Reviews: East Tawas State Harbor

Reviews Summary

The reviews for the East Tawas State Harbor marina highlight a generally positive experience for visitors, emphasizing the well-maintained facilities, cleanliness, and helpful staff. Many reviewers appreciate the marina's location, which is conveniently close to downtown East Tawas, offering a variety of shops, restaurants, and recreational options, including a nearby beach and bike trails. The presence of amenities such as free laundry, private showers, and loaner bikes is also noted favorably.

However, there are some concerns regarding the shore power system, with one reviewer mentioning persistent issues with the GFI system that affects air conditioning use. Despite this, most reviews praise the marina's overall condition, including updated docks and good cellular coverage. The marina is described as a great stop for those traveling the Great Loop, with several dining options nearby, including a notable pizza place and a grocery store.

Overall, the marina is recommended for its cleanliness, friendly staff, and convenient location, though potential visitors should be aware of the shore power issues.

Reviewed by: Captain Wes , Toscana, on Sep 4, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Great stop. Great nearby Mexican restaurant. Typical state dock, well kept docks and facilities.

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Reviewed by: Don Mclean on Jul 9, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 1

Shore power was terrible. They put in a GFI system 4 years ago. I would trip the dock circuit breaker each time my AC would go on. The staff knows the problem but can't see to buy the parts for the GFI system to make it work. All the permanent slip folks know the problem. Everything else was great at the marina but if you want your AC to work look elsewhere.

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Reviewed by: David Mann , Now or Never, on Jun 15, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.7'

Rating: 5

This marina is maintained in a spotless manner by an exceptional staff. Features include a comfortable captain's lounge, clean free laundry, and roomy showers. Located within the downtown area so it benefits from many shops and good food establishments. Additionally a barber shop, salon, movie theater, hardware store and more are here. Paved trail for bikes and they even have loaner bikes should you want them. Close to the lighthouse museum. Well protected area for pompous and fuel. Marina is in a park setting adjacent to the beach which has multiple beach chairs along the waterfront for enjoyable views of the waterfront and bay. No visible security or gates however there is a heavy presence of DNR staff around and random visitors from the park area are minimal.
Deep water throughout the marina and a radio responsive staff make your tie up quite easy.

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

Rating: 5

Beautiful, clean marina in a park. Free washer and dryer is available as well as Private shower rooms. Very close to lots of shops and restaurants and ice cream too. There is a great meat market with some groceries close by.

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Reviewed by: Lburket on Jun 8, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Great stop on our Great Loop trip. Facilities were nice and clean. Tawas Bay Pizza Co. was an awesome place for dinner. Walmart and O'Reilys close to marina. They had bikes to borrow.

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Reviewed by: Pete Washburn , Spring Fling, on Aug 31, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Excellent place to spend 3 days. Marina top notch. WiFi great. Well maintained docks and facilities. Staff available to help with docking. Town of East Tawas has several restaurants, bars, nice grocery store in town. Wal Mart about a mile west.

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Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel, Cruising Editor on Aug 7, 2021
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Saturday in August and East Tawas is jumping and so is the Marina. Very busy but well organized. New docks and electric. The dock layout is completely different than the current satellite image on Google maps. We were confused upon first entering the marina and not seeing what Google had represented. Good to excellent cellular coverage for AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. No Wifi.

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Reviewed by: David Merchberger , Slo Pace, on Aug 5, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 5

Great marina, staff and town. Downtown is literally across the street from the marina and includes many shops, several restaurants, a movie theater and four ice cream shops. What's not to like?

Super Walmart about a mile from the marina via sidewalks and bike path.

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Reviewed by: Jack Shuff , Jackpot, on Jul 19, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Stayed at East Tawas State Harbor July 2021. Docks are updated and well maintained. The staff is extremely helpful and constantly working to maintain the facility. Town is about a block from the marina with shops and restaurants. Truly enjoyed our stay here!

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Reviewed by: Anonymous on May 17, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

East Tawas State Park Harbor, 14 May. Well maintained facility which by itself is pleasant to visit. Plenty of water, generally, 14 feet. On 14 May price of diesel is $3.25. A close walk to Newman Street, downtown which has a feel similar to Mackinaw City offers significant shopping and restaurants. I patronized Klenow’s Market which has fresh butcher meat/sausage selection, a local attraction.

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Reviewed by: Pat Hentschell , TerraMare, on Jan 7, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 29'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Very nice facility and well protected. The dock hands are very helpful and friendly. Close walk into town with lots of nice restaurants, shopping and bars. The theater is inexpensive and nice.

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