Hospitality and Customer service
Hospitality and customer service is the number one item to consider when choosing a marina. Our Marina is known for the friendly faces and relationships we build with our customers. Our customers become more like family and know every time they come to see us, they will be greeted with smiling faces.
Proper Equipment
It is extremely important to be sure your boats are sheltered from wind, waves, and boat traffic. It provides a sense of security when it comes to the safety of your boat. The percentage of boat owners who prefer having shelter is significantly higher than boat owners who do not for good reasons!
On Site Services
Having a place to dock is extremely important, however what is available to you on location is also important. RD Marina has an extensive list of on site services that we provide to our customers.
Click Here to see our full list of on-site services.
Events/Socials Hosted by the Marina
Hosting...
Let’s be honest: As much as we love boating (and we do love boating), of course not everyone owns their own craft or even wants to spend every day being in charge of where it’s going. With that in mind, we were thrilled to see a recent roundup from our local Bradenton Herald of eight local attractions that have won the Travelers’ Choice award from TripAdvisor. We’ve gathered a few of them below to add some variety to the end of your summer.
Full Boat Charters
Backed by over 30 years of local fishing experience, Captain Brook Wallace operates the MISS KENZIE, a 31-foot Pursuit open for boat tours, charters, and even kids’ fishing with free fishing licenses, Rates for a date out with Captain Brook vary depending on your species goal and the size of your party (up to 6), and you can contact Full Boat Charters directly at their website. With recent reviews highlighting a captain who is “extremely attentive,”...
Whether you’re a year-round local or just in the area for a vacation, you’re bound to wonder at some point, “What’s for dinner?” It’s a good question, but (obviously) grabbing something to eat isn’t just for sunset after a day on the water. Below we’re highlighting three local spots not too far from the marina to keep you covered and full all day long.
And who knows? Stay long enough for dessert and you might run into just the person with all the best hidden fishing spots.
Breakfast: D’s Breakfast and Burgers
423 10th Ave W, Palmetto, FL 34211
Open for the early birds, D’s is just west of the marina and just a few blocks away from the river. From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. you can stop by for breakfast, lunch, or an early dinner, from country-style skillet breakfasts and traditional house-special plates to half-pound burgers, specialty sandwiches, and D’s “mighty melts.” (And don’t worry–D’s also has a few items on the...
Algae blooms triggered by water pollution caused an unprecedented number manatee deaths in 2021. In an effort to slow manatee starvation, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has started a new manatee feeding program.
Warmer temperatures and fertilizer run-off from sugar farms and other agricultural sites, as well as city sewage, has caused an overgrowth of blue-green algae, which has decimated the seagrass manatees normally eat. A record 1,101 manatees died in 2021. The 5-year average has only been 625, so this dramatic jump is very concerning to wildlife experts.
In colder months, manatees tend to gather in warmer waters, particularly near power plants. Unfortunately due to the algae bloom killing off seagrass beds, there may not be enough food to sustain the manatees once they arrive in these areas.
A romaine lettuce feeding station has been set up at the Florida Power & Light plant in Cape Canaveral in hopes of reducing manatee starvation deaths this winter. While this program has...
Seashell Season in Sarasota: Part 1
There’s no end of amazing discoveries to be made in Sunny Sarasota! Are you looking for some of the best shelling spots in Sarasota? Keep reading to find your unique vacation souvenir!
One of my most treasured memories as a child was diving for sand dollars in Sarasota! Every evening, my siblings and I would run down to the beach and scatter everywhere, searching for the best shell to bring in. The crowning jewel of these shells was the sand dollar. I had many unforgettable memories, diving under the tropical waters for hours, all for the famed sand dollar. I never did find one of my own! My older sister had a knack for it - everytime she dove under, she would come up with another pristine sand dollar. Of all my childhood memories, shell searching in Sarasota was my favorite pastime.
Seashells are some of the oldest inhabitants of the earth, and a prized treasure! While...
Vacation Savings: Sarasota Big Pass
Are you preparing for your Sarasota vacation this September and looking for the hottest deals? Consider purchasing a Sarasota Big Pass for the best vacation yet! See below all of the ways you can use your Sarasota Big Pass to explore this season.
What you need to know about the Sarasota Big Pass:
The Sarasota Big Pass offers many opportunities for more fun on your vacation this fall! A limited-time deal, this pass has three different categories to explore Sarasota with:
Buy One Get One Free!
25% Off
$5 Discounts
See the Sarasota Big Pass site here for more information about deals around Sarasota!
Sarasota Big Pass: BIG savings on your vacation!
This limited-time discount program is able to be used at participating local Sarasota businesses. Your pass is good for one discount per person, per transaction - and here’s the best part: you can redeem your deals as many times as you’d like! Found a favorite restaurant or local fun spot? With the...
Sarasota’s Best Vegan Dining
Sarasota has endless adventures in store for all! Were you looking for vegan-friendly places to dine on your vacation? Complete your Sarasota itinerary at some of these fantastic vegan restaurants below!
Lemon Tree Kitchen
Located in Downtown Sarasota, you will find Lemon Tree Kitchen, a spot where you can grab a delicious bite no matter your diet. Featuring many different small dishes, such as raw Pad Thai Spring Rolls, Vegan Tartare, and Wood-Grilled Cauliflower Steak, this little slice of heaven will leave you craving more!
Lila
Lila’s motto is all about eating clean! Most of their menu items are vegan or vegetarian. They are so dedicated to their food, they’ve taken precautions to ensure any meals with animal products are made on a different surface than the vegan dishes. Be sure to check out their daily specials!
Shore
Stop by Shore for unforgettable food in a relaxing atmosphere. You can choose either indoor or outdoor dining for a full tropical experience. While they...
Sarasota is well known as Florida’s Cultural Coast, due to the plethora of live shows, art galleries, and more. Explore Sarasota’s art community at one of the many beach retreats below! Fine Art The RinglingThis 66-acre waterfront paradise is the heart of Sarasota culture. Originally the estate of John and Mable Ringling, The Ringling art museum is a spectacular sight that can’t be missed! Regardless of your art preference, there’s something for all at The Ringling. From timeless art collections to contemporary work, gorgeous gardens, historic tours and more, The Ringling is a must-see on your Sarasota vacation! Ringling College of Art + DesignHave you been looking for budget-friendly activities to complete your vacation checklist? Just south of The Ringling, you will find the Ringling College of Art and Design, a creative corner for developing artists. The campus features galleries that include the student work as well as professional artists around the globe - free of charge! View the raw artistic beauty that...
Explore Sarasota’s Art Culture: Part 2Sarasota is well known as Florida’s Cultural Coast, due to the plethora of live shows, art galleries, and more. Explore Sarasota’s art community at one of the many beach retreats below! Night on the town: dance performancesSarasota BalletIf you were searching for an unforgettable performance, Sarasota Ballet is the place to go! Sarasota Ballet stands apart for being the only professional ballet company on the Gulf Coast. But that’s not all! Revered by The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, this breathtaking ballet features some of the most famous choreographers across the globe.Sarasota Cuban Ballet SchoolSarasota Ballet has a great influence over Florida culture! Next up is Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, who’s roots formed from Sarasota Ballet. Created by two former Sarasota Ballet dancers, this is a unique experience. Their focus is teaching Cuban style, known for strength, devotion, and poise. Many of their students continue their dancing careers at major...
Explore Sarasota’s Art Culture: Part 1Sarasota is well known as Florida’s Cultural Coast, due to the plethora of live shows, art galleries, and more. Explore Sarasota’s art community at one of the many beach retreats below! Live PerformancesTheatre ShowsAsolo Repertory TheatreSarasota is home to some of the best theater spots in Florida! Located next to The Ringling, The Asolo Repertory Theatre is known around town for the creative and inspiring shows. One of the largest nonprofits in the county, this theater has been a starting point for many famous Broadway actors. Florida Studio TheatreLocated in the middle of downtown Sarasota, Florida Studio Theatre is a local favorite contemporary theater. Featuring five different stages, this theater offers a unique combination of shows to enjoy, from improv comedies to brilliant musicals. There’s a show for everyone to enjoy here! Westcoast Black Theatre TroupeLocated a few blocks from downtown, the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is one of the only two professional black theater companies in Florida....
