Brunswick Landing Marina Newsroom

Category: Article

  • Best ICW Stop Between Charleston and St. Augustine

    Best ICW Stop Between Charleston and St. Augustine

    Cruisers traveling the Intracoastal Waterway often look for the best marina stop between Charleston and St. Augustine. Located just minutes from the ICW, Brunswick Landing Marina in Brunswick, Georgia has become one of the most popular transient stops for boaters cruising the Southeast coast.

    That stretch of the ICW covers roughly 200 nautical miles and includes the winding rivers, marshes, and tidal creeks of coastal Georgia. While there are several places to tie up along the way, experienced cruisers often look for a stop that offers more than just a dock for the night.

    Many traveling boaters have discovered that Brunswick Landing Marina checks nearly every box for a comfortable and memorable stop along the Georgia coast.

    Located just a short distance off the Intracoastal Waterway in the protected Brunswick River, the marina has become a favorite destination for cruisers traveling both north and south along the waterway.

    A Perfect Midpoint Stop on the ICW

    For most vessels cruising between Charleston, South Carolina and St. Augustine, Florida, Brunswick sits almost perfectly in the middle of the journey.

    Typical cruising legs along this route include:

    • Charleston to Beaufort

    • Beaufort to Brunswick

    • Brunswick to St. Augustine

    Stopping in Brunswick allows cruisers to break the trip into manageable distances while enjoying a well-protected marina with full amenities.

    Unlike many ICW stops that consist of a small dock or fuel pier, Brunswick offers the feel of a full marina community.

    Easy and Safe Access from the Waterway

    One reason cruisers frequently recommend Brunswick is how straightforward the approach is from the ICW.

    The marina sits just a short run from the Intracoastal Waterway via the well-marked Brunswick River channel. The approach offers good depths and wide turning basins, making it accessible for a wide range of cruising vessels.

    Once inside the basin, boaters find calm water, floating docks, and plenty of room to maneuver.

    Protection from wakes and weather is another major advantage. Many cruisers comment on how quiet and secure the marina feels compared to more exposed ICW docks.

    Amenities Cruisers Actually Use

    Transient boaters often choose a marina based on the amenities available after a long day underway. Brunswick Landing has become known for providing the kinds of facilities cruisers truly appreciate.

    Some of the most popular amenities include:

    • floating docks with reliable shore power and water

    • clean bathhouses and laundry facilities

    • fuel dock and pump-out services

    • courtesy cars available for provisioning trips

    • Wi-Fi throughout the marina

    • easy access to grocery stores and marine supplies

    These practical conveniences make it easy for travelers to restock, recharge, and prepare for the next leg of their journey.

    Walkable Historic Downtown

    One of the unique features of Brunswick Landing is its location within walking distance of historic downtown Brunswick.

    After tying up, cruisers can explore a variety of nearby restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and local businesses. The downtown area has a relaxed coastal atmosphere that many visitors find refreshing after long days on the water.

    Popular activities for visiting boaters include:

    • walking the downtown historic district

    • dining at local seafood restaurants

    • exploring waterfront parks

    • visiting local shops and markets

    A Friendly Cruiser Community

    Another reason boaters enjoy stopping in Brunswick is the sense of community.

    The marina has developed a reputation as a gathering place for traveling cruisers. It’s common to see boaters sharing stories on the docks, meeting new friends, or attending informal events organized around the marina.

    For long-distance cruisers making the seasonal migration north and south along the ICW, these social connections often become a highlight of the trip.

    Services for Boats and Crews

    In addition to transient dockage, Brunswick Landing also offers a full-service boatyard capable of handling a wide range of maintenance and repair needs.

    This makes the marina particularly useful for cruisers who may need to address maintenance issues before continuing their journey.

    Having access to haul-out facilities and professional marine services provides peace of mind for travelers far from their home port.

    A Reliable Stop for ICW Cruisers

    Every cruiser develops favorite stops along the Intracoastal Waterway. Over time, Brunswick Landing has become one of those places that boaters consistently recommend to others planning the trip.

    Its combination of safe docks, helpful staff, practical amenities, and access to a charming coastal town make it a natural place to pause while traveling the Georgia coast.

    For boaters planning their next leg between Charleston and St. Augustine, Brunswick is well worth considering as a stop along the way.

    Planning Your Stop in Brunswick

    If you’re cruising the ICW and looking for a comfortable place to rest, resupply, and explore, Brunswick Landing Marina offers transient slips for vessels of many sizes.

    To learn more about amenities or reserve a slip for your trip, visit the marina’s Dockwa reservation page or contact the dockmaster for current availability.

    Cruisers traveling the Intracoastal Waterway often find that a stop in Brunswick becomes one of the most memorable parts of their journey.


  • The best marina in America

    The best marina in America

    Torras Properties has had many accolades over the years, but perhaps none as satisfying as the Brunswick Landing Marina being named 2022’s “Best Large Marina” in the nation by Marina Life Magazine.

    by Glenn Carson

    With 17 docks, and amenities including a dog park and free laundry, the marina serves as home to hundreds of boats of all sizes. Almost 450 wet slips make it, indeed, a large marina. In addition, boat owners are offered a variety of services that make their lives easier, from bottom cleaning and painting, to towing services, fiberglass repair, and more.

    The plans for the marina were started in the 1980s by the Torras family. However, it took almost ten years to receive all the necessary permits, with the marina opening its first dock in 1990. A major hurdle to overcome was the fact that the East River was identified as a commercial navigation channel by the federal government. After a decade of steady work, and the marina finally open, they spent the first few years giving away dockage so the boating community would embrace this new space next to downtown Brunswick.

    The marina remains family owned, with Michael Torras serving as Marina Manager. “We walk the docks every single day,” Torras said. “While other marinas in the region no longer allow full-time living, we actively encourage live-aboards because we want the marina to be a community unto itself.” Torras said it is the partnership between the marina staff and the community of boaters that makes the marina so special and so full of charm.

    Adding to the community life are three socials held for permanent and temporary residents each week. A playground and free gas grills make it an ideal spot for boaters with family aboard. Yoga classes, arts and crafts, and oyster roasts are regular activities that keep everyone involved and help to make lasting connections.

  • There’s No Place Like Home (aka Brunswick Landing Marina)

    There’s No Place Like Home (aka Brunswick Landing Marina)

    Ingrid and I are new members of the Golden Isles Power Squadron; however, I am not new to the U.S. Power Squadron. I no longer have my physical certificate; it was lost when Hurricane Ian took our Beneteau Oceanis 464, but I’ve been a member since about 1974. I joined the Waukegan (Illinois) Sail & Power Squadron, held various and multiple positions, before becoming their Commander in 1986. I was thinking back on when I took my first Boating Course, and then Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting, Junior Navigation and all those wonderful electives. I look back very fondly on all my instructors and cruising companions all those many years ago.

    People say the most wonderful place on earth is Disneyland. As live aboard boaters, Ingrid and I say the most wonderful place on earth is Brunswick Landing Marina (BLM) and its social club. There are so many activities that the marina owner, Michael Torras, makes available here, including social gatherings three times a week with free wine and beer; 30 to 50 people usually attend. Great conversations with real world boating experiences are always on tap. Themes for some of the socials have included Deviled Egg Night and Margarita Night. We’ve been here since New Year’s Eve when we purchased our Pilgrim 40 Trawler Sam McGee.

    We’ve been boaters for over 50 years and have never experienced any place that has been even close to the wonderful atmosphere provided here.

    The marina provides free washers and dryers (all new), four iPads and specialized desks in the clubhouse, yoga classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. We do cardio work outs on Tuesdays and Thursdays (done at your own risk of heart attack). For those looking for more leisurely activities, there are card games every Tuesday. BLM recently added a pickle ball court.

    Brunswick is an excellent ‘Hurricane Hole’. I was a resident of Southwest Florida with both a home (on the land) and later as a live aboard (sailboat). We’d weathered numerous hurricanes, but after losing our sailboat Annelise to 150+ MPH winds and 20+ foot flood surge, having a secure and safe floating dock is of the utmost importance.

    We will spend four months exploring the Chesapeake this summer but have made reservations to return to BLM for November through January. We plan a return to Florida and the Bahamas in 2024, but BLM is our new base.

    Come on down and visit us on Dock 11. M/V Sam MaGee (Hull #1) is a beautiful home on the water. I call it forty feet with a view. .

    Stephen Luta, JN and Ingrid Whiting

    Published by America’s Boating Club Golden Isles