This is a very nice reasonable well protected marina. The staff has always been great to work with and the moorage rates are some of the best in the south sound (no sales tax because this is Indian land). The convenience store has snacks, sweatshirts and a latte/expresso stand. The showers are no charge and the parking area fenced and patrolled as well as the card key access to the docks themselves. We plan on being here for at least a year so we will soon see what our slip neighbors are like.
We stopped in here on our way south to Chinook Landing Marina and found the guest moorage very straight forward and easy to manuever (we have a 47' ketch). Guest moorage is parallel to the north most dock, across from the fuel dock. Des Moines is in the process of rebuilding and improving many aspects of the marina. From the work and drawings we saw it looks like it will be very nice when it is completed. However, if you are looking to moor long term here you will be on a waiting list several years long and the rates are some of the highest in the Sound. On a much brighter note, there is a restraurant here that is worth the stop. Barnacles is a locally owned and run Steak and Seafood place just two blocks east of the marina at the main entrance. The dinner we had was equal to some of the best restraurants in Seattle at a fraction of the price. Great food, fantastic service and warm friendly atmosphere.
This is the marina where our boat lived for a number of years before we owed her. When we bought her she had been on the hard for at least 18 months of not longer and had a number of issues that needed to be dealt with. The marina staff were outstanding. Their committment to customer service was outstanding. Many knew the boat by name and were very encouraging of our efforts to get her seaworthy again. Fees were very competitive and we would have kept her there except for the 1 - 1 1/2 hour drive to get to the boat. The restroom/shower facilities were newer and in reasonable shape and the "north" marina is brand new. We recommend checking out the Scuttlebutt restraurant that has just relocated into the new harbormasters office in the north marina. There are two chandleries, West Marine in the new retail/hotel complex just south of the marina and Harborview Marine just north of the marina. The West Marine store has basic stuff but Harbor Marine has an extensive selection of just about everything and the staff was always great to work with no matter how bizarre my questions might be. Great place to keep a boat if you can manage the Seattle traffic and absolutely a great place to stop in route to the San Juan's or Desolation Sound.
This is a nice little marina. The guest moorage is directly in front of the Harbormaster/Anthony's Restaurant. The door to the Harbormaster is on the south side of the building. It may take a bit of looking as it is not well marked. We had to pull the boat here unexpectedly and found the staff helpful and the work yard was paved and had power to each space. Rates for the yard are a little steep in the summer but not so bad after November 1. The biggest challenge is the Marina's distance from downtown Edmonds and lack of transportation. However, if you can get into town there are a couple good restaurants including Claire's Pantry if you like true home cooking and great chocolate cream pie.
We found the marina to be clean and well maintained. The guest moorage slips were plenty wide enough as were the finger piers. West Marine is a short walk past the south end of the marina. Ray's is close if you want a nicer, sit down restaurant, otherwise it is a bit a hike into Ballard itself where there are a number of places to eat as well as repair shops for outboard motors. We were able to sub lease a slip for two weeks while we waited for parts and weather. We found the restroom facility clean and functional. Showers take quarters.