Reviews: Barefoot Marina

Review for Barefoot Marina

Reviewed by: William Hathaway on Oct 27, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 61'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 1

Not to be trusted with reservation. After reserving a week ahead and confirming the day before at 4 pm on the day of arrival we were notified that our spot on the face dock was given to someone else and that extra low tides were creating a problem with other slips. Fortunately Harbourgate at the Little River Swing Bridge had space available for our 61 Hatters and were very accommodating. Highly recommend Harbourgate and recommend being very skeptical of Barefoot.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Barefoot Marina

Reviewed by: Craig Hutzell on Nov 25, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Arrived day before as they are closed on Thanksgiving. They called ahead of time to confirm and get my arrival time. I was greeted by two dockhands, always good when singlehanding in a current. Professional, fast with lines and power. Had my emailed bill a few minutes later and handed key fob for all facilities and paper with Wi-Fi code, phone numbers, etc. Soon discovered the Marina Bar overlooking the dock and found that each Thanksgiving the owners put out a "Friendsgiving" meal, free to all community members and transient boaters! So much food and desserts and was later instructed to take a to-go box for the next day! Everyone super nice, friendly and happy. Other than pricey diesel, it's a great stop.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Barefoot Marina

Reviewed by: Karen Munson , Oasis, on Oct 30, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Floating docks and located on ICW. Staff is extremely attentive. Showers and bathrooms are individual and we're spotlessly clean. Laundry room has all new washers and dryers which take debit/credit cards. No quarters required. $2 wash and $1.75 dry. Closed and locked gate for security. Barefoot Landing is across the waterway with great restaurants and shopping. Located in a no wake zone. My only complaint is no loaner car or shuttle, but otherwise a great stop.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Barefoot Marina

Reviewed by: Capt. Sterling on Jul 23, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

If you are a single engine, you may want to request an outside T-head slip. Fairways can be tricky with wind and current. Uber to LuLu's for happy hour.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Barefoot Marina

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

Rating: 5

We love Barefoot Marina. The dockhands are the best and very helpful, checking on us everyday. We stayed a few days extra due to the storm. Close to many places. Restaurant on site and across the ICW. We rode our bikes to the local Food Lion and down to the beach. Stayed during 4th of July which was really fun. We will be back.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Barefoot Marina

Reviewed by: Kathleen Hollenberg on Jul 10, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Dock hands are helpful and skilled! Docks are nice, restaurant on site is good enough, unless you have a sweet tooth. Showers are "newly renovated," but not particularly clean. Our big frustration was the laundry—plan to do it elsewhere. Our brand new sheet set was soiled in the dryer, and had to be spotted and washed completely over. Besides dirty and rusty equipment, the room is cheerless with no windows, other people's laundry sits in there for days, and surfaces and floor are icky. Worst marina laundry I have encountered.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Barefoot Marina

Reviewed by: Rob & Nora Mcdaniel , IMAGINE, on Jun 22, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 60'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

Tough review to write as we really like Barefoot. Always a stop on the ICW. On our last stop N bound, we were placed on the very N end of South dock (always placed on North dock previously). After tying up the boat and while logging trip details, I glanced at my depth gauge and was very surprised to see 1.9 ft under the keel, which is 0.5 under props. Honestly thought it was a false reading given the size/drafts of boats on the other side of the face dock inside the marina. Upon departure early next morning and after getting to 1200 rpms, felt a vibration. Ran up to 1800 rpms, same vibration. Thought we may have snagged a line or something. Stopped at Zimmerman in Holden beach and a diver discovered that 2 blades on starboard prop and one on port we’re slightly cupped. The boat ran perfect to Barefoot, no vibrations whatsoever. Called marina, spoke to Mathew and explained that we believe the boat bumped bottom in that area. No other explanation. He did acknowledge that there were known issues around south dock. Obviously frustrating as we should not have been placed there with our draft (booked on Dockwa). Discussions are continuing with ownership. Just be aware of potential depth challenges on south dock. The amenities, location, etc are top notch.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Barefoot Marina

Reviewed by: John Tyrell on Jan 11, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Not to be confused with the day docks at Barefoot Landing across the waterway at the mall. Easy docking. Tim, the dockmaster has always gone out of his way to be helpful. Restaurant on site with meh food. Nice easy stop along the waterway.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Barefoot Marina

Reviewed by: Sondra Duncanson on Jun 2, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Dock staff very helpful and friendly. Clean facilities. Had a great dinner at the Restaurant/Bar for a very reasonable price. Would stay again.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Barefoot Marina

Reviewed by: Bill R on May 5, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 47'
Draft: 5.6'

Rating: 1

We stopped here for two nights on our 49’ sailboat during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. When we arrived at the dock we told the dockhand that we are social distancing which we had been doing since departing the Bahamas a month earlier and that we wanted to handle our own lines. Some live-aboard residents were gathered at the transient dock and clearly were uncomfortable with that. The dockhand was too saying, “Why? Where do you think it is? Like what country?” We did our best to not sink into this but it was too late. Shortly after, one liveaboard organized a party outside our boat inviting other liveaboards over the VHF to go come down. About a dozen participated hanging right outside our cockpit laughing and making fun of us and our decision to social distance. At one point I reluctantly went to the cockpit because I had to turn off our electronics for the night. I was openly berated by a few in the group for “hurting them” with our behavior. We just stayed down below. It went on for about four hours before they dispersed. Know this. This may be a great place full of lovely, and kind people. But they are not respecting social distancing. Even hostile to it. I received a phone call from the dockhand during the ordeal apologizing for what was going on and offering us hand sanitizer and water saying that he wanted us to be happy. All well and good, but way too late. All we wanted was a safe dock for a couple of nights awaiting a weather window. His own animosity toward us was audible and visible to all on our arrival. Maybe his offering should have come in person while we were being harassed. He did mention on the phone that some of these people keep more than one boat at his marina. My recommendation is to not go here during this health crisis if distancing is important to you. We left at sunrise. The transient in front of us left too saying, “Not for us, this place. Too crazy”.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Barefoot Marina

Reviewed by: Dcg on Nov 2, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Easy place to stop. Attentive and helpful staff. Good access to shopping. Clean and well kept facilities.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Barefoot Marina

Reviewed by: The Millers , Yet To Be, on Apr 11, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 4'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Forecast was back to back cold fronts. So, we made a reservation here for a week. We were told we'd be on a face dock so concerned about wakes. On arrival, we were put in an inside slip by Randy, the Harbor Master, helpful and conscientious. But, the face dock would have been fine, minimal wakes during our stay. Docks here are floating vs. fixed; security is good & facilities are nice. Access to a huge pool a plus but sadly weather too cold to use. Each shower is in a private room with a counter, sinks, sitting bench, toilet AND great hot water. Laundry is well priced, clean with 2 washers & 2 dryers that work very well. Many places to shop/eat within easy 1 mile walk across the bridge. Could dinghy across the river, tie up for even easier access. BiLo Grocery store 1.5 miles, north. Restaurant in the complex at top of "B" dock has changed hands numerous times over past years. We ordered simply (burgers, phillies) and all was good. Pump out boat "Nature Calls" available if needed but don't want to untie & go to the fuel/pump out dock. Fuel dock is easy access. Highly recommend this facility.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Barefoot Marina

Reviewed by: Graham Jones , Pro-Line, on Aug 3, 2016
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 23'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

Came into Barefoot Marina to spend the evening at Barefoot Landing. I left my 23' Pro-Line over night, as we were staying at a nearby hotel. Overall, it was a great experience. The dockhand Jimmy helped me in after-hours (as he lives aboard at the marina). There was free transportation (with a tip) by golf cart over to the popular Barefoot Landing where we had a wonderful dinner (plenty of options). Looks like they also rent jet skis and have other recreational activities for vacationers to get on the water.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Barefoot Marina

Reviewed by: Donald Mau on Jun 1, 2016

In the last 60 days we stayed at Barefoot Marina twice. The staff is fantastic, the facilities are well-maintained and the onsite restaurant is OK. This one will be a regular stop. – M/V Major Award

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer