Marina Review

The following is a listing of various marinas we have stayed in during our travels.  This listing is by no means comprehensive of all the marinas we've stayed in, nor is it comprehensive of their facilities.  We've tried to incorporate basic information about the facilities at the time of our visits as well as any "pros" & "cons". 

NOTE - the pros and cons listed are based upon nothing more than our personal experiences and needs and should be interpreted as nothing more than our opinion.  Your experience could be completely different than ours.

So, take it for what it's worth, which on a good day, will barely buy you a beer.

Cruiseport Marina

Docks

Floating docks

Facilities

Reasonable showers and restrooms.  Laundry included four washers and four dryers.  During our stay, only two washers and one dryer were operational and then during a portion of our time, nothing worked.  Thank goodness for my Barbie washer!  Internet service through Baja Wireless was very good.

Location

Walking distance to town.

Staff

There was some turnover involved before and during our stay.  In general, the staff was reasonably helpful.

Cabo Marina

Docks

Floating docks - Electric / Water included

Facilities

Too far away from our dock to even bother to use.

Location

Great location.  The surrounding shops and restaurants around the marina are terrific.

Staff

Nothing significant to note

Pros

Beautiful facility and great boat watching spot.  You're there with all the "big boys" who believe that Fishing is Life.

Cons

Very expensive dock rates.  Also, cost us over $150 to check in and check out, although we understand that Mexico has now done away with the checking  in & out process at each port.

Marina de La Paz

Docks

Floating wooden docks - Electric / Water included

Facilities

They were kept very clean...big bonus!

Laundry - this was terrific as for a small tip to the women in the laundry room, you could start your wash, leave your dryer sheet and money for the load and come back later where your laundry would be dried and neatly folded just waiting for pick up.

Internet - after Fred put up new a Wi-Fi antenna for the marina, that we had onboard, things worked pretty well. 

Location

Walking distance to town.

Cons

Dirty wooden docks.  We were forever washing feet, shoes, paws.

El Cid Marina

Docks

Floating concrete docks

Facilities

Clean & accessible restrooms.  Laundry facilities were limited and I believe you had to pay to have it done and not do it yourself, although I never saw anyone in the laundry room to leave anything with.  The pools and the grounds were VERY well kept and really lovely.  Great swim up bar!

Location

You needed to take a cab or bus into town.

Pros

One of the nicest marinas we've stayed in.  The pools and the grounds were VERY well kept and really lovely.  Great swim up bar!  Nice staff and good wireless internet service.

Paradise Village Marina - click  for additional photos

Docks

Floating concrete docks

Facilities

Restrooms and showers were okay on the docks, but much better at the Yacht Club if you're close enough to use them.  Laundry services were terrific with a large laundromat in the shopping mall on property.  Internet service was sketchy when we were there, however, we understand that they installed wireless two days after we left.  Go figure.

Pros

Nice mall on property with shopping & dining.  Property itself was beautifully maintained with full access to hotel facilities.  Would recommend a nearby restaurant called Fajita Republic...great food, good margaritas and fun times!

Con

Marina was VERY crowded during our stay.  We had to move slips twice due to slip hopping to accommodate other boats even though we had made reservations over a month in advance.  Also on that, we were unable to arrive on our original requested date as they did not have any availability.  Heard from other cruisers that at other times, they would be required to fit three sailboats per wide slips which required the middle boat to have to boat hop to get on and off.

Would also note that we were less than impressed with the management at this marina.  Our opinion is that since they are the only decent game in town, they can afford less customer service skills.  They are also not very pet friendly and made that perfectly clear within two minutes of us docking.  Hadn't even finished tying up the lines before I got a lecture about what we could and couldn't do with the dogs.  Well, thanks for the warm welcome!

Overall, this is a nice marina and if you don't have pets and don't mind the close quarters you'll enjoy the amenities. 

Marina Puerto de la Navidad - click for additional photos

Docks

Floating concrete

Facilities

Restrooms & showers were not adequately maintained or cleaned. Laundry room was insufficient. The employees there were forever doing their own wash as well as taking over all the washers/dryers for large bulk loads.  Unless you were there the minute the door opened, you were guaranteed a waiting period for an open washer.  

Pros

The grounds were nicely maintained and the pool area was really beautiful.  The surrounding hills were great for walking the dogs, however, note that the small town right outside the resort is where the dog attacked Thor and I on our morning walk, so would avoid that area if you have a dog.  The panga rides over to Barra were fun and it was a great little town to wander and enjoy.  The French Baker who arrives every morning to the marina with fresh baked bread and pastries was a real treat!

Cons

During our stay, the marina staff was helpful, however, the resort staff who were part of a separate management company made it fairly clear that "cruisers" were really not welcome at the resort.  Example...in the morning, the pool attendants would cover all the chairs around the pool with towels.  You were required to check in to get your towel and then were to be led to an available chair.  If your card showed that you were part of the marina population, forget it.  Resort guests were given top priority for seating and service.  Had a difficult time getting a drink at the swim up bar as well.  We understand that the Ritz Carlton was in the process of taking over the hotel management sometime in the near future.  If that's correct, we hope that the legendary Ritz customer service will now include the marina population.

Internet service at that time was insufficient.  They had the capability of having wireless for the marina, however, choose to not make it available.  You had to take your laptop up to the lobby each day for access and cost was $10 per 24 hours.

Marina Chahue'

Docks

Floating concrete docks

Facilities

At the time of our stay, there really weren't any facilities.  The restroom they did have was not adequate, however, in all fairness, they were in the middle of construction of the marina, so wouldn't hold that against them.

Pros

Enrique, the dockmaster, was the most hospitable and professional dockmaster we had encountered to date.  He genuinely welcomed you to the marina and was more than helpful with any questions or concerns.  Helped Fred get the autopilot motor fixed and even drove Fred to the shop himself.  We can not say enough about what a positive experience Enrique made Marina Chahue' for us.

Barefoot Cay Marina

Docks

Fixed concrete docks

Facilities

Restroom and shower facilities, immaculate!  Beautiful pool and patio area.  Laundry facilities weren't open for personal use, however, the staff will happily wash, dry and fold your loads for a very reasonable cost.  Good wireless service at no charge.

Pros

The marina sits on an isolated cay from the main road and you need to utilize the marinas small boats to cross so security is quite good.  It also is a small marina and therefore very quiet and relaxing.  Milesse, one of the owners, is very helpful and will go out of her way to make your stay enjoyable.  The dockmaster, Santos, is wonderful.  Friendly and outgoing, Santos makes this place run.

Cons

During our visit we had major issues with the owner's dog, Havana.  Havana is a 120+ lb Rotteweiler and does not tolerate other dogs on her cay.  According to her owners, she is not to be trusted anywhere around another dog.  Since Havana has run of the cay, we had to arrange with the staff times that we needed to take our dogs off the boat for walks and potty breaks so that they could pen up Havana.  This system broke down and we had two times that we had to hurry our dogs back to the boat before Havana caught wind of them.  After an incident of Havana trying to come through our screening which enclosed our cockpit to get to our dogs, Milesse took immediate action and implemented the "Havana Plan".  Under this plan, Havana was removed from the cay and was relocated for the duration of our stay.  Milesse informed us that this plan would go into effect any time there were visiting dogs to Barefoot Cay.

Besides the issues with Havana, we very much enjoyed our stay at Barefoot Cay.  We would recommend this marina to anyone traveling to the Roatan area.  Be sure to inform Milesse when making your reservation that you have pets on board and that you would like the "Havana Plan" implemented prior to your arrival.

Bimini Sands Marina

Docks

Floating concrete docks - a real rarity in the Bahamas so a nice bonus.

Facilities

The restrooms were adequate and they do have a restaurant on property.  Marina area is clean and nicely maintained.  Condo area is still under construction but the areas that are done are maintained.

Pros

During our stay, it was basically empty so lots of room to stretch out.  Docks are very nice and the marina staff was helpful and courteous.  Floating docks!

Cons

Internet service was VERY expensive.  Fred doesn't remember the exact cost, but it was a pay by the minute set up.  Whatever it was it was cheaper for us to use the satellite for email..ouch!

Marina at Atlantis - click for additional photos

Docks

Fixed concrete docks

Facilities

Restrooms/showers were very clean and well maintained. Only problem is that the only ones are located at the dockmaster's office, so a bit of a walk depending on where you're docked as well as they are only open during office hours.  Pools and resort amenities are great. 

Pros

Property is loaded with things to do.  Access to beach, pools, shopping, restaurants, bars, etc.  All at a premium of course, but nevertheless available.  We ate at the Seafire Steakhouse in the Marina Village and would recommend it.  Also, stores and restaurants located right outside property in Hurricane Hole shopping area are good.  There's even a movie theater inside the resort and tickets are complimentary.  Great place on and off property for walking the pooch.  Probably most importantly, this is the most secure marina we've been in.  We rode out Hurricane Wilma here and were happy that we did.  The marina is surrounded by the resort and condos so winds are greatly reduced.  Also, the surge which can be pretty strong in the marinas bordering the harbor was basically nil in Atlantis.  The only surge we got was the big sportsfishers who'd plow into the marina, ignoring the "No Wake zone" signs.

Cons

In a nutshell...cost.  This is the most expensive marina we've stayed in so far.  In "off" season, we were paying $3.50/ft, per night, plus electric, plus water, plus internet.  Also, during our stay the pump out service was not operational.  We had been told that it had been broken for quite some time and no one seemed to know when and if it would be working again.  Not the type of thing you would expect from this caliber of marina.

**Update - as of our visit in February, the pump out service was operational.

Staff

For the most part, basically courteous and helpful, although we have had repeat problems with office staff who a) never seemed to be able to get our reservation requests right and b) displayed a less than professional attitude when questioned about the reservation error (i.e., "do you want the slip or not?).  Neither of which, you'd expect at this type of facility.  Maybe you only get "professional" treatment if you're 100 ft or more, although I did witness one customer in the office having major issues and questions regarding her billing which from the sound of it was well into the thousands, so who knows?

Sampson Cay Club

Docks

Fixed wooden docks in good condition

Facilities

Restrooms were clean and maintained.  Laundry facility was limited, but working.  Restaurant on property open for lunch and dinner.  The marina office maintains a store with a decent supply of various food items.  Fresh product arrives on Wednesday from Nassau. 

Pros

Really pretty location and property.  Great for walking Thor and several beaches to play on. Good wireless internet at no charge.

Cons

Not really a con, but as with everything in the Exumas, a bit pricey.  Cost was $1.95/ft per day, plus $30/day for electric, plus water in the off season.  During peak season, we paid $2.25 ft + +.

Staniel Cay Club - click for additional photos

Docks

Fixed wooden and in varying conditions

Facilities

Single restroom off of bar.  No other facilities noted or maybe we just didn't look hard enough for them.  They do have a small pool on property.  Bar makes a really good Goombay Smash.  Restaurant food was adequate, but nothing to write home about.  Wait staff at restaurant was a bit below par. Just not very friendly or enthusiastic about being there.  Susanna with the marina office however, was terrific as were the bartenders.  Bar has lots of local flair and is the place to be on certain evenings.

Pros

Close to Thunderball Grotto for snorkeling and diving.  Also close to Big Majors making for a nice beach day, particularly if you want to see the piggies.  If you want or need a local guide, Captain Wade is your man.  Just ask at the bar for him. 

Cons

For us, there are numerous loose dock dogs so walking Thor became like walking a gauntlet, but hey, that's our problem.

The Marina at Emerald Bay

At the time of our stay, the marina, while officially open, still had no power or water to slips.  Our stay was "complimentary" for everything from slip fees to laundry.

Docks

Fixed & floating concrete docks

Facilities

Restrooms and showers are nicer than most hotels I've stayed in.  Laundry room only had one washer/dryer but they were front loaders and brand new!  There is a restaurant at the marina, however, we missed the opening by two days.  Also, a short bike ride away is a new grocery store, that, while I wasn't able to shop there as they were not yet opened, it looked to be very well stocked and clean.  If you don't have a bike, just ask the marina personnel who will drive you over in a golf cart.

Pros

Beautiful facility, but more importantly, THE most professional staff we've yet to encounter.  After assisting with docking, the staff lays a beautiful carpet mat on the dock at your boarding gate...swank!  Besides the cool mat, the staff really was extremely helpful and welcoming.  Erica in the office was terrific in assisting us with a package delivery and the dockmaster took the time to talk with Fred about his concerns of departing through the channel and water conditions.

Cons

Okay, this is where this marina is going to have some problems.  Whoever designed this marina has obviously never been on a boat or stayed on a boat in a marina or has any clue about the engineering principals involved in designing a marina.  The jetty is completely & totally inadequate.  Upon our arrival, Fred was trying to line us up to head into the channel.  There was so much wave action that while we were almost pass the first marker inside the channel, we were hit broadside by a wave, knocking us over at least 45 degrees.  To be perfectly honest, I've never been so scared.  I was barely able to grab Mr. T by the harness before he went skidding across the flybridge while Fred wrestled with the helm wheel to right us.  Once inside the marina the surge was so constant and so bad that we blew a fender out in a few hours.  Another guy who was in the marina, snapped three dock lines in the two days we were there and our lines were certainly a bit tattered after only 48 hours.  Departure was also a bit of a trick as you needed to wait and time out the waves coming in and crank up the RPM's to max (which for us isn't much), to make it out of the channel.  This, btw, was in "good" conditions.  I would not want to see what would happen if there was any weather at all.

It's really a shame as this is a beautiful marina with top notch staff, but given the difficulty of entrance & exit along with the constant and very heavy surge IN the marina, we would not stay here again unless the jetty underwent major revamping.  We've been assured that they are aware of the problem and that there are plans to solve it, but nothing definitive about the timeframe for doing so.

Orchid Bay Marina - click for additional pictures

Docks

Fixed wooden docks in good condition

Facilities

New restrooms and showers in very good condition and well maintained.  Laundry facilities very nice, but a bit pricey compared to what we're used to, $10.00/load for wash & dry, but when the Barbie washer breaks, you gotta do, what you gotta do.  On the upside, the washer/dryers were commercial grade so can handle larger loads so it's probably a fair deal.  Restaurant on property, but we have not yet checked it out.   Small, but very nice pool with a nice view.  There is Guana Harbor Grocery about five minutes walking.  Very decent, clean and well stocked.  Adequate wireless internet is available from Out Island Internet for a daily or weekly charge.

Pros

Well maintained grounds with nice & friendly personnel.  The gated grounds to the south of the marina were terrific for our morning walks with Thor.  You can also rent golf carts at the office for getting around town.  We very much enjoyed our stay here.

Staff

The Dockmaster, MacKenzie is very friendly and welcoming.  The manager, Jimmy and the rest of the office staff were helpful and courteous.  Jimmy was particularly helpful during a fairly nasty storm (45kt winds) I endured during Fred's absence.  He came down to help me with lines and even checked on me from time to time during the 48 hours of weather.  He knew I was alone with Thor and really made the extra effort to ensure we were okay.

The Green Turtle Club

·         Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, Bahamas - timeframe of stay - December 17-26, 2005

Docks

Fixed wooden docks

Facilities

Restrooms and showers in good condition and maintained.  Laundry facility has plenty of washer/dryer units.  Gift store and small supply store on property.  Restaurant & bar on property.  Wasn't impressed with the dinner we had, but thought breakfast was pretty good.

Pros

Well maintained grounds.  Good wireless internet at no charge.  With the Winter Special rates, dock fees are the least expensive we've seen since Mexico.

Cons

The entrance / exit to the channel is very shallow so if you draw more than about five feet, you need to wait until high tide.  We draw five and likely skidded on the bottom getting in as it was not high tide.

Staff

Unprofessional, end of story.  For numerous reasons from the store to the bar to the office staff, we felt the majority (not all) of the staff here were the most unfriendly and unprofessional we'd encountered to date.  

The clincher for us was halfway into our two week stay, we were asked to slip hop so that they could accommodate a 120ft vessel arriving later that day and they wanted to move a larger boat who had extended their time (and had arrived after us) into our slip.  The issue for us was that they did not have any other slips with finger piers and wanted us to med-moor, which we had already explained to them we could not do because of our inability to get Thor on and off the boat in that arrangement.   They had agreed and said it wouldn't be a problem.   We reiterated this when asked to move and were then questioned as to whether or not we "really" draw five feet and maybe we could move up the dock somewhere...but where?  Our response was yes, we DO draw five feet and no thanks we don't want to be sitting on the bottom at low tide.  Bottom line, they wanted our space for bigger boats with bigger wallets and they weren't very forthcoming with a resolution to their slip assignment problem.  Fine, we'll take our little 40 footer along with our word of mouth recommendation and leave.  Then we'll tell two friends, and they'll tell two friends, and so on and so on, and so on....

Sumner Point Marina

Docks

Fixed wooden docks. Finger piers are no more than about three feet wide and about five feet long.  Very short.

Facilities

Didn't see any and didn't have time to investigate any further than our slip.  There was free wireless service.

Cost

$1.45/ft per day, plus $30/day for 50 amp.  Didn't check on cost of water as we departed before we needed any.

Pros

None that we can think of except that It's the only marina in the area and if you need to take refuge it's your only option.

Cons

Unfortunately, after less than 24 hours, we decide we could no longer stay at the marina.  Basically, there are several problems for us with the place.  First, there is a pack, and I do mean a pack, of eight large dogs that have free run and roam of the marina.  Obviously, this is a problem for us with Thor.  If you don't have a dog and as long as you like dogs, this won't be a problem for you.  We had to ask Gina, the dockmaster to lock up a few of them long enough for us to at least take Thor off to pee as she did tell us that several of the dogs were theirs and that a couple are very territorial and can be aggressive with another dog.  She had also told us that they were locked up at night, however, when we took Thor off later that night, four of them where on us before he could even lift his leg.  The following morning, we hadn't stepped five feet from the dock when five of them came at us full force.  Fred had to scare them off with a tire bat and alot of yelling.  The other issue we had was that the guy next to us appeared to be the marina DJ and played his music so loud that Fred and I could not hear each other talk while we were trying to dock.  When Fred asked Gina about this, she replied that "yes, he pretty much does that all the time, and if you have a problem with it, you'll have to ask him to turn it down".  Okay, thanks, but not really the response we were looking for. 

We attempted to ask about reservations at the restaurant, The Green Flash, as the guidebook said "gourmet dining".  Unfortunately, the bartender was involved in a conversation with other patrons and seemed to care less that we were standing at the bar awaiting service.  One woman off another boat who also wanted a question answered, actually just gave up and left.  Smart girl.  As the bartender couldn't be bothered with anymore than three customers, the woman from the kitchen finally took notice of us standing there and came out.  According to her... yes, the restaurant was open and tonight was Pizza Night.  Not too "gourmet", so maybe we'll try tomorrow night?  Uhhh...not sure if they would be serving dinner or not.  Okay, so when are you open & serving?  Always open, but not always serving dinner.  Okay, well thanks anyway.

The marina area is also fairly dirty.  The trash containers have no lids and when you have loose dogs and cats, trash tends to be strewn all over the place overnight.  On top of that, one of the late night partygoers must of over-indulged and decided that the dock is as good a place as any to vomit and no one seemed bothered enough to clean it up.  It was simply disgusting.

Not surprisingly, when we arrived in Turtle Cove Marina, Turks, a guy from another boat who had seen us at Rum Cay came around to chat.  Apparently, he also came away with the same "it's just a wierd kinda place" feeling from Sumner Point as we did.  So take that for what it's worth.

Turtle Cove Marina

Docks

Fixed wooden docks with short finger piers.  Requires backing into slip.

Facilities

None.  No bathrooms, showers, nothing.

Pros

Only game in town.

Cons

Since we plan to stay here for the next couple months, I'll leave this unaddressed at present, but you can bet we have something to say.