The landscape of the Kemah and Clear Lake areas will soon undergo a significant transformation as VIP Marinas and the Marina Bay Harbor team break ground on a massive 63,990-square-foot dry storage expansion. This project is the result of a collaborative joint venture between VIP Marinas, Marina Bay Harbor Marina, and Cameron Land and Marine Development, supported by the cities of Kemah and Clear Lake Shores. Positioned to open in January 2027, this facility will nearly double the marina’s footprint with the introduction of a 288-slip state-of-the-art boat storage solution, expanding the vibrant boating culture of the Texas Gulf Coast.
More than a Routine Barn Expansion: State-of-the-Art Dry Dock Storage Infrastructure
The storage expansion will equip Marina Bay Harbor with enough dry dock storage space to serve vessels over 50 feet in length–a capability unmatched by any Galveston-area marina. The four-acre development will complement the existing 65,700 square foot storage barn and ipe Brazilian hardwood docks. Further, a 5,000-square-foot ship store is scheduled to open in May 2027, offering expanded amenities and services to further enhance Marina Bay Harbor’s first-in-class services in Kemah and Clear Lake Shores. This ambitious build is made possible by the work of a premier team of architectural and engineering partners, including the Boucher Design Group and Kimley-Horn, ensuring the facility meets the highest standards on the Gulf Coast.
An Economic Catalyst for Kemah and Clear Lake Shores
Photo credit: Kemahtexas.gov
The expansion makes possible the introduction of 288 new boaters to Kemah and Clear Lake Shores, serving as a powerful economic engine for the community. Recreational boating is inextricably linked to American prosperity, with the marine economy contributing $511 billion to the national GDP in 2023. Locally, this expansion translates into a consistent influx of high-yield visitors who support the heartbeat of the region, from the retail shops at the Kemah Boardwalk to the boutique dining throughout Clear Lake Shores. Because tourism and recreation are the top contributors to the marine GDP – netting $225 billion nationally – the presence of these additional boaters creates a reliable stream of “destination spending” with broad community impact. By providing modern marina infrastructure, Marina Bay Harbor envisions the generation of vital economic activity that will remain rooted in the local Gulf Coast economy.
Commitment to the Coastal Environment
Photo credit: Travel Texas
Local businesses are not the only ones who may benefit from 288 new boaters in Kemah and Clear Lake Shores. The expansion project also recognizes that more boaters create a greater demonstrated need for environmental advocacy and sustainable growth. Nationally, the recreational boating industry is a leader in conservation, with vendors contributing $650 million annually to a trust fund dedicated to conservation efforts such as habitat restoration and fish stocking. By enhancing our local maritime infrastructure, Marina Bay Harbor is building much more than a barn. It is building a future where the 63,300 acres of coastal habitats and the biodiverse Galveston Bay are preserved for generations to come.
Welcome to the Marina Bay Harbor Family
We invite you to follow along with every milestone of this development and see firsthand how we are setting a new standard for Gulf Coast boat storage. To secure your place in this state-of-the-art facility and become a part of the Marina Bay Harbor community, you can request a slip here or give us a call at (281) 535-2222.