Reviews: South Haven Municipal Marina - Southside Marina

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Oct 11, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

We stopped at the South Haven Municipal Marina to avoid 8-10 knot winds on Lake Michigan. We docked on what the dockmasters referred to as "The Wall," which is a long dock that runs the length marina on the Black River channel. The mooring was a bit bumpy the first three nights, but in fairness, the winds on the lake were very high and we were essentially in the Black River inlet channel just a few hundred yards from the lake. On the fourth evening the winds on the lake were 18-20 knots and the winds had shifted westerly, directly into the Black River channel. The waves and winds at the dock were quite violent. We used nine fenders and doubled our 5/8" mooring lines (total of eight lines). The stern cleats on our boat are lower than the height of the fixed dock. In the course of the evening, the four stern lines were chafed on the edge of the dock to the point they broke. The stern of the boat swung out into the channel and the 50-amp power cord pulled the power pedestal off the dock and broke the water line. The marina is owned by the city, so the city workers repaired the power pedestal without charging us. Our stay wound up being six days before the winds subsided. In spite of the difficult weather causing a problematic mooring, we liked this marina. It is clean, very-well maintained and is located just a 4–5-minute walk to South Haven's charming downtown district with a wide variety of shops and excellent restaurants. The restrooms/showers were very clean. There is only one washer and dryer, which makes doing a lot of laundry a bit of a lengthy process. The lounge is quite conformable with several tables and couches, and free coffee. The biggest plus of the marina is the dockmasters. Lisa and her husband Glen are delightful people that work hard to keep the marina clean, and go out of their way to accommodate boater's needs. When we called them in the middle of the night about the broken power pedestal and water break, Glen was there in fifteen minutes to address the situation. The marina is very pet friendly with large grassy areas. The only reason I did not give this marina five stars was the bumpy mooring on "The Wall" when the winds are strong and westerly.

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Reviewed by: Paul Steindorf , Ohana, on Aug 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

Helpful dockhands, clean restrooms, nice lounge area. Single washer and dryer. Easy walk into town for shopping and restaurants. Meijer grocery superstore about a 10 minute bike ride away. Slips toward the river are very rolly with waves from the lake coming right down the river. Try to get a slip on the land side of the marina for less motion.

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Reviewed by: Douglas Morrow , Ripple, on Aug 1, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Wonderful Marina! Great dock help and a husband and wife team who are also the harbor hosts. They are always cleaning. Beautiful lounge, very clean restrooms and 1 washer and dryer. You can walk to the beach or into town. (Some restaurants are not open Monday to Wednesday.) Lots of shopping and we caught the Farmers Market on Wednesday morning. Great town for families!

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Reviewed by: Scott Vanderstoep , Hope and Dreams, on Sep 27, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 30'
Draft: 3.6'

Rating: 5

Staff is great. Nice boaters' lounge both inside and outside (partially covered)--loopers had a huge docktails gathering there. The locals are super friendly. Marina has bikes, laundry (quarters). No uber or ground transportation. Walking distance to almost anything and lots to do. Marina shop at Gull Lake has essential boat stuff. Coffee, food, drinks are all good. The only thing we needed outside of walking distance was grocery store, which we did with a bike, but it was a bit dicey because a couple of the roads were busy, 10-minute bike ride.

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Reviewed by: Lori Pickette on Sep 26, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Fixed docks in a slightly tight marina. We had trouble with our pedestal and the staff were quick to assist. Password protected bathrooms/showers are clean and the boater's lounge is nice for any Captain's Meetings that may need to be arranged. Grills and picnic tables are perfect for potlucks with your fellow cruisers. Town is an easy walk away with shops, restaurants, breweries and wine tasting just steps away. Aside from problems with our pedestal in which the staff was quick to assist, we'd stay again. The marina is a little tight but no current to overcome. If you take it slow, it's manageable.

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Reviewed by: Tom Taylor on Jul 17, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 0.0'

Rating: 5

Southside marina seems to be reserved for transients. Very nice facilities. Hundreds of boats along river. On prime boating days gets pretty busy. Great museum. Easy walk to beach and downtown. I borrowed a marina provided bike and rode it 1 mile east to Meijer's, a Walmart like mega grocery. Remnants of big rollers will make it up the river and cause minor boat rocking.

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Reviewed by: Grant Eagle , Call Me Curly, on Sep 7, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 2

Very disappointed after hearing so many good things, especially disappointed with our slip assignment. We were assigned a slip which allowed us about 8" on each side between the dock and outside post. Much too small a slip for our 47 ft. boat with a 15 ft. beam. Stern end cleat was secured by one bolt. Worst slip we have had since the beginning of our loop. Dangerous for us getting off and on the boat with dock height and wrong side for the tie. We asked for alternative on approach, but were told there was not a port side tie. We found that we could have been placed on the outer dock as there was room. Had a few other small issues based on inexperience of the personnel on duty. Don't want to give the marina or town a bad wrap as we are only here for one night, but I will be glad to move on.

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Reviewed by: Patricia And Steven Stanley , Calypso, on Aug 25, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

South Haven is one of our favorite stops on The Loop. The municipal marina has fixed, wooden docks, bathrooms, showers, laundry and a captains lounge. The staff are friendly and efficient. Wifi works well on the docks and there are courtesy bikes to borrow. Stores, restaurants and fun activities are nearby. A grocery store is about a mile away.

We stayed for 2 nights. On the first day we walked to the yacht harbor (closed) and toured the maritime museum. It's a great museum worth a visit. We enjoyed learning about the steam ship history on the Great Lakes. We viewed coast guard rescue boats and vintage power boats. We also visited the local American Legion Hall. Nice!

On our second day we went to the Farmers Market and enjoyed a meal at Clementines. Based on recommendations, we had the world famous onion rings and perch. Delicious!

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Reviewed by: Linda McCormick on Jul 30, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Definitely a tourist destination, lots of shops and restaurants, but no sign of a grocery store. The South Basin Marina has gang washrooms, individual showers, a boater lounge, and large outdoor gathering spaces. Very helpful staff who keep an eye on everything. A hike to town and a piece of grass for the dogs.

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Reviewed by: Wade A. on Feb 3, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We were "weathered in" @ South Haven for a week in Sept 2021. Southside is the transient marina. Access is good, as are fixed docks and facilities. Easy walk to a charming downtown, beach, dining, etc. Staff is OUTSTANDING.

But....

Southside is very exposed to lake waves when winds are from the W or NW. The manager graciously moved us and 3 others to empty seasonal slips at the Northside and Museum marinas (which they also manage) and gave us access to those facilities.

A great stop, but watch the wind forecast

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Reviewed by: Bill Mcmahon on Sep 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Typical Michigan municipal marina (a good thing). Floating dock, both posts and cleats. Tight turn in the fairway, but not too bad. Close to town, but not right in it.

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Reviewed by: Brian Chapin , Tug Life, on Jul 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 25'
Draft: 2.0'

Rating: 5

Helpful staff. Fixed docks. Boater dock is gated but not locked. Restrooms and showers clean, updated with code access. Great location to town. One block up hill to restaurants. Try Black River Tavern for the lake perch! Marina adjacent to green space and 2 blocks to beach and pier with lighthouse. Unlimited access to loaner bicycles. Fuel available on both sides of river.

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Reviewed by: Peter Walton on Sep 15, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Good internet, short walk to nice town. Easy walk to great hardware store.

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