Reviews: Morningstar Marinas Southport

Reviewed by: Richard Harper , 7th Heaven, on Aug 10, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

We secured a slip at the marina for a week due to Tropical Storm Debby. The staff was very helpful in securing our boat at the dock. Marina perfect location to town and Old Yacht Basin a row of restaurants on the water.
Facilities are modern and well maintained. They have a courtesy car that a driver will drive you to supermarket or a restaurant. Definitely a plus. Highly recommend this marina.

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Reviewed by: Jj on Jul 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Good face dock, Easy in and out

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Reviewed by: John Highsmith , CAT O' MINE, on Jul 13, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 26'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

In a basin mostly protected from ICW wakes. Spotless climate controlled bath house. Attentive staff, historic houses and mueseum.

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Reviewed by: Peter Searles , Schuyler, on May 13, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This was a great marina right off the ICW with beautiful new docks. The staff was very helpful in getting us tied up and situated. The marina is walking distance to a quaint little town with a variety of restaurants and shops..

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Reviewed by: Richard Lewis , Sea-Quel, on May 2, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 56'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Great location , very nice facilities and staff that goes above and beyond. Theresa was wonderful in assisting us with a package that was delivered after we had left. Southport is a neat city and marina is within walking distance to multiple restaurants. Can't wait to go back.

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Reviewed by: Kevin Williams , m/v Blue Tortuga, on Apr 19, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Marina is within walking distance of the restaurants and shops along the waterfront. Solid wooden floating docks. Good restroom, shower and laundry facilities. Good areas for groups to get together. Easy in-out right on the ICW. Helpful and knowledgeable staff. Good marina for multiple nights.

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Reviewed by: Lisa Vidor on Jun 18, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Easy into town. Loved the vibe in town. Harbor host met us and we were invited to Docktails. One of the places that was hard to leave!

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Reviewed by: Graeme Walker , Confirmed Aquaholic, on May 14, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 54'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great marina, easy walk to town and restaurants. Oliver's was especially good. Robert Creech is AGLCA HH here and very helpful with details on AICW both North and South.

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Reviewed by: Douglas Morrow on Apr 26, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 14.0'

Rating: 5

Very nice marina and great location. It's an easy walk to restaurants, shopping is a little further to walk. I did not use the showers or laundry.

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Reviewed by: Lori Pickette on Apr 18, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

We only stayed one night and didn't go to any of the area restaurants even though they are within walking distance (we were too tired). Showers/bathrooms are single sex and clean, laundry machines appear new. Staff was very helpful and attentive.

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Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Apr 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

Very well-run marina with excellent facilities. Sheltered from wind and wake, although small fishing boats do come and go, sometimes very early in the morning. Plenty of help docking. Friendly staff. Nice bathrooms and laundry facility. Walking distance from restaurants and town.

Extremely dog friendly -- they had their own dog park on the premises!

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Reviewed by: Kurtis Keller , Happy Place, on Aug 18, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

Quite helpful and friendly staff, easy docking especially if on the long, outer transient slip dock in the afternoon. Walk to restaurants (0.4 mile) and then historic downtown (few more blocks), quite convenient. If weather is August hot though, one thinks about how nice a pool might be after this walk. Otherwise, it is a beautiful town to explore with antique shops, excellent food selections and seems like more ice cream shops than there are people.

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Reviewed by: Peg O’Leary , Moana, on Aug 2, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Can't say enough about the helpful staff here. They bent over backwards to help us. Very convenient and even though we were right along the ICW, it was a smooth night. All facilities are very clean.
It's just a 15 minute walk to restaurants but with a feels like temp of 108 degrees and storms in the forecast, we didn't have an opportunity to explore. Would stop there again if we get the chance.

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Reviewed by: Green Turtle Bay Marina- Ford - Buena on May 4, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Very nice facility just off ICW. Well protected. Marina offers all amenities along with a great staff that was super-helpfiul both coming in and leaving. The facility is within walking distance of downtown Southport with lots of restaurants and shops. Although we didn't need a grocery store, we were happy to find an Ace Hardware less than two miles away that was an easy bike ride to get some needed things. Highly recommend this facility and this town for a multi-night stopover!

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Reviewed by: Benjamin Resch on Apr 24, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 5

Great facility, mostly new, docks in very good shape. Electrical water was all relatively new. Experienced dockhands, and bast part - 10 minute enjoyable walk into Southport - really makes this marina worthwhile. Laundry and restroom facilities were clean and new.

We did find that the marina can be slow to respond to hail on VHF 16 - might be due to short staffing, so just need to be patient. It's worth it!

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Reviewed by: John Tyrell on Mar 17, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.7'

Rating: 4

This is our second extended stay here and everything is great. The marina has been completely rebuilt since Hurricane Dorian. Docks are nice, wide stable floating docks. Eric was very pleasant booking our reservation and understanding that schedules change. Austin did a great job helping us dock, tie up and get situated. Along a no-wake area - which is enforced - we have seen the sheriff boat waiting for speeders. Walking distance to restaurants and quaint touristy town.

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Reviewed by: Captain Bulldog on Feb 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

This is a popular stop once again now that it has reopened after severe past storm damage. Easy in and out off the AICW with several excellent restaurants within walking distance.

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Reviewed by: Michelle Dixon , Sunset , on Jul 17, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Stayed for 3 days at the marina. They are still under construction after being damaged from the hurricane. Dock hands are really helpful, as the current can be a little swift with winds. Laundry and bathrooms are very clean if needed. Plenty of areas to walk to town and eat. A little rocky but to be expected as your right off the ICW.

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Reviewed by: Brian Chapin , Tug Life, on Apr 29, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 1

Marina still not open for transient slips due to supply delays after hurricane damage. Only overnight option is free docks at Provision Company Restaurant..

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Reviewed by: Pete Stott , Salsa, on Nov 16, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Great marina. Short walk to the very nice community, shops and restaurants. Be sure to attend Hank Pomeranz's helpful weather/cruising briefing held nightly. Also, if you need service, Zimmerman Marine is very responsive...ask for Steve.

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Reviewed by: Robert Sherer on Jun 30, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

The marina is first rate but the real attraction for the cruising crowd are the nightly briefings by Hank Pomeranz on the condition of the shallows and weather on the ICW during the migration season. His briefings are not to be missed.

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Reviewed by: Terrance Godbold on Apr 28, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Although this marina is very proud of their fuel prices and slip fees, the dock hands were very helpful. Brought the Magic in with the wind "blowing!!" With a single screw and no bow thruster, we easily brought her in with assistance from hands. Good facilities with good hot shower. Be aware, this is a tourist center and prices indicate that. Ferry to Bald Head is $25 a person with nothing but a good beach to see. Town is just a short walk. Although expensive, we would stop here again.

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Reviewed by: Captains Jean & Jerry Coleman , Makin Memories, on Apr 27, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Not only is this marina well appointed and close to town, the staff is amazingly helpful. Not to be missed is a FREE seminar each night on what to expect in navigating the Cape Fear River and the ICW up to Norfolk. Hank gives full weather forecasts and areas to beware of for your trip. These seminars are every night for two weeks in the spring and again in the fall.

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Reviewed by: John Rockwell on Apr 24, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Yes this place costs more (but not outrageous). But the location can't be beat if you want to see Southport, or just eat out.

If you arrive when the dock crew is there, you are in luck as the guys are the best and very skilled. They try to leave the south facing open till the last as it is easiest to get into unassisted if the dock crew have gone home. This spot can be a little rocky as it is open to the ICW and the south breeze, so use use a few extra bumpers for a peaceful night.

The laundry was clean and working. Wifi at the end of the dock was weak, but OK up by the laundry (if you want to stream a movie while the cloths cycle through the wash.)

Wifi strength was only complaint.

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Reviewed by: Eddy Johnsen , Spiritus, on Apr 20, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

The ONLY negative about this marina is that at times it can be exposed to wind-generated wave action. Otherwise, the entire staff is very professional and willing to accommodate. Facilities such as the showers, laundry room, ship store, fuel dock, picnic and gathering areas are extremely well looked after. The downtown area is a convenient walk to the North Carolina Maritime Museum, cafes, stores, and numerous restaurants. A great location to have friends or family come to spend some time with you while you're cruising.

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