Reviews from Markus Hofmann (6)

Marina Review for Matanzas Pass East Mooring Field

Reviewed by: Markus Hofmann on Oct 13, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

The mooring field in Fort Myers is run by the town and covers a wide area. The mooring balls look solid and are kept in good shape. It's well sheltered from wind and swell coming off the Gulf, though you'll still get bounced around by boat wakes, especially during the day. Traffic picks up on weekends but usually settles down overnight. Each mooring has a pendant that's easy to grab with a boat hook, and you'll need your own lines to tie off. The main dinghy dock sits under the bridge and has showers and bathrooms. If you're moored down at the southeastern end, it's a bit of a haul by dinghy to get there. There is a smaller landing spot closer to that end, near red buoy 4 by the canal, but it doesn't have any facilities and it's a long walk to the main dinghy dock. We didn't have any safety concerns while staying there. It's not a quiet place, but there's plenty to watch, including a steady stream of tiki boats and party cruisers. The whole area has a lively, casual feel.

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Marina Review for Sandaway Suites & Beach

Reviewed by: Markus Hofmann on Oct 13, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

This waterfront boutique hotel added a single mooring ball about 200 feet off its private beach in the summer of 2025. It's available for reservation through Dockwa or by phone. We were told that the mooring was professionally installed by the inspector of all Oxford's moorings and is built to hold boats up to 55 feet. Instead of a floating pennant, it has two large-diameter lines with loops that you tie directly to your bow cleats. These usually sit on top of the ball, so you can grab them easily with a boat hook. The setup looks solid and well-kept. Swell can be an issue when the wind comes from the south or west, and there's wake from passing boats during the day, but it quiets down at night except for the occasional crabbing boat.

You can land your dinghy right on the hotel's beach. It's close enough that rowing is easier than using the motor. Or just swim :) The beach is private, so you don't need to worry about locking up your dinghy. Ben, who runs the place, is super friendly and eager to help. He greeted us when we arrived, gave us a quick tour, and even walked us into town when he heard we were looking for ice cream. The town is just a short walk, with restaurants nearby. In the morning, we found a picnic basket with coffee in a thermos, two shortbread cookies, and a couple of protein bars waiting for us by the dinghy landing. Courtesy of the hotel. You'll need to bring your own mugs. There aren't formal showers or bathrooms for boaters, but Ben is flexible if you ask. They also offer discounted hotel rooms if you want to sleep ashore. It's not a typical marina setup, but it's very charming and a pleasant change worth checking out.

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Anchorage Review for Punta Blanca North Cove

Reviewed by: Markus Hofmann on Sep 10, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Anchoring here was straightforward. The bottom is sandy with solid holding, and there's no noticeable current. Room for several boats without crowding. The area is surrounded by low shrubs and mangroves, which help block wind from the north and east. If you go all the way into the northern corner, you'll get some cover from westerlies too. We came in from the north using Navionics SonarCharts, which matched the actual depths well. The shoals near the entrance are well captured in the charts, but you need to hug the western shore pretty closely to avoid trouble. Since the anchorage is tucked at the far end of the cove, there's no traffic and no wakes. It's quiet, with no noise from nearby activity.

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Anchorage Review for Emerson Point Anchorage West

Reviewed by: Markus Hofmann on Sep 10, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Wide anchorage with plenty of space that can hold several boats without crowding. Entry from the bay is straightforward, with no tricky turns or narrow channels. Mostly sand bottom seems to hold well in most conditions; anchor comes up clean. Northerly winds are blocked by the surrounding land, so boats stay fairly steady. Westerly winds can push a swell into the anchorage. Passing boats create some chop during the day, but that usually settles down by evening. The current does swing boats around, often a full 180 degrees, although it's light and doesn't cause much trouble. Overall, a good spot for a day or overnight with decent shelter and dependable holding.

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Marina Review for Crow's Nest Marina & Restaurant

Reviewed by: Markus Hofmann on Sep 10, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

The marina's location by the inlet is ideal for quick access to both the ocean and the ICW, and the fuel dock is right next to the slips. Docks are in good shape, fixed along a concrete wall, so careful tie-up is important. Bathrooms are nearby in the restaurant building and kept clean. Staff are consistently friendly and helpful. However, the site is exposed to any wind with a northerly component, which brings in a strong swell, not suitable for rough weather. Passing boat traffic adds wake, so it's not the calmest spot. Best for short stays in fair conditions.

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Marina Review for The Harborage at Waterview Marinas

Reviewed by: Markus Hofmann on Aug 5, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Stayed at Harborage Marina for about a year and still consider it one of the best. The staff is fantastic — always responsive, very experienced, and on top of things. Great communication, not only during storms and when there're any issues but also with their weekly activity news.

The floating concrete docks are super solid with tall steel pilings — our boat made it through Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton here without a scratch. Good protection from northerly, westerly, and southerly winds, with taller buildings to the north and south. The breakwall provides decent protection from swell coming in from the bay. Just check the dock cleats — some of the wood trim under the docks can be soft. But report it and the staff fixes it as soon as possible.

You get your own private bathroom on the breakwall side—shower, toilet, sink. But there are only two, so you might have to wait during busy times. They are clean and functional, just a bit dated—could definitely use a refresh.

Pool at the main entrance is nice and clean and a good spot to connect with other marina residents.

The liveaboard community is the best part — friendly, down-to-earth people who always look out for each other. Island Packet Yachts commissions boats here, so you see a lot of IPs and their techs on the docks — we found them always super helpful and willing to help.

This place felt like home, with solid infrastructure and even better people. Missing it.

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