Q: I’m bringing my boat to Everett. How does the Port of Everett Marina and Waterfront Place work for visiting boaters?
A: The Port of Everett Marina is the largest public marina on the West Coast — 2,300 slips and 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage. Visiting boaters can use guest moorage on a daily or seasonal basis, with rates and reservations through the Port’s marina office. The marina has fuel, pump-out, restrooms, showers, and direct walking access to all Waterfront Place restaurants — including Tapped Public House’s rooftop, Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina (opening early spring 2026) for boat-to-deck dining, The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market for grab-and-go seafood, and Menchie’s at the Marina. Approach the marina through the north or south breakwater entrances; check in at the marina office for slip assignment. Plan a slow approach — the harbor is busy with commercial, fishing, and pleasure craft.
Boating Into Waterfront Place: A 2026 Guide for Visiting Boaters at the Largest Public Marina on the West Coast
The Port of Everett Marina is, by slip count, the largest public marina on the West Coast. 2,300 slips. 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage. Two basins, north and south, separated by a working commercial harbor and a Coast Guard cutter pier. The redevelopment that turned the surrounding land into Waterfront Place transformed what was already a functional boating destination into one with a real reason to dock and stay.
This is the 2026 guide for visiting boaters — what to expect on approach, where to moor for which restaurant, fuel and service logistics, and how to make the most of a Waterfront Place visit from the water.
The Marina, By the Numbers
- 2,300 slips total across North and South Marina basins
- 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage for visiting boats
- Fuel dock with gas and diesel
- Pump-out service available
- Restrooms and showers at multiple dock locations
- Direct walking access to all Waterfront Place tenants
- Channel depth sufficient for most pleasure craft; verify draft for larger vessels
Slip waitlists vary by size class — small slips often have shorter waits than 50+ foot slots. Guest moorage is generally available, especially weekday and shoulder-season; weekend summer moorage in peak season can fill, particularly during major regional events.
Approach and Entry
The marina is in Port Gardner Bay, just south of Jetty Island. Approach is from the south through the channel between Jetty Island and the Everett shoreline. The North Marina entrance is at the north end of the breakwater; the South Marina entrance is south of the commercial pier complex.
Things to know on approach:
- Working commercial harbor — expect to share the channel with cargo ships, fishing vessels, Coast Guard cutters, and Mukilteo–Everett water taxi traffic. Slow speeds and constant lookout.
- Currents in Port Gardner can be substantial, particularly with tidal exchange. Check NOAA tides and currents before entry.
- VHF Channel 16 monitored by the marina office; switch to working channel as directed for slip assignment.
- Jetty Island sandbar shifts seasonally — stay in the marked channel.
Checking In and Slip Assignment
Visiting boaters should check in at the Port of Everett Marina Office on arrival. The office assigns guest moorage based on vessel size, intended length of stay, and current availability. Fees are paid at check-in. The Port’s website publishes current guest moorage rates.
For longer stays or known arrival dates, calling or emailing ahead through the Port’s website to reserve guest moorage is recommended, particularly during peak summer weekends.
Where to Moor for Which Restaurant
Walking distances at the Port of Everett Marina are real — the property is large. If your priority is dinner at a specific restaurant, ask the marina office for a slip assignment closer to the relevant dock:
For Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina (opening early spring 2026): Marina Azul has ground-floor space directly on the water with a deck designed for boat-to-deck dining. Slips closest to the Restaurant Row property are the highest-leverage assignment. The boat-up taco-and-paloma experience is the marketing pitch and is genuinely possible.
For Tapped Public House rooftop deck: The Restaurant Row building is centrally located between the basins. Most guest moorage assignments will put you within a 5–10 minute walk to the rooftop entrance.
For The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen: Ground floor of the Restaurant Row building. The market side is convenient for grab-and-go seafood you can take back to the boat for galley cooking.
For Hotel Indigo / Bluewater Distilling: The hotel sits on the property with restaurant access at the ground floor. Convenient for boaters tying up overnight and using hotel amenities.
For Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition gift shop: First-phase retail anchor; convenient stop for marine supplies and salmon-themed retail.
Fuel and Pump-Out
The Port of Everett Marina fuel dock has gas and diesel, with hours posted seasonally on the Port’s website. Pump-out service is available — coordinate timing with the marina office, especially during peak weekends.
For boats needing maintenance during a stay, S3 Maritime is now operating at the marina with marine maintenance and repair services. The Port also has long-standing relationships with several boatyards in Snohomish County for haulouts and major work.
Boating Through the Year at Waterfront Place
April through June: Spring weekend traffic ramping. Tapped’s rooftop deck becomes the destination as soon as weather supports outdoor seating. Marina Azul opens this spring. Salmon and bottomfish opportunities in nearby waters.
July through September: Peak season. Jetty Island free passenger ferry runs, drawing daytime visitor traffic. Mukilteo–Everett water taxi seasonal service. Best weather for guest moorage and outdoor dining.
October through March: Slower season. Easier guest moorage availability. Indoor restaurant experiences shine. Storm-watching weather is real and can affect harbor entry; check forecasts.
What’s Within Boat Range From the Marina
For multi-day cruising itineraries, Waterfront Place fits naturally into Snohomish-area boating circuits:
- Jetty Island — under a mile, walkable beach experience
- Mukilteo — short hop, ferry terminal area, restaurants
- Hat Island, Camano Island, Whidbey Island — day-cruising destinations within easy reach
- Langley on Whidbey — popular weekend destination
- Bellingham, San Juan Islands — extended cruise destinations to the north
- Seattle Marinas — south to Shilshole, Elliott Bay, Bell Harbor
Waterfront Place is increasingly the central refueling, restocking, and dining stop for North Sound and inside-passage cruising itineraries.
What’s Different in 2026 Versus Past Years
If you boated into the Port of Everett Marina before 2024, the dock-side experience is the same; the on-shore experience is dramatically different. Restaurant Row simply did not exist as a destination before December 2025. The marina was a transient stop or a slip you owned. Now the marina is a destination in its own right — the boat-to-deck dining experience at Marina Azul, the Tapped rooftop, and the casual walk-and-eat options have made overnight moorage at Everett a stronger choice for cruisers than it was even 12 months ago.
Practical Notes
- Cell coverage — solid throughout the marina property. WiFi available at most restaurants.
- Provisioning — limited grocery directly at the marina; the Net Shed Fresh Fish Market handles seafood. Larger grocery runs require a 5–10 minute drive into Everett. Walking distance to downtown Everett core is roughly 15 minutes.
- Trash and recycling — receptacles at multiple dock points throughout the marina.
- Security — gated dock access for slip holders; guest moorage is in monitored areas.
- Water and power at slips — standard marina utilities at most slips; verify amperage with marina office on check-in.
Related Exploring Everett coverage:
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the Port of Everett Marina?
2,300 slips and 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage — the largest public marina on the West Coast.
Can visiting boaters get guest moorage at the Port of Everett?
Yes. Daily and seasonal guest moorage is available, with rates published on the Port’s website. Reservations are recommended for weekend summer arrivals.
Is there a fuel dock at the Port of Everett Marina?
Yes. The fuel dock has gas and diesel, with hours posted seasonally.
Can I dock my boat and walk to Waterfront Place restaurants?
Yes. All Waterfront Place tenants — Tapped Public House, Rustic Cork, The Net Shed, Menchie’s at the Marina, Marina Azul (opening early spring 2026), and the Bluewater Distilling restaurant at Hotel Indigo — are within walking distance of the marina docks.
Which restaurant has direct boat-to-deck dining?
Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina, opening early spring 2026, has ground-floor patio space directly on the water designed for boat-up dining.
Is pump-out service available?
Yes. Coordinate timing with the marina office.
What VHF channel is the marina office on?
VHF Channel 16 is monitored; the marina office will direct you to a working channel for slip assignment. Verify current procedure with the Port of Everett.
What should I know about currents in Port Gardner Bay?
Tidal exchange in Port Gardner can produce substantial currents. Check NOAA tides and currents before entry, particularly for low-power vessels.
Are there overnight stay options on shore at Waterfront Place?
Yes. Hotel Indigo Everett Waterfront is the only on-property hotel, with marina views and the Bluewater Distilling restaurant. Convenient for boaters wanting a night off the boat.
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