and their crew.
Greasy Pole Contest at St. Peters Festival in Gloucester, MA | Credit Wikimedia Commons
St. Peter’s Fiesta
Gloucester, MA
June 22-25
The local Italian-American fishing community’s annual celebration honors the patron saint of fishermen with a parade, live music, road and boat races, Blessing of the Fleet, children’s activities, mass and a greasy pole contest (costumed contestants try to pull a red flag off the end of a heavily lubricated pole before falling into the water).
Blessing of the Fishing Fleet
Boothbay Harbor, ME
June 25
Part of the Windjammer Days Festival, local residents remember those in the maritime industry who lost their lives to the sea and others who still earn their living on the water. The boat parade honors commercial fishing vessels.
Lions Club Blessing of the Fleet Celebration
Narragansett, RI
July 27-29
Attended by almost 30,000 people annually, this three-day festival includes a parade of boats, 10-mile road race, music, beer tent, food vendors, rides, and more.
Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival
Morgan City, LA
August 31 to September 4
To toast the shrimping and oil industry, this huge celebration features boat and street parades, blessing ceremony, a pageant to coronate the festival king and queen, a children’s village, 5k run, art show, carnival rides, fireworks, food and more.
St. Clement’s Island Museum Blessing of the Fleet
Coltons Point, MD
October 7-8
Near the point where the Arc and Dove ships landed in 1634 carrying Catholic passengers avoiding persecution in England, the blessing of the boats of Southern Maryland’s watermen takes place with festivities such as exhibitions, food and craft vendors, boat rides, music, and fireworks.St. Clement’s Island Museum Blessing of the Fleet Coltons Point, MD October 7-8 Near the point where the Arc and Dove ships landed in 1634 carrying Catholic passengers avoiding persecution in England, the blessing of the boats of Southern Maryland’s watermen takes place with festivities such as exhibitions, food and craft vendors, boat rides, music, and fireworks.
TURBOFRY AIR FRYER Chefman When it comes to cooking, air fryers are the latest craze. This trendy appliance will show you why. The portable, 2-quart TurboFry makes cooking while traveling easier than ever, and its multipurpose use and compatibility reduces clutter on your vessel. ($49.99)
Photo courtesy of Magma Products
ELITE COLLECTION MINI FOOD PROCESSOR Cusinart Mini food processors are ideal for the galley, as you can avoid the challenging task of chopping while rockin’ away onboard. Lightweight and durable, the 4-cup chopper/grinder is made with a SmartPower blade and lock system allowing for safe and easy storage. ($59.95)
INDUCTION NON-STICK COOKWARE SET Magma This company is known for high-quality products designed for travel durability, and the award-winning portable cookware set has been voted among boaters as a favorite to use onboard. The 10-piece set is made of mirror-polished stainless steel and reliable non-stick coating. ($329.99)
FUSION SOLAR OVEN GoSun Specifically designed for land or sea adventures, the Fusion is the first solar oven that can also cook without the sun. The portable hybrid item is both solar and electric and only needs a little bit of sunshine or can be powered by 12-volts from a car, RV or boat. ($369)
GALLEY GADGETS
Photo courtesy of BlendJet
RECHARGEABLE PORTABLE BLENDER BlendJet This next-generation portable blender is a gamechanger when it comes to galley necessities. Perfect for travel, the BlendJet powers through anything in 20 seconds flat including frozen fruit, veggies, ice and more. The battery lasts for 15+ blends and includes a rapid-charging, waterproof USB port. ($49.95)
BRILLIANCE STAINSHIELD FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER SET Rubbermaid Reliable, durable tubs you can easily stack and stow are essential when it comes to galley food storage, and this set has it all. Shatter-resistant, airtight and perfect for on the go, the Brilliance modular containers will stop the sea from making your food soggy or stale. (Prices vary)
TEAK DISH CUP, SPICE & PAPER TOWEL RACK SeaTeak For easy storage in any size galley, this all-in-one rack will keep your space tidy and organized. Made from kiln-dried, fully aged teak wood, this top-quality piece has a spice rack, paper towel rack and holds up to four plates. ($110.66)
DESIGN COLLECTION CUTLERY FOR BOATS Victoria Yachting Grace your galley with this gorgeous upscale cutlery made specifically for boating. The modern stainless-steel set is designed to withstand seawater with scratch and water-resistance, and it’s also dishwasher-friendly. Fill out the online form for custom products. (Prices vary)
Baby it’s cold outside, and what’s better than curling up on your comfy couch with a warm blanket, a glass of amber liquid and a roaring fire. The perfect companion? A book that transports you to shimmering sun above turquoise water as a sultry breeze wafts over you. Start planning your next vacation with our Caribbean Dreaming book suggestions.
Pirate Latitudes
by Michael Crichton
Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
The bestselling author takes us on a wild adventure set in the New World when Jamaica was still a British colony. Swashbuckling is an understatement to describe the plot of this book. Pirate Latitude’s hero is a privateer hired by Jamaica’s governor as they scramble to take a galleon full of jewels before it is shipped off to Spain. Captain Charles Hunter races time as he competes against the notorious pirates to find the galleon. Theft and betrayal are the least of it.
Caribbean
by James A. Michener
The master storyteller takes us through 700 years of Caribbean history from its beginnings to modern times. Caribbean spans the life of Bakmu, a peaceful member of the Arawak people whose prowess in games still gets him eaten by cannibals. The book also covers the explorers Christopher Columbus, John Hawkins, and Sir Francis Drake, the rise of the Rastafarians, and Cuba under Fidel Castro. Michener’s patented blend of fiction and history provides a sweeping view of the islands and why we dream of them when we are not there.
A Sail of Two Idiots
by Renee Petrillo
We’ve all had moments where our imagination ditches life as we know it and sends us on a boat out to sea for good. Renee and Michael set sail without much boating experience and learn how to navigate the hard way. They sailed on a catamaran from Miami to Grenada eventually dropping anchor on an island that intrigued them. A Sail of Two Idiots offers boating lessons wrapped in a “get your cake and eat it too” humor.
Island People
by Joshua Jelly-Schapiro
Starting with Christopher Columbus, who set foot in the Caribbean while mistaking it for Asia, the author argues that the region has repeatedly been defined by a series of misconceptions and false assumptions. Jelly-Shapiro examines local politics, languages, religions, music and culture showcasing how its people contributed to the making of the modern Caribbean. The voyage takes us to Haiti, Barbados, Trinidad, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and multiple islands in between.
An Embarrassment of Mangoes
by Ann Vanderhoof
An Embarrassment of Mangoes by Ann Vanderhoof
Who hasn’t dreamt about lying on the deck of a boat cruising the Caribbean, the only decision to make what color drink to have? Canadians Ann Vanderhoof and her husband, Steve, did just that in the mid-1990s, quitting their jobs and setting sail on a 42-foot sailboat called Receta (recipe). Their two-year adventure spanned 16 countries and 47 islands from the Bahamas to Trinidad and carries us to secluded beaches, local markets and specialties that just may convince you it’s time to do the same.
Island Dreams Caribbean
by Joan Tapper and Nik Wheeler
Dive into a book of photos and commentary surrounded by the seductive landscapes and dazzling blues of the Caribbean Sea. With Joan Tapper’s words and Nik Wheeler’s photography, this book offers something for everyone in their choices of places to visit and places to live. Featuring large islands such as Cuba, Jamaica and Puerto Rico and smaller ones like Antigua and Martinique, the pair serves up a relaxed lifestyle: quaint harbors, winding streets, quirky bars, open-air markets, and local art. Enjoy more than 200 spectacular color photos.
Love for Sail
by Connie Barrera
Join Barrera as she makes her first ocean passage as captain of Diamantista, her new charter yacht. Connie’s friend Paul Russo cannot come on her maiden voyage, so she relies on a pick-up crew and trouble begins the moment her ship leaves port. Love for Sail is the first book in the Connie Barrera romantic thriller series.
National Geographic Traveler: The Caribbean, Third Edition
by Emma Stanford and Nick Hanna
National Geographic travel guides are requisite reading for boaters in need of an island fix and this book does not disappoint. While many travel books are filled with logistical specifics like where to stay, what it costs and must-see locations, this one takes you to islands with gorgeous photos and detailed descriptions of their history. Island exploration spans Dominica, St. Lucia and Barbados, as well as a number of lesser known, small paradises.
Our Man in Havana
by Graham Greene
What happens when an unsuccessful vacuum-cleaner salesman gets recruited by the secret service to gather intelligence on nuclear facilities during the Cold War? Greene’s classic novel is the tale of James Wormold, an everyman who files fake reports about spies and nuclear weapons. But when his reports start to turn into truth, they come back to haunt him.
From the Gulf to the Atlantic and every bay in between, boaters and their families have plenty to look forward to on the Florida coasts this fall. Start the season with a couple of pints at Oktoberfest and spooks at a haunted ghost tour, throw in a boating event or two, and round it out with a lighted boat parade.
OCTOBER
Source: Adonis Paul Hunter
HAUNTED GHOST TOURS
St. Augustine
Daily/weekly
Learn about the haunted history in the oldest city in the United States through the lens of the undead. Get tickets for haunted pub crawls, trolly tours and walking tours. You’ll get in the Halloween spirit and learn the stories behind St. Augustine’s most spirited locations from professional storytellers with just the right amount of spook. Kids are welcome on trolly and walking tours, and pets are allowed on walking tours! Check out Ghost Tours of St. Augustine or Ghosts & Gravestones.
Kick off the fall season with Oktoberfest on the Atlantic or Gulf Coast with Beaches Oktoberfest and Oktoberfest Tampa. With Tampa’s event ranking in the top five in the country and Jacksonville Beach’s being the largest in the state, you’re sure to find the brew for you! beachesoktoberfest.com
Just across the Bay from Tampa and St. Pete, Apollo Beach is teeming with wildlife on land and on the water. At this four-day festival, you’ll find a free expo with nature organizations and artwork, daily field and boat trips to sites not accessible to the public, and expert wildlife and conservation seminars. Nature aficionados won’t want to miss this opportunity at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Suncoast Youth Conservation Center.
Has your dog always wanted to be an (un)professional racer? Now is Fido’s time to shine! Register your pup for a day full of zoomies, Doggie Costume Contest, and plenty of BBQ and entertainment for the whole family. Proceeds benefit Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic & Ranch.
No matter your music taste, you’re sure to find something to jam out to at this three-day festival, from smooth jazz and blues to funk and zydeco. You’ll find plenty of vendors at the festival, and Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood offers old-school charm and Latin American eateries. St. Petersburg offers hip breweries, coffee shops and more.
Join in a celebration of life at the Water Lantern Festival this fall. Start the day with food trucks, music and family- friendly fun, and end by releasing your personalized lantern on the water at sunset.
The largest in-water boat show in the world offers viewings and demos of everything from superyachts to kayaks and fishing gear. Stop by the Superyacht Village to sip a cocktail on one of the most luxurious boats in the world, the Convention Center for watersport and innovative boating gear demos, and take the family to a kid-friendly fishing seminar.
Where to Dock:17th Street Yacht Basin, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Pier 66 Hotel & Marina
Join the Old Naples Waterfront Association in the historic center to kick off stone crab season! Eat stone crab to your heart’s content in a prime harvesting location of the tasty crustacean and enjoy plenty of entertainment, from live music to local galleries and craft vendors. floridarambler.com/florida-festivals/ florida-seafood-festivals-calendar
Cruise to the charming Apalachicola, tucked away among expansive wildlife reserves and just a bay away from the Gulf. Along with some of the best oysters and seafood you can eat, the whole family will enjoy a parade, carnival, Blessing of the Fleet, hours of live music every day, and competitions such as the oyster shucking contest and blue crab races.
Celebrate the annual return of the North Atlantic right whale to the coasts of Florida and Georgia to give birth and nurse their young in historic Fernandina Beach. Learn about threats and conservation efforts for these gentle giants, participate in a beach clean-up, and enjoy family fun at educational exhibits, athletic events, and food and craft vendors.
Cruise to Key West for three days of epic racing and a full week of family-friendly fun. Don’t miss the World’s Fastest Boat Parade on the first Sunday, or any three of the races throughout the week: the Truman Waterfront Cup, Southernmost Continental Champion, and Championship. Use downtime to explore the Race Village at Truman Waterfront and try out local pubs, shops and restaurants.
Visit Siesta Key Beach to watch sculptors from around the world turn piles of white sand into sculpted masterpieces. Professional competitors have 24 hours to build their pieces, and visitors have the chance to participate in amateur sand-sculpting competitions and see the masters at work.
Art connoisseurs and amateurs alike will love this boutique art competition and festival in the scenic cultural center of Sarasota. Masters of different media—ceramics, jewelry, graphic art, painting, and more—will put the best of their work on display for patrons to browse and buy to their hearts’ content.
Ready to get in the holiday spirit? Cruise back to St. Augustine as early as before Thanksgiving for a dazzling display of more than 3 million lights in the historic district. Gaze in awe at the twinkly lights and find photo ops at the Bridge of Lions and the Christmas tree at the center of Plaza de la Constitución. Enjoy the sounds of the All Star Orchestra on the first night and stroll to businesses open later than usual.
Since the 1970s, this annual art extravaganza brings works of contemporary and modern pieces by renowed and emerging artists from around the world to showcase in Miami. Held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, for three days the public can gaze upon unique masterpieces presented by leading galleries from five continents.
This annual four-day event showcases classic antique yachts, automobiles and aircraft to celebrate those who restore vintage collections. Experience a full schedule of events kicking off with a welcome party and dinner buffet on Thursday, then a weekend packed with drive-bys, shows, dinners, cocktail receptions, a costume party and more.
With so many spectacular lighted boat parades on the coasts of Florida, we couldn’t choose just one! Dock at any of these coastal towns on the first three Saturdays of December to ring in the season on the festive Florida waterfronts.
Credit Florida Historic Coast
Daytona Beach Christmas Boat Parade December 3
Palm Coast Yacht Club Holiday Boat Parade December 3
The Seminole Hard Rock Winter Boat Parade December 10
St. Augustine Regatta of Lights December 10
Naples Bay Christmas Boat Parade December 10
Northwest Cape Coral 2nd Annual Boat Parade December 17
The Caribbean is well known for its clear blue tropical waters. But as rich as it is in beauty, the islands have an even greater wealth of his- tory. Luckily, museums are located across the region to share the stories and significant events that can provide glimpses of what maritime life was like throughout the years. Their exhibits, relics and archives will have you looking at the region in a whole new light.
Here are eight Maritime Museums:
National Museum of Bermuda Flagpole
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF BERMUDA
You can find this treasure trove of artifacts in the Atlantic Ocean 650 miles east of North Carolina, the nearest land mass to this collection of islands. The museum shows how maritime events shaped the history, people and culture of Bermuda. It is located at the historic Royal Naval Dockyard within Bermuda’s largest fort. Exhibits cover 500 years of the country’s history from how the German U-505 submarine was captured by the U.S. Navy and concealed in Bermuda to how sailing races from North America to Bermuda have influenced the development of ocean-worthy boats and blue water sailing. Be sure to experience the museum’s unique spaces by strolling through the two-story boat loft to catching a dolphin show at the Keep Pond Terrace to taking in the expansive ocean views at the flagpole.
Turks and Caicos National Museum opened in 1991 to store artifacts found in the excavation of the Molasses Reef shipwreck, an unknown Spanish ship that sunk in 1515 on the Caicos Bank. The museum spans two locations: the Guinep House on Grand Turk Island, believed to be more than 180 years old and named after the large guinep tree on its property, and the Village at Grace Bay on Providenciales, where visitors can tour the Heritage House, an historically correct rendition of a typical 1800s Caicos dwelling. In addition to showcasing shipwreck artifacts, visitors also learn about the evolution of The Grand Turk Lighthouse as well as the rise and fall of the island’s salt industry. On Museum Day, the first Saturday in November, visitors can tour the exhibits for free, and in May, the Village at Grace Bay holds a “Back in the Day” event with activities reflecting historical life on the island.
If you like to take in history outdoors, these exhibitions are for you. The trail consists of 36 stops across all three islands (Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands) and is best traveled via car. Each stop is marked by a road sign that shares a notable historic event or contribution related to the maritime industry. Learn how turtling shaped the islands’ early economy, how ships were cleaned and repaired before boat lifts by a process called “careening”, and hear stories of notable shipwrecks. If you prefer to learn Cayman Island history in one place, you can check out the Cayman Islands National Museum, housed in Cayman’s oldest surviving public building, which has a series of permanent and rotating exhibits.
Completed 500 years after Christopher Columbus arrived on the island of La Hispaniola, the Faro a Colon (aka The Columbus Lighthouse) is one of the Dominican Republic’s most popular attractions. Constructed in the shape of a Latin cross spanning the width of two soccer fields, the lighthouse was created to recognize the first “encounter between two worlds.” It includes a mausoleum that houses Christopher Columbus’ remains as well as a museum displaying original and replica artifacts from the time of Columbus’ voyage. The lighthouse also has a library containing documents and maps displaying some of the earliest drawings of the Americas.
The Antigua Naval Dockyard, now named Nelson’s Dockyard, was built in the mid-1700s to serve as a strategic post and support the Royal Navy battle against the French and protect trade routes in the region. The dockyard officially closed in 1889 and reopened in 1961 as an historic site. In addition to exploring the dockyard, take advantage of the park’s 12 miles of hiking trails, two forts, and tours such as the “Rum in the Ruins” where you can listen to stories of the dockyard while sipping on a cocktail. If traveling by boat, get the best view of the gorgeous English Harbour and snag a slip at nearby Nelson’s Dockyard Marina, the only continuously working Georgian Era dockyard in the world.
Opened in 2020, the Bequia Heritage Museum includes the Boat Museum and Annexe that display and educate visitors about the boatbuilding and whaling industries as well as artifacts dating back to the period of the island’s European settlement. Vessels on display at the museum include a traditional Amerindian dug-out canoe and the decommissioned boat, Rescue, that was originally used for whaling.
Located in a mansion built in 1729 on the Waaigat inlet, the Curaçao Maritime Museum shares with visitors the story and events that influenced Curaçao’s involvement in the maritime industry. Learn how trade ebbed and flowed in and out of Curaçao’s ports, reflective of the events happening around the world to the arrival of the first cruise ship in 1901 from New York, sparking the cruise tourism industry until the 1970s when air travel took over as the primary way for tourists to visit the island. Visitors can explore the museum at their own pace or take a guided tour.
With a decent internet connection, you can visit the Grand Bahama Museum from the comforts of your remote anchorage or mooring. Bahamian history and culture are explored through digital exhibits ranging from the islands’ natural landscapes and the history of the port authority to the role the Bahamas played during the Golden Age of Piracy. Learn about the first recorded piece of mail sent from the Bahamas in 1761 and the evolution of mailboats. Or savor a dark and stormy while reading about the Bahamas’ role in the rum-running industry during U.S. Prohibition. The Grand Bahama Museum was originally housed at The Garden of the Groves but was unfortunately destroyed by weather and time. To reach a wider audience and share Bahamian history and culture, the museum decided to move to a digital platform.
Add a personal touch to any boat or beach house with this marine-grade vinyl life ring. Decorate with letters, numbers and symbols to customize a creative design with your boat name, family name or nautical greeting. ($34.99+)
Insulated and made of of stainless steel, this lightweight, portable wine chiller is perfect for hot days by the water. Keep wine, champagne and water bottles as cool as North Pole snow for hours. The set includes a beautiful gift box, and some Vinglacé items offer custom engraving. ($89.95)
Make a statement with this luxurious navy blue fleece blanket by personalizing it with a beloved boat name. Available in three sizes, it’s the perfect holiday treat for someone who wants to accentuate their ship or cuddle up on a chilly night. ($40 - $105.50)
This floating barge cooler is sure to make your boat party the talk of the town (and sea). Fully stock condiment trays with fruit, mixers, beer, etc. and use the condensation-free compartment for ice that lasts all day. ($168.88)
This fabulous fringe-lined floating golf cart is a fun water toy for everyone on your holiday shopping list. Bring the golf course to the pool or lake and cruise around or lounge under the mesh sunshade in the comfy two-person seat. ($110)
This LED translucent tube insert is the perfect gift for fishing lovers. Adjust speed, brightness and choose from dynamic color-changing modes, as the Bluetooth controller lets you operate the LED rod holder from your smartphone. ($90, prices vary)
This lightweight, comfortable pool float is easily portable with a convenient on-the-go carrying handle and two front tie-downs for docking. Kick back and relax with a holiday punch in the side cup holder. ($85)
The Onshore weekender bag is large enough to pack several days worth of clothes, yet compact enough to take as a carry-on. Choose from a variety of neutral colors to match your swimsuit. ($290)
Bring the ultimate water park to your backyard with this fully loaded bounce house. The eight foot-tall inflatable park features a climbing wall, built-in basketball hoop, water cannon and double slides that drop kids into a giant splash pool. ($279)
This company provides elf-approved gifts for children of travel junkies. Easily occupy kids with this hands-on educational set that explores cultures of six countries through games, crafts and story adventures. ($159.95)
WHICH OF THESE RENOWNED SEAFOOD TOWNS WILL HOOK YOU?
Location
Fernandina Beach | credit Patrick Farrell
BEAUFORT, NC
Beaufort lies on an inlet leading south to the Atlantic and is considered part of North Carolina’s “Inner Banks” and the Crystal Coast. The Crystal Coast spans 85 miles of stunning coastline in southern North Carolina, including 56 miles of protected beach of the Cape Lookout National Seashore.
FERNANDINA BEACH, FL
Located on historic Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach is the northernmost city on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. Visitors will find easy access to Jacksonville, the mouth of the St. Mary’s River, and coastal destinations in southern Georgia such as Cumberland Island.
HISTORY
Beaufort History | credit Dori Arrington
BEAUFORT, NC
Established in 1709, Beaufort was originally known as Fishtown, having been a fishing village and port of safety since the late 1600s. In addition to fishing, Beaufort was a hub for whaling, lumber, shipbuilding and farming. The earliest settlers made their mark by building Bahamian and West Indian-style homes, and the Plan of Beaufort Towne can still be seen in a 12-block historic district.
FERNANDINA BEACH, FL
First settled in 1562, this town on historic Amelia Island went through many transformations under eight flags before it became what it is today. After the Civil War, Fernandina Beach became a bustling seaport and popular destination, called “The Queen of Summer Resorts” by many Northerners. Today’s visitors find themselves surrounded by the town’s lovely relics of the past — an historic district, Civil War port and the first cross-state railroad remain.
BOATING ATTRACTIONS
Fernandina Beach | credit Deremer Studios LLC
BEAUFORT, NC
Beaufort has a thriving scene for anglers. Cast your line off a dock downtown, book a charter or head north to Cedar Island Wildlife Refuge to catch flounder, trout and redfish. Boat tours and private charters are a popular way to experience the stunning views and wildlife of the Crystal Coast. See porpoises, dolphins and wild horses on the beach. Better yet, book with Cruisin’ Tikis Beaufort to imbibe while you observe. Dock at Beaufort Docks.
FERNANDINA BEACH, FL
Pier fishing is huge on Amelia Island, and anglers should head to the George Crady Bridge, which spans one mile of Nassau Sound. Snag a variety of fish in the area, including redfish, whiting, seatrout, tarpon and flounder. Boaters can start aquatic excursions in either the Atlantic Ocean to the east or Amelia River to the west. Go on a solo adventure, or join a tour or charter by boat, kayak or watersport with the likes of Amelia River Tours, Amelia Adventures & Kayak or Riptide Watersports. Dock at Fernandina Harbor Marina.
ACTIVITIES
Beaufort | credit Dori Arrington
BEAUFORT, NC
History buffs will feel right at home in Beaufort. Visit the Beaufort Historic Site to learn the town’s story through nine preserved historic homes in the middle of town. Three different maritime museums, including the North Carolina Maritime Museum, and the Bonehenge Whale Center offer marine merriment for the whole family. And for a taste of Crystal Coast wildlife, head over to the Rachel Carson Reserve where wild horses and countless birds, reptiles and aquatic mammals roam free.
FERNANDINA BEACH, FL
Fernandina Beach is known for its easy living. Amelia Island Welcome Center is a great place to revisit Fernandina’s history and plan your day. Make your way to Centre Street on the water to browse eclectic shops and bustling art galleries, taste wild-caught shrimp at a bistro, or grab a pint at the Palace Saloon, Florida’s oldest tavern. If you’re in town on a Friday, you might stumble upon Sounds on Centre, a local concert series.
The days are growing shorter, and the final weeks of summer are upon us. So, before the school bell rings, Marinalife is wondering if you’ve checked off everything on your must-do list this season. If you’re looking for ways to wrap up summer, consider the following ideas for last-dash, fun activities.
- Learn how to do a back dive, canon ball or jump off the back of the boat into the water. Rope swings are also an invigorating option.
- Have a tiki party on a boat and serve your guests tropical blender drinks. Bonus points for Hawaiian shirts and grilled pineapple or savory Polynesian snacks.
- Pick a dozen crabs on your boat or at a waterfront dock bar, along with all the classic fixins’ of corn on the cob, hushpuppies, coleslaw and a cold brew. If crabs aren’t your preference, a lobster, clam or crawfish boil will do just fine.
- Ride down a giant slide, roller coaster or death-defying ride at a waterpark while letting out a mighty yell.
- Body surf in the Atlantic waves or build a sandcastle strong enough to withstand the tide.
- Explore a hidden cove or a dream destination that you’ve never visited before on your boat.
- Go fishing and catch something big enough for dinner.
- Get pulled on a raft or inflatable behind a boat or learn how to waterski.
- Catch lightening bugs in a jar to make a glowing lantern. But be sure to poke holes in the lid and release them when the fun is done.
- Under the stars, go to an outdoor movie, music festival or seafood feast.
- Learn how to shuck an oyster, clean a fish or pick a crab, then invite friends over to taste dishes made from the fruits of your labor.
- Invent a nautical cocktail to commemorate the summer of 2022.
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