Looking for a great getaway that doesn’t cost a fortune? Use your military benefits to stay in Navy MWR lodging around the world!
From bustling downtown Tokyo to the quiet waters of Maine, the Navy has some of the best-kept secrets in military accommodations.
Here are 16 must-see Navy MWR destinations to check out when planning your next vacation!
Visit the facilities’ respective websites (linked within each description) for pricing, availability, and reservation policies. Patrons authorized to use Navy MWR services encompass a broad community, from active duty personnel and their families to retired military members, eligible veterans, and DoD civilians. Contact the facilities directly to confirm eligibility.
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Navy Getaways Beach Hotel & RV Park (Point Mugu, CA)
This Navy Getaways site is located on the Pacific Ocean with a backdrop of the Santa Monica mountains. It’s only 20 miles north of Malibu and less than an hour from Santa Barbara.
The beach hotel has 26 rooms, all with private patio. Other accommodations include yurts, two beachfront cabins, and the RV campground.
The RV park is on the beach and features 71 sites. Full hookups are available for 30 amp RVs, while 50 amp RVs can access water, electricity, and limited sewer hook-ups.
Fiddler’s Cove Marina & RV Park (San Diego, CA)
This military campground offers some of the best real estate in San Diego. Located on beautiful Coronado Island, it’s across the Bay from Naval Base San Diego and a short distance along “Silver Strand Highway” from Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Coronado.
| Related Reading: 5 Tips for Using Military Campgrounds
RV sites are concrete slab with full hookups. All sites are ocean view but try for a spot directly on the water!
The marina rents a variety of motorized and non-motorized boats plus beach cruisers and e-bikes. The nearby bike path takes you right into downtown Coronado (or you can ride the full 18+ mile loop).
North Island Beach Cottages (San Diego, CA)
Another Navy MWR facility on Coronado Island, this location offers twenty beachfront cottages. The two-bedroom units are located directly on Breaker’s Beach on NAS North Island.
Each cottage has all the amenities you need for a relaxing beach vacation, including a patio, BBQ grill, and a fully equipped kitchen. During your stay, check out the other MWR facilities on the base, including the fitness and aquatics center and the beautiful golf course!
Heritage Cottages (Jacksonville, FL)
This Navy MWR facility on NAS Jacksonville offers military travelers a relaxing and affordable base from which to explore the area.
There are 16 furnished cottages. Each unit can host up to six people across two bedrooms. All cottages include a fully-equipped kitchen and a screened-in porch with furniture.
While there, take advantage of the base’s MWR recreation facilities, including the golf course and Mulberry Cove Marina, which offers sailing lessons and a range of motorized and non-motorized boat rentals.
Navy Getaways Key West (Key West, FL)
This popular destination for military leisure travelers and snowbirds offers townhomes, cottages, and campground accommodations.
The vacation rentals include more than 30 each of fully furnished three-bedroom townhouses and two-bedroom cottages.
NAS Key West also has three campgrounds in different locations: Sigsbee Park, Trumbo Point, and Truman Annex. They offer a combined 93 full hookup sites and more than 500 dry camping sites.
Oak Grove Park (Pensacola, FL)
Oak Grove Park is located on NAS Pensacola along the picturesque Pensacola Bay. This Navy recreation area features 26 fully furnished cottages and 51 RV sites with full hook-ups.
The 1- and 2-bedroom cottages can sleep up to six or seven guests, respectively. Each cottage has its own outdoor space with picnic table and grill.
| Related Reading; Check Out These Military-Only Beaches in Florida
Oak Grove Park is a short walk from the beach, the National Museum of Naval Aviation, and Pensacola Lighthouse. NAS Pensacola’s Bayou Grande Marina rents standup paddleboards, kayaks, and sailboats.
Navy Lake Site Allatoona (Cartersville, GA)
Situated along the shores of Lake Allatoona, this 52-acre recreation area is conveniently located just 30 minutes north of Atlanta.
The facility, operated by Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, gives visitors easy access to water sports and other outdoor activities, but it’s also close to popular Atlanta attractions, such as the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Turner Field, and the Georgia Aquarium.
Lodging options include 1- to 4-bedroom cottages and camper cabins, plus newly-renovated RV sites with partial hookups.
| Related Reading: Ultimate Guide to Military Beach Cottages
Navy Getaways at PMRF Barking Sands (Kauai, HI)
Located along the shores of Majors Bay, the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) at Barking Sands offers a unique getaway on Kauai Island.
There are 25 beach cottages with 2- to 3-bedroom configurations, including a special VIP option for up to eight guests.
About half of the cottage are oceanfront, and the others have ocean views. All have furnished interiors, full kitchens, laundry facilities, and outdoor barbecue grills.
| Related Reading: Review of the Barking Sands Beach Cottages
Navy Getaways at PMRF also has a hotel: Menehune Inn. It has 22 standard rooms and is located inland near the NEX, providing convenient access to base amenities.
Guests can take advantage of the base fitness center, swimming pool, and an open-air movie theater, plus equipment rentals for various outdoor adventures. Also, make sure you check out the Community Recreation Center’s local trips and tours to help you explore this incredible island!
Navy Getaways White Beach (Okinawa, Japan)
This Navy MWR facility in Okinawa, Japan is a relaxing way to enjoy the island’s beautiful beaches.
White Beach offers a total of 11 fully furnished 1-, 2-bedroom and duplex cabins on Snuggler’s Cove bluff (a short walk to the beach), and 20+ beachside camping trailers. All facilities are air conditioned.
Kayaks and paddleboards are available for rent, plus you can play mini golf and use other sports facilities free of charge.
New Sanno Hotel (Tokyo, Japan)
This Navy resort provides the comforts of American hospitality in a prime area of downtown Tokyo.
The New Sanno has 149 rooms with eight different options that range from single rooms to Japanese suites. The hotel boasts a spa, pool, fitness center, game room, and seven restaurants/bars.
Read a full review of the New Sanno here!
Navy Getaways Annapolis (Annapolis, MD)
The MWR facilities in Annapolis, MD provide patrons an opportunity to explore this historic waterfront city’s rich naval history and scenic beauty at a very reasonable price.
Navy Getaways Annapolis offers several lodging options:
The Suites at USNA: Located on the campus of the historic U.S. Naval Academy, this hotel-style facility offers 16 one-bedroom suites for a unique stay only a short walk from downtown Annapolis. (Read a full review here!)
The Cottages at Greenbury Point: These fully furnished cottages were newly introduced in January 2024. There are 12 2-bedroom units and four 3-bedrooms. Less than a 15-minute drive from the Naval Academy and historic Annapolis, they are in a nature conservation area with convenient access to recreation trails.
RV Campground: The campground is directly across the Severn River from the Naval Academy and features 14 RV sites with water and electric. It’s one of the top military RV parks!
While staying at Navy Getaways Annapolis, take advantage of the boat rentals at Carr Creek Marina as well as the outdoor pool and golf course at Naval Support Activity Annapolis.
Navy Recreation Area Solomons Island (Solomons, MD)
This Navy recreation area is located on the Patuxent River, a short distance from the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and only 60 miles from Washington, DC.
It features a variety of lodging options, including 2- to 5-bedroom cottages, 1-bedroom cabins, and RV sites with partial and full hookups.
Activities at this popular vacation spot include fishing, crabbing, boating, biking, hiking, mini-golf, and billiards. Solomons Island also has an aquatics center and an on-site driving range.
Great Pond Outdoor Adventure Center (Great Pond, ME)
The Great Pond Outdoor Adventure Center, operated by Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, is situated on the shores of a large, scenic lake in eastern Maine.
With nearly 400 acres to explore, this getaway offers an array of activities for all seasons, including: kayaking, fishing (and ice fishing), hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, paddle boarding, ice skating, boating, and much more! You can rent any recreational equipment you need for these endeavors.
Great Pond has a variety of lodging options. There are two lodges that sleep 8+ guests, twelve cabins that accommodate up to six guests, six yurts, and a “tiny house.” They also have 11 RV campsites that include electrical and water hook-ups.
Deer Run Lodging (Colts Neck, NJ)
This retreat is located at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Deer Run offers 10 2- and 3- bedroom townhomes and 22 hotel-style rooms. It’s an ideal base for exploring many major attractions in the region, such as New York City, Atlantic City, Philadelphia, and New Jersey’s Revolutionary War sites. It’s also 20 minutes from local beaches.
Dam Neck Beach Cottages (Virgina Beach, VA)
This Navy Getaways destination has 29 2- and 3-bedroom cottages in Virginia Beach. All but three are oceanfront, with the others only a short walk from the beach.
These cottages have everything you need for a comfortable stay, including fully-equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, and private patios. Bikes, kayaks, umbrellas, and other beach equipment are available for rent at a discounted rate for cottage guests.
Navy Getaways Pacific Beach (Pacific Beach, WA)
This Navy recreation area is positioned on an ocean bluff along the rugged Washington coastline. It has a variety of accommodation options: fully furnished cottages, hotel rooms/suites, an RV park, and campsites.
The cottages range in size from three to five bedrooms. Hotel rooms range in size from standard (single queen) to king suites (king bed, multi-room).
While there, enjoy beach activities, whale-watching, fishing, or hiking at nearby Olympic National Forest.
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If you see a facility you like, reserve it as early as possible! Some of these military recreation areas are very popular and fill up quickly.
Looking for more places to use your military benefits for a getaway? Here are 13 Army MWR lodging facilities!
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