Lobster and fishing boats line historic Widgery Wharf in Portland, Maine.
Photo Credit: Corey Templeton/Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

SPRINGFIELD, Va. – August 26, 2026 – Every few years, the editors of award-winning 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.

“Although measurable variables such as water access and cost of living were significant factors, it was the intangibles that really made these particular towns stand out,” said associate editor and co-author Bonham Bailey. “Natural beauty, a strong boating culture, a rich maritime legacy, accessible on-water activities for the whole family – those are what make a true boating town.”

From New England harbors and Pacific Northwest cruising grounds to year-round boating destinations in the South, BoatU.S. Magazine's “Top Boating Towns” highlights communities that offer something special for every type of boater:

• Traverse City, Michigan: For boaters who love four seasons. Known for exceptional freshwater fishing and immediate access to Lake Michigan, Traverse City offers endless opportunities for boating, diving, and outdoor adventure year-round.

• East Greenwich, Rhode Island: For boaters seeking New England charm without the crowds. Offering all the appeal of a traditional New England boating destination with slightly smaller summer crowds, East Greenwich provides easy access to nearby islands for local cruisers. As a bonus, Rhode Island does not impose sales or property taxes on boats.

• Virginia Beach, Virginia: For boaters who want both ocean and inland waterway access. At the crossroads of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach touches a mix of peninsulas, bays, and backwaters that offer an unmatched variety of boating experiences.

• Osage Beach, Missouri: For boaters who love all-day raft-ups. Located near the epicenter of Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, Osage Beach offers a full calendar of boating events, including poker runs, raft-ups, and fishing tournaments that keep the boating community vibrant and energetic.

• Stuart, Florida: For boaters seeking ‘Old Florida’ charm. Known as the sailfish capital of the world, Stuart combines year-round warm weather with inshore and offshore boating opportunities and boasts one of Florida’s most accommodating boating infrastructures.

• Portland, Maine: For boaters who also love hiking and craft beer. Maine’s largest city offers pleasant boating opportunities across Casco Bay, paired with endless rugged coastline trails for hiking and more than 60 craft breweries, making it easy to enjoy both land and sea.

• Mooresville, North Carolina: For boaters who want year-round lake life.  Nestled near Lake Norman, Mooresville combines southern charm with plenty of coves and hideaways ideal for water sports, anglers, and more.

• Anacortes, Washington: For boaters who lived in Alaska in a past life. Anacortes offers a vibrant marine community with at least 15 marinas, a maritime heritage center, more than 10 boat launches, and easy access to the San Juan Islands.

• Minnetonka, Minnesota: For boaters who won’t let the weather stop them. Though boating here is very seasonal, Lake Minnetonka sits at the epicenter of Minnesota’s biggest boating destination. With more than 125 miles of shoreline, the area is well suited for boating activities including sailing, tow sports, and fishing.

• Annapolis, Maryland: For boaters who love a history-rich waterfront. Sailors will find an active racing scene here, while anglers will find access to many creeks, underwater structures, and oyster reefs. The boating community has many unique traditions, including an annual sock burning event to mark the start of spring and boating season.

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.

To subscribe to award-winning BoatU.S. Magazine, visit boatus.com/join to become a BoatUS member today.

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About BoatUS:

Celebrating 60 years, BoatUS is the nation’s largest advocacy, services and safety group with more than 740,000 dues-paying members. BoatUS is the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill, fighting for their rights. The TowBoatUS® fleet is available 24/7 to assist our members on the water when boats break down or run aground with some 660 vessels and 330-plus locations across North America, bringing our members safely back to the launch ramp, marina or dock. On the road, we are The Boat Owners Auto Club™, helping ensure roadside trailer and tow vehicle breakdowns won’t slow you down. BoatUS offers GEICO boat insurance policies that give boat owners affordable, specialized coverage and the superior service they need. Award-winning BoatUS Magazine is the largest circulation recreational marine publication in the U.S. with engaging content that speaks to the passion for boat ownership, while our 501(c)(3) nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers the nation’s only free online boating safety course and many other programs that keep boaters safe, and our waters clean. For more information, visit BoatUS.com.