Legacy Harbour Marina Reopens After $15 Million Hurricane Ian Rebuild

Legacy Harbour Marina on the Caloosahatchee River in downtown Fort Myers is welcoming boaters back to its docks, nearly four years after Hurricane Ian destroyed the original facility. The marina rebuild cost around $15 million, and the first boats have now returned to their slips after construction that began in early 2025. The marina is accepting slip reservations for seasonal and short-term stays.

Inside the $15 million marina rebuild

The 13-acre marina now holds 131 wet slips for boats from 40 to 140 feet. Its position gives boaters access to the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico, while downtown Fort Myers and the River District are within walking distance.

The redevelopment was led by AIRN Management in partnership with Bellingham Marine. Rather than simply replacing the docks Hurricane Ian destroyed, the project brought new marine infrastructure and updated utilities to the whole property.

The rebuilt marina uses Bellingham Marine’s Unifloat concrete wave attenuator system, supported by 70-foot steel piles, together with Unideck aluminium-frame docks and WearDeck synthetic decking on the interior slips. The infrastructure upgrades include potable water, in-slip pump-out, fire suppression, fibreglass dock boxes and shore power. Larger steel pipe piles with HDPE sleeves are designed to improve durability and cut long-term maintenance.

Coastal Marina Management has been brought in to run day-to-day operations, including dock staff and customer service. The reopening is timed just before the 53rd annual Fort Myers Boat Show, which runs from November 12 to 15 and brings boats, marine equipment and accessories to the riverfront.

The marina is only part of the picture. Nellie’s Boatyard, a new restaurant from local restaurateur Leonard Lemmer, is expected to open later this year in the former Joe’s Crab Shack space. It is planned with 82 floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Caloosahatchee River and a menu focused on steaks and local seafood.

Slip reservations now open

Boaters can book slips through Dockwa, which handles reservations with digital contracts, payments and direct communication with marina staff. Reservations are also available through the marina’s website or by phone.

What this means for UK boat buyers

Marina and mooring fees are one of the biggest recurring costs of boat ownership, and a rebuilt, storm-hardened marina shows how much value serious boaters place on berthing standards. If you are thinking of buying a boat abroad or cruising outside the UK, it is worth checking a marina’s storm protection, dock systems and utilities before committing to a berth. Repair and replacement costs after a major storm can run into millions, and those costs often feed through to berth holders.

Closer to home, this story is a reminder to budget for mooring before you sign anything. A loan only covers the purchase price. Run the numbers on our boat loan calculator to estimate your monthly payment, then add marina fees, insurance, fuel and maintenance on top to get the true monthly cost. If you are still deciding how much boat you can really afford, the boat affordability calculator helps you set a realistic budget. For larger purchases spread over many years, a marine mortgage calculator can model longer-term financing.

The bottom line: always cost the berth before you buy the boat.

Source: Southern Boating