Reviews: Oyster Farm Marina at Kings Creek

Reviewed by: Tommy Samuel on Jun 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 3

Nice marina and restaurant, but they need to update waterway info. Aqua map said 2.50/ft, I called and they are 4.00/ft 17.00/ 30 amp service and charge for water. They do not allow cancellations for anything. You loose your night deposit. Disappointing.

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Reviewed by: Mark O , DIVERSION, on Jul 3, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.4'

Rating: 4

There are few sailboats in the marina. Now I know why. Disclosure: was our "go-to" marina years ago but have not been in ~10 years (with opening of more accessible Cape Charles City Docks now Cape Charles Town Harbor.

Navigation: Draw 5'4" and planned transit on a +1 tide > MLLW (at the Coast Guard Station; Tide Times and Tide Chart for Cape Charles (tide-forecast.com). Water line was down ~ 2.5 feet on marks from high tide line. Called to see if prudent, VM and no call back. Direction/details from website outdated and WRONG.

30 June, grounded twice in the channel. Per watermen who came by "…When in doubt …stay to the red side…." Power boats appear to have little difficulty but sailboats…enter with caution.

Next day (7.1.21) went to the office to talk about the channel and learned they have an updated (not on website; 6.2.2021 version) soundings from Labor Day 2021. Key: at R4,6,8 as close as possible (even if departing). Departed the next day on a 1.25' positive tide and using "new" instructions saw good water throughout transit (shallowest water vic of the marina).

As transient, expect to be moored on "A" Dock which is as far away from anything as possible and completely exposed. Wifi at the Dockmaster office excellent but at A10 (berth) poor (generous). Hotspot from phone worked (ATT). Of note, number of boats with own addresses/routers and am sure high streaming rates may have impacted but signal still very, very weak.

Facilities above average repair and cleanliness. Very wide full length floating piers (both sides). Men's and women's showers (requires code and separate from open restrooms) are awesome compared to average marina. Pool is reasonable for facility.

Restaurant on site (Seafood Eatery). We had reservations 1830 and glad we did: crowded. Food was well prepared, but this is essentially the "go-to" for the cottages and other vacationers so expect very high noise (request seating as far from the door as possible and far side of aquarium), lots of very energized children: not elegant dining in days of yore. She-crab soup was very good (and recommended). Other dishes were served quickly, tasty and good value.

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Reviewed by: Joe Sigdestad , Knot 5280, on Jun 28, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

Good marina but limited services on site. The marina office should warn you of the shallow entrance when you book . The charts show 8-10 ft but we draw 4.3 ft and our depth registered 0 a few times. Favor the reds coming in. Out of pure luck on timing we entered at high tide and lucked out. Sailboats must enter at high tide or risk getting stuck.We saw one stuck in the channel for 3 hours and it wasn't even a transient boat! Once at our slip we enjoyed our 2 night stay.

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Reviewed by: Susan Spainhour on May 9, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.0'

Rating: 3

Easy well marked entrance to marina dockhands helped with gas and tie up. Great floating docks. Office closed Monday Tuesday. Low numbers of transient boaters. This is a busy weekend marina. Easy bike ride to town and public beaches. Restaurants and shops open. Pool opens Memorial Day. Marina beach behind restaurant lovely. Lots of sea grass. Cherrystone Fisheries adjoins marina. Lots of boating activity. Wonderful restaurant Oyster Farms Seafood Eatery.

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Reviewed by: Dan on Jun 8, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 26'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 2

Service was not good, no response when trying to contact the Dockmaster Amber. Closed at 3 in the afternoon on a Saturday. Closed all day Sunday, no service to the restrooms all weekend. The Channel, inbound when you turn at red maker 4, stay tight to the red side and go direct to red 6, stay tight to the red side. We followed a big sport fisher, glad the locals were in the channel.

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Reviewed by: Douglas Way on Sep 29, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Very nice marina and staff. Fuel prices tend to be high but that is due to their more remote location. Good restaurant onsite.

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Reviewed by: Capt. T on Sep 15, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Very nice marina and location. If your draft is more than 4' watch out coming in at low tide. You may run aground. Very narrow channel.

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Reviewed by: Jim Powell , Dawn to Dusk, on May 6, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

We all have had an idea of what we wanted a marina to look like. Most of us have held a vision of some colorful little spot in the Caribbean or the South Seas. Somewhere there were fascinating little bungalows and cottages scattered around. A pool. A truly excellent restaurant. An event center where we would be proud to see our daughters married. Spectacular sunsets. Great little Tiki Bar at the end of a promenade pier. Outstanding management and a relentlessly happy and smiling staff that is continuously on the run.
This search is over. This is the place. This is that special place where everyone is glad to see you. This is home. If you come here, you will want to stay here.

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