Reviews: Waterside Marina

Reviewed by: MARK GLOVER , COOL CHANGE, on Jun 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Great staff!! From the time we arrived to the time we left! Attentive and friendly and helpful. Dock are in amazing condition and the cleats are on a rail system that let them adjust to each individual vessel. Right in the heart and easy walking to anything you want to do. Good rates. Secure. You can feel safe here. Would definitely stay again!

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Reviewed by: David Waugh , Winds of Change, on Jun 7, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

The staff and the docks are excellent. Staff was friendly and helpful. Location cannot be beat. It is an easy walk to many attractions and the ballpark.

The only thing keeping this from a 4 star review is the bathrooms. They are a long walk across "public" areas. Additionally during our stay they were not regularly cleaned and were often out of toilet paper.

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Reviewed by: Kevin Williams , m/v Blue Tortuga, on May 18, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

A 5 star rating is warranted because the staff at Waterside is amazing. Knowledgeable, friendly, always asking if you need anything, always looking to make sure your stay is as pleasant as possible. If I owned a marina, I'd want these folks working for me. As stated previously, a fair price given the stellar location. Docks and facilities are in good shape. Marina provides shuttle to an area grocery store.
Would highly recommend one of the "tourist" boat tours because you'll learn a ton about the area. At least two are available right at the marina. The marina has no fuel, no laundry and the small restrooms are a small walk.

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Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Oct 29, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

Great location in downtown Norfolk, walking distance to many restaurants and some shopping. Nice floating docks, helpful dockhands. Welcome pack included Wifi info, bathroom codes, and things to do brochure for Norfolk. As mentioned in other reviews, the marina entrance is very tight and the restrooms are a bit of a hike from the docks. It's remarkably quiet at night and there's very wake from passing boats, being within a large No Wake area. The price is fair given the proximity to so many places of interest. There's also easy access to the ferry to downtown Portsmouth. (And if you're as sick of seafood as I was when I arrived, I highly recommend the funky Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint, which was recommended to me by the dockhands. Best burger and sweet potato fries I've had in a long time.)

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Reviewed by: Gary Miller on Oct 9, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 76'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Excellent facility, good water depth, good power, good H2O, great staff, terrific location and priced fairly.

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Reviewed by: David Mann , Now or Never, on Oct 4, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.7'

Rating: 5

Great transient stop. It's a little tight pulling in the marina but is doable. Great staff is present until late in the evening to assist you. Downtown location with all of the features. Adjustable cleats on newer floating docks.

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Reviewed by: Daniel Warthan on May 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Staff was great and did anything to help! It is a bit of a walk to bathroom and shower. No laundry although heard there was laundry in Sheraton on 4th floor. Never looked into this. Great location for dining options. They also provide taxi service about 10am to Harris Teeter for grocery needs. If had laundry would be 5 stars!

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Reviewed by: Captain Gene on Apr 16, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

04/15/2023 Staff helpful on docking and information. Solid floating docks. Came in at Slack so easy docking. Washroom/bathroom/shower fairly new, small, but a long walk from docks, Close to Nauticus and wonderful naval museum. Walked to Chrysler Art Museum and glass blowing was interesting. Good variety of places to dine.No laundry. We were near office so wifi worked OK for us. Marina was only half full so that probably helped wifi.

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Reviewed by: Christopher Carmody on Oct 30, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Can be tight maneuvering when the basin is full of larger boats. Staff/dockhands are awesome. Always a pleasure to stop in here. Only downsides are poor wifi and restrooms are on the far end of main waterside building.

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Reviewed by: Susan Viltrakis , LimitLess, on Oct 20, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 60'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Great place to dock except for the noise.

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Reviewed by: Veronica Reinhardt , Toucan Tango, on Sep 1, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Awesome service! Extremely informative,
courteous and helpful...attentive to our needs. Easy to get into, incredible location!! Free taxi service to Grocery Store, and great WiFi. And all for $2.00/ft!

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Reviewed by: Christopher Carmody on Jun 30, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Right in the heart of downtown Norfolk, great access to restaurants, museums, etc. Easy entrance with good floating docks, but it can get tight when larger boats are docked along the north bulkhead. Excellent staff, Cell coverage great, wifi slow when it occasionally works. It's a few hundred yard walk to the marina bathrooms but they are clean and code-locked.

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Reviewed by: Bill Mcmahon on May 28, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Solid floating docks.
Located right in the heart of the tourist area.
Long walk to OK showers and restrooms, No Laundry

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Reviewed by: Gary Miller on May 15, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 76'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Great marina, 50-60 shops/restaurants in complex. Very attentive staff, fair prices, good power and water. WI-FI inop, close to everything a big city can offer.

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Reviewed by: Patricia And Steven Stanley , Calypso, on May 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Wonderful marina with fixed and floating docks plus great, friendly staff. We stayed here for the AGLCA Spring Rendezvous and the marina was full of Looper boats. There are many restaurants and things to do (e.g. Nautilus, Chrysler Museum and local events). Would give 5 stars, but there is no laundry facility and you have to Uber/taxi to a grocery store.

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Reviewed by: Laura Briggs , Simpatico, on Apr 18, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great floating docks (NO SPLINTERS when coiling lines), great dockmasters, great location! Only drawback is that the restrooms/shower are pretty far (my iPhone says it is a .2 mile walk one way). If you like to be in the middle of all that is happening, but feel safely tucked away, this is the place!

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Reviewed by: Michael Palotta , Buona Fortuna, on Dec 15, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great marina and staff very helpful to assist with docking. Great floating docks and very protected. Great proximity to local restaurants although the ones at Waterside where closed Monday and Tuesday possibly due to off season. Definitely would stay again but add additional day for the Navy Museum it was closing as we got there but still got to see the Wisconsin with Christmas decorations.

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Reviewed by: Jeanne N , Telesto, on Oct 30, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 5

Tucked in to a slip ten minutes before the storm hit. The storm blew through quickly and we were able to walk around town. Lovely rooftop bar called "Grain" looks out at the marina. It was fun to see our boat from such a vantage point. Easy pump out and fuel. It's a walk to the bathrooms but after days aboard it's nice to stretch legs!

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Reviewed by: Gary Miller on Oct 10, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 76'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

First class operation, good fresh water, good 100 amp power, WIFI has never worked. 20' water at low tide, stores and shops in Waterside itself plus major city has everything to fulfill your needs.

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Reviewed by: Mo Mo on Aug 6, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 52'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Best location in town! Awesome staff, great docks.

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Reviewed by: Capt. Sterling on Jul 31, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

They use Dockwa, great location, several restaurants closed or partially open. Good cell service.

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Reviewed by: Mo Mo on Jul 25, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 52'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Cannot beat the location and views from this place! Staff are excellent, docks are the best! Totally protected from outside current! Highly recommended.

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Reviewed by: David Merchberger , Slo Pace, on Jul 22, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 5

Staff and docks are first rate. The walk to the restrooms/showers can be a bit long depending on where you're located in the marina, but not bad.

Ideal location to visit Norfolk. Too many attractions to list. If you want to visit Portsmouth, its a short ferry ride over, but honestly there is not much there.

Waterside is THE place to stay while in Norfolk.

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Reviewed by: John Tyrell on Jun 26, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.7'

Rating: 4

Nice protected marina with high quality floating docks. Plenty of room to maneuver. Several restaurants at marina. Parftially open due to covid. Showers and restrooms are a long walk frrom docks. Friendly dock hands. Ferry boat nearby - no wake from it but a lot of horn blowing.

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Reviewed by: Jody Paterson on Jun 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 64'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

New docks and helpful staff at this marina. Tight getting in and out particularly when all spots are taken. Dock master very accommodating when we needed to stop for a few hours to take a conference call. Short walk to the Wisconsin battleship. Appear to be near restaurants although we did not try any.

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Reviewed by: Ross Wiltse on Jun 8, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 2.9'

Rating: 5

Excellent docks, I heard they were new. Great dock staff. Was surprised it wasn't full. We initially planned on staying 2 nights, but enjoyed the area with museums and restaurants on Granby St. we stayed extra night. Chrysler museum is worth the walk.

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Reviewed by: Dave Cunningham on May 25, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 30'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

What a pleasant experience it was to stay at Waterside Marina. We stayed 4 nights. The docks are in excellent shape. The staff are extremely helpful and kind, often doing things I wouldn’t have expected (i.e. like seeing that I was carrying trash up to garbage and offering to take it for me, or asking if I need ice and offering to bring it to us.) There’s a lot going on around the marina with it being right there around restaurants and hotels, etc., but we felt safe, secure and most importantly, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

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Reviewed by: Jeffrey Skoda on May 21, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 65'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 4

We stayed at Waterside for 11 days. The staff is excellent and is knowledgeable. The pump out needs repairs and is very weak. The noise level during the day is moderate to high. At night very quiet. You are in the center of Norfolk with easy access to Portsmouth via ferry.

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Reviewed by: Jason Erbecker , Liberty Risk, on May 20, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 52'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

We love coming to Waterside. The docks are meticulously maintained. The location close to eating and drinking spots is perfect. As nice as the marina is, the best aspect is the staff, typified by Seth. Very competent, polite, helpful, and friendly. I don’t think I have ever seen him walk on the dock—always at a run and moving with a purpose to make the boater’s life (docking experience) as painless as possible. I wish there was a sixth star to give…well done Waterside!

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Reviewed by: Gary Miller on May 17, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 76'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

I have been staying here for years on north/south trip. Good facility, staff is good and well trained, good access to everything in downtown Norfolk, wifi is weak by ferry dock.

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Reviewed by: Tom Anderson on May 9, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

We stayed four days at this iconic marina. While the marketplace restaurants and bars were closed on Mondays and Tuesdays you could sense that this was a high energy party place in non-Covid times. For the more sedentary, the convergence of the two branches of the Elizabeth River provide a great opportunity to sit and watch the world go by. There are chairs arraigned on the dock to do just that. It’s also a great place to meet fellow boaters. There is minimal security but I had no concerns or issues taking the dog for a late evening walk. The marina is small with some tight slips but is fairly easy to maneuver in. The floating docks are new and the adjustable cleats make for easy work securing a vessel. The location in downtown Norfolk puts many of the area attractions a very short walk away. The marina offers a shuttle to a nearby grocery and is very dog friendly with a dog park near by. The staff was efficient and friendly. I was a little relieved that I did not need a pump out. The location looks like it could be a challenge getting in and out. If you want to be in a lively social place this fits the bill.

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Reviewed by: Bruce Stewart , Escape, on May 5, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Loved the marina, great staff to help with everything, the marina is well protected from swells. The Chrysler Museum is well worth the walk.

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Reviewed by: Simon E. on Apr 9, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 22'
Draft: 1.5'

Rating: 5

This is a great marina with helpful and friendly staff to assist you with any docking you may need. The inner docks are nice floating docks. We frequent here to stop for lunch at the restaurants. I think its $8 for up to 4 hours.

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Reviewed by: PaulFromRI on Nov 30, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Facilities are excellent and staff are extremely helpful. Great location and very reasonable rates. They do not have a fuel dock but there are several other places nearby. I strongly recommend this facility.

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Reviewed by: Allan Straughan on Sep 24, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

I second all of the previous comments and will not repeat them except to say the staff here are top notch. The only reason I do not offer 5 stars is the WiFi was awful, intermittent and near useless, and there was no security after the staff left for the night. We had no problems, but one never knows. A locking gate would bring a little peace of mind in a large city marina setting.

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Reviewed by: Jason Spitz , Breathe, on Jul 26, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

We visited and stayed 4 nights in early July 2020. The marina staff was excellent, assisting with lines and going above the call of duty in tracking packages that Amazon left elsewhere! The docks are new and nice with great power and water connections. We did not use the restroom facility which is quite a walk. There are no laundry facilities. Access to downtown Norfolk is great. We had friends who live in Norfolk and this was super convenient. Lots of great places to walk from here. In non-COVID times, I’d definitely come back.

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Reviewed by: Mom With A Map , Light & Salty, on Jul 15, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Waterside Marina in Norfolk is an awesome place to stay.

You definitely pay a high price for location, but it's worth it! You will be docked in the heart of Norfolk within a quick walking distance to pretty much everything. We loved being surrounded by all of the huge Navy ships and watching all of the interesting sights of the harbor.

Waterside is right in the center of all of it, but very protected and safe.

The docks are extremely nice and the dock hands are knowledgeable and helpful.

If you are needing/wanting to stay in the Norfolk area, this marina would be my top choice.

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Reviewed by: Paul Smyers , SV Nova, on May 14, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

This is a five star marina. The docks are impeccable. The staff are excellent. Access to the city is immediate.

There is a bit of shipyard noise throughout the day. The commercial traffic on the river does slosh the marina around a little. And being IN the city there is a pretty constant stream of lookers on the public portion of the pier.

But there's dozens of great restaurants, parks, and mass transit all within a 5 minute walk.

It's also an expensive marina.

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Reviewed by: Joe on Mar 1, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.0'

Rating: 5

Waterside is great these days! Lots of nice restaurants and entertainment within walking distance. Downtown Norfolk has a lot of restaurants and museums and it’s all walking distance.

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Reviewed by: Linda Hardberger on Jun 22, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 60'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

We agree with most of the previous comments with a few caveats. On the weekends in summer the bands are loud. They put us right behind the stage at the Blue Moon pub and it was terribly loud. Also on the weekends they really crowd the boats in. The staff is very good and restrooms very nice.

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Reviewed by: Ed Tillett on Jul 11, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 60'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Waterside Market is now open, which puts a new shine on Waterside Marina. This is an urban setting with plenty to do and lots of activity. The marina is well maintained with new restrooms (no laundry), good security, plenty of protection from tide and wind and a superb staff that is always available to assist. If you need to provision, just call the dock house when you return and they will meet you at the street with a cart and help load in your supplies. Since this is an urban setting, there's plenty to do within a 1 mile radius. This is one of our favorite stops on the ICW and Chesapeake Bay.

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Reviewed by: Howard Entman on Jul 6, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

We have showers and heads on board, so we didn't use their facilities.

We docked on the bulkhead near the bandstand. There were two dockhands waiting for us. They were professional and abolutely knew what they were doing. The power and water pedestal was within five feet of our boat.

The area around the marina is 'electrifying'. It is vibrant, alive with activity during most of the day and evening. There is a major indoor shopping mall less than half mile away, and literally dozens of independent restaurants on Granby Street. There are museums and naval-oriented historical sights within walking distance.

This should be a must-stop for any boater going through the area. We will be back.

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Reviewed by: robert beringer on Jul 3, 2017
Draft: 0.0'

Rating: 5

Great crew, very polite and helpful.

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Reviewed by: Captain Kevin on Nov 16, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 35'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We stayed on November 14 for two nights at The Waterside Marina. They are remodeling the Waterside building. They look forward to opening in 2017. They will have restrooms, laundry and restaurants. Now they have a portable building for restrooms and showers. The laundry we did at the Sheraton. Great restaurants close by. The mall is close also. Great stay and Dan was Great help.

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Reviewed by: Ed Tillett on Jun 27, 2016
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 60'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

The service is always good at Waterside. Floating docks are good and the breakwater protects you from harbor traffic. Waterside business district is undergoing renovation and will be up and running next season. But the hustle and bustle of downtown Norfolk is fun for a few nights. It's and easy walk to coffee shops and restaurants. Showers and laundry are undergoing renovation, but available. Quiet at night and security is good.

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