Reviews: Salt Ponds Marina

Reviewed by: Matt Claiborne , Dulcinea, on Jun 21, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 41'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 2

June 2024-Fuel dock has been closed for several weeks, and there is no indication when it will reopen. Call (on the phone) before coming in to check its status.
New management. Rates going up, but they haven't updated their website--again, call to confirm all the details before you come in.
Prior reviews stand--docks in need of maintenance, bathrooms in need of cleaning. Pool is nice but is open to the surrounding community, so it is very busy compared to other marina pools. We saw 5.5' coming in the entrance channel at MLW.

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Reviewed by: Randy H on May 26, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 2

The staff was very pleasant, the dock hand exceptional, but the marina has seen better days. It's poorly maintained, docks are paved with bird crap, and the entrance/fairway is very narrow and shallow. It was a great place to unwind after a Hatteras crossing, we expected to spend a few days there, but left after two nights.

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Reviewed by: Rob Dare , Liberty Call , on Oct 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 2

Convenient location just off the Chesapeake. Tight entrance that is very tough with another boat coming out. Docks are in very sad shape. Boards are very rough with lots of holes. Pool had green water. No restaurants on site and no businesses to walk to. Overpriced for what you get. Bathrooms could use more frequent cleaning. Very long walk to get the dog to grass. Very slow WiFi that doesn't make it to the slips. There are many better choices In Hampton for the same price.

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Reviewed by: Richard on Jun 27, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Nice marina and location in Hampton. Staff was great. Pool is very nice and beach a short walk away. Only fault is very poor Wi-Fi and internet.

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Reviewed by: Benjamin Resch on Nov 6, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 4

Great shelter just off the Chesapeake. SP has good prices, and offers easy access slips, fuel, and pump outs. Wifi and cellular was iffy, but do-able.

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Reviewed by: Bret Butler , Lucy 2, on Nov 3, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

We were worried about getting in but it turned out perfectly fine when we followed the beacons going in. It is a great location convenient to the bay but very protected. Staff were very accomodating.

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Reviewed by: Tom Anderson on May 22, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

First off, getting to and into the marina is easy and drama free. The staff is very friendly and helpful. There are no restaurants or businesses close by. You either Uber or rent a car. At one time there was a restaurant onsite but it appears to have been closed for some time. There is a nice pool on the grounds, older but looks to be in great shape. That said, the entire marina just feels tired. Internet service is spotty and challenging. Adding to the overall feeling of disrepair, we also experienced a reverse polarity fault with our power pedestal. There are what appear to be many older project boats here. There is nothing wrong with that as long as you know what to expect. This would be a good stop to do some needed maintenance or a quick overnight just north of the hubbub of Norfolk.

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Reviewed by: Frenchman in America on May 16, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 27'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

It is a very nice place ; beach is accessible by foot, and there is a unique feeling. We went there during the Covid crisis, so not much to say about the restaurant, the swimming pool, etc... Really worth a stop !

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Reviewed by: Dleidy on Apr 25, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 1

Nothing close to marina and electric bill is high

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Reviewed by: Paul Smyers , SV Nova, on Apr 17, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

We are here during Covid:19 restrictions, so this definitely modifies the impression.

However, the limited staff on site are very good and very helpful.

The aging docks are actively being refurbished.

Unfortunately the main boardwalk appears to be public access, so we're seeing lots of foot traffic. If that's a concern, be aware. There are no physical barriers to accessing the boats.

The inlet is not ideal, though we were able to get in and out with our 25' beam and 4' draft sailing catamaran even at low tied (though I won't be trying that again).

Because of our beam we are out on the T-dock, per usual, and the wifi signal is a tad weak even with our external antenna. I am able to associate to it but the speed is not great. Your mileage may vary.

There isn't much in the immediate vicinity. You have to go through quite a lot of uninteresting neighborhood before you get to the park/beach/restaurants. Which all seem mediocre.

I would rate this a "utilitarian marina", and I say that as a compliment because it's actually more my interest as a transient who prefers to be on anchor. Low traffic, quiet, people are either friendly or keep to themselves.

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Reviewed by: Ted on Sep 8, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 2

The staff and location are 5 stars but the bathrooms are filthy. I have never seen the kids that maintain them do any cleaning except taking out trash. The showers are always sandy and nasty and we have to clean them before we use them. It has been this way for a while and the title grout is black. Come on Salt Ponds, you are better than this!

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Reviewed by: Joe on Aug 1, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Two night visit in July 2019. Great location. Superb staff. Excellent amenities and very nice pool. General Manager, Cindy, went way out of her way to make our stay fun and comfortable. We will be back!!

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Reviewed by: Pete on May 25, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 25'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Probably the best marina we have been to in Virginia. Tremendous setting in salt marsh, with great facilities and staff. Herons, egrets, crabs, great atmosphere, great setting, couldn’t ask for more. Walking distance to small beach town with a few restaurants and bars.

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Reviewed by: Tim , Acadia, on Apr 9, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

We are long term Salt Ponds/Long Creek boaters and for years moored our sailboat behind our home here. When we moved to a much larger trawler, our home dock was no longer adequate but the team at the Salt Ponds Marina found us a great location on a T-head and we've never looked back. Now that the inlet has been dredged and other inlet infrastructure improvements are funded by the city, our little slice of Chesapeake heaven is going to become very well known! Great location, wonderful staff, reasonable prices. Can't ask for more!

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Reviewed by: Dleidy on Nov 26, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 32'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 1

Entrance shoals, no restaurant.

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Reviewed by: Bill Lawrenson on May 24, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

The management has been nothing but helpful to us during a time when we had to schedule and cancel and rebook our planned stay with them. We are now there and are most happy. It is a great value for what it is - convenient to the bay and floating full length docks. Water at the end of the breakwater is getting a little low. Make sure you observe the picture guide supplied by the marins. Once inside it is as advertised.

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Reviewed by: Jim , S/V Shamrock, on Dec 22, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 37'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

This is a unique stop-over. It is an easy in and easy out. The channel is at least 6.5 to 7 feet at MLW. We've been at Salt Ponds Marina going on 14 years and it's really been nice.

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Reviewed by: Bob Shively on Jun 1, 2016

Salt Ponds Marina was a great stop on our northbound passage. Friendly staff. We were a late arrival after a long day and the harbormaster held space for us on the fuel dock and left bathhouse keys on the pump. Great restaurant onsite. We will return.

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