Reviews: Port of Salisbury Marina

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Sep 16, 2022
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

If you like exploring rivers, the tributary rivers of the Chesapeake are incredibly rich with history, natural beauty, and industry. The Port of Salisbury Marina was simply the excuse to travel the 25 miles up the Wicomico River. At the junction buoy with the Nanticoke River you are in the Chesapeake Bay. As you travel up the river it changes character and transitions to fresh water. At Whitehaven you have to deal with the cable ferry that is the oldest ferry in the USA with operations dating back to 1687. The second cable ferry, ten miles further upstream, Upper Ferry, dates to 1688. Three miles downstream from Salisbury is Pemberton Hall, a pre-revolutionary plantation that dates back to the 1740's.

The Wicomico River channel is well marked and deep. There are commercial operations in Salisbury that use the river for transport. We passed a barge and tow on our way up the river. Be prepared for currents on the trip with speeds of up to 1.5 miles per hour at the height of the ebb or flow. The marina is at the head of navigation with a low clearance bridge precluding further travel upriver. The marina is well laid out and sits in the middle of town. The fixed docks have protruding pylons and, with the four foot tide, careful line placement and fender boards are necessary. We had 12 mlw depth at the T-head. Water and power are in good working order although there are some dock planks that really need to be replaced soon. The staff was responsive to our questions and the marina provides older shower facilities (individual toilet/shower rooms) as well as an excellent (and inexpensive 1 dollar wash/75 cent dryer) laundry room. Courtesy bikes are available. The nearest supermarket and pharmacy are about a mile from the marina. Security is provided with a lock gate separating the docks from the downtown parking lot. Brew River restaurant and dockbar are next door and several other restaurants are within walking distance.. Cellular reception is good for the Big Three. There is a small dog park upriver just beyond the Brew River restaurant. We liked the place so we stayed an extra day.

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Reviewed by: Jani Parker on Jun 27, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 31'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Friendly and clean and close to restaurants and a wonderful free municipal zoo. Worth the beautiful 20-mile trip up the river.

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