Reviews: Swansboro

These are observations from the boating community. Waterway Guide information is verified regularly and all efforts will be made to validate any new updates submitted here. Thank you for taking the time to share comments about your experience.

Waterway Guide reserves the option of editing reviews and comments for grammar, clarity and the removal of defamatory or potentially slanderous language. When appropriate, reviews are forwarded to businesses for response prior to being made public. We will make every effort to be objective and impartial when posting reviews, but do not publicize details of disputes between parties.

Thanks for your valuable feedback!
Holding:
3.22
Excellent, Clay
Wind Protection:
2.33
Exposed Northeast, Southwest and Wakes
Current Flow:
2.00
Wake Protection:
2.11
Exposed Northeast, Southwest and Wakes
Scenic Beauty:
2.22
Ease of Shopping:
3.57
Shore Access:
4.14
Pet Friendly:
4.33
Cell Service:
4.56
WiFi:
1.40

  • Review for Swansboro

    Reviewed by: Timothy Keen, Slow Dance, on Apr 19, 2024
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    2
    Cell Service:
    5

    Dropped anchor between marked spot and town dock, and about 200 feet closer to the bridge. Strong current flowing to SW. Anchor dragged for about 50 feet and then set. Wake traffic not an issue as large boat have no reason to speed by...due to low bridge. Traffic crossing the bridge is noisy, but noise would be the same at the town dock.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Review for Swansboro

    Reviewed by: Phil Lambert on Nov 2, 2023
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 46'
    Draft: 3.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    3
    Wake Protection:
    3
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    5
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    1

    Nice town of 1900's restored homes. Fresh Amish baked goods arrive at 2pm Thursday at the Front Street Grocery. Dinghy to Clyde Phillips Seafood Market for fresh seafood. Great stop.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Review for Swansboro

    Reviewed by: David Rowe on Sep 6, 2022
    LOA: 38'
    Draft: 3.5'

    Overall Rating:
    3
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    2
    Wake Protection:
    2
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    3
    Shore Access:
    4
    Pet Friendly:
    4
    Cell Service:
    4
    WiFi:
    1

    If you are confident in your ground tackle, this is a stop. If you are not, and you need a place to stop for the night now, you might want to consider buying a night in one of the nearby marinas.

    Seriously, you're not going to "love it here," but with the dearth of viable anchorages for non-shoal-draft craft between Wrightsville and Beaufort, this might be a necessary stop. If you have plenty of time to finish a run to either Wrightsville or Beaufort, pass it by. You're not missing anything. If it is getting on toward the end of daylight and you just gotta get the hook down and dinghy the pup ashore for some relief or dinghy yourself ashore for a pint and a burger, this might be just what the doctor ordered.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Review for Swansboro

    Reviewed by: Barbara Wilson on Oct 31, 2020
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 58'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Overall Rating:
    4
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    3
    Scenic Beauty:
    3
    Ease of Shopping:
    5
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    3

    Anchored here in 9 ft of water, actually outside of the deep water line. Current is strong, but holding is good. Plenty of room.. good shore access at town dinghy dock.. Great little town.. we were here on a Sat night, and the music was a bit loud , but we liked the tunes. Great stop over..

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Review for Swansboro

    Reviewed by: Gail Nordhaus on May 26, 2020
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 5.2'

    Overall Rating:
    1
    Holding:
    2
    Wind Protection:
    1
    Current Flow:
    1
    Wake Protection:
    1
    Scenic Beauty:
    2
    Ease of Shopping:
    4
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5

    I would never recommend this anchorage. Our anchor took well and held but currents were horrible. Our fouled anchor prevented us from laying with the current. No sleep until we pulled up anchor at midnight and tied up at the town dock.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Review for Swansboro

    Reviewed by: Terry on Nov 11, 2018
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 52'
    Draft: 4.6'

    Overall Rating:
    1
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    1
    Current Flow:
    1
    Wake Protection:
    1
    Scenic Beauty:
    1
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    1

    One of our worst anchorages. Very little room for error between markers, bridge, and the uncharted submerged pilings that can be seen only at low tide, about 75-100 yards off the town docks. The bridge noise was not an issue after the live bands fired up - even with our boat completely closed up we had to raise our voices to hear each other - forget about being able to think. Avoid a Saturday night like the plague. As noted, the current runs hard here. Only redeeming aspect was our CQR anchor grabbed and held well on first try.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Review for Swansboro

    Reviewed by: Robert Sherer on Mar 25, 2018
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 42'
    Draft: 5.0'

    Overall Rating:
    2
    Holding:
    4
    Wind Protection:
    1
    Current Flow:
    1
    Wake Protection:
    1
    Scenic Beauty:
    1
    Ease of Shopping:
    3
    Shore Access:
    3
    Pet Friendly:
    3
    Cell Service:
    3
    WiFi:
    1

    It's a place to stop if it fits your schedule, nothing special. You had better have confidence in your ground tackle since there's a low bridge ready to catch you if you drag. As for me, I've never had a problem but I have a 66 lb Spade with 3/8 inch chain. I anchor right across from the free dinghy dock to take my dog into shore.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Review for Swansboro

    Reviewed by: Elena&Meg on Dec 4, 2017
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 46'
    Draft: 6.0'

    Overall Rating:
    1
    Holding:
    1
    Wind Protection:
    2
    Current Flow:
    1
    Wake Protection:
    3
    Scenic Beauty:
    2
    Ease of Shopping:
    3
    Shore Access:
    3
    Cell Service:
    5

    This is the only anchorage we've ever experienced where the anchor didn't grab at all; gave up after 4 tries. Current rips like crazy.

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer


  • Review for Swansboro

    Reviewed by: Skipper Bob on Jun 1, 2016
    Draft: 0.0'

    Overall Rating:
    2
    Holding:
    2
    Wind Protection:
    2
    Current Flow:
    1
    Wake Protection:
    1
    Scenic Beauty:
    1
    Ease of Shopping:
    2
    Shore Access:
    4
    Pet Friendly:
    4
    Cell Service:
    4

    View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

View in Waterway Explorer