Reviews: Kingfisher Bay Marina

Reviewed by: Lane DeVries on Nov 26, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.2'

Rating: 5

Friendly and helpful staff! Great place to spend a couple of nights. Courtesy car is a bonus to have for provisioning and going out for a nice dinner. Laundry, restrooms and showers are clean as a whistle. Lots of Loopers enjoying this marina and time together!

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Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Nov 23, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

The Kingfisher Bay Marina is a very nice marina. They provided excellent communications on channel 16/09 as we approached the marina all the way to the fuel docks. There were high winds the days we arrived and there were dock hands at both the fuel dock and the slip to help us get tied up. The staff could not be more friendly. Fuel prices and pump-out services were very reasonably priced. We did not use the restroom or shower facilities, but based upon the rest of the facility we would readily assume they are more than adequate and clean. There is a ships store near the fuel docks, but we did not visit so we cannot comment. The laundry room is excellent with six large-sized washers and dryers and large folding tables. The Loopers actually used the laundry room as a meeting area to plan our morning departure through the Demopolis Lock. Docks were relatively new, very stable, and had easy access to 30/50-amp power and water. We would definitely stop here again.

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Reviewed by: Paul Steindorf , Ohana, on Oct 13, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Kingfisher Bay has what you need, wide slips, air conditioned lounge, baths showers, fuels, pump out , courtesy car, swimming pool. Many covered slips. Floating docks. Some repairs, Travel lift. Clean.

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Reviewed by: John Highsmith , CAT O' MINE, on Oct 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 26'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

Clean climate controlled bath house, e0 gas was only $3.99, helpful staff, loaner car. Demopolis Lock is the pickiest regarding cruisers at this busy commercial lock...call the night before and sign up for a group lockage at the lounge.

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Reviewed by: Scott Gregory , My Happiness, on Sep 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We were here Oct. 30, 23. Great staff. We came in with some higher winds; staff helped us get tied off at the fuel dock and another staff member helped us get tied off at our slip. Clean restrooms and laundry area and a lot of good boaters were met. They also had a loaner car that helped with our provisioning. A number of Loopers were here waiting for November 1 to go below the 32 parallel

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Reviewed by: William Mcnutt , Excellent Seas, on Jun 3, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 4

#marinareview
The Kingfisher Bay Marina, Demopolis, AL
Kingfisher Bay is a lovely, fairly new facility located just upstream from the old Demopolis Yacht Basin. They also run an RV park, but I didn't see any of that.
The staff is responsive on VHF 16, although I have never gotten a callback when I left voicemail via phone. Not sure what to make of that.
Kingfisher has a LARGE number of covered slips for the locals, and maintains a significant number of uncovered slips for us transients. The fuel dock is well attended during regular business hours, but I don't know if you can get service after-hours.
Fuel prices are competitive, and the slip fees feel particularly friendly after what I had to pay at Bobby's Fish Camp for no amenities at all.
In addition to power, water, fuel, and pumpout services, Kingfisher offers a shower-house, a covered outdoor boater's gathering space (with wet bar!) and there's an outdoor pool somewhere.
The General Store is an odd mix of "a bunch of stuff that could be really handy" and "there's not much here."
For example: two different sizes of drain hose (for boats), 8 sizes of hose clamps, 10 different kinds of anodes, huge tubes of 3m 4200, but no small ones. Vienna Sausages and a few other canned goods, but no fresh food. T-shirts. There's room for more stock. I suspect as they find out what sells they will be stocking a wider variety of merchandise.
Oh, I almost forgot: the laundry room is equipped with six industrial-sized washers and dryers, so there's rarely any wait to get started. My only complaint about the entire facility, well, one of two complaints is that you have to go back around to the store to get change for the laundromat. And it's a half-mile around the harbor! Who puts in a coin-operated laundry with no change machine?
There's wifi all over the site, but the closer you are to the laundromat, the better the signal is. Mind you, I got perfectly adequate service out at the end of the transient dock.
My second complains is that visiting the fuel dock or store requires a VERY long walk around the harbor, but I don't know what they could do about that.

All in all, my stay was a very positive, not crushingly expensive, experience.

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Reviewed by: Tony Green on Dec 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 26'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

First-class operation. Excellent boater's lounge with open-air upper deck, lots of laundry machines and excellent bathrooms, with clean showers. Nice grounds for walking around. Courtesy car and they help coordinate groups to lock down together at Demopolis.

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Reviewed by: Gary Harkins , Nauti-Dog, on Nov 22, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 35'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

The only negative is the office is on the fuel dock and a good 1/2 mile from the slips. They have everyone stop at the fuel dock so you don't have to do that walk. Very friendly staff. Other boaters helped us dock. The laundry was $2 a load but extra large machines. The showers were the best so far. One shower had handicap rails. The laundry, showers and lounge were all in one building at dock level. The lounge area was large with a big table and lots of chairs including rockers. The dog relief was up a steep ramp on shore. The primary docks are long making it a long walk to the showers etc. There are port and starboard finger docks so you have a choice of tie.

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Reviewed by: Rick Vicars on Nov 6, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

10-28-23 Still a great stop but now they are charging 3.5 percent surcharge if a credit card is used for payments and slip fees have also increased. This used to be the best fuel price from the Tennessee River to Mobile but all good things must come to and end.

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Reviewed by: Michael Smith on Oct 21, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 33'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

This marina is top notch. Entry was about 6 feet and then plenty of water in the marina. Kim is a very helpful manager. Easy to access the fuel dock/pumpout. Very nice ships store with lots of goodies and ice cream. Two hour courtesy car was great. The Red Barn restaurant is very good and busy (get there early). The restroom and laundry facilities are very clean and four washer/dryers available. The Demopolis Yacht Basin is now only for commercial tows according to Kim.

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Reviewed by: Captain Wes on Jul 1, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Great and friendly as always. A must stop either direction on the Tombigbee!

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Reviewed by: Robert , Slow Dancing, on May 19, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Stayed two nights here on a trip down the rivers to move my boat home.

I knew it was going to be a long day, and that we would get in after the office closed. Called them first thing in the morning. They held a spot for me, and then texted me (as promised) about 3pm with the details on the location for my slip including a picture of the dock layout map, with my slip circled.

We got in around 6:30pm, so no staff around. We pulled into a slip on a floating dock which was in good repair. 50Amp power and water available at the slip.

The marina is relatively large. Marina office and fuel dock are a good walk around. You might call the office, and see if one of the staff can come pick you up in a golf cart for the ride over and back.

Large boater's lounge with restrooms/showers and a bunch of coin operated washers/dryers. Neat and clean, but the AC was cranked up way too cold in the restroom/shower area. Brrrr…. Too cold for me. Open air gathering space and bar(?) on the roof of the building, but underneath the tall roof covering the boats in covered slips.

Entrance was a bit shallow, but there was more than enough water for my boat, and deeper inside the marina.

Fuel dock has gas, diesel & pumpout. Some of the slips appear to have a pumpout fixture every other slip, cart with the hose at head of the pier. I did not pumpout here, so no experience to report.

The Marina Office, which is at the fuel dock, has a very limited supply of things. T-shirts, sodas, a few snacks, a very small selection of some marine supplies. Other than a bunch of Kingfisher Bay marina t-shirts, not a lot of selection.

There is a swimming pool, which we would have used but for an afternoon rainstorm. Lots of grassy areas for dog walking. No dogs with us, but we saw others out walking dogs.

Courtesy van is available, call the office to sign up for a two hour timeslot. Walmart, fast food, banks, etc are about a 10 minute drive.

I liked this marina a lot.

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Reviewed by: Rick Vicars on Apr 30, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

I agree withe the previous posts but now they are charging 3.5 percent surcharge if a credit card is used. for payments.

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Reviewed by: David Ellis , Blue Moon, on Dec 23, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Was there in December and it was expected to be quiet. Facilities were clean and 100% operational. Beautiful area and close to town. Fred, Marina Manager, made a point to introduce himself and was very welcoming. I look forward to working with them to complete my boat's survey and this will be the start point for our loop adventure.

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Reviewed by: Sandra Streng , Gettin’ Nauti , on Nov 18, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great stop with friendly staff & nice facilities. Met a local (Archie Bird) who drove us around & told us all about the history of the town.

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Reviewed by: Brian Wicks on Nov 16, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 2.0'

Rating: 4

Dockmaster Anna Marie came to guide us on our late arrival at night at the dock. Very helpful staff and nice facilities!

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Reviewed by: Patricia And Steven Stanley , Calypso, on Nov 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Kingfisher Bay Marina is a nice stop with friendly, efficient staff. They caught our lines initially at the fuel dock so we could fuel up, empty our holding tank and check in. They also helped us at our slip. The marina has solid floating concrete docks, fuel with free pumpout, a ships store, nice bathrooms and showers, 4 (!) washer/driers, a captain's lounge, and a courtesy car. There's no restaurant on site but they do have free pump out at the dock.

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Reviewed by: Graeme Walker , Confirmed Aquaholic, on Oct 25, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 54'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Excellent, Anne-Marie does a great job of getting boats into slips and explaining all the details. Slips are a long way from the office/store but otherwise everything else is close by. Four washers/dryer,good showers, courtesy car and local bus ($5ea) will take you anywhere within a 5hr time slot.

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Reviewed by: DeeDee H on Aug 28, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Excellent experience here. Stayed 2 nights in a covered slip and enjoyed this marina, the staff and the convenient gathering area for boaters. It was a great covered deck for docktails and to coordinate with those leaving in the morning for the lock. Courtesy car is also available but needs to be reserved in advance and provide gas receipt. Great place.

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Reviewed by: Jon Blacklock on May 16, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Excellent stay. This was second time for me at Kingfisher. Left boat for 2 months in covered slip. Super friendly and helpful folks. Easy walk into town but also a courtesy car available. Nice modern docks. Reasonable rates

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Reviewed by: Brian Chapin , Tug Life, on Mar 16, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 25'
Draft: 2.0'

Rating: 5

Kingfisher Marina at mi 216.9 is now the ONLY marina for recreational vessels and fuel. The Demopolis yacht basin at mi 216.7 just south is now strictly for commercial use. Kingfisher is an excellent facility all round. Note fuel dock and pumpout on east side of basin across from the slips.

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Reviewed by: Robert Hansen , Soulmate , on Dec 8, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 60'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Kingfisher Bay Marina is a very well-run facility in very strategic location! The office and service staff are excellent and very helpful! The docks, pedestals, trash containers and grounds are clean and in very good condition. The facilities, bathroom and showers are very clean and well maintained. The new fuel dock and store are superb!

There are both covered and non-covered docks, a great upper-level outdoor covered meeting area and nearby very nice outdoor pool area with tables and chairs. There are two nice laundry facilities available, one at the docks and the other at the fuel dock store location.

A good lender vehicle is available. Internet Wi-Fi access was adequate.

I look forward to staying at Kingfisher Bay Marina again!

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Reviewed by: Bill Mcmahon on Nov 23, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Nice new marina, friendly and efficient. Solid float docks with finger piers on both sides. The building for the excellent shower, restroom and laundry facilities is right on the main dock. A few more rules than your average marina, particularly with the courtesy car, but everything is so well run, it is a small price to pay. The quality of this marina is particularly noteworthy when you consider it is the only one in the area.

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Reviewed by: Jeffrey Skoda on Nov 6, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 65'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 4

Nice marina and very friendly. The check in process takes you to the fuel docks before dock assignment. They have a lock passage meeting for those leaving in the morning to get all the boats organized.

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Reviewed by: David Mann , Now or Never, on Nov 1, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.7'

Rating: 5

First off they answered their phone and were accommodating. Upon arrival they answered their radio (seriously), and met us at the fuel dock to get us fuel and to make our dock assignment. Everyone was very friendly and polite and told us numerous times to call if we needed anything. They presented us with printed information about their marina and local businesses of possible interest. The docks and pedestals were clean and in great condition. Their fuel was a little higher than we have paid so far but looking at their equipment and how the property is maintained we feel confident that the fuel is of good quality. Ships store has the usual convenience items and t shirts plus a fair selection of marine fluids and filters and supplies. Nice pool, clean laundry and shower facilities. Nice clubhouse. The WiFi did not work however they advised they would fix it the next day.

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Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Oct 24, 2021
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Kingfisher Bay Marina is in the middle of the metropolis of Demopolis Alabama. That, in itself, should make you wonder. The Good News is that the marina is a wonderful stop on the Black Warrior River and a welcomed relief to the Tenn-Tom Marina Challenged waterway.

The approach to the marina is LDB with a well-marked channel into the basin with a minimum of 6.5 feet of water opening up to 7+ in the basin. Gas dock is a long side tie with pump out and a pay station for fuel, pump out ($20 if you don't buy fuel – free if you do), and pay station for your stay. Slips are on two fingers in front of the fuel dock and negotiating the fairways and slips is easy as there is good protection from wind, no current and wide fairways. The docks and infrastructure is in good order and we found easy access to Wi Fi and acceptable speeds. The Dock office/store was adequate and the bathrooms/showers were clean and well taken care of. Laundry is available on site ($2 for wash and dry, quarters available in the store) and you are issued a tag to let security (on at night) know that you are not a freeloader.

The staff were wonderful. We were helped at the gas dock, helped at the slip and helped negotiating a trip into town for supplies at the Wal-Mart by the dock master, Anne-Marie. There were a lot of people moving south and Ann-Marie sponsored a meeting to coordinate moving towards the Demopolis lock in the morning. In all 12 boats left as sunrise.

Town is "adorable" but there is a Super Wal-Mart, a Dollar General, and a state liquor store as well as several local restaurants including "Smokin' Joe's" bar-b-que take out that serves local delicacies. No more needs to be said. There are several local attractions that, with time, might be interesting.

All in all, this is a stop that is worth considering beyond its strategic location right above the Demopolis Lock.

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Reviewed by: Capt. Jeff Gephart on May 9, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 62'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

A great facility and I enjoy stopping every time I make a delivery through there. They have a new fuel dock inside the protected harbor that just opened in April 2021. Great bathhouse with washers/dryers plus access to a courtesy car. Fair rates on everything.

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Reviewed by: Johnny Ross , 'Bout Time, on Apr 26, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 35'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

By far, the best marina on the Tenn/Tom. Have stopped here several times over the past 10 years and have seen the facility go from a good older facility, to an outstanding marina with new docks, great staff, and the cleanest restrooms and laundry on the River. Keep up the great work Fred!

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Reviewed by: Ro Whittingtpn , Liberty, on Jun 13, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 57'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Secure, maintained docks. Helpful, knowledgeable, pleasant staff.

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Reviewed by: Elbert and Brenda on May 30, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Great marina. Friendly people
If you are having any boat issues. Anna Marie can give you Matt's contact information
We highly recommend if you are in the area

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Reviewed by: Shawn on Jul 5, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.2'

Rating: 5

Very nice Marina. Amazing staff, very nice facility. We stayed 2 days to take a break from the Tombigbee. They have a courtesy car to use to go to town. Just an overall great stop.

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Reviewed by: Ian Ainsworth , Carina, on Nov 10, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Excellent well designed and maintained marina. A bonus was a covered slip at no extra charge.

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Reviewed by: Laura Stein , Have Another Day , on Nov 9, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 57'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Still a great stop to recharge. The marina staff is knowledgeable. AnnaMarie will talk you into your slip.....even in a torrential downpour with crazy high winds. We called and said no to covered bc of height. Then the rain really picked up. Called back and asked to change. They have 26' and 28' covered and we fit fine in the 28'. Departure meeting nightly to coordinate the lock the next morning. Courtesy car. We also walked to town with our kids. Playground and library were great.

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Reviewed by: Howard Entman on May 16, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 15.0'

Rating: 4

Nice new docks, good power, good wifi, courtesy car. If you are passing through the area going north or south, this is a logical stop.

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Reviewed by: Guy Wood , Onward, on Jul 21, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Kingfisher Bay is the best of the best!

We've spent many days here over the past couple years and the team and facilities have always been top notch.

It's obvious that the entire team knows boating and boaters, and they stop at nothing to make your visit pleasurable.

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Reviewed by: Mike Ebbers on May 16, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 33'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

I agree with Jill, nice place. Also they have floating docks. North of the hurricane line and south of the winterizing line. We biked to shopping.

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Reviewed by: Jill Sechez on Aug 24, 2016
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Very friendly and helpful staff. The boater's lounge is nice with Wifi and a television. Clean showers and the washers and dryers are in great shape. The marina has a nice pool, and a courtesy car to get you to town, and to shopping which is 2-3 miles away. Nice place to stop.

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