Reviews: Bald Head Island Marina
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Bald Head Island Marina
Bald Head Island, NC 28461
AIWW 2.8 mi. S of MM 309.0 CF 13A
- Lat / Lon: N 33° 52.617' / W 078° 00.017'
- Hours: 9 AM - 4 PM
- Contact: Ben Traynham
- VHF Monitored: 16
- VHF Working: 10
- Phone: (910) 457-7380; Marina Reservations
- Fax: (910) 457-7403
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.BaldHeadIslandMarina.com
4.36 out of 5 stars
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Review for Bald Head Island Marina
Reviewed by:
David Mann
, Now or Never,
on Oct 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.9'Rating: 5
The docks and associated equipment are all in excellent shape. The marina staff is accessible and good at their job. As stated elsewhere the approach can be a little tricky due to currents and or winds but is very doable. We used our e-bikes on the island which worked quite well.
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Review for Bald Head Island Marina
Reviewed by:
Michael Satrazemis
, Whippetgood,
on Mar 2, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 3.0'Rating: 5
We have been coming here for years in all types of craft. Super nice staff and always as accommodating as can be. Park the boat, rent a house and bring everyone, it's a wonderful place. Do pay attention to water traffic in and out of entrance! Mike
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Review for Bald Head Island Marina
Reviewed by:
Benjamin Resch
, La Mistinguette,
on Nov 20, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 5.5'Rating: 4
Great way to see BHI. Reasonably well appointed, dockhands are professional, patient and very helpful. Strong Cape Fear currents and high winds from N required a strong push to maintain control through the harbor entrance, but it was doable. Also, ferry and tug traffic operate from in the marina, and run frequently. BE WATCHFUL entering/leaving so as not to get in a tangle with them.
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Review for Bald Head Island Marina
Reviewed by:
Heiden Cumberbatch
on Oct 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.5'Rating: 5
The staff was really friendly and helpful we also got a warm feeling from them, the place was really clean. Easy dock to getting on and off for fuel and water.
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Review for Bald Head Island Marina
Reviewed by:
Heiden Cumberbatch
on Oct 3, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.5'Rating: 5
The staff was really friendly and helpful we also got a warm feeling from them, the place was really clean. Easy dock to getting on and off fuel
Business Response:
Thank you so much! We look forward to seeing you again! JoeneView location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Review for Bald Head Island Marina
Reviewed by:
Mo Mo
on Jul 11, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 52'
Draft: 5.0'Rating: 2
Beautiful island, no doubt there. Everyone helpful and friendly. However we got rocked to death non stop, even when no ferry or boats present, it was like being anchored in the open ocean with 4 to 6 waves, no joke. Feel like this should be disclosed, especially when I specifically asked if it was bad on the docks as they warned us about incoming currents when approaching. Couldn't sleep all night, never had this experience at a dock before in all the places we have stayed. Cut trip short and left next morning. Very disappointed, wanted another day or two to enjoy island.
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Review for Bald Head Island Marina
Reviewed by:
Ross Wiltse
on May 15, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.0'Rating: 5
This marina is a must try, reason is: It mimics Nantucket up north, no cars, only bikes and golf carts. Now getting here is an adventure. The Cape Fear River provides strong currents and exposure to strong winds. Make sure you plan the entrance close to slack tide. Also, the ferry has right of way in the single boat channel, so call ahead and make sure you don't have to do a quick turn to get out of the way. A very unique visit once tied up. Good dock help. There is a grocery store mid-island if you need supplies. Restaurants around the island as well. Explore the island, it is unique.
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Review for Bald Head Island Marina
Reviewed by:
Louis Peloubet
on May 5, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.5'Rating: 5
Friendly - professional - helpful - What a great marina and great people. I’ll be back!
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Review for Bald Head Island Marina
Reviewed by:
John Murphy
, ConNora Mae,
on Apr 26, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 32'
Draft: 4.9'Rating: 4
Stayed in April 2021. Marina staff were excellent - friendly, informative and helpful. Had a transient slip on F dock - very easy to maneuver in and out, but it was too close to the ferry and its noise and wash (hourly from 730am to 1130pm) and too far from the restrooms/showers (long walk around the marina). The restrooms and showers were just redone and looked great! Suggest requesting A or T docks - although they are closer to the restaurants and associated noise, they are closer to everything. BHI is a great place to visit - unique in so many ways.
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Review for Bald Head Island Marina
Reviewed by:
Bruce Stewart
, Escape,
on Apr 16, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.0'Rating: 5
Great location and service, Called for a slip in the morning and was told that they could get me in. Dockmaster was fantastic, very friendly and helpful. Facilities meet all our needs and expectations.
Call as you get close to the jetty to see if the ferry is coming out (best to let him clear the area before you shoot inside)View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Review for Bald Head Island Marina
Reviewed by:
Richard Johnson
, Bam Bam,
on Apr 28, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.0'Rating: 2
Visited BH with my wife and 6 friends from Virginia. They were very excited to visit because they heard so much about the island. I called ahead to make sure they had dockage for us to come and eat lunch. I was using my 21' Grady dual console for the voyage. The inlet channel was a lot rougher than the river but we made it in with minimal salt spays hitting my guests. We arrived to find there was only one slip available as far away from the restaurants as possible. Meanwhile there we 10 empty slips right in front of the restaurants. The dock hand could not have been nicer and followed us in his skiff and gave us a ride to the fuel dock by all the restaurants. We chose Mojo's (great service and food). Halfway through lunch a women approached us from the gap in the railing (we were eating outside on the deck. She informed me where the dockmaster office was and that I should visit before I left. I asked her why and she told me I owed $20 for dockage. I did not like her rude attitude. It was like she was accusing me of trying to get away with something. Before I cam that morning I called to ask about dockage to make sure there were slips available for the public and no one mentioned a fee. I mentioned this and she asked me if I should be able to come to BHI for free. I responded with I was coming to support local businesses (Mojo's and the gift shops) and to show people who might want to rent or buy property. All of my guests were amazed by the nickel and dime attitude. I live in Wilmington and have brought several people to BHI over the last 10 years to show the island and eat. Maybe I have gotten away with murder but no one ever asked me to pay for dockage. I will never bring my guests from out of town there again.
WG Editor Comment:
Marina Management Response:
We are very sorry you had a bad experience at Bald Head Island Marina (BHIM). We understand that many restaurants in the Cape Fear and surrounding areas allow docking and dining without a fee. This presents disappointment for many of our guests when they first find out that the same is not true at BHIM. The restaurants at BHI do not own any slips, nor do they have slips available for visiting boaters for free. BHIM has always charged a fee for docking. That fee is currently $20.00 for less than 5 hours for vessels 30 feet and under. Vessels over 30’are charged an overnight rate which is based on vessel length.
We also understand the many empty slips in front of the restaurant might give you the perception that you could have used one of them for your visit. Unfortunately, not all slips at BHI Marina are available for rent. All BHI Marina sips are individually owned units in a nonresidential condominium, and only some of those slips are available for rent through the BHI Marina Dockmaster. We try to place transients in a slip that most closely matches the boat’s length, and desired location. On the day of your visit, it was not possible to get you closer to the restaurants, and thus our assistant went out to meet you and bring you back to the office. Any slips close to the restaurant were either already occupied, or simply not in our rental pool.
We will try to make sure our staff does a better job of alerting the visitor of the fees in the future, and certainly we should have done this on the phone before your arrival, and when you arrived in person.
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Review for Bald Head Island Marina
Reviewed by:
Rogue Angel
on Nov 1, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'Rating: 5
Hidden gem, great place for a stop over or mini vacation. Lots of hiking and scenic beauty. Good provisioning and a ferry service to the mainland if needed. I agree with the approach, stay on the throttles and be mindful of the surge.
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Review for Bald Head Island Marina
Reviewed by:
mark 10
on Jun 1, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 5.0'Rating: 5
Another gem, natural beauty and charm. No cars, great place.
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Review for Bald Head Island Marina
Reviewed by:
Elena&Meg
on Dec 16, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 6.0'Rating: 4
New, well kept facility. We visited in the off-season: place was deserted. Ambiance is 5 stars - if you like tranquility. The island has NO cars, people in golf carts offer lifts. The natural beauty is off the charts! Best maintained hiking trails, boardwalks, and humanly accessible nature this side of Key West! One star off for scary approach (with swells and surge - keep the throttles hot), and a surge in the marina. Side note: The grocery store has a wine collection that will satisfy (and surprise) many a connoisseur. BHI = nature & civility at its finest
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