Reviews: Port Austin State Harbor

Reviewed by: Mary Wolf , Just Relax, on Jul 19, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Friendly knowledgeable staff. Very clean facility, during the two days we were there staff constantly was doing maintenance (power washing, weeding, efc)-they take pride in their marina. Free laundry was appreciated as well as the close proximity to town. We enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant that had live music and were able to get groceries and items from hardware store. Nice Beach next to marina and a playground with plenty of space. Enjoyed our stay.

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Reviewed by: Douglas Morrow , Ripple, on Jun 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

The harbor is well maintained by helpful people. Great help docking too. There are 2 free washers and dryers. Port Austin is a very cute village. We were here 4 days due to wind. There are several bar/restaurants open every day. The Bank, restaurant is definitely worth visiting. PAK has great live music. The Farmers Market on Saturdays is fantastic. There is a hardware store and a few other shops all walking distance.

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Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Sep 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

The facilities were good -- docks in good condition, power pedestals in good shape, clean restrooms and showers -- but there was no one working there. We got the bathroom code from another boater. We wanted fuel, but there was no one to turn on the pumps.

Very convenient to town where there are shops, restaurants, a grocery store, and a hardware store. At least one business -- a bakery with the very promising opening hour of 5 AM per Google -- was already closed for the season three days after labor day.

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Reviewed by: Bill Mcmahon on Aug 13, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

New beefy floating dock with both cleats and posts. The showers were clean, but no sink, mirror, or toilet. They are in a separate restroom. Free laundry facility.
Nice little town. Blue Moon Ice Cream was wonderful. They encouraged me to taste flavors before I ordered. Large portions, baseball size scoops. Fabulously decadent!

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Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Aug 11, 2021
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Port Austin State Marina is a typical Michigan DNR Harbor of Refuge. Well constructed, well maintained, well staffed, and well operated. The lawns are mowed, the trash is removed, the gas dock is clear and clean as are the restrooms and showers. The marina is open to the public so there is a lot of dock walkers to deal with although there were all respectful of boater privacy. Be prepared to answer occasional questions. The marina is still recovering from winter storm damage but the parts that are open are first rate. Power pedestals are new with 30 and 50 amp service and water. For the price you cannot beat it.

Approach is 12 feet minimum and we had 8 feet at the wall. Entry to the harbor is a right angle turn so take it slow and the turn directly towards the gas dock for the most water. There is a lot of small boat and kayak traffic both for fishing and for tourism, visiting "Turnip Rock" at Pointe aux Barques Park a couple of miles east of the marina.

Port Austin is small and quiet but sufficient for most needs. There is a beach right next to the marina and a large kayak rental business further up the harbor. All the kayaks come out by the dock. The town has a good hardware store and an IGA grocery a block from the docks, several small restaurants and a remarkably good Saturday Morning Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. We delayed our departure to attend and it was worthwhile. No WiFi but good cell reception for AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Dog friendly.

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Reviewed by: Jeffrey Brown , Sea Tiger, on Jul 11, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

In 2021, Port Austin State Harbor is accessible by reservation, but with a smaller number of transient docks due to a previous year storm damage. Last year the harbor was provisionally open with only seawall docking and no reservations. Damage remains evident on the end of the west pier (near fuel dock) and red buoys mark location of damaged pier. The harbor area is busy including kayaks, so be mindful of these boaters especially emerging from obstructed views. On 10 July I purchased diesel at $3.25/gallon. Inside the breakwater, on approach to the harbor depth was 11 feet. Depth in the outside fairway for slips 1 – 9 was 8 feet. The bottom appears to be grassy which may cause false shoal soundings. Stay within the harbor lateral-buoys and avoid the clump of buoys marking the damaged pier adjacent to the fuel dock. Town of Port Austin is an easy walk including a hardware store, market, eateries and local emporium.

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Reviewed by: Aaron T Roseum , Archimedes, on May 3, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 30'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 5

Cannot say enough good things about this harbor and town. Came in under very lumpy seas and the breakwalls were fantastic. The docks and Harbor area are brand new with great power pedestals and water to dockside. Fuel dock is easy to approach if you come straight in through the channel. Water depth was adequate even for a 6-ft draft. Take time to visit the town. The hardware store is a 3-minute walk from the harbor and has everything from tools to beach toys. Don't forget to visit the Green Clean Bean just down the road for coffee, laundry, Wi-Fi, and the friendliest poodle you'll ever meet.

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Reviewed by: Richard Robinson on Aug 4, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We could not be happier with the first class accommodations and the dock hands and crew; the price is right. However be careful of the part time marine patrol deputies that walk the dock

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