With summer fast approaching, many boat owners may be thinking about some much needed vacation time. Sometimes the hardest part of vacation planning is figuring out where to go. If you are a fan of boating, vacationing and luxury (who isn’t?) then I have a few suggestions for you. The following four marinas are the cream of the crop of locations off the Florida and Gulf coasts.

The marina at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas has been compared to the legendary Marina of Monte Carlo. It is touted as the premier facility in the Bahamas and has definitely earned the accolades. Guests of the marina are treated to all of the amenities and services offered by the resort including but certainly not limited to 24 hour room service to vessels, laundry and dry cleaning services and even private catering services for special events. The marina is directly accessible from Nassau Harbor. A 100′ wide channel just to the west of the Paradise Island Bridge allows easy access for power boats and no mast-height restrictions for sailboats. Once in the marina, you can have your choice of 63 mega yacht slips including several lay-alongside berths that have no beam width restrictions. The Atlantis Resort Marina can comfortably accommodate whatever you cruise in on.

Another jewel of the Bahamas can be found in the Bimini Big Game Resort. The recently renovated upscale Outpost Bimini marina offers 51 rooms and cottages and 75 slips that can accommodate vessels up to 120 feet in length. Free Wi-Fi internet, cable tv connections and 24 hour security are just a few of the services available to marina guests. They will even bring 10 pounds of ice to you on your boat for a very reasonable three dollar fee. A myriad of marina-side restaurants and recreational activity facilities help make this a fantastic vacation destination.

For those of you that enjoy the clear blue waters and white powder beaches of the Gulf, the marina at Beau Rivage resort in Biloxi Mississippi may be more your style. On a per-slip basis, the marina at Beau Rivage holds the bragging rights of being the most expensive marina ever built. They offer 35 slips and a floating deck that can accommodate yachts up to 200 feet in length. Their full menu of available services leaves little to be desired. Whether you plan on staying for a night or a week, you can rest assured you will be well taken care of.

If laid-back luxury is more of your style then Hawks Cay Marina in the Florida Keys is definitely the place for you. Hawks Cay features the most resort dockage in the Florida Keys. It’s a place where cruisers, anglers, sailors and even divers go to relax and enjoy world-class service and amenities. The marina offers 85 slips that can accommodate vessels up to 110. They also offer a service referred to as boat in/boat out for resort guests who wish to trailer their boat to the Keys. All overnight boaters have access to the resort’s pool, restaurants and attractions.

So there you have it – four different marinas that offer something for everyone’s taste, from Margaritaville to Monte Carlo style. Each destination has been time-tested and boater-approved as a prime vacation destination. The only task left is to decide which one to head for!