Reviews: Erie Basin Marina

Reviewed by: Donna Wallace , Adelante, on Jul 28, 2024
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 5.4'

Rating: 4

Marina staff very accomodating. Docks in great shape but a bit of a walk to the office and shower facilities. Beautiful location and very busy waterfront area with limited restaurant options. Some security with locked gates and guard making rounds. Locals on dock very friendly...even let us use their vehicle to go run errands and get provisions. Would stay again.

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Reviewed by: Kevin Williams , m/v Blue Tortuga, on Jul 24, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Stayed 2 nights as a transient in a slip. Got fuel on the way in and the lady helping us did an outstanding job. After that, she made sure someone would meet us at our slip to catch lines. All of the staff was friendly and helpful. Marina is located in a fun area with lots of restaurants and things to do. If flowers are your thing, you'll be in heaven- multiple beautiful gardens. Restrooms / showers are good but a long ways away. A good stop- we'd return.

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Reviewed by: David Barlow , Dream Catcher, on Jul 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

We were on the long wall since we are a power cat with a 21.5 beam. The wall gets a lot of wave and wind action, but we were thankful for the spot with 30 kts wind. The dock master Jon was very considerate checking on us a couple of times during our stay and helped us with recommendations.

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Reviewed by: Phillip Myburgh , M/Y Dancing Hare, on Jul 6, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 189'
Draft: 11.5'

Rating: 5

We would like to thank John Nash for accommodating us during our stay in Buffalo.
John and his team took great care of us, ensuring we had a convenient & memorable stay.
Erie Basin Marina is a great location, in the heart of Buffalo, a great stop for all boaters.
We will definitely stop in again on our return trip. Erie basin is one of the few places that could accommodate a vessel of our size.

We contacted the marina via email and received info on slips that could be of use to us. The transient slip was the best option, as it had the biggest wall and enough water for our draft. The value for money for this berth is great.

Clearing customs here was also a breeze, the officers that came to the vessel, ensured we were all in order and gave us some great advice for some local hot spots and must-try restaurants.

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Reviewed by: Lyn Hippert on May 30, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 94'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

While doing a delivery I had some mechanical issues with the boat I landed at Erie Basin Marina . Jon Nash and staff were extremely helpful assisting me to find the help needed to effect repairs and made my stay a comfortable and productive as one could expect. The facilities were clean and well kept and in working order. I highly recommend this marina for it offers and has everything a boater rather local or transient would need. I recommend this marina to anyone looking for a good boating experience.

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Reviewed by: Barb Robertson , WhimSea, on Aug 2, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 0.0'

Rating: 1

Marina does not answer phone or return messages. I made multiple attempts with no success. Staff at the fuel dock acted like they had never handled a line and assisted tying up. They were quite proficient at accepting payment. For a transient dock for 1 overnight, they had run out of fobs to use the facilities. The transient dock wall was so bumpy and rolling I didn't feel safe enough to get off the boat and connect electric. So for $2 a foot I got no bathroom access and no electricity, just an extremely bumpy all night roll. I read the reviews and thought how bad can it be for 1 night, I would not stay there again.

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Reviewed by: Robert Lentz on May 27, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 2

The docks are good. The setting is pleasant. It is convenient to the Black Rock Canal. Unfortunately, the marina staff are not well trained and don't seem to understand anything about the operation of a marina. I called the phone repeatedly and got a busy signal. I tried hailing on channel 16 and got no response.

When I stopped at the fuel dock, the staff suddenly appeared. I informed them that I was looking for a transient slip for one night. They were going to put me on the bulkhead. I stated that on a previous stay I had seen boats being pummeled on the bulkhead by the swells in the basin. They told me that the swells would stop at night. I knew this not to be true and insisted on a slip. The basin was at least half empty. They had to call a manager to find an available slip. Was finally assigned a slip. The rolling did not stop all night, although it was acceptable for sleeping.

Should I end up in Buffalo again, I will definitely avoid this marina.

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Reviewed by: Jayne Lindblom , Inua, on Sep 9, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 44'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

We only stopped to get diesel fuel, but had a great experience. It was really windy and Lydia and Adam were on the dock ready to help! They were very welcoming and provided great customer service. They like dogs too! We'll stop here again. Thank you!

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Reviewed by: Jack Shuff , Jackpot, on Jul 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

Was placed on a wall after boat was delivered through the Welland. Some of the pedestals are not working on the wall. The water in the marina is much like being on anchor. The marina rolled constantly. Fueled up and the pump quit working after filling one of my tanks. The help on the fuel dock could care less. He reported the same issue happened a few days earlier. No help docking. Yep, given the option I would skip this one.

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Reviewed by: Rob Dare , Liberty Call , on Jul 2, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

We were placed on a high wall. Several of the power pedestals do not work on the wall. Very rough when the wind is out of the west. Nice fuel dock and currently $3.79 a gallon which is less than we have been paying in NY. Nice grassy areas to walk a dog. A good place for a night after the Welland Canal but wouldn't want to stay on the wall longer.

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Reviewed by: Robert Webb , Doc's Aweigh, on Jun 8, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 54'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

We were on bulkhead and water is quite choppy all the time if any Westerly winds. No security and frequent public parking although also see patrol cars. Ok for a 1 night visit after had boat brought up the Welland.

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Reviewed by: Captain Kevin on Jun 11, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 56'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 1

Not a good place. Diesel was the highest priced east of the Mississippi. $4.19. Stayed on the wall, what a mistake! Had to take apart the power pedestal to fit plug in. No help from staff docking or any other way. Only 1 30 amp and 1 50 amp. The wall slips are absolutely brutal if the wind starts blowing from the lake. Boat slammed around like a toy. Harbor very rough. Sidewalk is right next to boat so always people looking in. Long walk to get anything— Go elsewhere.

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Reviewed by: Eddy Johnsen , Spiritus, on Jul 4, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

For such a large marina, the setting felt rather intimate, probably because it is surrounded by a park on one side and very nice condos on the other. As their website suggests, stop at the fuel dock on your way into the basin (starboard side) to check-in at the dockmaster's office. You'll need to get the security key for your dock gate. Although the docks are fixed, they are in very good condition. Fingers are long enough to allow our 36 foot Grand Banks to tie bow-in and still get on & off the boat. We were pleasantly surprised to find the bathroom and shower facilities in such nice, clean condition, especially since we were here over a very busy July 4th. And the air conditioned bathrooms were a big bonus! They were about 100 yards from our slip, but conveniently located right next to a bar, a hamburger joint, and a great ice cream shop! There are several eating establishments within walking distance, both beach casual and dockside "dining". Great view of the lake and breakwater as you stroll along flower lined sidewalks.

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Reviewed by: Mary Eisman on Jun 26, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 35'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 2

Untrained staff. Attendant sprayed me with gas because she did not know how to put hose nozzle in gas tank, Pump out service also unskilled. Computer was down. No help with docking.

Transients are wedged into bulkhead slips with 2' wide old wooden steep ramp alongside public access walkway in downtown Buffalo, 1/2 mile from the showers. Advertised Wi-Fi was inaccessible from the slip. Could not wait to leave.

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