Reviews: South Haven Municipal Marina - Southside Marina

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South Haven Municipal Marina - Southside Marina

345 Water Street
South Haven, MI 49090
Lake Michigan

Lat / Lon: N 42° 24.172' / W 086° 16.633'
Hours: 8am-8pm 6/1 to 9/1; 9-5 Off-Season
Contact: Todd Newberry
VHF Monitored: 9
VHF Working: 68
Phone: (269) 637-3171; Marina Office
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.southhavenmi.gov/parks_and_recreation/marinas.php

4.20

(10)

4.20 out of 5 stars

Review for South Haven Municipal Marina - Southside Marina

Reviewed by: Scott Vanderstoep , Hope and Dreams, on Sep 27, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 30'
Draft: 3.6'

Rating: 5

Staff is great. Nice boaters' lounge both inside and outside (partially covered)--loopers had a huge docktails gathering there. The locals are super friendly. Marina has bikes, laundry (quarters). No uber or ground transportation. Walking distance to almost anything and lots to do. Marina shop at Gull Lake has essential boat stuff. Coffee, food, drinks are all good. The only thing we needed outside of walking distance was grocery store, which we did with a bike, but it was a bit dicey because a couple of the roads were busy, 10-minute bike ride.

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Review for South Haven Municipal Marina - Southside Marina

Reviewed by: Lori Pickette on Sep 26, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Fixed docks in a slightly tight marina. We had trouble with our pedestal and the staff were quick to assist. Password protected bathrooms/showers are clean and the boater's lounge is nice for any Captain's Meetings that may need to be arranged. Grills and picnic tables are perfect for potlucks with your fellow cruisers. Town is an easy walk away with shops, restaurants, breweries and wine tasting just steps away. Aside from problems with our pedestal in which the staff was quick to assist, we'd stay again. The marina is a little tight but no current to overcome. If you take it slow, it's manageable.

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Review for South Haven Municipal Marina - Southside Marina

Reviewed by: Tom Taylor on Jul 17, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 0.0'

Rating: 5

Southside marina seems to be reserved for transients. Very nice facilities. Hundreds of boats along river. On prime boating days gets pretty busy. Great museum. Easy walk to beach and downtown. I borrowed a marina provided bike and rode it 1 mile east to Meijer's, a Walmart like mega grocery. Remnants of big rollers will make it up the river and cause minor boat rocking.

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Review for South Haven Municipal Marina - Southside Marina

Reviewed by: GRANT EAGLE on Sep 7, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 2

Very disappointed after hearing so many good things, especially disappointed with our slip assignment. We were assigned a slip which allowed us about 8" on each side between the dock and outside post. Much too small a slip for our 47 ft. boat with a 15 ft. beam. Stern end cleat was secured by one bolt. Worst slip we have had since the beginning of our loop. Dangerous for us getting off and on the boat with dock height and wrong side for the tie. We asked for alternative on approach, but were told there was not a port side tie. We found that we could have been placed on the outer dock as there was room. Had a few other small issues based on inexperience of the personnel on duty. Don't want to give the marina or town a bad wrap as we are only here for one night, but I will be glad to move on.

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Review for South Haven Municipal Marina - Southside Marina

Reviewed by: Patricia And Steven Stanley , Calypso, on Aug 25, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

South Haven is one of our favorite stops on The Loop. The municipal marina has fixed, wooden docks, bathrooms, showers, laundry and a captains lounge. The staff are friendly and efficient. Wifi works well on the docks and there are courtesy bikes to borrow. Stores, restaurants and fun activities are nearby. A grocery store is about a mile away.

We stayed for 2 nights. On the first day we walked to the yacht harbor (closed) and toured the maritime museum. It's a great museum worth a visit. We enjoyed learning about the steam ship history on the Great Lakes. We viewed coast guard rescue boats and vintage power boats. We also visited the local American Legion Hall. Nice!

On our second day we went to the Farmers Market and enjoyed a meal at Clementines. Based on recommendations, we had the world famous onion rings and perch. Delicious!

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Review for South Haven Municipal Marina - Southside Marina

Reviewed by: Linda McCormick on Jul 30, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Definitely a tourist destination, lots of shops and restaurants, but no sign of a grocery store. The South Basin Marina has gang washrooms, individual showers, a boater lounge, and large outdoor gathering spaces. Very helpful staff who keep an eye on everything. A hike to town and a piece of grass for the dogs.

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Review for South Haven Municipal Marina - Southside Marina

Reviewed by: Wade A. on Feb 3, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We were "weathered in" @ South Haven for a week in Sept 2021. Southside is the transient marina. Access is good, as are fixed docks and facilities. Easy walk to a charming downtown, beach, dining, etc. Staff is OUTSTANDING.

But....

Southside is very exposed to lake waves when winds are from the W or NW. The manager graciously moved us and 3 others to empty seasonal slips at the Northside and Museum marinas (which they also manage) and gave us access to those facilities.

A great stop, but watch the wind forecast

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Review for South Haven Municipal Marina - Southside Marina

Reviewed by: Bill Mcmahon on Sep 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Typical Michigan municipal marina (a good thing). Floating dock, both posts and cleats. Tight turn in the fairway, but not too bad. Close to town, but not right in it.

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Review for South Haven Municipal Marina - Southside Marina

Reviewed by: Brian Chapin , Tug Life, on Jul 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 25'
Draft: 2.0'

Rating: 5

Helpful staff. Fixed docks. Boater dock is gated but not locked. Restrooms and showers clean, updated with code access. Great location to town. One block up hill to restaurants. Try Black River Tavern for the lake perch! Marina adjacent to green space and 2 blocks to beach and pier with lighthouse. Unlimited access to loaner bicycles. Fuel available on both sides of river.

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Review for South Haven Municipal Marina - Southside Marina

Reviewed by: Peter Walton on Sep 15, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Good internet, short walk to nice town. Easy walk to great hardware store.

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