Shining Waters Marine

What Shining Waters Marine does

Shining Waters Marine is a full-service marina and boatyard located at 148 Nautical Way in Tantallon, Nova Scotia — at the head of St. Margaret's Bay, approximately 25 minutes from Halifax and 40 minutes from Halifax International Airport. The business operates the physical and operational infrastructure of a working marina on a 5+ acre site, including a certified 50-ton Marine Travel Lift supporting vessels up to 65 feet long and 17 feet wide, a Conolift/Kropf Y30 hydraulic trailer handling catamarans up to 29 feet wide, 15-ton hydraulic forklifts, a 29-foot-wide deep-water launch ramp, and heated indoor storage for boats up to 30 feet in height. The facility provides 60+ seasonal and transient dock slips, 35+ deep-water moorings, dockside gasoline and diesel fuel, pump-out, chandlery (on-site boating store with Tohatsu outboards, Yanmar parts, Starboard paddleboards, and marine supplies), and a certified Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) customs arrival site for international visiting yachts.

The company serves four primary customer segments: seasonal slip and mooring clients (power and sailboat owners storing vessels year-round), transient and visiting yachts (domestic and international boaters passing through St. Margaret's Bay), DIY boaters who benefit from no membership fees and no markup on outside tradespeople, and recreational water-sports customers purchasing Starboard stand-up paddleboard rentals and retail. A secondary channel is Freedom Boat Club's South Shore Nova Scotia home location, which provides the marina with a fleet/membership base for recurring seasonal volume. Operations run seasonally with deep summer demand and winter storage revenue from September through June.

Revenue is generated through a mix of subscription/recurring (seasonal dockage, mooring, winter storage), pay-per-use (haul/launch, pressure wash, dock shuffle, workboat towing, DIY launch ramp day/weekend/season passes), professional services (certified Marine Service Technician and Boat Builder repairs, fiberglass, electrical, detailing, ceramic coating), retail hardware (chandlery, Tohatsu outboards, Yanmar parts, Starboard SUPs), usage-based fuel markup, and on-site hospitality revenue from the partner-operated Saltbox Taproom and Scotia by the Sea restaurant, plus ticketed summer concert events. Pricing is structured per linear foot for haul/launch and storage, with surcharges for larger vessels and catamarans.

Name

Shining Waters Marine

Legal name

Shining Waters Marina

Website

https://shiningwaters.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Shining Waters Marine is a private full-service marina and boatyard in Tantallon, Nova Scotia, offering haul/launch, dockage, moorings, storage, repairs, chandlery, and SUP rentals to seasonal, transient, international, and DIY boaters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marina and Boatyard Services

NAICS

Marinas (713930), Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Ship Repair & Drydocking (TLAKAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Service Provider Coordination (Diving, Inspection, Class/Survey Support) (TLAHAJAI), Dry Docking & Dockyard Operations (Graving/Floating Docks, Docking Services) (TLAHAMAA)

Keywords

• Marina services
• Boatyard repairs
• Marine storage
• Chandlery supplies
• Standup paddleboard rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Halifax

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Dockage & Moorage: Seasonal and transient dockage (60+ slips) and moorings (35+ deep water moorings) for power and sailboats. Short-term visiting yacht dockage and seasonal moorage for domestic and international clients, with pre-booking required through the marina office.
2. Haul & Launch Services: Pay-per-use haul and launch via certified Travel Lift and hydraulic trailer. Quick lift, pressure washing, and dock shuffle services. Pricing is per linear foot with surcharges for larger vessels.
3. Repair & Maintenance Services: Certified Marine Service Technician and Boat Builder on staff. Services include fiberglass repairs, battery storage/charging, electrical repairs, solar/electrical work, paint/polish/waxing/detailing/ceramic coating, and all marine systems. DIY boaters supported with no membership fees or markup on outside tradespeople.
4. Chandlery & Parts Sales: On-site boating store (chandlery) offering Tohatsu outboards (3.5HP–9.8HP in stock), Yanmar parts centre, paint and supplies, anodes, thru-hulls, oils, and cleaning supplies. Also retails Starboard paddleboards, paddles, and leashes.
5. Fuel Services: Dockside gasoline and diesel fuel available during Boating Store hours. Priced at time of delivery plus 8% surcharge. Larger bulk deliveries can be arranged around vessel arrival.
6. Dry Land & Indoor Storage: Winter season (Sept 1 – June 30) outside storage at $0.45/sq.ft per month or $3.25/sq.ft for the season; heated inside storage at $16.00/sq.ft. Summer season (July 1 – Aug 31) inside storage at $16.00/sq.ft; outside at $2.80/sq.ft. Additional charges for boat stands, tender/outboard storage, battery storage, and cradle/trailer storage.
7. Stand-Up Paddleboard Rentals & Sales: Starboard SUP rentals via FareHarbor booking platform and direct sales of Starboard paddleboards ($1,750–$1,999 MSRP) and accessories. Waterfront crew manages rentals including board, leash, paddle, and life jacket.
8. Food & Beverage (Saltbox Taproom & Scotia by the Sea): Saltbox Taproom and Scotia by the Sea restaurant operate on-site, generating food, beverage, and event revenue from boaters and the general public. Summer concert series ticketed events drive additional traffic to the marina.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Shining Waters Marine is a full-service marina and boatyard providing seasonal and transient dockage (60+ slips), deep water moorings (35+), haul and launch via a certified 50-ton Travel Lift and hydraulic trailer, boat maintenance and repair by certified Marine Service Technicians, winter dry land and heated indoor storage across 5+ acres, on-site chandlery with Tohatsu and Yanmar parts, dockside fuel, and stand-up paddleboard rentals and sales. The marina is also a certified Canadian Customs (CBSA) arrival site, enabling customs clearance for international visiting yachts.

Product overview

Shining Waters Marina is a full-service marina and boatyard serving St. Margaret's Bay for over 20 years, offering a comprehensive suite of marine services centered around its marina operations (60+ seasonal/transient docks and 35+ moorings), boatyard capabilities (50-ton Travel Lift haul/launch, repairs, maintenance), retail chandlery (Tohatsu outboards, Yanmar parts, supplies), water sports rentals (Starboard SUP boards), and on-site hospitality (Saltbox Taproom). The core offering integrates marina berthing, professional boat maintenance and winter storage, equipment sales, and recreational water sports into a unified marine services experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Saltbox Taproom: On-site taproom and restaurant operated in partnership with Saltbox Brewing Company, offering food, beverages, and entertainment. Also houses Scotia by The Sea restaurant with waterfront dining.
• Shining Waters Boatyard

Products and services

• Marina and Boatyard Services Full-service marina and boatyard offering haul and launch (up to 50T vessels via Travel Lift, 30T/29 feet wide including catamarans via hydraulic trailer), 60+ seasonal and transient dockage slips, 35+ deep water moorings, repair services by certified Marine Service Technician and Boat Builder, and 5+ acres of dry land and heated indoor storage. Serves recreational power and sailboat owners in the South Shore Nova Scotia region.
• Visiting Yacht Transient Dockage and Moorings Short-term dockage and moorings for domestic and international visiting yachts, including certified Canadian Customs (CBSA) arrival and clearing services, fuel, pump-out, water, laundry, and showers. Pre-booking required through the marina office. Includes onshore amenities at Saltbox Taproom and Scotia by the Sea.
• Boat Maintenance and Repair Comprehensive boat maintenance and repair services including pressure washing, bottom painting, fiberglass repairs, battery storage and charging, solar and electrical work, paint/polish/waxing/detailing/ceramic coating, and full marine systems work. Delivered by a certified Marine Service Technician and Boat Builder on staff. Supports DIY boaters with no membership fees and no markup on outside tradespeople.
• Winter Storage Services Seasonal winter storage (September 1 to June 30) including outside storage at $0.45/sq.ft per month or $3.25/sq.ft per season, inside heated storage at $16.00/sq.ft per season, plus battery storage, tender and outboard storage in heated space, boat stands, ladder stands, and cradle/trailer storage.
• Fuel and Pump-Out Services Dockside gasoline and diesel fuel delivery during Boating Store hours, priced at time of delivery plus 8% surcharge, with larger bulk deliveries arranged around vessel arrival. Includes free water tank fill-ups and pump-out services upon request.
• Chandlery and BoatStore On-site boating store offering Tohatsu outboards (3.5HP to 9.8HP in stock, larger sizes to order), Yanmar parts centre, paint and supplies, anodes, thru-hulls, oils, cleaning supplies, and Starboard paddleboards, paddles, and leashes. Authorized dealer for Tohatsu and Yanmar.
• Starboard SUP Sales
• Stand-Up Paddleboard Rentals
• Saltbox Taproom and Scotia by the Sea (On-site Hospitality)
• DIY Launch Ramp Passes

Quantifiable outcome

• Certified 50-ton Travel Lift supports vessels up to 17 feet wide and 65 feet long
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Freedom Boat Club – South Shore Nova ScotiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShining Waters Marina serves as the home location for Freedom Boat Club on Nova Scotia's South Shore. The marina provides seasonal dockage, launch/haul infrastructure, and ongoing operational support for the boat club's member fleet and activities.
• Clean Earth Technology (and affiliates)minorOthersAll marine waste, garbage, waste oils, fuel/oil containers, standard recycling (paper/cardboard/plastics), and propane bottles are disposed of responsibly through Shining Waters' partnership with Clean Earth Technology, supporting the marina's environmental responsibility program.
• Saltbox Brewing Co. / Saltbox TaproomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaltbox Brewing Co. operates Saltbox Taproom and Scotia by the Sea restaurant on the Shining Waters Marina property. The partnership creates a combined marina/waterfront destination with food, beverage, live entertainment, and summer concert series events, driving foot traffic and enhancing the customer experience.
• North Sails / The Yacht ShopminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShining Waters Marina serves as a drop-off and pick-up site for North Sails and The Yacht Shop, enabling customers of these marine equipment suppliers to conveniently access sails and other marine gear through the marina's location.
• Tohatsu (outboard motors)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShining Waters Marina is an authorized Tohatsu dealer, offering Tohatsu outboard motors (3.5HP–9.8HP in stock; larger sizes available to order) through its on-site chandlery, providing sales and parts support for boaters.
• Yanmar (diesel engines)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShining Waters Marina is an authorized Yanmar dealer and operates a Yanmar parts centre with a wide selection of parts in stock, supporting diesel engine sales and service for the marina's customer base.
• Starboard (Stand-Up Paddleboards)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShining Waters Marina is a destination for Starboard stand-up paddleboards in both sales and rentals, offering try-before-you-buy with duplicate boards, a full range of hard boards, wings, and inflatables, sourced and retailed through the on-site BoatStore.
• Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA)coreOthersShining Waters Marina is an approved Canadian Border Services Agency clearing port, designated as a certified point of entry for international boaters arriving in Canada — a regulatory designation enabling customs clearance services on-site.
• Transportation Partners (T'J's Driving Service, Casino Taxi, Route 333 Taxi, Hammonds Plain Taxi)minorOthersTransportation options recommended by Shining Waters Marina for guests attending events at Saltbox Taproom or needing rides to/from the marina, supporting safe travel for visitors and event attendees.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mahone Bay Marina: Seasonal marina on Nova Scotia's South Shore offering dockage, moorings, fuel, and chandlery to recreational boaters in the same regional market.
• Halifax Marina / Halifax Yacht Club: Full-service marina in nearby Halifax offering seasonal/transient dockage, haul/launch, fuel, and chandlery; the closest direct competitor serving the same South Shore/Halifax boating market.
• Chester Yacht Club: Long-established sailing yacht club on Mahone Bay with marina services, moorings, and haul-out capabilities; competes for the same affluent Nova Scotia seasonal sailing clientele as Shining Waters.
• Hubbards Marine Service: Independent South Shore NS marina and marine service business offering repairs, storage, and dockage in the same St. Margaret's Bay catchment; directly comparable in scale and service mix.
• Pirate's Cove Marina (Chester): Full-service Nova Scotia destination marina providing dockage, repair services, fuel, and amenities; competes for visiting-yacht and seasonal business on the South Shore.
• Ocean Marina (Yarmouth, NS): Full-service marina on Nova Scotia's southwest coast providing haul/launch, dockage, storage, and chandlery services comparable to Shining Waters' integrated boatyard model.

Broad incumbents

• West Marine: North America's largest marine retail chain; competes indirectly with Shining Waters' chandlery, parts, and accessory sales through its retail footprint and online catalog.
• Oasis Marinas: Multi-site U.S. marina operator with consolidated marina management, fuel, and dockage services; broadly analogous scale and operating model for comparison even though geographically out of market.
• Defender Industries: Large marine supply retailer and distributor; competes with Shining Waters' chandlery business through its extensive catalog of marine parts, accessories, and outboards.

Emerging players

• Freedom Boat Club: National boat club franchise whose South Shore franchise operates from Shining Waters; relevant as a channel partner and adjacent membership-based boating business competing for the same end-customer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Shiningwatersmarine
• Instagraminstagram.com/shiningwatersmarina
• Xx.com/SWmarina
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shining-waters-marine

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shining Waters Marine