Bemus Point Lodge and Southern Tier Marina Offer a Full Lake Experience on Chautauqua

For visitors looking to spend a summer day or a whole week on Chautauqua Lake, one local partnership aims to cover everything from the bed you sleep in to the boat you take out on the water.

Bemus Point Lodge, a lakefront motel in the heart of Bemus Point, and Southern Tier Marina in Celoron are owned by Adam and Katie Howard, along with business partner Bryan Strang. The marina combines two properties, The Boatworks and Ready About Sailing, and the businesses are designed to work hand in hand. Lodge guests can rent a pontoon or fishing boat directly from the owners, and between the Lodge’s 30 boat slips and the marina’s more than 100, boaters bringing their own vessels have plenty of docking options.

“Between the two, we’re able to offer a full lake experience: a place to stay and everything you need to actually get out on the water,” Howard said.

The venture has personal roots. Howard spent many summers as a child at a fishing camp in Canada on family vacations, an experience that stayed with him. When the opportunity to buy the Lodge arose, the couple closed on the property in October 2022 with a clear vision: keep it functional and welcoming for the fishermen who have always loved it while transforming it into a boutique motel for all types of guests, including families, couples and groups. They added air conditioning and redesigned the entire property inside and out.

On the marina side, the owners purchased The Boatworks first, then expanded in October 2025 to acquire Ready About Sailing, bringing the two together as Southern Tier Marina. Both properties have long histories in the community, and carrying that legacy forward has meant building a full-service operation with an experienced staff while investing in improvements, including rebuilt docks, restroom and shower facilities and a ship store carrying beer, gas and other boating supplies.

“We’re proud of where the marina came from, and we are just as excited about where we’re taking it,” Howard said.

The rental fleet includes 10 pontoons with motors up to 225 horsepower, which Howard said is “unique on the lake and gives the boats more performance than most people expect from a pontoon rental.” The pontoons are well-suited for families and groups looking for a comfortable day on the water. The marina also rents fishing boats for anglers and kayaks for guests seeking a quieter, more active way to explore the lake.

For first-time renters, the process is simple. Customers can visit southerntiermarina.com and click the “Book Today” button or call the marina directly. No boater certification is required, and staff members give every renter a hands-on orientation before they head out.

“Before you head out, our staff gives every renter a crash course to make sure you’re comfortable and safe on the lake,” Howard said. “It’s beginner-friendly by design.”

His one piece of advice for newcomers: don’t wait too long to book, because the pontoons fill up fast for the summer.

Beyond boat rentals, the businesses offer plenty of ways to enjoy the lake without leaving shore. The Lodge features four cauldron-style fire pits, a pavilion for family gatherings and a large grass area for guests to relax. The marina hosts live music outside the ship store on select nights throughout the summer. The owners are also working to build a rental community of cabins at the marina, pending approval, with the goal of eventually offering everything a boater could need in one place.

Over the past four years, the properties have become a destination for weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties, family reunions, fishing tournaments and kayakers, with snowmobilers and skiers arriving in the winter months. Howard said the range of events and happenings often surprises visitors. The same week might bring a fishing tournament, a wedding party and a family reunion all staying at once.

“There’s something for everyone here, and that variety is what makes it special,” Howard said. “Whether it’s a quiet morning kayaking or a big group gathered around one of our fire pits after a day on the pontoon, the lake has a way of bringing people together.”

For the owners, being locally owned means investing directly back into the Bemus Point and Celoron communities rather than simply running a business in them.

“Knowing that families are making core memories here every summer is what fills our hearts and keeps us motivated,” Howard said. “It means a great deal to us.”

Looking ahead, the team is continuing to rebuild the docks, expand restroom and shower facilities and grow the live music nights through the summer, along with pursuing the planned cabin community.

“Our vision has become a reality, and we’re looking forward to building on it,” Howard said.

For boat rentals, service or slip rentals, contact Southern Tier Marina at 716-487-9095 or visit southerntiermarina.com. For room packages or boat rentals, contact Bemus Point Lodge at 716-386-4275 or visit thebemuspointlodge.com.