Reviews: Bald Head Island Marina

Reviewed by: Kevin Carter on Oct 27, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Very nice place to stay. The marina Dockmaster and her crew are extremely friendly and helpful. The only cautionary note is that you need to coordinate entering and exiting the marina with the ferry boats which are on the 1/2 hour. Entrance channel is very narrow and two large boats can't pass easily. Wait a minute after the ferry boat passes through to allow its wash to calm and enter or exit the channel quickly due to the river current. Best at peak high tide.

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Reviewed by: Phil Barbalace on Aug 27, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 25'
Draft: 2.0'

Rating: 1

Wanted to dock a small boat for a 3-4 hr. visit. Woman on the phone quoted the overnight rate of $70 for the 3-4 hr. visit and was a bit arrogant at the same time. Not a good place for day visits and no other options.

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Reviewed by: Len Polistina , Here and Now, on Jul 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

We did not stay at Marina but got fuel. Really nice island and store at fuel dock is well stocked. Friendly helpful staff

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Reviewed by: Brad Valdyke on Jun 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 60'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

June 2024, stayed two nights. Easy in and out, be aware of the ferry and barge schedule - they take precedence. Marina staff was friendly and most helpful! Nice bathrooms and showers. Resturant and golf cart prices were reasonable, grocery expensive.

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Reviewed by: David Mann , Now or Never, on Oct 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.7'

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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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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Reviewed by: Benjamin Resch 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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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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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

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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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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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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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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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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)

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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.

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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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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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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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