Superyachts, sunshine and waterfront views – no green screen digital magic is necessary in Palm Beach. Earlier this year, the cameras rolled at our world-class Marina for Passport to The Palm Beaches, a television series showcasing the luxury lifestyle, unique culture, local hotspots and attractions that make Palm Beach County one of Florida’s most celebrated destinations.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker and television producer Jacqueline Journey takes viewers on a tour of art, food, wine and of course, yachting. While our spotlight is on the Town of Palm Beach Marina, the episode also includes Sculpture in Motion at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens in West Palm Beach and Artisans of Wine & Food at The Boca Raton Resort. Our elevated facility is a natural fit for an episode devoted to “Living Large” – episode 3 of season 7.
The feature follows the action from docks to decks, capturing the Marina’s $40 million state-of-the-art transformation, impressive yachts and enviable waterfront location. Airing nationally on the Discovery Network’s Destination America channel, the finished piece is part insider tour, part postcard and a persuasive argument for the joy of arriving by yacht.
In the TV segment, Mike Horn, Marina Manager, takes viewers through its transformation from the former Town Docks into a modern 84-slip superyacht marina, capable of accommodating vessels from 60 feet all the way up to 295 feet. He knows the facility from bow to stern.
The complete renovation began in May 2020 and wrapped 18 months later, when the Marina reopened in November 2021. The project brought deeper water, an elevated seawall, new docks and upgraded infrastructure designed around the changing world of yachting.
Today, yachts arrive here from around the globe before heading everywhere from the Bahamas to New England and Europe. But ask Mike about the Marina's best amenity and his answer isn't something you'll find on a specifications sheet. “The Town of Palm Beach is the actual amenity,” says Horn. Beyond the docks is Palm Beach itself: Worth Avenue, legendary beaches, restaurants, golf, tennis, culture and the unmistakable architecture and landscape of the island. As Horn puts it, “We’re right in the middle of everything.”
In her interview, Carolyn Stone, Deputy Town Manager, explains the bigger vision behind the Marina's renovation. Town leaders saw where the yachting world was headed years before construction began. “Our Town Council in 2017 was very, very wise in recognizing that the world of yachting was really moving to superyachts,” said Stone.
But bigger boats weren't the only consideration. Privacy was just as important. Many Marina customers own homes on Palm Beach Island and want their yachts nearby for entertaining, cruising and everyday use. That has helped create something a little different from the typical bustling marina. “We like to refer to this as an owner's marina,” said Stone. Private. Polished. Understated. Very Palm Beach.
Stone also shares in the segment that the Marina generated approximately $16 million in total revenue last year, with a little over $10 million in net operating revenue that can be reinvested into Town projects and amenities.
Passport to The Palm Beaches gives viewers a chance to see the Marina from a different angle and hear directly from the people behind it. Watch for the superyachts. Stay for the lifestyle. And don't be surprised if you start plotting a course south. Palm Beach may once have qualified as a hidden gem. Not anymore. “The cat is out of the bag and people know about us now,” Stone says.
Or drop anchor and watch the complete “Living Large” episode of Passport to The Palm Beaches.
Ready to experience Palm Beach from the water? Explore transient dockage and annual slips at the Town of Palm Beach Marina at www.TownofPalmBeachMarina.com and plan your next stay.
Q: Does the Town of Palm Beach Marina accommodate superyachts?
A: Yes. The Town of Palm Beach Marina can accommodate superyachts up to 295 feet, with modern floating docks, upgraded utilities and infrastructure designed specifically for today’s larger vessels.
Q: Does the Palm Beach Marina offer transient, short-term dockage?
A: Yes. The Town of Palm Beach Marina offers transient yacht dockage in Palm Beach in addition to annual slips. Visiting boaters can enjoy direct access to the island’s restaurants, shopping, beaches, golf, tennis and cultural attractions.
Q: Where is the Town of Palm Beach Marina located?
A: The Marina is located along the Intracoastal Waterway in the Town of Palm Beach, Florida, just south of the Royal Park Bridge. Its central location puts visiting yacht owners and guests close to Worth Avenue, beaches, restaurants and other island destinations.
Q: When was the Town of Palm Beach Marina renovated?
A: The former Town Docks underwent a $40 million transformation beginning in 2020 and reopened in November 2021. The project included new floating docks, an elevated seawall, deeper water and upgraded infrastructure designed for modern yachts and superyachts.
Q: How can I reserve a yacht slip at the Town of Palm Beach Marina?
A: Boaters interested in transient dockage or annual yacht slips in Palm Beach can visit the Town of Palm Beach Marina website to learn more about slip availability, vessel requirements, Marina amenities and reservations.
Q: Where can I watch the Town of Palm Beach Marina on Passport to The Palm Beaches?
A: The Town of Palm Beach Marina segment from Passport to The Palm Beaches can be watched online, along with the complete “Living Large” episode. The nationally aired feature takes viewers inside the Palm Beach superyacht marina and highlights its 84 slips, accommodations for yachts up to 295 feet and access to the Town of Palm Beach.
