By definition, a marina is a port within a well-sheltered harbor, where boats and yachts are kept in the water. In these ports basic services and facilities which are needed for recreational boating are a sine qua non. A marina rents, leases, or sells slips, usually in a boat basin with piers and stationary or floating docks. However, as all lovers of the sea, who take pleasure in cruising on the high seas in their leisure boats and yachts will tell you, not all marinas are equal. There are full service marinas where all your personal needs and those of your sea vessel met, and there are other marinas which offer only partial service. It is always better to patronize full-service marinas.

A full-service marina has facilities available for boat washing. It also has facilities for cleaning wood, fiberglass, rigging, engine, and propeller painting, maintenance, and repair, haul outs, and diving. This type of marina attracts boating aficionados with such extra amenities like deep water for boating, safe tie-ups, launching ramps, dock hand and concierge service. There are water, electricity, television, and telephone service to the boat, sewage pumping, as well as storage facilities. The availability of ship chandlers and water taxis, are pluses for attracting patronage of leisure boat owners. To serve as cream on the cake for their patrons, modern full-service marinas have parking lots for cars of boat owners and their guests.

As a lover of boating and sailing in general, you will have peace of mind and an enjoyable cruise, when you know that at the end of each day's journey, you have a reliable marina within reach. There, you can tie up your boat or anchor you're yacht in safe moorings, completely out of harm's way of the buffetings of the turbulent ocean waves. A full service marina also provides you a one stop destination for servicing your boat or yacht. You can refuel your ocean going vessel there also. In such a marina, your personal needs and those of your guests are taken care of without your having to go further ashore. Without going into the neighboring towns and communities, you can stock up on your boat's supplies at the marina where your vessel is moored.

When you set off at dawn from a full-service marina, you're assured that while you were having your beauty rest at night, the management of the marina had put your boat in tip-top shape for your journey, as per your contract with them. When you check your boat's supplies of water, electricity and other essentials, you are gratified that all your needs have been taken care of by the marina staff. All you have to do is start your sea vessel's engines, untie your boat from its moorings and zoom off. With the full assurance that if anything goes amiss during your journey, you have help nearby to bail you and your boat or yacht out of trouble, you can settle down to a most enjoyable fun-filled day on the sea.