BoatUS Magazine Names Top Boating Towns

Every few years, the editors of  BoatU.S. Magazine search the country to find the best places for boaters to live, boat, raise young skippers, or retire. In this year’s September/October issue, associate editor Kelsey Bonham Bailey and contributing editor Mike Longman share their list of “Top Boating Towns.” The towns were selected based on a variety of factors, including access to the water, availability of marinas and marine services, and variety of boating lifestyles and activities.

The feature also draws on qualitative research and the BoatUS editorial team’s decades of boating expertise to identify destinations that offer an exceptional blend of amenities, services, and cultural and educational attractions.

• Traverse City, Michigan: For boaters who love four seasons.
• East Greenwich, Rhode Island: For boaters seeking New England charm without the crowds.
• Virginia Beach, Virginia: For boaters who want both ocean and inland waterway access.
• Osage Beach, Missouri: For boaters who love all-day raft-ups.
• Stuart, Florida: For boaters seeking ‘Old Florida’ charm.
• Portland, Maine: For boaters who also love hiking and craft beer. 
• Mooresville, North Carolina: For boaters who want year-round lake life.
• Anacortes, Washington: For boaters who lived in Alaska in a past life. 
• Minnetonka, Minnesota: For boaters who won’t let the weather stop them.
• Annapolis, Maryland: For boaters who love a history-rich waterfront. 

This year, Anacortes, Washington, earned its second consecutive appearance on the list, having also been recognized in 2021. Traverse City, Michigan; Annapolis, Maryland; and Portland, Maine, all returned to the list after previously being featured as top boating destinations in 2013.