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Reviews from Cruisers (18) Review Marina

1. Dave Fuller -  June 9, 2019 - 10:14 am

   We kept our boat for about 18 months at Ortega Landing. We loved both the marina with very nearby conveniences, and Jacksonville itself. It is just past downtown Jacksonville off the St. John’s river about 20 miles or so from the coast on the Ortega River. Tides here are about 18 inches and brackish water. Ortega Landing has floating concrete docks, great amenities, pump outs in slips, and lots of things you want just 3 to 4 blocks away including a Publix, West Marine, several restaurants, and other conveniences. There are several very good repair facilities within a half mile on the river. The only thing missing is covered slips and those are available about 1/4 mile away. Hard to beat this marina and pricing is competitive for this part of Florida.
   Dave & Nan Ellen Fuller
   WACI 3

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2. Captain Dog and the Admiral -  February 13, 2019 - 1:55 pm

   We've been to plenty of marinas in our cruising days but The Marina at Ortega Landing is something special. This place is tucked along the Ortega River in the historic district surrounded by old southern waterfront mansions and it's about a mile from downtown Jacksonville with the skyline visible from your slip. The amenities, ski lodge style clubhouse with stone fireplace, spotless restroom facilities, and the boaters and staff in the office are wonderful and friendly. No one is a stranger at this place and you feel like family as soon as you tie off. Nice floating docks, gated access, great WiFi, free ice, incredible pool and spa, free bikes with saddle bags to ride to the grocery that is a couple blocks away, very pet friendly, fun boater events monthly, and the calm river setting is so quiet and upscale that it just feels good. No fuel, but there is fuel very close by. Pump out at the slip. We are always sad to leave, but look forward to our return! Oh…call ahead because their reputation of being a first class marina keeps their slips pretty full year round.

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3. Charles Ridley -  April 5, 2017 - 12:08 pm

   Spent 3 nights here – 3-29—31-17. Wonderful Marina. All docks, showers, laundry, etc have digital keyed locks. Strong wifi. Several grills available- even spare propane! Free ice, freezer, washed grilling tools available. Very dog friendly. Best showers ever seen! Pump out at slip- $15 and need to set a time with dock master. All kind of restaurants, shops, West Marine a short walk away. Loaner bicycles are very nice with saddle bags. Captains lounge is best also. Harbor master – Bruce – nice and knowledgeable. Jackie says this her favorite Marina.
   Charlie and Jackie on Traveler

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4. Dave & Nan Ellen Fuller -  September 4, 2014 - 5:00 pm

   Our boat is currently in Jacksonville at the Marina at Ortega Landing while we take care of personal business back home in Atlanta. In my humble opinion, it is impossible to beat Ortega Landing as a great place to stay in
   Jacksonville. The marina itself is superb and superior to many Yacht Clubs in both amenities and their social calendar. The Wi-Fi on the docks is fed by fiber optic and is just about as fast as my home Wi-Fi. It is hands down
   the fastest Wi-Fi I have ever experienced in a marina. Our insurance (Boat US) recognizes this marina as a hurricane hole which saves us a bunch of money on insurance.
   Dave Fuller

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5. Dave & Nan Ellen Fuller -  May 21, 2014 - 2:46 pm

   I can VERY highly recommend Ortega Landing Marina off the St. John’s River in the Ortega River just past downtown Jacksonville. This recommendation is based on several factors. First, you are about 20 or so miles inland and that provides a nice
   buffer for storms coming off the ocean. Second, our boat insurance (Boat/US)
   considers this inland waters as long as we remain upstream of the I-95 bridge in downtown Jacksonville about three miles away. Our insurance is SUBSTANTIALLY less expensive here and was a nice surprise. Third is the marina itself. It is one of the nicest marinas we have stayed in and will rival or beat many Yacht Clubs. They have regular monthly social events – some free- some low cost, but always fun. They have free washers and dryers, deluxe showers, free ice, a nice pool and hot tub, and a terrific clubhouse for gatherings. Security is pretty good as well. The best part is a brand
   new Wi-Fi system on the docks. The signals are strong, blazingly fast and good enough for streaming. I have conducted video conferences on this system and watch movies in the slip. The tide here is about a foot and a half and the water brackish, but on the floating concrete docks, tide is not an issue at all. You do get some slime on the bottom of the boat, but little to no hard growth.
   Publix and West Marine are about two blocks away and there are several nice restaurants also within walking distance. There are a large number of nice restaurants in every category just a short drive away in Avondale, West End, and Riverside if you have a car.
   We chose this marina because of the facilities, the people, and the area. It is about 6 hour drive from our home in Atlanta. If you need to fly somewhere, the Jacksonville airport is about 20 minutes away. The marina can arrange for an Enterprise rental car for you as they have an agreement with Enterprise, but they have no marina car to loan you. You can almost certainly find another boater with a car to take you for errands if you ask around. A very friendly and accommodating group of people here. They do not have fuel or services other than a pumpout, but there are multitudes of mechanics and craftsmen in Jacksonville. If you need a haul out or fuel close by, you can take the boat to the other side of the bridge to Lambs for a haul out.
   By the way, we had no ice in the marina last winter in spite of one of the coldest winters on record there. We have an automatic bilge heater to keep things from freezing and leave the cabin heat turned on at 60 degrees. If you take the boat out
   of the water, you will need to winterize it, but if you leave it in the water, just drain any water lines above the decks in areas that could freeze (hoses and sinks, etc.) and you will be fine. Be sure to close up the air vents to the bilge and the surrounding water will keep things from freezing.
   Dave & Nan Ellen Fuller

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6. Gary Whiting -  February 19, 2014 - 11:17 am

   We highly recommend Ortega Landing Marina. We have been there 4 years, all floating docks. Good hurricane hole and excellent staff. Located 16 miles up the St Johns River from the ICW, in the Ortega River, Jacksonville.
   Gary Whiting

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7. William Lawrenson -  May 16, 2013 - 7:10 pm

   We are currently at the Marina and it is fantastic. Over 5.5ft. of water on the approach (call for directions) and plenty at the dock. friendly people, great pool and club house, even a dog park next door. Free washer and dryer, great showers and good internet, and concrete floating docks. We had always blown past the St. John’s River on the ICW or outside. I am really glad we stopped at the pretty convenient luxury marina.

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8. Rusty Carlisle -  April 10, 2012 - 3:45 pm

   I could not resist throwing in a strong recommendation for Ortega Landing Marina just inside the Ortega River south of JAX. Great rates, free laundry, pool and jacuzzi. One block from Publix and all sorts of stores.
   Rusty Carlisle

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9. Bill and Kathleen -  September 20, 2011 - 8:45 pm

   We just finished spending a very pleasant two weeks at Ortega Landing Marina. Located on the Ortega River just a few miles south of downtown Jacksonville, OLM is a first class facility with great amenities and a thoroughly competent staff. The night we arrived we were dealing with an outgoing tide and a 30MPH wind. Dockmaster Bruce had three people waiting on the dock to help us back BUFFALO GAL into our slip. Every time a boat arrived during our stay we saw at least one and often more marina staff on hand to asssit in docking and departure.
   Docks are all wide concrete floating, gated, with multiple 50A and 30A hook-ups and pump-out facilities at each. Pump-outs are done every Thursday, other days by prior arrangement, and are free. There is a nice pool and common area with gas grills, a captain’s lounge, excellent laundry facilities and a nice area close by for dog walking and excercise. A large shopping area with a major grocery store, large department store, a variety of specialty shops including Starbuck’s and a West Marine is a ten minute walk. If you need maintenance work performed, there is a person in residence who can arrange that for you. Major repairs can be completed at either Lamb’s Yacht Center or the Huckins factory a half mile down river. Downtown Jacksonville is about a $20 cab ride.
   Ortega Landing’s daily, weekly and monthly rates are very competitive. They also have discounts for “Loopers”, as well as other cruiser organizations. We would highly recommend OLM to any cruiser passing through Jacksonville. We would also recommend calling ahead for directions into the Ortega River from the St. Johns River, as there are several shoals that can be easily avoided with the proper local advice.
   Bill & Kathleen Root aboard MV BUFFALO GAL 1988 54′ Hatteras MY

   Reply to Bill
10. Bill Root -  September 6, 2011 - 1:45 pm

    When you are cruising in the Jacksonville, Fl area, if you want to spend a few days exploring the area or relaxing after your run up the AICW from the Keys, we would highly recommend Ortega Landing Serving the North Florida area for over 50 years, we welcome you. We are in the process of updating this site. If you need help with your question or additional information, feel free to email us atMarina. This is a first class facility with excellent floating docks, great power, a beautiful pool and recreation area. There is a major shopping center with department store, large Publix grocery and several restaurants located about a ten minute walk away. Located on the Ortega River just south of downtown Jacksonville, it provides good storm protection. Tidal current can require care docking, but dockmaster Kris and his staff provide 24 hour docking assistance. The daily transient rate is $1.75/ft INCLUDING 50A power, making it a very attractive value for a marina of this quality.
    We have just spent a very fun weekend here on our 54 Hatteras. If you just want to spend a day or two in Jacksonville or have maintenence/repairs to be done, then Lamb’s Yacht Center, an AGLCA sponsor is the best place go. If you want a really nice place to spend a few days or longer with all the nice amenities, Ortega Landing Marina is, in our opinion, the best spot in the area.
    We have no affiliation with OLM. We just like to pass along the really nice places we have found, particularly those that exceed expectations.
    Bill Root

    Reply to Bill
11. Jim & Lisa Favors -  June 30, 2011 - 3:39 pm

    For a well protected marina in Jacksonville, Florida you should look at Ortega Landing Marina. It’s located in a well protected cove with no fast moving boats. The marina has nice, new floating docks, a pool, laundry and is within walking distance to all the shopping you’d need. They also have great monthly rates, at least when we stayed their 1 1/2 years ago.
    Jim & Lisa Favors

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12. Gerald and Cheri Wallace -  November 8, 2010 - 2:11 pm

    We are sitting at the Jacksonville Airport as I write this while awaiting a flight back to Colorado and we have our boat at the Ortega Landing Marina and we were very happy with the service and the marina after we arrived earlier this week from Charleston, SC.
    The location is great close to a large mall and West Marine. Enterprise even picked us up at the marina and they are located within a 5 minute drive.
    The dockage was $9.00 per foot per month but the marina was getting full, the pool is still heated and the hot tub and the free new and washer dryer facilities were great. They even have loaner bikes with pannier bags as well to hold groceries or other items such as from shopping.
    We met another couple who are leaving their boat there until February who have 1/2 looped and had a great meal out with them.
    If looking for a short or long term stay don’t pass by this great facility its safe and well protected just follow the markers in as there are shallow areas outside of the channel as there is everywhere.
    Just give Amy a call she is very helpful.
    Gerald and Cheri Wallace
    m/v Takes Two

    Reply to Gerald
13. Russ -  May 28, 2010 - 4:35 pm

    I recently moved Melissa Lee from Jacksonville, FL to Charleston, SC. We had been at the Marina at Ortega Landing since January and I will certainly return. The facility is first class with spotless heads and showers, a pool with a view over Ortega River. The slips are in floating piers. The staff is friendly and helpful. There is a discount for Loopers, 20% off daily rate of $1.75 and 10% off monthly rate of $559 for a 55 foot slip.
    They are located just inside the Ortega River Bridge off the St. John River. The address is 4234 Lakeside Drive. Their phones are 800-800-0895 and 904-387-5538.
    There is a great shopping center within walking distance. The Marina has been denoted a hurricane hole. Check with Chris at the Marina about the significance of this.
    The best feature of the Marina are Josie and Ralph Crapps of Marine Solutions and Assoc. Their number is 904-885-2522. I thought I would take care of a number of projects while the boat was at the Marina but, as usual, I ran out of time. Ralph turned what I thought would be big projects into little projects. His work is exceptional and very reasonably priced. Nothing was done without a consultation but everything was done while I was away. It was very comforting to know the projects were being taken care of in a professional fashion but without the fear of sticker shock when I got the bill.
    I recommend the Marina and Josey and Ralph very highly and I intend to return next winter. russ@russdeane.com
    Russ

    Reply to Russ
14. jim burke -  February 12, 2010 - 5:01 pm

    Hi all, Not much I can add to what has been written above. Just want to add my own personal recomendation. This is really a first class marina with conveniences not found very often. I have been here a few months waiting to move on to the islands and the marina and staff have made my stay a pleasure. They recently hosted a Super Bowl Party that was superbly handled. This place is a gem and well worth stopping to visit. Jim Burke, Blondie

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15. Marsha and Bob -  October 20, 2009 - 11:02 am

    Ortega Landing is a great marina anyway you want to judge it. The staff is very helpful and very professional. The facilities are new and beautifully organized. The pricing is very competitive. Walking distance to good resturants, grocery stores, UPS Store and a West Marine. We are extending our stay and plan to make this an annual stop. I would recommend this facility to anyone.
    Marsha and Bob
    M/V “Threadbare”

    Reply to Marsha
16. Rick Parish -  October 7, 2009 - 9:14 pm

    If you are considering staying a night or a few months in the JAX area this winter, I strongly suggest you consider Ortega Landings. Great staff, super friendly and helpful. Friendly live aboards. Very aafe and secure. Great boater’s lounge. Dockside pump out. Floating concrete docks. Pool. Free washers/dryers. Very clean and bright restrooms/shower facilities. Nice mall within 2 residential blocks of the marina with Publix, CVS, two marine stores, department stores, several fast food/coffee shop/casual dining places, two banks. Nice park near by for evening walks. I think this place would make a great ‘destination’ marina for snow birds who are looking for some place more laid back than the south Florida scene.

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17. Paul and Claudia Peeples -  August 12, 2009 - 1:07 pm

    Subject: Plug for a marina
    Cruising News: We’ve been very impressed with the maring at Ortega Landing in Jacksonville FL. It is up the Saint Johns about 25 mi from the ICW crossing, but worth the trip. Great location, friendly staff and groceries, West Marine and many other shops/resturants within walking distance.
    Bruce Fleming

    Cruising News: We want to whole-heartedly agree that Ortega Landing Marina is a wonderful facility. We are new to cruising and are so glad that we decided to depart the ICW to come here for a few days. The staff are very helpful, and the marina is gated giving a sense of security with floating docks and wonderful amenities such as pool, hot tub and laundry facilities. The area is very pleasant with convenient shopping center and restaurants within walking distance. We definitely would recommend any cruisers wanting to travel up St. Johns River to come and stay at The Marina at Ortega Landing won’t be disappointed.
    Paul and Claudia Peeples
    The Peeples Choice
    46′ Cheoy Lee Trawler

    Reply to Paul
18. Rex & Jimmie -  August 7, 2009 - 7:11 pm

    You really need to check out this marina if you are in the area!!! Facilities are as good as you can find in N. E. Florida.. Staff is great! and location is a good “bad weather hideout”, and you can walk to stores, banks and restaurants. Ortegaa Landing is right in the middle of Jacksonville’s boating community here. This weekend sounds like a blast.
    A FIRST CLASS MARINA !
    Rex & Jimmie,
    M/V “MY HARLEY”

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