James City County Marina
James City County operates the Marina, formerly known as Eco Discovery Park. The James City County Marina is located on the historic Powhatan Creek, behind Jamestown Island and across the street from Jamestown Settlement. Bike or paddle areas where America's founders once traveled - from Jamestown to Williamsburg and areas in between.
The marina's close proximity to the Virginia Capital Trail and Jamestown Island makes it the perfect location for a leisurely bike ride. Take a ride on the Colonial Parkway to Yorktown and back, a great opportunity for a long bike ride along the scenic James and York rivers. If you prefer a quiet paddle along historic Powhatan Creek, they are your kayak rental destination. Paddle the waterways where Captain John Smith and others traveled as they settled on Jamestown Island.
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Nearby Places
At the Site
Activities to do
Facilities/Amenities available
Hours
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. [yacht basin]
Friday-Sunday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Boat ramp open 24 hours daily
(Note: Many places fill to capacity on busy, nice weather days, especially holiday weekends. Please call ahead or visit the official website to get the most up-to-date information before visiting.)
Fees
Visit the County's website for a listing of all fees - including rental, ramp and storage fees.
Activities
- Bike or paddle areas where America's founders once traveled - from Jamestown to Williamsburg and areas in between. Our close proximity to the Virginia Capital Trail and Jamestown Island make us the perfect location for a leisurely bike ride.
- Take a ride on the Colonial Parkway to Yorktown and back, a great opportunity for a long bike ride along the scenic James and York rivers.
- If you prefer a quiet paddle along historic Powhatan Creek, we are your kayak rental destination. Paddle the waterways where Captain John Smith and others traveled as they settled on Jamestown Island.
History
When Captain John Smith and his group of English colonists came to the Chesapeake Bay in 1607, they chose the Jamestown site in part for its deep-water anchorage.
They also thought it would be far enough upriver to be hidden from Spanish patrols.
The Spanish were the first Europeans to explore the Bay and its tributaries, and they were England’s rival in colonial expansion. At the time, they had a base in present-day Cuba.
Spanish explorers had named the Chesapeake region “Bahia de Santa Maria” and claimed it as part of “La Florida,” their North American territory.
The two colonial powers competed to establish settlements, earn profits on exploitable resources, and find the Northwest Passage—a shortcut route to Asia and its trade markets.
Weather
