Reviews: Manteo Waterfront Marina

Reviewed by: Jason Spitz , Breathe, on Jun 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great dock with access to the town of Manteo. 24 hour limit. Chris, the Dockmaster, was super nice. With heavy winds, gusting to over 30 knots and no other boats at the dock, he allowed us to stay an extra night.

Theres lots to do here. Highly recommend the Dare Arts Center, Rum Distillery, museums, parks, brewery, and El Shaddai restaurant. Greek restaurant in shopping center next to dock was good too. Instacart will deliver from multiple stores. We used the service and it worked out great.
24 hours here isn't enough so anchor out off the dock after!

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Reviewed by: Bev Hewitt , Blue Odyssey, on May 3, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Fixed docks, great location for nice boardwalk, downtown and restaurants. Grocery within walking distance. Clean bathrooms and laundry. Self serv pumpout available - no help during the week. Would stay here again. Free dock space nearby with no services available too.

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Reviewed by: Graeme Walker , Confirmed Aquaholic, on Jun 1, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 54'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We spent a week in Manteo due to weather. Enjoyed the area, used B & R Rent-A-Car and drove up/down hwy 12 on the Banks. Facilities are good, Barry (dockmaster) was very helpful printing off some documents. He's not in the Dockmaster's office but rather stationed at the Museum. Entrance off the main channel was a little skinny but doable, the video really helped. Would recommend.

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Reviewed by: Julie Covert on Nov 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 78'
Draft: 4.4'

Rating: 4

This marina is operated by the town of Manteo (pronounced Ma-knee-oh), so there isn't much staff available. The dock master has a variety of duties so he wasn't always immediately available but did communicate well with us, which was appreciated.
By prior arrangement, we stayed on the wall by the lighthouse, so the shore facilities were a bit farther away for us. The showers and laundry were very nice and clean.
We also happened to arrive the weekend of their wooden boat show, which was fun!

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Reviewed by: Anne Vickers on Jun 1, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 55'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We really appreciated the email with our slip assignment and a video of the approach to the marina avoiding the shoals of Shallowbag Bay. The best advice was to call the local Ford Dealer / B & R Rent-A-Car to arrange a rental car - Doc delivered the car to the marina and we were on our way to explore the Outer Banks beaches, sand dunes, lighthouses and Wright Brothers Memorial. Manteo Waterfront Marina was an excellent home base for our visit to the Outer Banks. Thank you!

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Reviewed by: Roger S. on Apr 27, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.6'

Rating: 5

The morning of our arrival the marina sent an email with clear information, instructions and a video for how to approach the marina through the shallow waters of Shallowbag Bay. We called the Dock Master as we approached and he confirmed our slip number that was included in the email. A couple of Loopers helped us get tied in. We asked about a rental car to go see Kitty Hawk the next day. The Dock Master said to call the local Ford dealer. We did and got a very comfortable Ford Fusion for $65 plus tax for a day. This is a great little town worth a few days to explore.

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Reviewed by: Kathy Kehoe Lee on Aug 7, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Made reservations on Dockwa received email to hail them on VHF 16 when we entered channel. When we entered channel we hailed them on channel 16 but they did not respond. Another marina responded and told us they do not monitor radio. I had to call them on the phone to request a pump out. Dockmaster came unlocked and told us to lock up after we finished. No help with docking sent email with slip info and code for restroom. Nice facility don't expect any help. Shallowbag Marina responded to us on VHF to make sure we had a dock space and to offer us their pump out . Next time I'm in Manteo I will stay there.

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Reviewed by: Jeremy Hatch on Jul 28, 2021
Draft: 0.0'

Rating: 5

Great Spot: approach from the North is straight forward using Aquamaps USACE Sonar data (we draw 5'). Lots to do, Dockmaster is not there full time so phone may be best. Troy came back to assist us docking at 5:15 in 20kt wind! Hard to beat.

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Reviewed by: robert ashford , Yolanda Marie, on Jul 2, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Very nice Marina run by the town. Solid docks, power, water, pump-out, nice boaters lounge with clean facilities. Very walkable town, groceries, hardware historic sites, gardens. Super friendly people.. Pet friendly - dog park at the marina.

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Reviewed by: Richard Trumper on May 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

We were based here for 5 years and LOVED it! Multiple high quality restaurants nearby, 2 grocery stores within walking distance, lots of great shops and a movie theater just across the street. This town also does lots of special events (First Friday, Dare Days, Parades, Etc) so keep an eye on the Town's website.

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Reviewed by: Paula Adams , Wicked Good, on Apr 26, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 5

We just loved this location! The marina - has fixed docks; staff is present off-season on the weekends - full time in the peak season; if you wish to pump out off-season you'll need to do it when staff are there. No issue at all with the docks being fixed as there is no tide. Did not use the amenities as we had no need to. The marina is right in the town of Manteo on Roanoke Island and is charming! We really loved it! The town is great for shops and restaurants; a waterfront dock over a mile long; lovely parks; movie theater, etc. The island has lots to offer from reprovisioning, cycling paths, walking, the Island Farm is a must visit along with the Lost Colony National Historic Site. Two thumbs up for sure!

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Reviewed by: Allan Straughan on Sep 24, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

We hoped to spend a few days in Manteo, but ended up spending only one night as we needed to head south for schedule reasons. Weather and bridge closure robbed us of spending more time here. The marina staff were awesome! The WiFi is the best I’ve ever seen on my boat 55MB!! Shopping is close by (easy walking distance) including groceries. The docks were new and sturdy.

The only negatives are there is no security -anyone can walk the docks (and they do!) and these are fixed, not floating, docks. Oh, if you have a catamaran, they can accommodate you!

We will return!

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Reviewed by: ChrisnWalter , Broken Wind, on Aug 4, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 29'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Very nice marina. Thanks George for your assistance and local advice. Marina is extremely convenient to Manteo town attractions/businesses. Laundry/shower facilities are excellent--clean and air conditioned. Just a side note about the town--there are no full-service breakfast restaurants closer than one mile.

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Reviewed by: Paul T on May 28, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 54'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 4

The stay was shorter than we had hoped due to the place being very popular on weekends and holidays. The town is neat and tourist oriented with pleasure boat trips running from the marina. Some wake / ground swell was working its way in during our stay. Would go again for sure

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Reviewed by: Lucy Wilcox on Dec 13, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.9'

Rating: 5

We stayed at the free dock, which was more than adequate. The dockmaster gave helpful directions over the radio and assisted with tie-up. Wifi worked at the docks as well as the office. We visited post Hurricane Matthew and the channel navigation is unchanged. Great town to walk around; restaurants, Piggly Wiggly and hardware store with propane fills within an easy walk.

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