Top 7 Liveaboard Marinas in Maryland for Year-Round Living

You’ve decided to embrace liveaboard life on the Chesapeake, but finding liveaboard marinas in Maryland that welcome year-round residents takes more research than you’d expect. Many marinas restrict liveaboards or lack essential winter amenities. Maryland’s liveaboard-friendly marinas range from urban harbors steps from stadiums to resort-style havens with pools and beaches. This breakdown covers the top nine liveaboard marinas in Maryland where you can legally live aboard year-round, including real costs, community vibes, honest pros and cons, amenities like gated security and bathhouses, plus insights into sailing culture and Eastern Shore charm that help you choose your perfect floating home.

Table of Contents

• Anchorage Marina (Baltimore)
• Herrington Harbour North & South (Deale, MD)
• Annapolis Landing Marina (Annapolis)
• Tidewater Marina (Havre de Grace)
• Port Annapolis Marina
• Piney Narrows Yacht Haven (Chester)
• Baltimore Marine Center (Inner Harbor)
• Find Your Perfect Maryland Liveaboard Marina Today
• FAQs – Top 7 Liveaboard Marinas in Maryland

Anchorage Marina (Baltimore)

Living in Canton puts you right in the sweet spot of Baltimore’s waterfront scene. Anchorage Marina sits where the action happens, with restaurants and nightlife within walking distance, plus a Safeway across the street and West Marine a block away. The marina welcomes year-round liveaboards and features gated security, floating docks, shore power, water access, showers, and laundry facilities.

What really sets this spot apart is Canton Waterfront Park nearby and the relaxed community vibe. The dockmaster has earned a reputation for exceptional service and problem-solving. You’re walking distance to Fells Point and the Inner Harbor, making this ideal for urban liveaboard living.

Pros:

• Prime Canton location with restaurants, groceries, and marine stores within walking distance
• Gated security and well-maintained floating docks
• Active liveaboard community with Saturday cookouts and entertainment
• Close to Fells Point and Inner Harbor attractions
• Pet-friendly with nearby dog parks

Cons:

• Parking can be challenging for slip renters
• Condo-style fees are subject to assessments
• Water service is affected during the coldest winter months on some docks
• No WiFi available on the docks
• Long walk to the bathhouse from some slips

Herrington Harbour North & South (Deale, MD)

If someone told you they’d taken a resort and turned it into a marina, they’d be describing Herrington Harbour. These sister marinas in Deale deliver full-time boat living that feels like a permanent vacation. Both locations feature saltwater pools, private beaches with complimentary kayaks and paddleboards, eco-trails, and multiple on-site restaurants.

The North location gets you a full yacht center with marine services plus an on-site West Marine, while South boasts an Olympic-size pool and sandy beaches with restaurants like Ketch 22. Herrington Harbour is recognized as a Clean Marina with a commitment to environmental stewardship. The marinas host slipholder parties, breakfasts, outdoor movie nights, and live music events that turn dock neighbors into friends. You’re about 25 minutes from the Capital Beltway with Deale’s waterfront restaurants nearby.

Pros:

• Resort-style amenities, including pools, beaches, restaurants, and fitness facilities
• Eco-friendly with Clean Marina certification
• Active social calendar with parties, movies, and live entertainment
• Full-service yacht center at the North location
• Complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, and bikes

Cons:

• Slip costs range from $1,200 to $3,600+ annually, with premium pricing
• Limited immediate access to major cities despite proximity to the Beltway
• Can feel remote during off-season months
• Some navigation challenges in Rockhold Creek during low tide
• Resort atmosphere may not suit those seeking quiet seclusion

Related: The Complete Guide to 6 Liveaboard Marinas in San Diego

Annapolis Landing Marina (Annapolis)

You can’t discuss liveaboard living in Maryland’s sailing capital without mentioning Annapolis Landing Marina. The marina sits in a prime position with quick access to Annapolis Harbor and proximity to the US Naval Academy. You’re positioned where you can actually participate in the sailing culture and events that make this town famous.

The facilities include stationary docks designed for durability, strategically placed dock lights, rapid refueling at up to 35 gallons per minute, pump-out stations, and clean shower and laundry facilities. The marina has cultivated a thriving liveaboard community, so you’re not the odd one out. Living here puts you in the middle of constant sailing activity, proximity to chandleries and marine services, and a walkable downtown. It’s pricier than spots farther down the bay, but you’re paying for a prime location in America’s sailing capital.

Pros:

• Heart of Annapolis sailing community with front-row views of racing and events
• Quick access to downtown Annapolis, restaurants, and marine services
• Strong, established liveaboard community
• Professional dockmaster and helpful staff
• Direct Chesapeake Bay access for easy cruising

Cons:

• Higher costs, around $6,000-$9,000 annually for a 40′ boat
• Relies on the Annapolis pump-out boat, which can be unavailable in harsh winter conditions
• Can have a boatyard feel less scenic than some alternatives
• Competitive demand for slips during peak season
• More exposed to the weather than fully protected basins

Tidewater Marina (Havre de Grace)

Up at the head of the Chesapeake Bay sits Havre de Grace, where Tidewater Marina delivers solid northern bay living. Tidewater has grown from thirty slips to become a major full-service facility, offering deep water slips, moorings, hoist spaces, and over 120 Hi & Dri storage spaces. The land breakwaters create protected basins that eliminate currents and waves.

Walk from your slip to restaurants, breweries, the Decoy Museum, shops, and grocery stores – everything’s right in historic Havre de Grace. Staff members are long-term employees who provide knowledgeable, professional service. The Susquehanna River location puts you close to Baltimore, Philadelphia, and central Pennsylvania via I-95. The scenery here has that quieter northern bay character.

Pros:

• Affordable slip rates compared to southern Chesapeake marinas
• Protected basin with minimal wave action
• Walking distance to a historic town with restaurants and shops
• Full-service facility with experienced staff
• Convenient highway access from multiple cities

Cons:

• Does not allow liveaboards (dealbreaker for many)
• 30-minute motor through the channel to reach deeper sailing waters
• Limited sailing opportunities in the immediate area for deep-draft boats
• No pool facilities
• Tight fairways require careful maneuvering

Port Annapolis Marina

Tucked on Spa Creek and Back Creek, Port Annapolis nails the upscale marina experience without the pretense. The marina features over 250 slips catering to larger vessels, including catamarans, a saltwater pool, fitness center, picnic areas with barbecue facilities, a pavilion, and gazebo areas across 16 acres of park-like settings.

There’s the Wet Dog Café and Black Market Bakery on-site for your morning coffee. Port Annapolis offers liveaboard accommodations with a legitimate community. Pet owners appreciate that four-legged crew members are genuinely welcome. The marina provides quick, bridge-free access to the Chesapeake, so you’re not spending forever motoring through channels. A team of certified technicians provides top-notch marine services with annual training on new technologies. The quiet boatyard atmosphere lets you actually work on your boat without feeling rushed.

Pros:

• Upscale yacht club atmosphere with 16-acre park-like setting
• Pet-friendly liveaboard community
• On-site café and bakery for convenient dining
• Bridge-free Chesapeake Bay access
• Full-service boatyard with certified technicians

Cons:

• Premium pricing reflects upscale amenities
• Costs comparable to Annapolis Landing at $6,000-$9,000+ annually
• Better protected but less scenic bay views than Annapolis Landing
• It can feel more like a working boatyard than a resort
• A dinghy ride or drive is needed to reach downtown Annapolis

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Piney Narrows Yacht Haven (Chester)

Kent Narrows has earned its reputation as a premier Eastern Shore boating destination, and Piney Narrows Yacht Haven sits right in the middle. The marina offers 278 open and covered slips accommodating vessels up to 67 feet, positioned along Kent Narrows. Liveaboards are welcome year-round.

The pet-friendly marina provides pristine bathhouses with key-coded access for each dock, cable, WiFi, laundry facilities, slip-assigned parking, and a sparkling pool. You’re minutes from restaurants, bars, and nightlife that make Kent Narrows a premier boating destination. Queen Anne’s County delivers that quieter Eastern Shore vibe. Easy access to Annapolis, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. means you can work in any of those cities while living the liveaboard life. The boating routes from here are fantastic for weekend cruising.

Pros:

• Eastern Shore charm with resort marina amenities
• Year-round liveaboard friendly with covered slip options
• Walking distance to Kent Narrows restaurants and nightlife
• Key-coded bathhouses for enhanced security and privacy
• Excellent boating access north and south on the Bay

Cons:

• $3.00 per foot daily transient rate, $2.00/ft for long-term
• Approach depth is only 7 feet at low tide, limiting deeper-draft vessels
• More remote from major cities than western shore options
• Can feel quiet during off-season weekdays
• Limited on-site services compared to full-service boatyards

Baltimore Marine Center (Inner Harbor)

If you want urban liveaboard living at its most concentrated, Baltimore Marine Center puts you in the Inner Harbor action. Baltimore Marine Centers operates multiple locations, including Harborview Marina, which accommodates liveaboards with spectacular Inner Harbor views. The marina provides gated security, water delivery year-round, free haul-outs, and gym and pool memberships.

You’re literally across from the National Aquarium with Camden Yards walking distance – visiting friends actually want to come stay on your boat. Restaurants, bars, shops, and other activities are within steps. Fells Point’s cobblestone charm is nearby, and the Water Taxi connects you to different harbor neighborhoods. Annual marina fees run close to $10,000 plus an additional $100 yearly liveaboard fee. You’re giving up peaceful sunrises for city energy, but if you thrive on having options right outside your companionway, this delivers.

Pros:

• Ultimate urban convenience across from the National Aquarium
• Walking distance to Orioles/Ravens games, restaurants, and entertainment
• Gated security with year-round water delivery
• Gym and pool memberships included
• Water Taxi access to explore different neighborhoods

Cons:

• Premium pricing at $10,000+ annually plus liveaboard fees
• Urban noise and activity may not suit those seeking tranquility
• A limited number of slips with long waiting lists
• No escape from the city environment
• Less of a marina community atmosphere than smaller facilities

Find Your Perfect Maryland Liveaboard Marina Today

Maryland’s liveaboard marinas offer distinct lifestyles beyond just docking space. From Baltimore’s urban energy at Anchorage Marina to Herrington Harbour’s resort luxury, your perfect match exists. Annapolis Landing and Port Annapolis deliver sailing culture at premium prices, while Piney Narrows offers Eastern Shore charm with modern amenities.

Before committing, visit your top choices during different seasons and talk with current liveaboards for unfiltered insights about winter conditions, community dynamics, and hidden costs. Contact marina managers about waitlists, liveaboard caps, and pet policies, then verify electrical capacity and pump-out services. Resources like Maryland DNR, BoatUS, and local yacht clubs provide additional guidance.

Your Chesapeake liveaboard dream awaits at one of these exceptional marinas.

FAQs – Top 7 Liveaboard Marinas in Maryland