I like the exposure, but I'm not a fan of the composition - and not because of rule of thirds. Not having been there I can't tell you how I might have changed it, but any changes would require moving, either closer to the water or closer to the pier. Don't be afraid to get your tripod (or feet) wet, so wading out a bit into the water so you've got no sand in the foreground might have been nice since the water doesn't seem to be giving up much of a white wash. Or, since the sky is nice but not "amazing", move the camera closer to the ground to accentuate the water line with the pier cutting across the top portion of the photo instead of the bottom. The other thing I'd do would be to move you closer to the pier and allow it to run out inside the photo so you get a feel of the far horizon instead of having it simple bisect the entire frame.
Still a nice photo as is.