Palm Coast, Florida – The Clever Boater

Location

Region: Atlantic ICW, Florida
Latitude: 29.5869° N
Longitude: -81.1999° W
Waterway Guide: Palm Coast

Destination: Palm Coast

Palm Coast (Our Home Port) is a great stop on the ICW halfway between Daytona Beach and St Augustine. The Palm Coast marina (on the west side of the ICW) offers Diesel, Gas, and Pumpout. (The only fuel between Daytona and St. Augustine).

Palm Coast is a great overnight stop, and both marinas offer longer-term stays at a discount if you are looking for a safe place to leave your boat.

Good provisioning is within 2 miles of the marinas. Palm Coast is famous for its bicycle and walking paths (over 200 miles!), which provide easy access to shopping by bicycle. Two major supermarkets, pharmacies, West Marine, Home Depot, Lowes, Harbor Freight, a Super Walmart, and an ABC store, among many others, are within 2 miles of the marinas.

The Island Walk Shopping Center is 2 miles from Palm Coast Marina and 3 miles from Hammock Beach Marina along paved paths and sidewalks. It features several restaurants, a Publix Supermarket, and West Marine. See Where To Eat & Shopping below.

Being our home port, if we are not out cruising, we are happy to provide transportation for shopping. Our contact details are posted at the Palm Coast Marina, and we are listed as Harbor Hosts on the AGLCA and Port Captains on MTOA.

Where To Eat

The European Village is less than 1/4 mile from the Palm Coast Marina (about 1 mile from Hammock) and offers several excellent restaurants and some shopping. It’s a favorite among boaters staying at either marina.

Mezzaluna Pizzeria — Pizza and Italian fare. In the European Village.

La Piazza Cafe — Higher-end Italian fare. In the European Village.

Red, White & Blues — A pub that serves excellent sandwiches. In the European Village.

5th Element – Our favorite local Indian restaurant. In the European Village.

Red Koi – Sushi — In the European Village.

Rodie’s Place — Breakfast Restaurant. It is on the east side of the ICW and closer to Hammock Beach Marina.

Looper’s Par & Grill — Prime Rib, Fish, Sandwiches, Great Drinks. It’s a local favorite. At the Palm Harbor Golf Club, 1/2 mile from the Palm Coast Marina.

Metro Diner — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. At Island Walk Shopping Center.

Brass Tap — A Bar & Grill featuring over 70 beers on tap, plus great food. It’s another local favorite. At Island Walk Shopping Center.

Salsas Mexican Restaurant — Mexican favorites, with margaritas & weekday lunch specials. At Island Walk Shopping Center.

Anthony’s East Coast Pizza – Excellent Pizza, Pasta, and Salads. At Island Walk Shopping Center.

Also in Island Walk are China Express Chinese, Thai By Thai, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Sushi 99, Crumbl Cookies, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Starbucks, and IHOP. Many other restaurants in the area are a bit farther afield, and most offer delivery. Also, many of the fast-food choices are nearby: McDonald’s, KFC, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Denny’s, Cracker Barrel, and Chick-fil-A. Check Google!

Shopping Therapy

Palm Coast has most of the essential stores, but not being a tourist town, there are not many boutiques. Here is a list of the most commonly requested stores. There are two main shopping areas nearby. Island Walk is about 2 miles from the Palm Coast Marina and just across the Interstate 95 bridge near Walmart, which is less than a mile farther. There are great sidewalks and paths all throughout Palm Coast, so walking and bicycling are easy.

Sunday Farmers Market at The European Village—Every Sunday from 12 to 4, there is a farmers and crafters market in the atrium of Europen Village, frequently accompanied by live music.

Publix Supermarket – Island Walk – 2 miles.
Walgreens – Across from Island Walk – 2 miles.
CVS – Across from Island Walk – 2 miles.
UPS Store – Island Walk – 2 miles.
USPS Substation – Near Island Walk – 1.75 miles.
Palm Coast Bicycle Shop – Near Island Walk – 1.75 miles.
Hobby Lobby – Island Walk – 2 miles.
Petco – Island Walk – 2 miles.
West Marine – Island Walk – 2 miles.
Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Truist – Island Walk – 2 miles.
ABC Fine Wine & Spirits – Island Walk – 2 miles.
Staples – Palm Coast Parkway – 2.5 miles.
Home Depot – 3 miles
Advanced Auto Parts – 3.25 miles
Walmart Supercenter – 3 miles
Lowe’s Home Improvement – 3.25 miles
Dollar Tree – 3.25 miles
Belk Outlet – (Department Store) 3.25 miles
Winn-Dixie Groceries – 3.25 miles
Harbor Freight Tools – 3.25 miles
Bealls – (Clothing Store) – 3.25 miles

Getting Around On Shore

There is no public transportation in Palm Coast. However, as mentioned above, we have excellent sidewalks and walking/biking trails. Check Google for directions.

Uber and Lyft are both readily available. Also, as mentioned, if we are home, we are happy to help out our fellow boaters with transportation. We live just across from the Palm Coast Marina. Our contact details are listed at the marina, under Harbor Hosts on AGLCA, and under Port Captains on the MTOA website.

Keeping Entertained

Palm Coast mostly lacks nightlife. For that, we typically go to St. Augustine or Daytona. Some of the restaurants in European Village and Brass Tap in Island Walk have music on the weekends, but that’s about it.

Getting There

By boat, there is only one route to Palm Coast—the Intracoastal Waterway. Palm Coast is 28 miles North of Daytona Beach and 24 miles South of St. Augustine.

Marinas and Anchorages

Palm Coast Marina– On the west side of the waterway, closest to amenities. There is a large face dock for transients, and slips are available for longer-term stays. They offer Electric, Water, Diesel, Gas, and Pumpout.
Hammock Beach Marina – On the east side of the waterway. They have a face dock for transients and slip (some up to 60ft) for longer term stays. Water & Electric are available but no fuel.
Marineland Marina—Marine Land is about 8 miles North of Palm Coast on the East side of the ICW. It offers transient and long-term slips with Power and water but no fuel. Aside from the Marineland Aquarium (where you can swim with dolphins), there are few amenities nearby. Some boaters like it for long-term stays if they have to leave their boat to travel.