Small operation, GREAT service. Because we were coming in for a mere overnight stay, they were able to put us on their fuel dock. They even offered to bring in someone an hour early to fuel us before opening so we could get out with the tide. The staff were friendly, the fuel was very competitively priced, and the rates were low. We will be stopping again on our way back down at the end of storm season. Located in downtown Morehead City, Gulf Docks offer about 5 - 6 restaurants within walking distance. We were only there one night and didn't needn't to provision so we can't speak to other shopping. But: There's no security at night. None at all. There's not even a pretend-gate at the dock. You can just turn off of the sidewalk and strut down the docks like you own the place. At least, that's what I did. Further: the channel to get in is very, very narrow. Boats with a draft in excess of about 6' should only attempt this at high tide, and stay CLOSE to the center of the channel. And the channel gets REALLY close to some docks just as you leave the "safe water" area.
I am four months aboard as a full-time cruiser, and I'm beginning to gather an impression of Safe Harbor marinas as a whole: on average they have pretty good services and pretty nice facilities. Safe Harbor South Harbor Village is no exception. The staff were quick off the mark to offer to help me and responded quickly to any questions I had. The facilities are spotless and recently renovated. Diesel fuel was priced competitively but not particularly cheaply. No discounts applied except Safe Harbor membership. The depth of "local knowledge" regarding channel depth and routing varied wildly by staff member. One place where I take issue with Safe Harbor is the standard $10 pump outs and pay laundromats. Yeah, I know: they got to pay the rent. But Safe Harbor is NOT an "economy marina" and I feel like I'm being nickle-and-dimed with those petty charges. While there is enough water in the approach for a boat with an 8' draft, that channel is NARROW, with a pucker factor of 7/10. Stray out of the channel and you can find shallow water VERY quickly. We were there in early September, and there was a LOT of small craft traffic in and out, which did not help the above pucker-factor. While there are two good restaurants on site, there is little else within walking distance, and my provisioning expedition cost me about $50 in Uber drivers. There is no courtesy car, but sometimes, if the staff is not busy, they may offer to run you to the store if it is expected to be a quick trip. At least that's what my pretty wife says. Me? There was no such offer. We will stop here again on our way back down.
Safe Harbor Aqua Yacht Marina did a great job for us. The facilities were clean, well maintained, and up-to-date. The staff were polite, prompt, and professional. The only changes I could recommend would be a break-water to protect the transient slips, which are completely exposed on the eastern side.
As always, the facilities are Erwin Marine Riverfront were immaculate, well-maintained, and reasonably priced. The lack of laundry facilities and showers at our dock undercut the experience. The staff were responsive and helpful at all times. We will stay with them again.