Green Turtle Bay Resort

A boater’s guide to Green Turtle Bay Resort

Voted one of the “Best Stops” on the Great Loop, Green Turtle Bay offers everything a boater needs from a full service boat yard to a member-only fitness center to 3 award winning restaurants. If you plan on traveling through the Barkely and Kentucky Lakes region, you need to make sure you spend at least a few nights at this marina.

Approach and dockage

Green Turtle Bay Resort and Marina is about 1.5 miles from the Barkley Lock and Dam located at mile marker 31.7 on Lake Barkley (Cumberland River). If coming from the Barkley Lock and Dam, the channel entrance is past the federal moorings on your starboard side and marked with secondary channel markers. Do not try to cut across. Follow the “Red Right Returning” rules through the quarter mile channel to the marina.

When you approach the marina you will see an uncovered dock in front of you that is mostly filled with sailboats. The fuel dock is a bit farther in and to the left of and perpendicular to the sailboat dock. It is located in front of the marina office with a blue roof. Most of the transient slips are on the west side (opposite side from the marina entrance) of the fuel dock.

Hail the marina staff on VHF Channel 10 or 16, or call at 270-362-1043. Friendly dock hands will be there and happy to assist with fuel/pump-out or directing and helping you tie up to your slip 7 days a week. General marina hours are 8 AM - 4:30 PM in the fall/winter or 8 AM - 6 PM (8AM - 8 PM on the weekends) in the summer.

Green Turtle Bay Marina amenities

Bathrooms/Showers

Centrally located by the fuel docks, these facilities are open 24/7. Several single bathrooms each with their own shower. Clean and accessible.

Laundry

Located in the room next to the showers/bathrooms. Three washing machines and three dryers with a table to fold clean clothes. Coin operated.

Courtesy Car

A courtesy car is available for transient guests, which is great to take the short drive to explore Grand Rivers or provision at Village Market and Cafe. Green Harbor also offers a shuttle from 10 AM - 10 PM seasonally to take you anywhere within its resort grounds and Grand Rivers.

Spa & Health Center

With your dockage fee, transients are given complimentary access to the fitness center on site, equipped with an indoor pool, equipment room, weights/group fitness room, sauna and showers. After a workout, indulge with a spa treatment at the Jade and Earth Spa.

Ship’s Store

Green Turtle Bay has a large ship store on site, only a short walk from the fuel dock. They have a great stock of basic boat parts and if they don’t have it, can place an order for you to arrive in just a couple of days.

Boat Repair and Haul Out

Boat Works Marine Service is onsite and offers a range of services for gas and diesel engines as well as electrical and hydraulic boat systems. They have 25 ton, 60 ton or 70 ton lifts and are able to do mast stepping and rigging as well. They even will take your discarded oil nearby if an oil change is part of your boat chores during your stay.

Green Turtle Bay Beach

A half-mile stroll from the docks will take you to the resort’s private beach area equipped with soft sand and lounge chairs. If looking to get away from the boat while still able to enjoy water views, it’s worth a visit.

Condo Rentals

If you have friends looking to visit or just need some time off the boat, Green Turtle Bay has two, three, and four bedroom condo units for rent. They are fully furnished and equipped with full kitchens, linens/towels, laundry, and gas grills.

Green Turtle Bay Marina restaurants

Commonwealth Yacht Club (CYC)

CYC is a members only club, however transient guests are granted access with their dockage. This is the most upscale dining option offered at the resort. Come for the views and variety of menu items such as CYC crab cakes, fish and chips, and NY steak.

Dockers on the Bay

If looking for a hearty breakfast on the water, Dockers on the Bay is your spot. Grab a cup of fresh brewed coffee (or a Bloody Mary) and one of their several breakfast meals while watching the sun rise over the lake. Come back for lunch for one of their various sandwich selections.

Thirsty Turtle

For a casual dinner option, stop by the Thirsty Turtle for good food, cold beer, and fun for the whole family. Come by golf cart, car, foot, or boat, and play a game of cornhole or checkers while you enjoy beautiful lake views and live music (on the weekends April-October).

Proximity to attractions by land

Patti’s 1880s Settlement

In a town of only 350 people, Patti’s serves 350,000 people and $1 million worth of pork chops a year, so you know it has to be good. What started in 1977 as Hamburger Patti’s Ice Cream Parlor has evolved into a little town of log cabins housing an outstanding restaurant, mini-golf course, ice-cream shop, gift shops, lodge, and more. They’re known for their 2 inch pork chops (the 1-inch filled us up fine) and be sure not to miss out on their flower pot bread (yes it’s bread baked in a flower pot!) or one of their delicious homemade desserts. Make sure to call to get a reservation, they can book up quickly. As a bonus they’ll even pick you up and drop you off from the marina. If you can, buffer in some time to explore all they have to offer on site.

Kentucky Dam

In case you haven’t gotten enough lock action on the water, borrow the courtesy car and head to Kentucky Lock and Dam to see it up close. While the visitors center has been closed until further notice due to COVID-19, you can still get some up close views of the river and dam.

Land Between the Lakes (LBL)

While we prefer to get here by boat, you can also access miles of hiking trails and campsites by car in the Land Between the Lakes. The 11-mile Canal Loop Trail is only an 8 minute drive from Green Turtle Bay and the Hillman Ferry Campground featuring 4.5 miles of trails is about a 15 minute drive.

Proximity to attractions by water

Land Between the Lakes Anchorages

There are countless coves to explore along Barkley and Kentucky Lakes. Using Green Turtle Bay as a launching point or home base, you can’t go wrong choosing one of the several beautiful, serene coves to spend an afternoon or night. Once you drop the hook, it’s easy to dinghy to shore and hop on one of LBL’s hiking trails. Or pack some camping gear and set up camp at one of LBL’s campsites. Some of our favorite coves include:

The Rock Quarry (Mile Marker 34 on Kentucky Lake)

A popular Kentucky Lake swimming spot, this cove used to be a rock quarry and one of the deepest parts of Kentucky Lake (100+ feet). Painted rocks line the cove, and cruising through is like being at an outdoor art gallery. It’s a narrow entrance, so if you have a large boat, we recommend dropping the hook at nearby Pisgah Bay and taking a dinghy over to explore. After viewing the rocks, beach the dinghy and walk along the shore to discover the quarry’s old remnants. Or dinghy to the small dock on the Northside of Pigsah Bay to access some of LBL’s campsites and hiking trails.

Dry Fork Bay (Mile Marker 60 on Kentucky Lake)

You can tuck into three well protected coves around this anchorage, allowing several boats the ability to choose a spot that still feels like their own. Watch the sunset over the lake and count the stars on a clear night. Dinghy to the campground on the south end to hop on the Pickett Loop trail.