A Boaters Guide to the St. Johns River: Marinas, Food, and Places to Get Boat Fuel

Marinas, Boat Fuel Docks, Waterfront Dining, and Slip Rentals

Some come to Putnam County by land, but many also come by water – or at least spend some time on the water while they’re here. The St. Johns River is 310 miles long and stretches through multiple counties, but about one-fifth of it is in Putnam County. There are also some cool connecting waterways to explore here as well, such as Lake George, Dunns Creek, and Crescent Lake.

If you’re on a boating adventure, though, there are a few important things to know before you go. At some point, you’ll be looking for a place to stop and get boat fuel on the St. Johns River. If you didn’t pack enough boat snacks, you’ll probably need to grab a bite to eat and fuel up yourself as well. Chances are, you’ll be staying for a few days too, so you may need a place to dock your boat during your time here. We’ve prepared this guide for you to help you find the best marinas, and places to get fuel and food on the St. Johns River.

docks showing blue building__Boathouse Marina_Putnam County_Brandy Jo Hastings

Crescent City:

Crescent Fish Camp:

What to expect: This fish camp has RV sites, cottages, and vacation homes located along the shores of Crescent Lake, which connects to the St. Johns River via Dunns Creek. There’s a boat ramp on-site that is free for overnight guests, and is only $10 for boaters launching for the day. Marina slips are available, and there are kayak rentals on-site, as well as a clubhouse and fitness room. Anglers are always welcome to stop in at the on-site bait and tackle shop to gear up and fuel up. The public is also invited to their Friday evening sunset happy hours, and you can also come fish around the docks or take a swim in the pool.

Address: 100 Grove Avenue Crescent City, Florida 32112
GPS Coordinates 29.4256, -81.5279
Boat Fuel: Yes
Food: Light snacks are available.

Renegades on the River:

What to expect: There are multiple ways to stay at this Crescent City marina. There’s an RV campground, cabins, and a larger house that’s available for rent. Boat slips are also available for short and long-term visitors. Anglers can stop in at the bait and tackle shop to pick up all of the supplies they need for a day of fishing on the St. Johns River, and boat and jet ski rentals are available on-site for those looking for on-the-water adventures. There’s also a pool, pickleball courts, and rotating events that include live music on the weekends, karaoke, rock and roll bingo nights, car shows, motorcycle events, and more.

Address: 1171 County Road 309 Crescent City, FL 32112
GPS Coordinates: 29.423400, -81.648300
Boat Fuel: Yes
Food: Yes – There’s an on-site tiki bar and restaurant.

Three Bananas:

What to expect: This restaurant is on the shores of Crescent Lake and there’s a dock where you can pull up. Boaters that come in for a bite will find a diverse menu that includes local seafood, burgers, tacos, wraps, wings, and more. They have a special blend of spices there that they call “Magic,” and it goes on everything.

Address: 11 South Lake Street Crescent City, Florida 32112
GPS Coordinates: 29.4308, -81.5118
Boat Fuel: No
Food: Yes

Bass World Lodge and Marina:

What to expect: Bass World offers RV sites and cabins on the St. Johns River, as well as pontoon and bass boat rentals. They have daily and long-term boat slips that can be reserved, and electrical hookups are available. There’s also a ramp where you can launch your boat for $5. Fuel is available on the dock, and anglers can also get live bait there.

Address: 209 Browns Fish Camp Road Crescent City, Florida 32112
GPS Coordinates: 29.4769, -81.6696
Boat Fuel: Yes
Food: No

Georgetown:

Georgetown Marina and Lodge:

What to expect: This Lake George marina has RV camping and on-site cabins. There are slips for boats up to 60 feet, and electricity is available. Some of the amenities include Wi-Fi, a pump-out, laundry facilities, and bathrooms with showers. There’s also a ship store where you can pick up marine batteries, filters, and more. Georgetown Marina and Lodge also offers other fun activities such as airboat tours and guided fishing trips.

Address: 1533 County Road 309 Georgetown, Florida 32139
GPS Coordinates: 29.3799, -81.6278
Boat Fuel: Yes
Food: Light snacks are available.

Port Cove RV Resort and Marina:

What to expect: Port Cove has RV sites along the St. Johns River. If you like the idea of camping but don’t have your own, they have some available for you to rent. There’s also a play area for dogs, fishing piers, a swimming pool, putt-putt course. The on-site boat launch is free for guests, and $20 for boaters not staying on-site. Boat slip rentals are also available, and can be booked by the day or week.

Address: 107 Port Cove Landing Road Georgetown, Florida 32139
GPS Coordinates: 29.3856, -81.6007
Boat Fuel: No
Food: No

Porky’s Lodge, Bar & Grill:

What to expect: Porky’s is located on the St. Johns River at the mouth of Lake George, and is close to Silver Springs by boat. This resort has 25 boat slips available that can be rented by the day, week, month, or year. There’s also an on-site hotel with 15 rooms. You can make online reservations in advance for boat slips or on-site accommodations. There is an on-site bar and restaurant with a beautiful deck overlooking the river, and it’s a great place to see some of the best sunsets. They serve a variety of soups, salads, sandwiches, gourmet pizza, seafood, steak, pulled pork, and more. Porky’s also has a full bar.

Address: 120 Georgetown Landing Rd, Georgetown, FL 32139
GPS Coordinates: 29.3917, -81.6327
Boat Fuel: No
Food: Yes

Satsuma:

Stegbone’s Fish Camp and Resort:

What to Expect: This fish camp is a prized piece of history and first opened in 1946. It was built on an old citrus farm, and is located on the east bank of the St. Johns River between the Oklawaha and barge canal. There are multiple cabins and most were built in the 1950s. Some are pet-friendly. There are also covered and uncovered boat slips available, and the public boat ramp at Shell Harbor is just a quarter of a mile to the north.

Address: 146 Norton’s Fish Camp Road Satsuma, Florida 32189
GPS Coordinates: 29.5554, -81.6734
Boat Fuel: No
Food: No

Georgia Boys Fish Camp:

What to expect: This fish camp on the shores of Dunns Creek has a variety of lodging options available, including accommodations with a kitchen. There is an on-site bait and tackle shop where you can stock up, and if you’re looking for fuel around the Dunns Creek area, you can stop in here. There are also boat slips available and a sandy beach and fire pit.

Address: 217 Butler Drive Satsuma, Florida 32189
GPS Coordinates: 29.5547, -81.6416
Boat Fuel: Yes
Food: Light snacks are available.

Palatka/East Palatka:

Crystal Cove Marina:

What to expect: Located right in Palatka, this marina has a concrete floating dock and is appropriate for both larger and smaller boats. There’s even a church boat that's docked there. There are long and short-term boat slips available, and Wi-Fi, potable water, a dockside sewage pump, and electricity are available. There’s also an on-site pool, restrooms with showers, and a laundry room. Boaters will find a wide on-site boat ramp that can accommodate four boats at one time, and the launch fee is only $10. For those looking to camp by the St. Johns River, there's an on-site RV campground. If you aren’t coming with your own boat, you can book a pontoon rental at this St. Johns River marina.

Address: 121 Crystal Cove Drive Palatka, Florida 32177
GPS Coordinates: 29.6467, -81.6509
Boat Fuel: Yes
Food: A restaurant and tiki bar will be opening in 2026.

Boathouse Marina:

What to expect: This marina is located in downtown Palatka’s historic district and is near Boathouse Riverfront Park (also known as Mary Lawson Brown Municipal Marina and City Marina). Both are quite different though, and Boathouse Marina is appropriate for long-term and weekly boaters. This marina is also more appropriate for larger boats that are over 30 feet long. The amenities you’ll find there include a captain’s lounge, Wi-Fi, a dog play area, a pump-out, electricity, water, restrooms with showers, and a laundry room. It’s also easy to take a walk down the street and check out the shops and restaurants in downtown Palatka.

Address: 329 River Street Palatka, Florida 32177
GPS Coordinates: 29.6407, -81.6299
Boat Fuel: Coming in late 2026
Food: No, but there are multiple restaurants in downtown Palatka that are within walking distance.

Boathouse Riverfront Park:

What to expect: You’ll also hear this one referred to as Mary Lawson Brown Municipal Marina and City Marina. It is within walking distance of Boathouse Marina and both are operated by the Lagasse family. However, they each appeal to different boaters. This marina is appropriate for boats under 30 feet long, and slips are available by the day or week. This Palatka marina has a captain’s lounge, Wi-Fi, electricity, water, restrooms with showers, laundry facilities, a playground, a dog play area, and a riverside walking path. Anglers can also pick up whatever they need at the on-site bait and tackle shop. You’ll also find boat rentals available here. If you want to enjoy the river without taking on the role of captain, you can also book a ticket on one of the scenic riverboat cruises that depart from this marina.

Address: 319 River Street Palatka, Florida 32177
GPS Coordinates: 29.6489, -81.6364
Boat Fuel: No
Food: Light snacks are available on-site, but there are multiple restaurants in downtown Palatka that are within walking distance.

Corky Bell’s at Gator Landing:

What to expect: This is a restaurant on the St. Johns River in East Palatka. It sits in a section of the river known as “The Devil’s Elbow” and there’s a boat dock where you can tie up and come in for a bite to eat. Popular menu items include shrimp, oysters, gator tail, and frog legs. They also serve platters that have a variety of items and are large enough for two people to share.

Address: 185 South Highway 17 East Palatka, Florida 32131
GPS Coordinates: 29.6496, -81.5980
Boat Fuel: No
Food: Yes

Palatka Coffee Company:

What to expect: This coffee shop is located in downtown Palatka and offers a variety of coffee and tea, as well as fresh pastries and sandwiches. Although you can view the water from Palatka Coffee Company, this coffee shop isn’t located directly on the water. However, if you come by boat, you can dock at Boathouse Riverfront Park (GPS Coordinates: 29.6489, -81.6364) and easily walk there.

Address: 102 North 1st Street Palatka, Florida 32177
Boat Fuel: No
Food: Yes

Velchoff’s Corner:

What to expect: This restaurant in downtown Palatka serves up items such as pasta, blackened chicken, steak, oysters, and shrimp. Real seafood lovers can also try their Seafood Tower that includes many of their famous seafood dishes. You can sit outside on the plant-filled patio and have waterfront views of the St. Johns River. Although you can’t boat up to this restaurant, you can dock at Boathouse Riverfront Park (GPS Coordinates: 29.6489, -81.6364) and walk there in just a few minutes.

Address: 105 North 2nd Street Palatka, Florida 32177
Boat Fuel: No
Food: Yes

Welaka:

Betcha Bass Bait Shack:

What to expect: This is a bait and tackle shop that’s located directly on the water. They are open every day except for Tuesday, and it’s easy to boat up, fuel up, and refresh your bait supply.

Address: 124 River Bend Road Welaka, Florida 32193
GPS Coordinates: 29.4753, -81.6741
Boat Fuel: Yes
Food: Light snacks

Andersen’s Lodge:

What to expect: This lodge on the St. Johns River has been welcoming boaters for years – it was originally built in the 1920s. You can book a stay there online, or reserve a boat slip. You can also stop in to grab a bite. There’s a scenic deck overlooking the river, and also inside seating at the on-site bar and grill. There are a variety of burgers and sandwiches, including their Steak Melt, Fish Sandwich, and Andersen’s Dog. You can also mix things up and get any of them on a wrap or pretzel bun.

Address: 10 Boston Street Welaka, Florida 32193
GPS Coordinates: 29.4797, -81.6688
Boat Fuel: No
Food: Yes

Welaka Lodge and Resort:

What to expect: This lodge has RV sites and cottages that you can book, and you can also reserve boat slips on a weekly or monthly basis. Some are covered. The Boat Bar sits alongside the river and there are several things to snack on such as burgers, sandwiches, corn nuggets, gator bites, and homemade chips and salsa that is made on-site. They are open Thursday through Monday, and there’s also live music on the weekends. A coin laundry, bathhouse, and small store are located on-site as well.