Reviews: Morgan City Boat Dock

Reviewed by: Anita Robinson on Mar 19, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

We stopped here on a trip headed east. The harbormaster told us to turn to starboard as soon as we went under the bridge and stay close to the shoreline to avoid a sandbar. Great place to dock for an overnight stay.

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Reviewed by: Robert , Slow Dancing, on Nov 27, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Stayed here for one night in May 2023, as I was bringing my boat back to Texas.

Long bulkhead for side tie. Power and water available. You will need lots of fenders, as the pilings are on the outside of the bulkhead in some spots. Look for a drop box on a light pole. Open the top, and grab an envelope-fill it out, put your cash or check in the envelope, and then drop in the slot.

There is a restaurant across the street, and a nice coffee/ice cream shop about 4 blocks down, next to a small city park. You are right next to what has to be the oldest part of Morgan City, with old buildings. There is a small general hardware store about two blocks away.

Be careful entering and exiting, as there are shallow spots. Check Navionics or AquaMap before approaching or departing.

This area is covered by USCG Vessel Traffic Service. Call "Berwick Traffic" on CH11. Check in with VTS before crossing under the RR bridge. When travelling westbound, check in with VTS when exiting the nearby lock.
When I get ready to cast off and head out the next morning, I checked in with VTS and they coached me on how to avoid an uncharted shallow spot.

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Reviewed by: Capt Sam , Here's To Us, on Feb 18, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

Morgan City Dock February 13th, 2022. Sam of WhatYachtToDo on a training and delivery journey. SeaRay 480MY with a 4-ft draft.
Note the sand bar. Call Berwick Traffic for advisories. Travelling N, turn 90 degrees to starboard after RR bridge, then 90 degrees to port when within 100ft of wall. Proceed N to Rio Fuel in 18' of water. Then follow crumbs back to Morgan City Dock. Side tie. Great power, good water. No WiFi. One restroom and shower. Bring your own toilet paper and flashlight (lights inop, Pete trying to find light bulbs?). City official came by and gave us a ride to Tampico and also notified the Police Chief to keep an eye on the boat. This is a good stop and can be even better with some attention to detail and investment. Thanks Lou and Pete!

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Reviewed by: David Fuller , Still Waters II, on Nov 21, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Returned to Morgan City for one night on our east bound voyage. The south end of the dock is now home to three Shrimp Boats. There is a sign up that basically says this area is reserved for the shrimp boats and anyone else who parks here will be peeled. A little play on words referencing shrimp. Otherwise, the conditions are the same as our west bound voyage.

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Reviewed by: David Fuller , Still Waters II, on Jan 5, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Appears they have dredged the area from the main channel to the docks at Morgan City. We used Aqua Maps which showed a large clear path between two Shoals. We showed 12-15 feet of water all the way to the docks.

The dock wall has clusters of three pillings every 30 feet along the wall. The cluster of pillings will keep you abou 18 inches from the dock wall. If you look at the flood wall, you will notice an opening in the wall. This opening is about in the middle of the total length of the dock wall. At this middle area along the wall there are no pillings, and there are conventional cleats to tie onto.

There is a metal lock box with payment envelops to drop your cash payment into. We walked about 0.8 miles to a Dollar General. Found the neighborhoods to be warm, welcoming, and safe. Would walk this area again.

Check out Rio Fuel, just up the river for a good wholesale price for diesel. We paid $2.70 when the gas stations are posting in the $3.50 price for diesel.

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Reviewed by: Tony-donna Lagera on Oct 21, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 5

We stayed three nights starting on 10/18/21. This is a really cool spot. You are right next to the old town of Morgan City and there are places to eat and shops. There are wakes after barges and boats go by, but nothing really bad. There is also a train bridge near by and trains go by a few times per day. It was no problem for us. It is a awesome spot if you have a dog. There are all kinds of places to take them on walks. The people are very friendly and helpful.

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Reviewed by: Richard Trumper on May 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

Stayed Dec 30 2020 - Definitely call ahead for navigation advice to avoid the sandbar that runs most of the length of the waterfront (seagulls stand there and watch you dock). We called and spoke to a Town employee (dockmaster?) It seems odd to leave the money in the dropbox on the dock but it worked out well. Very little services for a "marina" (only power and water) but excellent place to stop and explore. The locals all wanted to talk and tell you about the town, with one guy taking us on an hour long mini tour of the historic district. And, we loved Rita's Maes. Also has a decent Marine/Hardware store 1 block away.

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Reviewed by: Michelle Dixon , Sunset , on Feb 15, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Stayed 2/12. Make sure to call the Coast Guard coming in on channel 11. Very helpful!! The river shoals right but they will give you great information how to get in. Once along the dock go up to where you can read Morgan City and there are cleats. You'll see the power and water hook up. $30 per day. We actually walked to Walgreens. It was a bit choppy for us as the fetch of the river was large during the night.

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Reviewed by: William OBrien , At Last, on Feb 7, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 4

We stayed here (1/18 - 1/21 2021). $30 per day. Difficult to dock as there are no cleats and you have to tie off around 3 grouped poles but once in, you get your electricity and water. Unfortunately there isn't a grocery store nearby and we schlepped to a place in town. (Cannata's Supermarket). There was a cute little sweet / Blue Bell ice cream shop just down the way. It's quiet and great views of the bridges. We were also able to get take out at Rita Mae's Kitchen which was decent.

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Reviewed by: Richard L Davis on Jan 19, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

This is a great dock with water and power for $30 per day on 2021-01-19. You must check in with the Coast Guard VTS on channel 11 when entering the river from the ICW. They are extremely helpful. They will ask where you are going and then tell you exactly how to get there.
If you don't know how to get to this dock you will run aground. The river shoals badly and you need local knowledge to get into this dock safely.
There is almost no current once you are within about 100 feet of the dock.
They have a large board on front street directly outside of the opening in the flood gate that list many of the local businesses. Call first, as some are apparently no longer in business.
If you plan on getting to any of the restaurants that are outside of walking distance you better have your own transportation. No Uber or Lyft cars currently in this area. Nice coffee and sweets shop just down the street directly through the floodgate.

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Reviewed by: Chris Himmelheber on Dec 13, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 3

This dock is very new. The Waterway Guide doesn't have anything on it yet, and even Google Earth shows an outdated satellite shot. Morgan City has a large sea wall with MORGAN CITY in big letters. Now, along its length there is a bulkhead with electricity (50 W) and water pedestals periodically. It is about 300 yards long, but the central 50 yards is the only part designed for cruisers. The rest has pylons every 20 feet or so, and is more suitable for fishing boats. They have a restroom at the end of the bulkhead, but it is not hooked up with any services yet, and they don't know when it will be.

The depth of the approach and at dockside is well over 20 feet. Once you pass under the railroad lift bridge, the dock is on your immediate starboard.

Front Street is immediately behind the sea wall, and has a marine supply store, hair salon, and several small restaurants. There is also a library (WiFi!) and a nice little park, both within 2 blocks. However, don't walk much further East than the park because the neighborhoods become dicey.

There are also two fuel stations just a bit further up the canal, but there is a fixed bridge to get past with 50 foot clearance and my sailboat has a 51 foot mast.

There is only one taxi in town (no Uber or Lyft), called Mo City Cab (985-519-6063). There is no shower or pump-out. Be aware that a tug or barge goes past the dock every 2 or 3 hours, and there is significant wake-effect. Use lots of fenders! If you need anything, call Pete (985-519-5245), a super nice guy.

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