St. Michaels Marina: Family Legacy on the Chesapeake

A great marina isn’t just defined by its docks, it’s defined by its people. St. Michaels Marina in Maryland is one of those places. In this story, marina owner Michael Morgan reflects on growing up on the docks and stepping into his family legacy, which began in 1982. From watching his father welcome boaters by name to building his own approach to hospitality, Michael's journey is rooted in care, trust, and genuine connection. His words below capture what makes St. Michaels special: strong relationships, thoughtful details, great amenities, and a deep love for life on the water.

Ready to experience it for yourself? Explore St. Michaels Marina on Dockwa and start planning your next cruise.

Family Legacy on the Chesapeake
By Michael T Morgan, Owner, St. Michaels Marina

When I was a kid, St. Michaels Marina wasn’t a business to me, it was just where my dad worked, where boats came and went, and where I learned early that the water has its own rhythm. I remember the sound of halyards in the morning, dock lines being tossed with practiced ease, and the quiet pride my father took in knowing every boater by name.

My father, Frank Morgan, founded St. Michaels Marina in 1982, long before “guest experience” became industry language. Back then, it was simpler: do right by people, take care of their boats like they were your own, and the rest would follow. I didn’t realize it at the time, but he was teaching me a way of doing business that would later define my life.

When I took over the marina from him in 2005, the responsibility hit differently. It wasn’t just about slips and infrastructure anymore, it was about protecting a reputation that had been built one handshake at a time. I quickly learned that owning a marina isn’t about boats at all. It’s about people. Their stories, their families, their traditions, and the trust they place in you when they tie up at your docks.

Some of my favorite moments aren’t the big milestones, but the quiet ones: watching generations of the same family return summer after summer, seeing kids who once rode bikes down the pier come back years later at the helm of their own boats, or hosting yacht clubs who treat the marina like a homecoming rather than a destination.

Being family-run still matters in today’s maritime world. It means decisions are personal. It means showing up when something breaks, answering the phone yourself, and caring deeply because this place isn’t just an asset, it’s part of who we are. Every improvement we make, every dock we rebuild, and every guest we welcome is done with the same question in mind: Would my dad be proud of this?

St. Michaels Marina has changed over the years, but the heart of it hasn’t. It’s still about hospitality, stewardship, and the belief that marinas are more than places to park a boat, they’re places where memories are made.

If someone opens a boating magazine and reads this story while dreaming about their next trip, I hope they feel what I still feel every morning when I walk the docks: gratitude, responsibility, and a deep love for life on the water.

At Dockwa, we love partnering with marinas that put boaters first, and St. Michaels Marina is a standout example of just that. From welcoming more than a dozen yacht clubs each season to hosting special events like the upcoming Sabre Yachts Rendezvous in 2026, Mike and his team continue to raise the bar year after year. Ongoing investments, including a new Canopy Shop, expanded retail space, upgraded pool and bathhouses, and a fully rebuilt fuel dock, ensure every stay is as comfortable as it is memorable. Book your stay at St. Michaels Marina on Dockwa here! 

Be the first to access boater stories like this one by subscribing to our boater newsletters,
The Running Fix and Dock Talk!