Boat Slips in Key West: Conch Harbor Marina

Conch Harbor Marina Docks (center)

There are lots of ways to grab a slice of paradise in Key West, whether it be renting or buying a home, condo, timeshare, duplex or investment property. But here’s one you might not have considered: purchase a boat slip (and a boat?).

While this option may seem a little out of reach to most, consider this: There are a limited number of places to park your yacht in Key West. Since we are a small island, there is a finite amount of space for houses and boats. Also consider this: Nearly all the prized Key West inner harbor is owned by the State of Florida. The state leases that bay bottom to the City of Key West and a couple lucky businesses on limited 5- or 10-year terms. To ensure public access to coastal waters, Florida offers incentives to marinas that offer at least 90 percent of slips for rental by the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that less than 10 percent of those slips are for “sale” – on land that they don’t actually own and through a lease that could easily expire in a couple years! Not exactly the ideal long-term investment or terms. Finally, the majority of “Key West” slips for sale are actually located OUTSIDE OF KEY WEST on Stock Island. Not bad as long as you don't mind a 20-minute, 6-mile drive each way from Old Town.

So, “What’s left?” you ask. Conch Harbor Marina is located at 951 Caroline Street right in Key West! With the Ferry Terminal on one side and the Key West City docks on the other, you will be right in the center of the action at this phenomenal location. You’re directly across from Dante’s Pool Bar and Restaurant and the famous Turtle Kraals and Half Shell Raw Bar. There’s a great restaurant called Prime Steakhouse attached to Dante’s and a brand new mega West Marine just beyond that – only a two-minute walk from your new boat! How’s that for convenience? You’re also a stone’s throw away from Key West Bait & Tackle and Half Shell Fish Market, just in case you don’t catch your own.

Another favorite is Cuban Coffee Queen, offering café con leches the locals love, along with other favorites including Cuban favorites, sandwiches, salads and smoothies. There’s a general store called The Little Red and a sports bar called JDL's Big Ten Pub. Three locals’ favorite restaurants are located a block away: Harpoon Harry’s, Pepe’s and B.O.s Fish Wagon. These are just the very closest stores and restaurants. EVERYTHING is walkable from here – Duval Street is just six blocks away – but you don’t need to go even that far for most all of your needs.

Now, about the slips. There are currently 5 slips for sale at Conch Harbor Marina, ranging in price from $235,000 to $395,000. As you can imagine, prices are based on size, so the cheapest slip (#4) is 37 feet long and does not have any kind of “finger dock.” That means you can only enter your boat from the main dock, so at the bow or stern of your boat, depending on how it’s docked. The next cheapest slip (#10), at $269,900, is also 37 feet long, but it does have a finger dock on one side. Slips #9 and #22 are both 45 feet long and have one finger dock. They are located on opposite sides of the dock, with #22 further from the entrance, but closer to the fuel dock and ship store. They are priced at $345,000 and $325,000, respectively.

The most expensive slip is the only 50-foot slip currently for sale at Conch Harbor, listed at $395,000. It also has a finger pier for ease of boarding. According to the listing it’s the “Largest beamed 50ft. Slip in Conch Harbor Marina.” View the MLS listing here.

All the slips at Conch Harbor have DEEDED BAY BOTTOM OWNERSHIP. You OWN the underlying bay bottom, and your investment is secure!

The location has great ingress and egress to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean and a draft of 6- to 12-feet. Some slips are designated as commercial, so you could put your downtown Key West Harbor sailing, fishing or snorkeling charter business here. If you’re looking more for occasional personal recreational use, Conch Harbor has an on-site property management rental program so you make money on your slip when you’re not there.

Amenities include pool, high-speed fuel dock, two pump out stations (main dock & yacht dock), dock box, electric/water/cable hookups, marina store, full-time security and gated access, private restrooms, showers and laundry room exclusively for the marina owners and guests, public parking garage and two restaurants on site!

Dante's Pool Bar & Restaurant is part of the amenities at Conch Harbor Marina

Now is a great time to invest in Key West! Contact me, Steve Schwartz, to learn more about the available slips at Conch Harbor or your other real estate needs. You can reach me by phone at 305-304-1708 or by email at nexxthome@yahoo.com. Search more properties at www.keywestlistings.com.