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Reviews: Carolina Beach-South
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Review for Carolina Beach-South
Reviewed by: Jeremy Hatch on Aug 3, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 5.0'Overall Rating:5Holding:5Wind Protection:5Current Flow:5Wake Protection:5Scenic Beauty:3Ease of Shopping:4Shore Access:5Cell Service:5The long term resident monohulls have all left the S anchorage (though there are still a lot at the N anchorage).
Nice & quiet as it is inside the no wake zone. East in/out to the AICWView location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Review for Carolina Beach-South
Reviewed by: Jason Spitz, Breathe, on May 16, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'Overall Rating:4Holding:3Wind Protection:5Current Flow:4Wake Protection:5Scenic Beauty:3Ease of Shopping:5Shore Access:5Pet Friendly:5Cell Service:5This is a nice anchorage area just outside the mooring field. Beware of the shallow bars close to the grassy islands. Depths here generally in the 10-15+ ft range. As of mid May, several smaller monohulls appear to be residents and have longer than expected all line rodes. They swing quite a bit. The bottom here is soft mud. Backing down quickly is sure to end in dragging. It takes a bit to settle in here. If you're in a rush or not comfortable, recommend taking a mooring ball. The town is fun. Don't miss Britt's Donuts or Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn. Soul Flavor has also been excellent on previous visits. You have a True Value and Ace Hardware within a block of one another, a CVS, Publix, and Piggly Wiggly. All are close. There's also a thrift shop that donates proceeds to a local charity. A good place to offload good, but unwanted boat items. No books. There is an aquarium and a zoo within 5-6 miles. We did not visit. Fun relaxing beach town.
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Review for Carolina Beach-South
Reviewed by: David Rowe on Sep 7, 2022
LOA: 38'
Draft: 3.5'Overall Rating:4Holding:5Wind Protection:5Current Flow:5Wake Protection:5Scenic Beauty:3Ease of Shopping:4Shore Access:5Pet Friendly:5Cell Service:5A decent stop before or after Snows Cut or to wait out weather on the Cape Fear River. Holding is good here—much better than the alternative anchorage just to the north.
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Review for Carolina Beach-South
Reviewed by: Jane & Donald Johnson, Beauty , on Jun 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 6.0'Overall Rating:5Holding:5Wind Protection:3Current Flow:5Wake Protection:4Ease of Shopping:5Shore Access:5Cell Service:5We anchored here in the South area. It was awesome! We had nothing but wind & storms. Our Danforth was our prefect anchor.
I did decide to take a mooring ball a day later. Larry the dock master was such a good help. We didn’t see any current issues.View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Review for Carolina Beach-South
Reviewed by: Greg on May 10, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 5.5'Overall Rating:5Holding:2Wind Protection:4Current Flow:4Wake Protection:4Scenic Beauty:5Ease of Shopping:5Shore Access:5Pet Friendly:5Cell Service:5WiFi:3I don't typically leave reviews but I noticed everyone else gave it 5 stars for holding. I have visited this anchorage twice and both times saw several boats drag anchor. The holding isnt bad, but it isnt 5 star... Last night 3 boats dragged and 2 of them went aground, so I recommend extra caution. It's probably a 3 or 4 star holding, but I'm giving it 2 to balance out the rest! *note one of the other 5 star holding reviews was for a mooring ball...
Two public docks with beaches bathrooms free (outdoor) showers and a ton of great restaurants nearby. Walkable grocery store. Great place to stop great place to stay.View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer
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Review for Carolina Beach-South
Reviewed by: Heath Phillips, Philyria , on Apr 15, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 35'
Draft: 6.0'Overall Rating:5Holding:5Wind Protection:3Current Flow:4Wake Protection:3Scenic Beauty:4Ease of Shopping:5Shore Access:5Pet Friendly:5Cell Service:5WiFi:1Anchorage is nice. Great holding. Sand. Mooring balls here are nice as well. Easy access to the dinghy dock.
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Review for Carolina Beach-South
Reviewed by: Jason Spitz, Breathe, on Oct 10, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'Overall Rating:5Holding:5Wind Protection:5Current Flow:5Wake Protection:5Scenic Beauty:4Ease of Shopping:5Shore Access:5Pet Friendly:5Cell Service:5WiFi:2We stopped in Carolina Beach in Spring 2020 and then again late September for 3 nights. The moorings are well maintained and the dock master is helpful. Book the moorings through Dockwa for $20 night. Dinghy Pier directly across from moorings Oceanside and new dock downtown. There are public restrooms with outdoor showers at both. Beach is 2 block walk. Lots of good restaurants and one of the best donut shops in the country on the boardwalk. The entire area is a no wake area that is enforced. Makes for really nice Anchorage. And yes, if you don't want to spend $20, lots of room to anchor. We love Carolina Beach much more than Wrightsville. Restaurants are better! No boats speeding through the anchorage which is a constant in Wrightsville! Easily accessible grocery stores! Nice people!
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