Navy Pier Marina: Explore the Heart of Downtown Chicago by Boat
March 27, 2025
Navy Pier Marina: Explore the Heart of Downtown Chicago by Boat
This summer, a much-anticipated and long-awaited marina will finally come to Navy Pier in Chicago. The brainchild and passion project of Chicago native and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary member Randy Podolsky, Navy Pier Marina will offer access to Navy Pier, Lake Michigan, and the heart of Chicago for transient boaters.
Since he first became a Chicago boater in 1983, Podolsky questioned why there wasn’t transient dockage at the pier for boaters to grab lunch or dinner and even stay overnight. In 2016, he was invited to share his vision with Navy Pier leadership, and Navy Pier Marina was born.
The vision for the marina is different than most—it is dedicated primarily to transient boaters, with space for charters and some seasonal commercial use. “There is nowhere else in Chicago that offers such prolific access to the lakefront as Navy Pier Marina, and no other access has been available at such an iconic location,” Podolsky says. “While other marinas in Chicago have a few transient slips, we have over 100 and can accommodate a vast number of visiting boaters and groups.”
Boats up to 183 feet can dock at the marina with no minimum size requirements and have access to a range of restaurants, accommodations, and other attractions on Navy Pier and downtown Chicago. Visitors will appreciate laundry, showers, and an innovative Boater Amenities Building built from 12 repurposed shipping containers, which will be home to the marina offices, a ship’s store, and gathering areas for boaters.
Navy Pier Marina anticipates a June 1, 2025, opening and is already taking reservations for its hourly and overnight transient slips. The marina will also host the brand-new, in-water Chicago International Boat Show at Navy Pier Marina on August 21–24, 2025.
For boaters looking to explore Chicago, Navy Pier Marina delivers first-class service, exceptional experiences, and access to an incredible destination.
As originally published by Kate Bush for Lakeland Boating.
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WE ARE HIRING! Spend the summer with us at Navy Pier Marina! Fun and exciting positions available. #navypiermarina #navypier #navypierchicago #chicagolakefront #marinalife #nowhiring
https://navy-pier-marina.careerplug.com
WE ARE HIRING! Spend the summer with us at Navy Pier Marina! Fun and exciting positions available. #navypiermarina #navypier #navypierchicago #chicagolakefront #marinalife #nowhiring
https://navy-pier-marina.careerplug.com
It`s starting to look like a marina! Who`s excited to come visit Navy Pier Marina this summer?
#navypiermarina #navypier #navypierchicago #chicagolakefront #marinalife #Opening2025 #lakemichigan #lakemichiganlife
It`s starting to look like a marina! Who`s excited to come visit Navy Pier Marina this summer?
#navypiermarina #navypier #navypierchicago #chicagolakefront #marinalife #Opening2025 #lakemichigan #lakemichiganlife
Stop by and visit with us at Yachtapalooza at Crowley`s Yacht Yard Lakeside and stick around for our presentation on Navy Pier Marina at noon. #navypiermarina #chicagolakefront #marinalife #navypierchicago #Opening2025 #chicago #lakemichigan #lakemichiganlife
Stop by and visit with us at Yachtapalooza at Crowley`s Yacht Yard Lakeside and stick around for our presentation on Navy Pier Marina at noon. #navypiermarina #chicagolakefront #marinalife #navypierchicago #Opening2025 #chicago #lakemichigan #lakemichiganlife
🛥️🏙️ March Progress Update
Navy Pier Marina is getting closer to completion by the day! Check out our progress on the margin dock, wave fence, and boater amenities building. Stay tuned for more updates coming soon!
#navypiermarina #chicagolakefront
🛥️🏙️ March Progress Update
Navy Pier Marina is getting closer to completion by the day! Check out our progress on the margin dock, wave fence, and boater amenities building. Stay tuned for more updates coming soon!
#navypiermarina #chicagolakefront
Warmer weather and boating are just around the corner. 🛥 Plan to set anchor ⚓️ at Navy Pier Marina this summer.
Decking for Pier #1 beginning to be installed. #navypiermarina #chicagolakefront #navypierchicago #lakemichigan #lakemichiganlife #chicago #navypier #marinalife #Opening2025 #underconstruction
https://navypiermarina.com/transient-boater-reservations/
Warmer weather and boating are just around the corner. 🛥 Plan to set anchor ⚓️ at Navy Pier Marina this summer.
Decking for Pier #1 beginning to be installed. #navypiermarina #chicagolakefront #navypierchicago #lakemichigan #lakemichiganlife #chicago #navypier #marinalife #Opening2025 #underconstruction
https://navypiermarina.com/transient-boater-reservations/
Transient reservation are NOW OPEN for the summer 2025 Boating Season. Book your next adventure at the NEW Navy Pier Marina Today!
https://navypiermarina.com/transient-boater-reservations/
#navypiermarina #chicago #marinalife #lakemichigan #lakemichiganlife #navypier #navypierchicago #chicagolakefront #dockwa
Transient reservation are NOW OPEN for the summer 2025 Boating Season. Book your next adventure at the NEW Navy Pier Marina Today!
https://navypiermarina.com/transient-boater-reservations/
#navypiermarina #chicago #marinalife #lakemichigan #lakemichiganlife #navypier #navypierchicago #chicagolakefront #dockwa
Stay tuned tomorrow morning for our exciting announcement!
#navypiermarina #chicagolakefront #marinalife #navypierchicago #lakemichigan #chicago #Opening2025 #lakemichiganlife #navypier #excitingnews
Stay tuned tomorrow morning for our exciting announcement!
#navypiermarina #chicagolakefront #marinalife #navypierchicago #lakemichigan #chicago #Opening2025 #lakemichiganlife #navypier #excitingnews
While Chicagoland has seen frigid temperatures the last few week, we are thinking of the warm days ahead. Construction crews are continuing to make progress to allow Navy Pier Marina to open this spring for the 2025 boating season. See you at the Pier! #marinalife #navypier #underconstruction #chicago #navypiermarina #lakemichigan #navypierchicago #lakemichiganlife #Opening2025 #chicagolakefront
While Chicagoland has seen frigid temperatures the last few week, we are thinking of the warm days ahead. Construction crews are continuing to make progress to allow Navy Pier Marina to open this spring for the 2025 boating season. See you at the Pier! #marinalife #navypier #underconstruction #chicago #navypiermarina #lakemichigan #navypierchicago #lakemichiganlife #Opening2025 #chicagolakefront
Navy Pier Marina: Explore the Heart of Downtown Chicago by Boat
March 27, 2025
Navy Pier Marina: Explore the Heart of Downtown Chicago by Boat
This summer, a much-anticipated and long-awaited marina will finally come to Navy Pier in Chicago. The brainchild and passion project of Chicago native and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary member Randy Podolsky, Navy Pier Marina will offer access to Navy Pier, Lake Michigan, and the heart of Chicago for transient boaters.
Since he first became a Chicago boater in 1983, Podolsky questioned why there wasn’t transient dockage at the pier for boaters to grab lunch or dinner and even stay overnight. In 2016, he was invited to share his vision with Navy Pier leadership, and Navy Pier Marina was born.
The vision for the marina is different than most—it is dedicated primarily to transient boaters, with space for charters and some seasonal commercial use. “There is nowhere else in Chicago that offers such prolific access to the lakefront as Navy Pier Marina, and no other access has been available at such an iconic location,” Podolsky says. “While other marinas in Chicago have a few transient slips, we have over 100 and can accommodate a vast number of visiting boaters and groups.”
Boats up to 183 feet can dock at the marina with no minimum size requirements and have access to a range of restaurants, accommodations, and other attractions on Navy Pier and downtown Chicago. Visitors will appreciate laundry, showers, and an innovative Boater Amenities Building built from 12 repurposed shipping containers, which will be home to the marina offices, a ship’s store, and gathering areas for boaters.
Navy Pier Marina anticipates a June 1, 2025, opening and is already taking reservations for its hourly and overnight transient slips. The marina will also host the brand-new, in-water Chicago International Boat Show at Navy Pier Marina on August 21–24, 2025.
For boaters looking to explore Chicago, Navy Pier Marina delivers first-class service, exceptional experiences, and access to an incredible destination.
As originally published by Kate Bush for Lakeland Boating.
