Coastal Charms: 5 Romantic Seaside Villages to Explore by Boat
Last Updated on January 31, 2025 by Boatsetter Team
Whether you’re looking to go on a fun nature photoshoot date in Carmel-by-the-Sea or a group-friendly fishing excursion in John’s Pass Village to make stronger bonds with friends, these charming coastal towns offer the perfect Valentine’s Day getaway.
Islamorada Village, Florida
Dive at Alligator Reef Lighthouse, the Keys’ most famous diving site, to see midnight blue angelfish and yellow-striped grunts weave through elkhorn coral formations, or anchor at mile marker 84, local’s favorite sandbar, for partying. For a more intimate setting, head to Indian Key, an 11-acre island only accessible by boat.
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John’s Pass Village (St Pete, Florida)
Established in 1883, John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk is a colorful seaside destination. The emerald waters surrounding John’s Pass are a hub for the area’s most popular activities – group-friendly fishing excursions, dolphin watching tours, and romantic sunset cruises. For those looking to make memories this Valentine’s Day, it’s an ideal spot for friends to explore together.
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Cape May, New Jersey
Explore the charming Victorian mansions, their gingerbread trim and wraparound porches telling stories of the town’s golden age of this historic seaside port. The peninsula serves as one of North America’s premier bird-watching destinations, where birders can spot rare species like the Cape May Warbler, which was first discovered here.
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Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Cruise around the hidden coves and beaches of this European-style village for a nature photoshoot date. Head to Carmel Beach, the whitest sand beach in the United States, for shorebirds dancing along the surf. For more wildlife spotting, go to Garrapata Park and Carmel River State Beach, where sea otters and harbor seals bask on sun-warmed rocks.
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Bar Harbor, Maine
Get on Frenchmen’s Bay to see Bar Harbor’s vintage houses, rocky cliffs, and unique birding species from the water. Enjoy a leisurely cruise around town’s pier for views of the village and other boats’s, then head south for views of Acadia National Park’s most impression natural features, from as the towering granite faces of Great Head to the sheer 110-foot drop of Otter Cliff Overlook.
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