Reviews: Safe Harbor Charleston City

Reviewed by: Bill Forrestall , Miss Eva, on May 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 47'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Shortly after my last review expressing my disappointment that Safe Harbor Charleston City did not honor the Safe Harbor membership complimentary stays, I received a call and the were crediting our stay. I'd like to think it was a coincidence and not related to my review. Either way they did the right thing.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: MARK GLOVER , COOL CHANGE, on Apr 20, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Nice marina but currently being renovated. Fuel wasn't working when we stayed there. Showers were clean and had multiple. This marina is big so bring good walking shoes or a scooter/bike. Dockhands were very capable and friendly/polite. Would stay again.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Kevin Williams , m/v Blue Tortuga, on Apr 13, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 3

There are things I loved about this marina, and some not so much.

The positive- their courtesy shuttle is super useful and they organize it very well. Their staff is knowledgeable and very helpful. Their restrooms and shower facilities are very nice. Washer facility was good and in good order. Great location right downtown.

The negatives: We were on the outside of the mega dock during high wind weather. I can't describe how rolly it was and amazed we didn't end up with damage. Who'd think you have to take motion sickness medicine in a marina. Staff did check on things to see if they could help. The distance from the mega dock to the restrooms is a very long ways. I don't mind the exercise, but it takes forever to get there. No fuel at the time. Although they give you security codes, nothing is secure. If you're going to be there for any length of time I'd recommend at least being on the inside of the mega dock.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Gary Miller on Oct 19, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 76'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

First class, wide concrete dock with plenty of water at dock, good power, good H2O, good staff, great city, shuttle to town is great.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Roy Mccormick , Apricus, on Jul 3, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 50'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

This is our "go-to" marina in the South Carolina area. We've stayed here twice and love it! They are conveniently located on the peninsula and offer a free shuttle service. The docks are well-maintained and they offer all of the usual services (fuel, laundry, etc.). There's a Publix supermarket within a reasonable walk and a mini-mart even closer. We use Captain's Choice for any boat repair services. All-in-all a perfect marina. Highly recommend!

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Lisa Vidor on Jun 18, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Mega dock was easy. Easy to get into town. Very professional.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Leo Reise , Moon Dragon, on May 13, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 38'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We stayed 3 nights, May 6, 7, & 8 on the Mega Dock. Staff was very helpful. Shuttle service offered we used 4 times - just great. All together - a wonderful stay.
PS. regardless of what you might have heard, the outside of the Mega Dock does have traffic going by, but in total, quite comfortable.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Xiaolun Sun , Anodyne , on Nov 7, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 32'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Safe Harbor comes with its price tag but everything was in good shape. Staff and dockhands were friendly and helpful. The bathrooms and laundry facilities were clean. We were impressed by the megadock. We didn't use the courtesy shuttle, but walked (~ 30 minutes) to the center. We enjoyed Church & Union and Hyman restaurants, and spent time at the wonderful library of College of Charleston.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Kirk Conners , Fancy Nancy, on Jun 19, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great marina. Dock hands are friendly and helpful getting the boat in slip and tied up. Restrooms are clean and well maintained. Laundry is also clean and well maintained. Docks are a little shaky but Safe Harbor is in the process of replacing with concrete floating docks. It'll be some time before they complete that task. Service department also very helpful. Had an issue with the engine room exhaust blower that got fixed without a hitch. Larry was easy to work with.
Close to the historic region of Charleston which worked out great for our excursions into town. Shuttle service also a big plus.
Will definitely think about staying here again.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Christine on Jun 10, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Wonderfully professional, considerate, friendly team! Clean, spacious facilities. Well-maintained docks. Close to the city. Hands down our favorite place to stay all along the east coast!

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Michael Brown , Our Plan, on May 26, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 52'
Draft: 0.0'

Rating: 5

First Class Marina! Spotless, LARGE bathhouse. Every staff member we encountered were professional & very capable. We had an issue with our bow thruster, Rives the service manager repaired during our short stay. Free shuttle to downtown Charleston. We LOVE Safe Harbor for their consistent quality in their people.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Bill Mcmahon on May 3, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Large (too big?) well run marina almost (1.2 miles) in the heart of Charleston. Free hourly shuttle service to anywhere in Charleston including two supermarkets with daily trip to West Marine. The Mega Dock is solid and huge. If you are on the end, it is a 5 minute walk to the facilities. (The dock hands will give you a ride in their golf carts if you give them a call). The laundry, showers, and restroom facilities are all modern and clean. WiFi is typical marina quality (sometimes good, times bad).

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Gary Miller on May 2, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 76'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Facility is as good as you can expect, 10-12' wide concrete dock on mega-dock, 100 amp power, good H2O, 25' water at dock, great help tying up, town is great.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Roger S. on Apr 11, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.6'

Rating: 5

We did a four night stay tied on the inside of the Megadock. We were in the second to last slip which meant we were more than a quarter mile from the restrooms, showers, and laundry. Perhaps that's just as well because there are so many wonderful restaurants in Charleston the extra walking is necessary anyway. A large storm blew through one night with sustained winds of 45 MPH and gusts clocking over 70 MPH. Staff came around prior to the storm to ensure extra lines were deployed and came around shortly after the storm to check and make sure everyone was okay. This is an extremely well run marina.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Jerald Jones , Titan, on Apr 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Very nice two night stay here in Charleston. Marina is very nice, great facilities, great staff. The courtesy car that will drop you downtown and pick you up is a wonderful plus. I would definitely stay here again!

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Tony-donna Lagera on Mar 22, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 3

This really is a very nice marina with a helpful staff and in very good shape. There are also a lot of very nice boats here. We were put on the super long dock that runs parallel to main waterway and were hit by wakes from boats regularly, some of them pretty big. There are spots to take your dog to the bathroom, but there aren't any really any good places for walks.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Catherine Lorenz , Lickety, on Mar 21, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 50'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

One of the best run marinas we know. Plan ahead to reserve a spot

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Karen Munson , Oasis, on Nov 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

First rate Marina. Walk down mega dock is a long one for dogs, but it is wide and deep. We requested inside dockage and they were very accommodating. Shuttle is first rate for grocery store and West Marine run plus they took us and our dogs to a nearby park and downtown. Bathhouse and laundry facilities were clean and private. Free wine and beer on the Tuesday night we stayed. Friendly staff was top notch. Expensive, but worth the price for a first class experience in Charleston.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Gary Miller on Oct 16, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 76'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

First class marina, mega dock is all concrete and 15' wide, very stable, 30-50-100 amp power, great WIFI, fresh water, expensive $2.90' plus $43.00 100 amp power, despite prices or because of prices, a great marina. Big city amenities available and shuttle to them is provided. Staff is well trained and customer friendly. 30' plus water at mega dock at low tide.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: David Merchberger , Slo Pace, on Jul 9, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

We stayed here for 3 days in early April 2021 and were placed the the outside of the 'Megayacht' face dock. Quite exposed to the southeast through southwest as well as passing boats with no regard for their wakes.
Other than being a bit uncomfortable at times, the docks, personnel and facilities were all first rate.
About a 1 mile walk to downtown Charleston and 1.5 miles to a grocery store, but the marina offered a free shuttle to both.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Nj Ken on Jun 28, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Super helpful and eager to please. Floating docks, lime handlers and golf cart rides to and from the gate. My choice in Charleston.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Gary Miller on May 17, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 76'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

First class facility, good helpful staff, shuttle to town. Yes the current runs swift, non issue as it runs parallel to mega dock. Electric and water hookup is good, plenty of depth at the mega dock.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Earlene Schanze on May 16, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

We stayed here for one night in May. A very busy marina with lots of mega yachts. A strong current but the dock hand was expert at handling our lines. Would stay here again.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Ross Wiltse on May 1, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 3

The good news is this marina is convenient to everything Charleston. The bad news is it a huge marina, and very exposed to wake from a lot of boats going down the Ashley river. Winds tended to come into our slip with the wake which made for a rough ride all night. If possible, try to get inside of the mega dock or away from the waves & current. I would not come back under the same conditions. Sleep is way too important.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: PaulFromRI on Dec 1, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

As others have said, this is a huge marina; 10 minutes to walk from my slip to the shore. The fuel dock is very busy and you may have to stand off the dock for 30 minutes or more until it’s your turn. Once tied to the fuel dock you may need to wait further as another boat is still using the pump you will need. As a Safe Harbor slip renter I receive fuel discounts and free nights at other Safe Harbor facilities. This marina “blacked out” the dates of my arrival so I had to pay the going rate. Fuel discounts were less than what they charge at other Safe Harbor marinas. Dock hands were very helpful. As others have noted, there is a strong current that runs here. It is important to be mindful of this when docking. I will be looking for other options on my next trip to Charleston.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Howard on Nov 5, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 58'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Huge mega marina. Great fueling at up to 50 GPM. Floating docks, but no pump out. Pump outs don’t seem to be a thing in the Carolinas. Some marinas advertise pump outs but they are broken. Here they are waiting for a grant so there is no sense of urgency. We would stay here again.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Jonathan Charles on Aug 28, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

I have had my boat there for 2 months and will probably leave her there for the winter. The staff there are very helpful and do a great job! The docks are in great shape and many are behind a sea-wall, lessening the waves from passing boats. The carts all look new. There are, however, literally miles of dock and there is a lot of walking to get ashore. They do have golf carts and can help those who have trouble walking. (My wife has hip issues). They will even bring ice to your boat if you call them!! The bathrooms and showers are very clean and accessible and the laundry works well. The free WiFi is not very fast and we used our cellular connection instead. The currents outside the wall can be quite swift, I use the dock staff to help dock. Overall, we really like the marina and will be leaving our boat there for some time!

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Jason Spitz , Breathe, on Jun 16, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Nice overall marina. Services limited due to COVID. Checkin is over phone. Marina now uses Dockwa for all reservations. The dock staff is helpful. Use them as the currents run fast and quite swirly with wind. Requires some caution. We were on outside dock close to the North end. Lots of boats at anchor directly across. Probably two dozen or more. That is certainly an option if you don’t need dock space. Showers were good and pretty clean overall. Laundry room has 3 washers and 2 large commercial dryers. Packages can be delivered to office and are left in a shed for pickup. There is also a secure Amazon delivery box at the parking lot. Wifi was good at the docks. There is free wifi which was adequate for email. They have an upgraded fast internet for addl fee. Shuttle to downtown is not running. We walked and did 7-8 miles each day covering the major historic sites. Some remain closed so check schedules. Their is also automated bicycle rentals and a convenience store at the parking lot. Overall very convenient and reasonable place to stay to see Charleston.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Jelles Fonda , Talulah, on Mar 4, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 2

Dock staff helpful. Dock as usual was a very long walk (2/3rds down the Mega dock). WiFi not accessable. Office staff would not help with this. We were told to call the service provider. This is apparently an ongoing issue. Will try not to return.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Charles Hacker , Bella Vita, on Nov 2, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 248'
Draft: 12.5'

Rating: 5

All aspects of our interactions with the Charleston City Marina staff during our 10 day stay was positive. It's an ideal facility for visiting Charleston !

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: DOUGLAS WAY on Aug 11, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great location, many restaurants a short Uber or Lyft ride away. Very helpful staff; deckhands. Be aware of current when docking.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Dave Skolnick on May 6, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 52'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Heading North offshore from Stuart FL to Albany NY with two significant failures on the boat we headed to Charleston. With a full delivery crew capability was not our problem. "Stuff" was in order.
The staff at Charleston City Marina squeezed us in, provided support and local knowledge, could not have been more accommodating in helping us get turned around and back to sea.

Current is almost always a factor docking in Charleston. Charleston City Marina staff on the radio, on the dock, and in the office made sure we were fully cognizant.

For those who may happen to have heard me rant on the subject of dockhands being the single greatest hazard to recreational boaters I will say for the record that those on the Mega Dock are on the very short list of dockhands I have confidence in. I can hand them a line and know that they will take direction. A turn around the cleat that I can pull against in the current is different than a cleat hitch and the dockhands I interacted with on this visit got that. Thanks to David and the rest of the staff in the office for help. Clean bathrooms, nice showers. Good onsite restaurant.

I will return to Charleston City Marina and happily hand my lines to staff in red shirt regalia.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Dena Hankins , Nomad, on Feb 12, 2018
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 32'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

They packed out their fuel dock with megayachts during winter 2018, so it was hard to get in. The showers never got fully hot, which is probably not a problem in their usual hot summers, but it rather negates the point of coming into a marina to warm up. On the other hand, there are options for food and drink right in the marina complex and the main business area of Charleston is a pleasant (longish) walk or (short) Uber ride. The Marina Variety Store Restaurant does good, straightforward breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you anchor nearby, there's a dinghy dock. Go south around the marina and head north once you're shore-side.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Dusty Rhoads on Mar 27, 2017
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

We were very impressed with the VHF information this marina provides. Who you are between,tide/current/and wind. She was very confident, and informative. A spot for our next winter !

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Reviewed by: Sally Franklin on Jan 13, 2017
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 37'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 2

We've been to many marinas over the years including the City marina. It used to be quite nice but something has changed.

Maybe it's the better economy but if you arrive on a sailboat, you're treated worse than dirt. The dockhands make snippy remarks and the whole experience is poor.

Combine that with the main parts of Charleston being a long walk away, we're just not going to go here any more.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer