Reviews: Carolina Beach-South

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Holding:
4.29
Fair, Soft Mud
Wind Protection:
4.29
All Around
Current Flow:
4.57
Wake Protection:
4.43
All Around
Scenic Beauty:
3.67
Ease of Shopping:
4.71
Shore Access:
5.00
Pet Friendly:
5.00
Cell Service:
5.00
WiFi:
2.00

  • Review for Carolina Beach-South

    Reviewed by: Jeremy Hatch, River Girl, on Aug 3, 2023
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 49'
    Draft: 5.0'

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

    The long term resident monohulls have all left the S anchorage (though there are still a lot at the N anchorage).
    Nice & quiet as it is inside the no wake zone. East in/out to the AICW

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  • Review for Carolina Beach-South

    Reviewed by: Jason Spitz on May 16, 2023
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

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

    This is a nice anchorage area just outside the mooring field. Beware of the shallow bars close to the grassy islands. Depths here generally in the 10-15+ ft range. As of mid May, several smaller monohulls appear to be residents and have longer than expected all line rodes. They swing quite a bit. The bottom here is soft mud. Backing down quickly is sure to end in dragging. It takes a bit to settle in here. If you're in a rush or not comfortable, recommend taking a mooring ball. The town is fun. Don't miss Britt's Donuts or Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn. Soul Flavor has also been excellent on previous visits. You have a True Value and Ace Hardware within a block of one another, a CVS, Publix, and Piggly Wiggly. All are close. There's also a thrift shop that donates proceeds to a local charity. A good place to offload good, but unwanted boat items. No books. There is an aquarium and a zoo within 5-6 miles. We did not visit. Fun relaxing beach town.

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  • Review for Carolina Beach-South

    Reviewed by: David Rowe on Sep 7, 2022
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 38'
    Draft: 3.5'

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

    A decent stop before or after Snows Cut or to wait out weather on the Cape Fear River. Holding is good here—much better than the alternative anchorage just to the north.

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  • Review for Carolina Beach-South

    Reviewed by: Jane & Donald Johnson, Beauty , on Jun 4, 2021
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 6.0'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    5
    Wind Protection:
    3
    Current Flow:
    5
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Ease of Shopping:
    5
    Shore Access:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5

    We anchored here in the South area. It was awesome! We had nothing but wind & storms. Our Danforth was our prefect anchor.

    I did decide to take a mooring ball a day later. Larry the dock master was such a good help. We didn’t see any current issues.

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  • Review for Carolina Beach-South

    Reviewed by: Greg on May 10, 2021
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 36'
    Draft: 5.5'

    Overall Rating:
    5
    Holding:
    2
    Wind Protection:
    4
    Current Flow:
    4
    Wake Protection:
    4
    Scenic Beauty:
    5
    Ease of Shopping:
    5
    Shore Access:
    5
    Pet Friendly:
    5
    Cell Service:
    5
    WiFi:
    3

    I don't typically leave reviews but I noticed everyone else gave it 5 stars for holding. I have visited this anchorage twice and both times saw several boats drag anchor. The holding isnt bad, but it isnt 5 star... Last night 3 boats dragged and 2 of them went aground, so I recommend extra caution. It's probably a 3 or 4 star holding, but I'm giving it 2 to balance out the rest! *note one of the other 5 star holding reviews was for a mooring ball...

    Two public docks with beaches bathrooms free (outdoor) showers and a ton of great restaurants nearby. Walkable grocery store. Great place to stop great place to stay.

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  • Review for Carolina Beach-South

    Reviewed by: Heath Phillips, Philyria , on Apr 15, 2021
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 35'
    Draft: 6.0'

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

    Anchorage is nice. Great holding. Sand. Mooring balls here are nice as well. Easy access to the dinghy dock.

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  • Review for Carolina Beach-South

    Reviewed by: Jason Spitz on Oct 10, 2020
    Vessel Type: Sail
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

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

    We stopped in Carolina Beach in Spring 2020 and then again late September for 3 nights. The moorings are well maintained and the dock master is helpful. Book the moorings through Dockwa for $20 night. Dinghy Pier directly across from moorings Oceanside and new dock downtown. There are public restrooms with outdoor showers at both. Beach is 2 block walk. Lots of good restaurants and one of the best donut shops in the country on the boardwalk. The entire area is a no wake area that is enforced. Makes for really nice Anchorage. And yes, if you don't want to spend $20, lots of room to anchor. We love Carolina Beach much more than Wrightsville. Restaurants are better! No boats speeding through the anchorage which is a constant in Wrightsville! Easily accessible grocery stores! Nice people!

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