Best Philadelphia Marinas For Boat Docking

Philadelphia has a lot to offer when it comes to docking your boat. The city's boating region is rich in marina accommodations, with interconnected, navigable waterways like the Delaware River and Bay, the C&D Canal, and the Chesapeake Bay. The Penn's Landing Marina, located in the heart of the Philadelphia Waterfront, is a popular choice with attractions like the Moshulu, the Chart House, and the Independence Seaport Museum within walking distance. The Piers Marina, located closer to Penn's Landing, offers floating docks on two separate piers, with each slip wired for TV and phone service. For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, there are also a handful of public boat launches that are free to use, such as the Frankford Boat Launch, the Tacony Boat Launch, and the Linden Avenue Boat Ramp.

Where to Dock a Boat in Philadelphia

Penn's Landing Marina

Other entertainment and attractions within the marina include the Paddle Penn's Landing Program, scenic water tours on the Spirit of Philadelphia, Patriot Harbor Lines, SailTime Philadelphia, and StandUp Paddleboard Yoga classes with Aqua Vida. The marina also offers easy access to the Delaware River.

The Penn's Landing Marina and the Pier 5 Marina are the only publicly accessible marinas in Philadelphia. Dockage is available from May 1 through October 31, and reservations are suggested as transient slips are limited. The marina features 32 floating finger piers of various sizes, electric (30 or 50 AMP), free Wi-Fi, and 24-hour on-site security.

Overnight rates start at $2.00 per foot for vessels up to 40 ft, with a minimum charge of $60. Vessels 80 ft and above are charged at $6.00 per foot. Monthly and seasonal rates are available upon request and are subject to change without notice.

The Piers Marina

One thing to note is that the marina is exposed to weather and wakes from the east, which can affect arrival and departure times at extreme low tide. However, a breakwater helps to ease the effect of these conditions.

Overall, The Piers Marina is a great choice for boaters looking for a well-located and well-equipped marina with good facilities and easy access to the city of Philadelphia.

Frankford Boat Launch

One of Philadelphia's three public boat launches, the Frankford Boat Launch is located at the confluence of the Frankford Creek and the Delaware River. It is also situated at the southern trailhead of the K&T segment of the East Coast Greenway, and the K&T Trail (also known as the Kensington & Tacony Trail) begins at the Frankford Arsenal Boat Launch. This trail spans a mile along the Delaware River, connecting the Wissinoming and Tacony neighbourhoods.

The Frankford Boat Launch is a great place to start if you want to go boating or fishing on the Delaware River, or even just to enjoy a picnic by the water. It is conveniently located and offers free access for both motorized and non-motorized watercraft. However, it can be a little tricky to find—the boat ramp is located in the 5600 block of Tacony St, and you can look for the Dietz and Watson plant and turn right before you pass it.

In addition to the Frankford Boat Launch, Philadelphia offers other options for boating and docking. The Penn's Landing Marina, for example, is located in the heart of the Philadelphia Waterfront and is within walking distance of attractions in the Historic District, Old City, South Street, and Society Hill. Boat House Row is another well-known boating area in Philadelphia, offering a great rowing program and on-water dining options.

Boathouse Row

The site consists of a row of fifteen boathouses, which house social and rowing clubs and their racing shells. Each boathouse has its own unique history, and all have addresses on both Boathouse Row and Kelly Drive, the latter being named after the Philadelphia oarsman, John B. Kelly Jr.

Boathouses #2 through #14 are part of a group known as the Schuylkill Navy, which includes several other boathouses along the river. The Schuylkill Navy is the oldest amateur athletic governing body in America. Boathouse #1 is Lloyd Hall, the only public boathouse facility on the Row. Boathouse #15 houses the Sedgeley Club, a private social enclave that operates the Turtle Rock Lighthouse.

The boathouses are all at least a century old, with some built over 150 years ago. They are considered centres of the rowing community in the United States, with rowers competing at every level, from local clubs to international-level athletics.

In addition to its historical significance, Boathouse Row is also known for its stunning display of lights, which outline each boathouse at night, creating a Christmas-like gingerbread house appearance reflected in the Schuylkill River. The lights were designed by architectural lighting designer Ray Grenald and installed in 1979 to bring attention to the decaying Victorian boathouses. In 2005, the houses were outfitted with computerized LEDs that can display various colours depending on the event or season.

Delaware River

The Delaware River is one of the Greater Philadelphia boating region's interconnected, navigable waterways. The river offers great trout fishing and on-water dining in the evening. There are a few options for docking your boat along the Delaware River.

Penn's Landing Marina

Penn's Landing Marina is located in the heart of the Philadelphia Waterfront, between Lombard Circle and Dock Street at 301 S. Columbus Boulevard. It is within walking distance of attractions and restaurants in the Historic District, Old City, South Street, and Society Hill. The marina is also close to public parks along the waterfront, including Spruce Street Harbor Park, Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, and Blue Cross RiverRink. It is one of only two publicly accessible marinas in Philadelphia, offering seasonal and transient dockage from May 1 through October 31. The overnight rates for vessels up to 40 ft start at $2.00 per foot, with rates increasing based on the size of the vessel.

Frankford Boat Launch

This dock is located at the confluence of the Frankford Creek and the Delaware River. It is open for boating, fishing, and picnics. The address is 5625 Tacony St., but it can be tricky to find as the roads approaching the launch are reportedly unnamed.

Tacony Boat Launch

Located in Northeast Philly at 7071 Milnor St., this dock offers a great view of the Tacony Palmyra Bridge Walkway to the south.

Linden Avenue Boat Ramp

This boat ramp, located along the Delaware River, is a place to dock your boat and grill up some food. However, there may be some illicit behaviour in the area.

Frequently asked questions