Reviews: Nettles Island Marina

Reviewed by: Kemp Harr , Bad-Lad, on Feb 16, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 73'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 1

I'd avoid this place like plague. Gilbert doesn't know how to use the Dockwa software and when he tells you he has a slip for you, he doesn't know it's up to him to switch reservation from pending to confirmed. RUN! Don't trust them to have a slip for you

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Reviewed by: Captain Gene on Jan 30, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

1 29/2024 We called here to see if they would have room for us 8 days in advance. Said to book now if we wanted to have slip. Went on Dockwa to book slip and the marina did not confirm for a couple of days. We finally got confirmation and were told we would be in Slip 11. We called to confirm about a half hour before our arrival and it was still a go. When we arrived a boat was already in slip 11 so we called and were advised to go into slip 8,or 9 but they were already occupied. We found slip 14 was the only open slip and another boater helped us dock as no one is here from the marina. He told us he was assigned slip 11 the day before and had to go into slip 9 instead so the marina staff does not know what is going on. The place is under construction so it will probably be nice someday but it is only OK at this point in time. Several aids to navigation are missing and the others are in poor shape. It gets shallow if your out of the channel so we were happy we have Navionics crowd sourced navigation as just an ordinary chart would be risky to transit with here. The wifi is very good speed and the on site restaurant is good food but closed on Mondays. Laundry works well. There is a on site small grocery store by the marina. Shower and heads were only OK but functional.

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Reviewed by: David Mann , Now or Never, on Jan 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.7'

Rating: 3

The marina appears to be deep into a renovation. Most of the slips are gone/not available. Docks are of a basic wooden non-floating type but are sturdy. The electrical pedestal was well worn and 30 amp cords were difficult to keep plugged in however they did work. The restroom/shower was dated but essentially clean and operable. Plenty of water in the harbor and around the docks. Safe feel to the neighborhood. Be cautious of the information provided by Dockwa as the information about the channel markers and photos are inaccurate as of todays date.

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Reviewed by: Ryan McGee on May 16, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 5

Great stop. They look like they are recovering from storm damage but had transient docks available. Booking is through Dockwa which shows the correct current nightly transient rate of $3/ft. Restaurant looked good and nother looper we met there stated it was. The little convenience store/deli had a little of everything. No problem with our 40' Mainship with a 3'8" draft and 14'2" beam. Shower had great water pressure. Staff was helpful!

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Reviewed by: Sandra Johnston on Apr 14, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Wonderful stay for two nights during high winds. The dock master helped us get in and wouldn't even accept a tip. The restaurant had delicious food and fantastic service! We were right in front on the restaurant, grocery, bathroom and laundry facilities. Also , they are easy to get to. We recommend it!!!

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Reviewed by: Kirk Conners , Fancy Nancy, on Apr 29, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Nettles Island is what I would classify as an "old florida" marina. no cleats, just lots of pilings to tie off too. Docks are old, wood, but in good condition given their age. Thomas (the dockmaster) helped us get tied up, and noticed some loose screws/nails and was back shortly with tools to correct. That gets them an "atta boy".
Restrooms are also old and small, but they work (the important stuff!!).
Lotsa liveaboards in the marina. Good local knowledge from them.
Restaurant on site is also old school. Not much to it but the food and service were good.
Overall, no complaints. I'd stay again if in the area.

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Reviewed by: Sarah Waldemar , Noah Genda, on Apr 8, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Staff were tremendously helpful, going out of their way to be certain we were tied off properly for a big storm. Lots of local knowledge, both from staff and live aboard. Good restaurant on site but distant from shopping, there was a small, well stocked store on site as well. Docks were old but sturdy. Would stay again.

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Reviewed by: Len Barton on Jun 19, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 41'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Great little hideaway and friendly community.
Thomas, the harbormaster was such a wonderful host.
Will definitely stop here again.

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Reviewed by: DBrian on Feb 13, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

Funky little square island built from dredge sand in the 60s. You need to stay in the channel and sort of hug the island in a square path to get to the marina, but not too difficult. There can be some rocking in a west or southern blow. Staff is very nice. Decent but somewhat weathered wooden fixed docks with pilings, be ready to mount fenders horizontal or use fender boards. As someone else mentioned, WiFi is weak, at least when on the face dock. Nice old little store serves everyone here including the dirt homes on the island so they do cram a lot into a small space but don't expect to find unique grocery items. Easy walk to the ocean beach.

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Reviewed by: Happy on Mar 15, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Love staying here for the winter. Drawback is you need a vehicle! All large stores are 20 to 30 minutes away. There is a store with a large variety of items and they bake bread and doughnuts on demand. Their pizza and sandwiches are great. The go to guy on the dock is Thomas and he is a great source of information. We did not have any problems with unanswered calls, someone would answer each time I called.
The HUGE drawback with this marina is the internet! It’s non-existent most of the time. They should not advertise even having it. TV Channel’s are ok during the day but by 7 pm things go down hill fast.
If these two big problems got sorted out this marina would be an absolute gem.
We will certainly consider coming back again next year

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Reviewed by: Pat on Mar 5, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 3

Lovely marina, great atmosphere, helpful and friendly staff, short walk to the beach. Getting to any big box stores is not easy unless you have a car. Only downside to speak of is the lack of internet access. It is provided, but without adequate bandwidth ....3 months in and still no WiFi....be prepared to provide your own access.

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Reviewed by: Yinzerbob , YINZER, on Jul 5, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Nice quiet "local" marina. Key is to keep calling dockmaster Ray. He will eventually answer the phone (does not monitor Ch 16) Nicely stocked grocery store on site. Good fishing off boat.

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Reviewed by: Jack on Feb 14, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

Arrived after hurricane damage. Nice hard docks, quiet, with wifi, clean bathrooms, onsite grocery and restaurant. short walk to the beach, fishing and surfing, pet friendly and many liveaboards making it a nice, hole in the wall marina.
It is in a gated community far from the the big box stores, so getting to and from an actual town would be an expensive uber lift if done regularly... but the grocery store is well stocked!

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Reviewed by: Jim P on Jan 22, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

This is one of those marinas that seems to stay near full with local boats and doesn't really care about the transient market. They don't monitor VHF 16, they don't even answer the phone half the time, and if you arrive at lunch time you're on your own. Its a nice facility in a great location, a good restaurant, a good convenience store with deli sandwiches, and a short walk to the ocean beach. Despite what the listing says, there is no WiFi provided.

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