Unearth The Voyage
There is a place in South Florida where the bass fishing is legendary, the sunsets over the water are unforgettable, and the staff treats every guest like an old friend returning home. Tucked along the shores of Lake Okeechobee in the small sugar town of Clewiston, this resort carries the name of one of the most celebrated bass anglers in American history.
The grounds buzz with the energy of tournament fishermen, families on their first lake adventure, and solo travelers who just want to unplug and cast a line. From cozy motel rooms with kitchens to a lively dockside tiki bar serving the best cheeseburger in town, this waterfront destination packs far more personality than its laid-back exterior lets on.
Keep reading to find out why so many people keep coming back year after year.
The Address, Location, and Setting of Roland Martin Marina and Resort
At 920 E Del Monte Ave, Clewiston, Roland Martin Marina and Resort sits right on the southwestern shore of Lake Okeechobee, the largest freshwater lake in Florida and the second largest in the entire United States.
Clewiston is a small, unhurried town that wears its sugarcane farming roots proudly, and the marina fits right into that easygoing atmosphere. The resort is also adjacent to the famous 109-mile-long Okeechobee Scenic Trail, which encircles the entire lake.
That trail connection means guests who are not fishing still have plenty to explore on foot or by bike. The overall vibe here is no-fuss and welcoming, with a parking lot full of trucks hauling bass boats and families wandering toward the water with sunscreen already on.
You can reach the resort by phone at 863-983-3151 or visit rolandmartinmarina.com for reservations.
The Legacy of Roland Martin Himself
Few names carry as much weight in the bass fishing world as Roland Martin. He is a multi-time Bassmaster Classic competitor and one of the most recognized faces in American sport fishing, famous for decades of television appearances that introduced millions of viewers to the art of catching largemouth bass.
What makes this resort remarkable is that Roland himself still shows up. Multiple guests have shared stories of meeting him in person, getting photos taken, and chatting about fishing spots and travel adventures as if they were old neighbors catching up over coffee.
One guest traveled 1,500 miles from Iowa just to shake his hand and get a photo, calling it the highlight of the entire trip. Another had Roland sign a hat after a long conversation about fishing and local life.
His presence transforms this marina from a simple resort into something closer to a living piece of American fishing history.
Lodging Options for Every Type of Traveler
Whether you are a solo angler traveling light or a family of six who needs room to breathe, the resort has a lodging option that fits. Standard motel rooms are no-frills but clean and comfortable, each equipped with cable TV and a kitchenette featuring a microwave, stove, and coffeepot, with some rooms also including a refrigerator.
For larger groups, the two-bedroom, two-bathroom condos sleep up to six guests and come with fully equipped kitchens plus separate living and dining areas. Park model units offer another option that several guests have praised for being freshly updated, surprisingly spacious, and priced very reasonably.
Nightly rates start around $184, which is genuinely fair for a waterfront property with this many amenities included. The rooms are consistently described as clean and well-maintained, and the housekeeping staff, including team members like Josephina who have earned specific praise from guests, clearly takes pride in their work.
World-Class Bass Fishing on Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee is one of the top largemouth bass fisheries in North America, and Roland Martin Marina puts guests right at the center of that action. The bass boats available for rental are kept in excellent condition, with trolling motor batteries that last a full day on the water according to multiple guests who have tested them firsthand.
For those who prefer a guided experience, the marina connects guests with a roster of experienced fishing guides who know the lake intimately. Guides like Bo White, Gary Sapp, and Captain Kevin Long have all earned strong praise for their patience, fish-finding skills, and genuine care for their clients.
One guide helped an elderly father outfish his own experienced fly-fishing son during what the family described as their greatest day together on the water. That kind of experience is not something any tackle shop can sell you, and it is what keeps anglers returning to this marina season after season.
The Full-Service Marina and Boat Rentals
The marina side of the resort is a well-organized operation that takes fishing seriously. Boat ramps are located so close to the main grounds that guests barely have to load their gear before they are on the water, a convenience that tournament anglers especially appreciate during early morning launches.
Bass boat rentals, including Stratos models that guests have described as clean and well-performing, are available directly through the marina. Dockage is offered for guests who bring their own vessels, and the full-service setup means fuel, supplies, and assistance are all within easy reach.
The tackle shop is well-stocked with everything an angler might forget to pack, from soft plastics and jigs to line and hooks. One guest even noted that the resort allowed him to park his truck and trailer in the lot for four days at no charge while he traveled elsewhere, which is the kind of flexibility that earns real loyalty.
The Tiki Bar: Food, Music, and Waterfront Good Times
The Tiki Bar at Roland Martin Marina has developed a reputation that stretches well beyond the Clewiston city limits. Set in a casual, open-air dockside atmosphere, it serves lunch and dinner with a menu that leans heavily into crowd-pleasing comfort food with a Florida waterfront twist.
The shrimp tacos and shrimp baskets draw repeat visitors who make a point of stopping here even when they are just passing through on their way to Miami or Fort Lauderdale. The Bubba Burger, a thick and loaded cheeseburger, has been called the best in Clewiston by more than one loyal fan.
On select nights, live bands take the stage and the whole place takes on a festive energy that feels genuinely local and unhurried. Service is consistently praised as warm and attentive, and the laid-back vibe makes it easy to linger long after the food is gone and the sun has dropped below the lake.
Breakfast Spot and On-Site Dining Convenience
Not everyone wants to drive into town before the sun is fully up and the fish are already biting, and the resort understands that completely. Breakfast is served at the back of the gift shop, offering a simple, reliable start to the day without any fuss or long waits.
The setup is unpretentious, which fits the overall character of the place perfectly. It is not trying to be a brunch destination, but rather a convenient fueling stop for anglers who need eggs and coffee before hitting the water at first light.
Having multiple dining options on the same grounds means guests rarely need to leave the property for meals during a multi-day stay. Between the breakfast counter and the Tiki Bar handling lunch and dinner, the resort covers the full day with food that comes out quickly and satisfies without overcomplicating things.
That kind of practical convenience adds real value to every stay.
Two Heated Outdoor Pools and Family-Friendly Amenities
Fishing is the main attraction here, but the resort makes sure that guests who prefer to stay dry also have a good time. Two heated outdoor pools give families a place to cool off, relax, and let younger kids burn off energy while the adults plan the next day on the water.
The resort is explicitly pet-friendly and kid-friendly, which makes it a realistic option for families who might otherwise struggle to find a waterfront property that welcomes everyone. Free Wi-Fi and free parking are included, along with air conditioning in all rooms, a fitness center, and airport shuttle service for guests who need it.
The grounds are consistently described by guests as clean, well-organized, and thoughtfully laid out. A laundry facility on-site adds another layer of practicality for longer stays.
All of these smaller details combine to create an environment where families can genuinely relax rather than spending their vacation managing logistics.
Fishing Guides Who Go Above and Beyond
The fishing guides associated with Roland Martin Marina are a major reason why so many guests return year after year rather than simply booking a different lake for their next trip. These are not just people who know where the fish are hiding, though they certainly do know that.
Captain Kevin Long spent a full guided day helping a nine-year-old land a seven-pound bass while making the boy feel like the most important angler on the lake. Guide Gary Sapp helped an 83-year-old man with limited mobility get safely into the boat and then spent the day making sure that father caught more fish than his experienced fly-fishing son.
Bo White has been praised for his spiritual warmth, customer focus, and consistent ability to put clients on bass no matter the conditions. These guides understand that the best fishing trips are really about the people on the boat, not just the fish count at the end of the day.
Bass Fishing Tournaments and the Competitive Scene
Roland Martin Marina has long been a hub for competitive bass fishing, and the tournament scene adds a layer of energy to the property that casual visitors find surprisingly entertaining even if they have never held a rod. The Major League Fishing circuit and other tournaments regularly use the marina as a base of operations.
Guests who happened to be staying during tournament weekends have mentioned watching weigh-in events right on the property as an unexpected highlight of their visit. The buzz of competition, the lineup of high-performance bass boats, and the conversations between serious anglers create an atmosphere that feels like the Super Bowl of freshwater fishing.
For tournament competitors specifically, the resort checks every practical box: clean rooms, good food, convenient boat ramps, and a staff that understands the early-morning schedule demands of competitive fishing. It is the kind of place where a tournament angler can focus entirely on the water without worrying about anything else.
The Okeechobee Scenic Trail and Outdoor Exploration
Not every great thing about this resort involves a fishing rod or a boat engine. The 109-mile Okeechobee Scenic Trail runs directly adjacent to the property, giving guests immediate access to one of Florida’s most underrated long-distance outdoor experiences.
The trail follows the Herbert Hoover Dike that encircles the entire lake, offering wide-open views of the water, abundant birdlife, and a sense of scale that is genuinely hard to appreciate until you are standing on top of the levee looking out across all that flat, glittering water.
Hikers, cyclists, and birders all use this trail regularly, and the proximity of the marina makes it a perfect base for multi-day trail explorations. Guests can spend the morning on the water chasing bass, grab lunch at the Tiki Bar, and then head out for an afternoon walk along the levee without ever moving their car.
That kind of flexibility is rare and worth planning around.
Why Guests Keep Coming Back Year After Year
What keeps people coming back to Roland Martin Marina is a combination of factors that are genuinely hard to replicate: a legendary name behind the brand, a world-class fishery right outside the door, and a staff that seems to understand that hospitality is about making people feel at home.
Guests have been making the drive to Clewiston for decades, some returning every year for five years straight, others traveling from as far as Iowa or Fort Myers on a regular basis. The resort has also continued to invest in upgrades over the years, so returning guests notice improvements rather than decline.
From the clean rooms and friendly check-in staff to the guides who treat clients like family and the Tiki Bar that closes out every great fishing day with good food and cold refreshments, this resort earns its loyal following the old-fashioned way: by consistently delivering exactly what it promises.
