Reviews: Carolina Beach State Park

Reviews Summary

The reviews for the Carolina Beach State Park Marina highlight both the charm and challenges of this location. Many visitors appreciate the marina's quiet, natural setting, with access to hiking trails and unique wildlife, including carnivorous plants. The pricing is generally seen as very reasonable, especially for seniors, with rates around $24 to $33 per night, including amenities like power and water.

However, a recurring concern is the shallow entrance channel, which has been reported to have depths as low as 4 feet at low tide. Reviewers advise careful timing of arrivals, preferably during mid to high tide, to avoid grounding. Some guests have noted that the marina may not be suitable for larger boats due to the shallow waters and narrow channel.

Facilities are described as basic but adequate, with clean restrooms, a small store, and laundry services. The atmosphere is rustic and quiet, making it a good spot for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle. While some guests mention the lack of nearby restaurants and entertainment, others appreciate the tranquility and natural beauty of the park.

Overall, the marina is recommended for smaller, shallow draft boats and those who enjoy nature, but caution is advised for deeper draft vessels.

Reviewed by: Captain Gene on Nov 10, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

November 3,4 2025 two day stay this time. Daily rate went up to twice what it used to be. Now $60 a night. Senior rate $57. Shallow entering at docks so need tidal help to enter and exit. Oct 25 2024 four day stay. April 23,2024 stayed again but the place needed dredging. The entrance needed to be done with tide help. October 25 2023 timed tide to come in at half tide as the channel in was in need of dredging. April 5 2023 one night stay. Timed arrival for mid tide as entrance is shallow down to 4' at low. Oct 27 2022 stayed for a couple of days. May 3 2022 make sure to stay in channel as it it skinny especially at low tide. Observed boat grounded trying to get in at low tide slightly out of the channel. Mid or higher recommended. October 25 2021 senior price was $30. April 15 2021- Still happy to be here on our transits up and back East coast but the entrance was getting shallow and that time we came in a little more than an hour after low tide. We draft four feet and noticed it was was close for us then. Also at the docks it used to be deeper but now it is about 4.5 feet at low tide.11 2 2015 Came in at low tide depth was 5.8 feet. Ranger came out to us and called us on channel 16 when we arrived. Small store on site with drinks and ice cream. Very nice state park stayed two days and check out is 3pm if you want to stay late. Diesel fuel.Gas also. Nice floating docks with good protection in the marina. A Dock has wider slips about 15-16 feet wide. April 17 2016 This time on end of B Dock so I just pulled in with help from Denise from the office as I was singled handed and requested help grabbing lines. Went on my bike to Food Lion to get provisions which is about a half mile outside park. Will stay here again. November 10 2016 stayed again and enjoyed. It did not show any damage from Matthew seemed all ok.  Feb 25 2017 back again rate $33 a day for any size boat. October 22 2017 here again for $33, electric included. Staff friendly and helpful in docking. Pump outs $20. Nov 3 2018 stayed three days. All ok after Florence. They were closed for short time after. March 28 2019 stayed again.

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Reviewed by: Kevin Ho on Jun 24, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 31'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Great place if you can make it in.

Favor the reds as tight as possible. We saw 6.3 on a 3.7 foot tide. Tides are between 4-5 feet here, so you have to pick your window.

It's a quiet state park with a little store for ice cream and bait, but no beer.

Shower building does not have climate control. OK in summer, might be cold in winter.

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Reviewed by: William Cooper , Sara Sea, on Oct 26, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

I'd give it 5 stars except it is getting too shallow to enter for my 4' draft. Had to leave at the very least mid tide rising to avoid getting stuck. It looked to me like they took some slips out of availability since they weren't deep enough. Ours was deep enough barely but we did stir up some mud on the way out.

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Reviewed by: Scott Snedeker on Mar 27, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 2.3'

Rating: 5

We paid $30 including a $3 online reservation fee. Nice to be able to select your slip online. At 1 hour prior to low tide we saw as low as 4' in the marina channel, then a couple of feet deeper inside the marina. Very protected and quiet at the slip. Basic older restrooms and showers typical of a state park.

Nice trails to walk in the large park. One of the few places in the U.S. that Venus flytraps grow wild.
Grocery, restaurants, brewery, and distillery are 1.2+ miles away, most of the walk/bike ride being inside of the park. The Island Greenway System bike/pedestrian path just outside the park entrance, although the off-street section is short.

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Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Nov 22, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

My third time here and I'm sure I'll be back again. This is a great deal for smaller, shallow draft boats: just $24 for folks 62 and older gets you a slip with power and water in a sheltered spot with restrooms, laundry, a nice lounge area, WiFi, and miles of trails. About a mile to two different supermarkets; Uber will come into the park and get you. Unfortunately, this marina is not suitable for larger boats due to its small slip size and shallow water, especially at low tide. But if you can get your boat in there, don't miss it!

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Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Do It Now, on Apr 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 5

This was my second visit to Carolina Beach State Park Marina in about a year -- this time, on my own boat. I said I'd like to come back and I'm glad I was able to.

Again, you must carefully follow the channel markers to get in and it's best to do so closer to high tide than low. The basin is sheltered. I was the only transient boater there for the three nights of my stay (in the second half of March).

This is not the kind of stop for people who need restaurants, shopping, and entertainment within walking distance. It's inside a state park and you need to leave the park for other services. There are two supermarkets within 1 1/2 miles; definitely bikeable. A little farther is downtown and the ocean beach.

Instead, this is a place that would appeal to folks who like to hike and observe different kinds of vegetation. There are carnivorous plants here, growing in the wild. And miles of maintained, marked trails. (Biking is not allowed on trails.) It's a good place to come for a dose of nature.

And you can't beat the price: $30/night, including power. I'll be back!

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Reviewed by: David Rowe on Sep 5, 2022
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Shallow and gnarly entering the channel, but calm inside the harbor. Great spot to stop, and the price is absolutely right! Nice nature trails, rare views of carnivorous plants, excellent facilities! This is a regular stop for us on our way by.

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Reviewed by: Bill Craven on May 10, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 3

I advise caution for deeper draft vessels. We tried to stay here in late April 2022. We were assigned the T head at the end of A dock. The entrance is narrow and rocky, so if it is windy, it can be challenging to traverse. Once inside, it clams down and the convenient location of our dock was easy to secure. But our depth was only 6.5' one hour after high tide. The tide tables showed it would drop another 3'. We went to the office to confirm and the friendly lady that had taken our reservation (that included our length, beam and draft) said it would probably be "3' deep or so" at that location during low tide. We left rather unhappy that they would accept a reservation from us knowing our draft. It looked like a nice place to stay for very little money.

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Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer , Ecstasea, on Apr 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 3.3'

Rating: 5

I really liked this marina. Pretty quiet, decent restrooms and shower, laundry room on premises, lounge area, marina shop with fishing gear, some boating gear, and some snacks. Park has lots of trails for biking and hiking. Claim to fame is carnivorous plants that grow naturally within the park; be sure to walk the Flytrap Trail! Wildlife viewing opportunities, including a baby owl perched up in a tree near the marina. Two supermarkets within 1 1/2 miles; easy biking on level ground. Use caution while entering the narrow channel; a boat ran aground just outside and needed a tow to get free. Best to enter around high tide and stay in the channel. Sheltered from ICW traffic, wake, and storms. Would definitely visit again.

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Reviewed by: Robert Sherer, on Jan 11, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

A unique value on the ICW. The rates are inexpensive and there are many hiking trails to explore. You may need some tide getting in, ask ahead. You can expect 5 MLLW as of 2021 at the entrance, it's deeper inside, to 6 MLLW. You are protected 360 once inside and the trees keep much of the wind out too.

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Reviewed by: S.P. Cassibo , Wandering Star, on Dec 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.3'

Rating: 3

Rustic Nice Quiet
One woman does it all;registers boats and Campers. Runs the store.
Very small Marina
Terrible internet but oh well
Rustic showers
Walking trails. Clean. We were the only ones staying the night so super quiet until the local marching band campers tuned up their instruments. It was funny, woods on one side, ICW on the other with music from band flowing thru the night air. We laughed
A bit tricky getting into entrance of Marina. But once In secure. Call ahead. Only a couple of transient docks. Diesel/Gas
$24/night electric & dock. Pretty good pricing haha.

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Reviewed by: Captain Gene on Oct 26, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

We have stayed here over a dozen times since 2014. Senior/military rate is now $30 for all size boats. The marina and channel is getting shallower. I lately have measured about 4.5' at low tide. So it would be prudent to have better than low tide to transit here. They have a pump out but it is $20. Fuel prices used to be high here but lately they have had low prices in comparison to the others on the ICW. The park is with nice paths and a campground. I bike to the Food Lion to re-provision.

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Reviewed by: Nomadic Spirit on Aug 8, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

This would be a 5 but there is nothing to walk to. Good value for nice docks and friendly staff.

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Reviewed by: Tom Hale on May 19, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

WE have not seen depths less than 5.5 feet in the entrance channel. But the channel is narrow and there is enough cross setting current to push you out of the channel. There are lots of great hiking trails. This is the only place you can see Venus Flytraps growing in the wild. Price is very reasonable at $30 per night. Note, there is no pump out.

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Reviewed by: Robert Sherer, on Mar 25, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

This is a great stop over on the ICW! I have a 42 ft boat and I’ve stopped here many times for the fixed rate charge of $33. The entrance has shoaled in the past two years to 4.7 MLLW but there’s 5.5 MLLW by the first face dock. There are lots of trails to explore and one washer and one dryer next to the small store that also services the RV park. I’ve seen 46 ft boats dock here.

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