Stump Pass Marina was named the Best Marina in Southwest Florida by Life & News. The marina topped rankings in ten categories: Location, Access, Fuel Service, Bar and Restaurant, Friendliness, Professionalism, Event Space, Boat Storage, Boat Service, and Bait and Tackle.
Staff and management at Stump Pass Marina are all thoroughly engaged an enjoy running the various businesses in the marina. Denise, the manager of boat storage services, told us helping people get what they need on an individual basis is what she enjoys most about the marina. “In an increasingly impersonal world, our marina offers a welcomed, at home, festive feel where everyone knows your name. Our ‘one stop’ environment allows our customers to utilize the many amenities we offer to their degree of need,” Denise said.
Stump Pass Marina easily earned the best location and access due to its positioning right inside Stump Pass, which is the only opening from the Gulf to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) for 7.2 miles to the south and 16.5 miles to the north. Boats in the Gulf can easily enter through the pass and get a quick fuel fill up while its passengers can hop off to grab a bite to eat and order up a specialty cocktail.
We love the ease of access to the Gulf and all the local sandbar fun stops – Sandy Kasprzak
Denise further elaborated “from advice on fishing hot spots, installing electronics and other boat upgrades, preventative boat maintenance, to savoring a tasty entree and refreshing cocktail while enjoying our nightly entertainment after a day on the water, we have it all!”
If you are arriving by boat and heading toward the gas pumps, Stump Pass Marina’s fuel service technicians are the first to greet you with a smile and top notch service as you near the fuel docking area. After they help you secure your boat to the dock, your guests can deboard and walk over to the restaurant and bar.
The choice is yours whether to order to go or sit down in their giant tiki hut styled open-air restaurant with beautiful views of the water and nature. With kids menus, seafood choices, and a wide variety of all American fare, they’ve got something for everyone. Many of the specialty drinks are named after the local boat captains so you’re in for a treat and a taste of what the locals like best while listening to great and oftentimes live music with that kicked-back and relaxed beach vibe.
Dog lovers can also be at ease. They’ve got a dedicated dining area off to the side with plenty of shade and pre-filled water bowls for your canines.
The Stump Pass Beach area itself boasts some of the finest naturally white smooth sands in the world. Marine life is abundant, from nesting sea turtles and plovers (small sea birds) to plenty of dolphins and manatees. Within the marina itself, huge snook are always swimming around the boat slips. On your way out of the Marina, it’s a common occurrence to see manatees hanging out and several smaller groups of dolphins. Once in the open water, the world of boats and beaches is at your fingertips.
Boat storage and service are a key component to Stump Pass Marina’s achieving top winner status among Southwest Florida Marinas. “If you are contemplating options for boat storage, I recommend taking a guided tour of our facility, taking the time to hang out for a bit, talking to our knowledgeable staff, conversing with other patrons, taking in the vibe, and getting a feel if our marina is a good fit for you, your boat, and your needs,” says Denise, the manager of boat storage. With competitive pricing and fast servicing of all your boat’s needs, from maintenance to more complex issues, to daily racking and splash downs, your lovely boat will be very happy to call Stump Pass Marina home. To summarize the boat storage experience, we thought Denise said it best. “It gives me great pleasure to see our clientele take joy in their boating adventures and calling our marina their home.”
In regards to Boat Service, we asked Barry from Maintenance to share what he most enjoys about working on boats. “All my friends up north are so envious of my new job here in paradise. I send them pictures of the place all the time especially when I am working up high in a lift. The view is just so spectacular around here. But the friendly staff here makes it the most enjoyable to come to work every day. We have a group of really nice people and customers to work with.” And his colleague, Alex, chimed in when asked about which services are most employed by customers and said with a proud smile: “Pretty much anything you need done to a boat, we can do it here. There’s always something to do here!”
Not only does Stump Pass Marina offer its waterfront restaurant and bar, boat storage, boat service, fuel station, and even a lovely gift and convenience shop in the best location of Southwest Florida, no other marina can compete with their friendliness and professionalism.
Each staff member is uniquely friendly and many have a host of marina and marine life related stories. From boating to fishing expeditions to what marine animals may be swimming by, Stump Pass Marina staff members make you feel at home and part of the Stump Pass Marina family. Its friendly atmosphere brings the closest feelings to your village town square of the old days. If you make it your weekly hangout, you’re sure to make your own friends and get to know many members of the team by name. If you’re only visiting on vacation, don’t be surprised if you and your family and friends remember Stump Pass Marina’s hospitality and friendship for many years to come.
Don’t be surprised if you’re invited to a world class wedding at the marina as well. Stump Pass Marina has a plethora of beautiful event spaces. From the restaurant bar area to its lighthouse which may soon be converted to additional event space, to the massive wrap around event area surrounded by water and covered by a huge tiki styled pavilion, you’ll feel like you’re on your own catered island surrounded by dolphins cheering you on and sunsets to live by, if you’re attending or hosting an event at the marina.
And who says business and friendship don’t mix? In regards to professionalism and going the extra mile to make sure all your needs are met, Stump Pass Marina’s company culture has you covered. Customers are known to comment on how everyone there goes the extra mile. Don’t really need a push off into the water? No worries, one of the deckhands will always run over to your boat to give you a proper send off if they see you leaving. Got docking handled on your own? No worries, they’ll run over and be ready to help you secure your boat even before you can say “yes please!” And that’s just some of what we experienced when we checked out Stump Pass Marina in person.
Last but most certainly not least, Stump Pass Marina topped the Bait and Tackle list. With every imaginable setup needed for your fishing trip, Stump Pass Marina has you taken care of. From high quality live and frozen bait to many of your custom fishing setup needs, you’ll find it at the Stump Pass Marina Bait and Tackle shop, which shares space with its gift shop as well.
If you want a taste of Old Florida charm, class, and professionalism mixed in with the spirit of adventurism, family friendly and the “great evening-out” vibe, be sure to find your way to Stump Pass Marina. Better yet, if you’ve got a boat, give them a call and try to secure your spot as part of the storage customer membership. It beats owning yet another timeshare and you’ll always have a home on the water in the best location Southwest Florida has to offer. Not to mention, there are a great deal of fun and unique creatures in the Stump Pass area.
Life & News enjoyed the marina so much so that it selected Stump Pass Marina to host Life & News’ new publication, “Boats & Beaches” focused on boating and beach lifestyle in Southwest Florida.
In closing, we wanted to share a personal note from Stump Pass Marina’s Manager of Operations, Finance, and Administration, Sandy Kasprzak:
“Who wouldn’t want to work at a place with such an incredible view? Our customers are awesome, and I enjoy getting to know them and where they originated from. My husband and I are also boat owners and customers of the Marina. We love the ease of access to the Gulf and all the local sandbar fun stops. We wouldn’t want to keep our boat any place else.”
And to that, the Boats & Beaches staff wholeheartedly agrees. We hope you’ll take the time to visit and get to know Stump Pass Marina if you haven’t already had the chance.
