Ballard's Marina

No water. No restrooms no showers

The marina manager, John, was an absolute pleasure to deal with. He answered all of my questions before booking and even took the initiative to text me the morning of and check in several times during our voyage to Block. The communication was phenomenal and his offers of assistance when we threw a check engine code or even when he answered my call at the grocery store and offered to pick up anything we needed, did not go unnoticed. The marina is basic, but if you come prepared with extra fenders, lines, and are self sufficient, the location cannot be beat.

Just returned from the best marina experience ever at Block Island. John (dockmaster), and Paul (owner) are attentive & service minded-- thank you! I have never had such a warm reception nor more help in getting in and out of a slip. Docks are A+ composite and floating (yes, floating on Block Island is possible) Mediterranean style, electricity is modern and pentiful, fresh water on the dock. As for location behind the bike shop (as one reviewer wrote), it is accurate, however, consider that this is the *Old* Harbor. Very congested area, right in the middle of town. Super convenient!!! Internet is available from your mobile provider and plan to use your boat's bathroom. Cell sites serve this area very well. Beaches are right there, maybe 100 yards away. Ice cream shops, restaurants etc. just a short walk. And a mowed park to walk your dog is just across the street. Best stay we have ever had at Block Island. Highly recommend.

Great service and quiet during the week.

Ballards Marina is not a "marina", by definition...but rather an approx 100 foot dock, accessed by a ramp, which is found in the back of an extremely unpleasant, unkempt yard of a bicycle rental enterprise. Ballards, itself, does not offer any of the ameneties listed on the Dockwa platform nor Marinas.com. Instead, all ameneties are offered off-site by unrelated businesses or in public buildings. The ameneties they claim they offer include: 1. "pump out" -- this is accessed by contacting the town dockmaster, who will come with a boat. 2. "showers" -- when asked where the showers were, we were directed to "Ballards Beach Hotel" (no relation to the marina)...but when we asked the Hotel about showers, the Hotel said there are no showers available for public use. 3. "restrooms" -- we were told to use the toilets in the Public Ferry Building. 4. "laundry" -- we were instructed to use the laundramat in town. 5. "ice" -- we were told to use the ice machine at Ballards Hotel. 6. "hotel/restaurant" -- not that we needed these, but there is no hotel and/or restaurant associated with the marina Simply put, there were absolutely NO ameneties listed above that Ballards Marina owns, maintains or controls. Ballards is essentially a tiny dock with no privately owned ameneties, as you would typically find in a full-service marina -- particularly at this price point, which would be commensuarate with full-service, full-amenity marinas. The only reason I can give Ballards even 1 star, is because "John", the dock hand, was very available, accomodating, and pleasant to deal with.

We stayed extra day Paul and John great people we will be back 👍

I never made it there due to boat trouble. Gave em five stars because they were very understanding.

Great stay! You couldn't find a more accommodating Marina. John and Paul you guys were awesome !! Capt. Sean

First, it was a simple point and click to make the reservation. Ballards sent us a confirmation then an email and text reminder the day before with arrival instructions (nice not to have to search everywhere for them). As we pulled in, Paul was there with a big smile and an out-stretched hand for our lines. Had us secured for the night in about 10 seconds. After a 5 hour journey from Maine, this is exactly what we wanted and needed; no drama, no reservation inquisitions, just a 'come on in' and 'you're good'.

stern in with pilings on the sides. docks are very squeeky. path from the marina to the street is gravel/weeds. dock hand was courteous and helpful.

I've been going to Ballard's Marina for years and it never disappoints. It's the hidden gem of Block Island. Paul was very helpful and accomodating. I highly recommend!

Great little marina, right in the heart of old harbor. Restaurants, bars and activities are all just a short walk away. I will definitely return, I had always previously stayed in New Harbor but my wife and I are now sold on staying at Ballard's in Old Harbor going forward.

Great marina. Quiet, no foot traffic on the dock. Paul was there to help us dock and checked in every morning and again in the evening. He made everyone feel very welcome. Great small marina right in the heart of Old Harbor. We still definitely be back

Thanks great weekend.

Super friendly and accommodating. Paul was awesome.

Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is the Perfect location!

Marina was conveniently located to town. Slip assignment could of been more as requested.

We had a great stay at Ballards. I was hesitant after reading the reviews here but we arrived were promptly met by the dock hand who helped us get into the slip. There wasn’t any rafting up as some indicated in other reviews. Would definitely stay again!

If I could put zero starts I would. We will never return to this marina (if you can call it that). The dockhands don't have a clue, there are no facilities, and the owners are non-existent. Calling ahead to make sure they are expecting you is a waste of time. Telling them your length and beam is also a waste as they will be surprised when you arrive and try to tie you up to anything they can. If you need to stay in Old Harbor on a dock, do yourself a favor and stay at the town dock. You'll be rafted up, but at least you will be away from the ferry and the infamous underwater hazards that everyone hits at low tide. Avoid this marina at all costs.

Will never stay here again. Called in advance an left message for dockmaster informing time of arrival. We arrived on time and Radioed channel 69. No answer and no idea where to dock. Called dock-master, Ethan, 10 times. He answered on last call and finally came out. He says his radio is broken. I told Ethan my beam was 12’ and he directed us to aft in between 2 narrow pilings. Both rub rails were contacting the pilings and he still kept insisting it was fine and was trying to fit fenders in between but it was impossible. There were other wider spots available and finally he agreed we could move. He told us he’d be around to help us off when we were ready to leave, but of course he was not.

Even though I had booked this reservation with plenty of notice and my husband had confirmed the details a couple days in advance, there was not a suitable place to dock our 44ft boat. Additionally, the dockhands directed us to a spot where we hit a rock, and it damaged our props. I had told the dockhands that the water was not deep enough, and they assured us it was. They wanted to put our 44 ft boat in front of another boat with 12 feet of dock space available. To say I’m disappointed is an understatement. I’m livid. We had just spread my mom and grandmother’s ashes at sea and had 14 people aboard that we needed to get to shore. After a beautiful emotional ceremony, all we wanted to do was spend the day on the island with our loved ones. Instead, the only thing we will be spending is a grand or so on having our props fixed. I contacted the marina via messaging through Dockwa where I asked for a refund and asked them to call my husband. They issued the refund, but have yet to contact us to even attempt to rectify this situation.

While the service was good, the docking situation was not. Came in on a 70' m/y and despite having a reservation they only had about 20' of dock for us to tie up to so they wanted to tie us to some rocks... Power didn't work so we had to run the gens all night and fresh water didn't work in the slip so we had to disrupt another boat to borrow the hook up for a while.

Great way to spend our Anniversary! Wonderful time!

This is not a marina it is a dock in a ferry port behind a bike rental shop. The dock master is a nice guy and try’s to help but it is what it is.

Very convenient location. Staff was very helpful and friendly. Would definitely stay there again.

Our first and last time staying at this dock. Made arrangements to stay at Ballards for our 15 year anniversary months in advance to stay for three nights. Called two weeks prior to our stay due to confirm our reservation and that amenities would be included for showers and bathrooms due to the reviews on Dockwa and was promised 100% that everything was in place. We arrived for our stay and nothing was available, no bathrooms, no showers and no one at the dock to speak to for the entire stay. Emailed someone thru the Dockwa app and was contacted on the second day of our stay and told to use the public bathrooms (which are not open 24 hours a day) and also told to use the public pay showers at Fred Benson town beach which is a few miles from the dock (also only open during the day). Forced to rent a car for $300 to get to the showers, and during an emergency situation when the public bathrooms were closed I had to “tip” the town dock person $40 for use of the private bathroom. After sending another email complaint considering I paid almost $600 for three nights plus $300 for a rental car, I was told I could either get a free stay for a “few days” sometime again this summer or half my money back. We are at the end of July and so far no refund, no phone calls, and no free stays. Go elsewhere.

Dockhand Owen was quick to help and friendly. Stay was good. Too bad Raymond closed the showers all over the state, no too smart. AC outlet was damaged and shutoff several times before we switched to a different outlet.

No dock space Did not fill Reservation No power No dock master

the staff was freindly and we had agreat time!

Dock master (Owen) absolutely great. No amenities other than water and electric.

Love this little marina. Dockmaster Owen couldn’t do enough for us. I love this marina

Breezy was very accommodating

Situated within walking distance to the beach, dining and shopping. Clean and friendly.

Just a quick stop for the day to enjoy the beach. Breezy was great.

Great dock hand helping us to get in. Great location right in town and next to the beach not too many slips so I would recommend reserving ahead of time Bathroom/showers not so nice since they are public and heavily used and found locked at 6am. overall very good i would go back

I would never stay at Ballard's Marina again, nor would I recommend it to anyone. Communication upon arrival was poor (first misdirected then told port side tie when it was a starboard side tie). There was no sign of a dockmaster. You will not find any "amenities" showers, laundry, etc. Most importantly, there are commercial fishing boats right behind where we were docked with several chum barrels scenting the breeze. One night it was so bad we had to stay below. I had to give one star to submit this review - wanted to give no stars. Unacceptable!!

Great place to stay! Close to all the island has to offer. Minor issues with dock power, though they were addressed in a prompt manor. Will definitely stay there again...

Typically a great marina. This experience however was anything but. We arrived to find we were backed into a 46’ carver with an anchor 2’ away from our exit door ( and faces walking off) which was extremely dangerous. I should note that we have a regal 35sc. We had only 8 ‘ of dock to work with on our port side so we tied off to the top of the bulkhead. To the carver and to the boat next to them. Needless to say it was not a very stable setting. Only had enough room to get off. the dock is extremely make shift to tie a boat off on and. To walk on. So we dealt with that. We went out for dinner on our last night to find that out 2 coolers had been stolen right off of our boat. The dock hand saw first hand the situation and apologized profusely. We had the dock hand call the owner and he simply stated that if we didn’t like it to go somewhere else. Classy you think? Sooo. Although this was a memorable stay it was not the good kind of memorable and is most likely our last due etonthe owners comments.

Best location on Block As always, Breezy is the best!

As always great! Breezy is awesome! Nick and Jayne..The Taz.

Location and floating docks were fantastic. Maybe because it was after labor day ours was not the typical experience. Upon arrival there was no one on the dock to assist with docking due to the fact that all the staff were busy with scooter rentals. When we went in and asked for assistance the young lady that came down was amazingly friendly and helpful and very competent. We also were not aware showers required tokens, and they were out of them..... We will give them another shot next time we head to Block Island and perhaps our expectations are more realistic for an off season stay.

This isn't really a marina. There are no facilities, no toilet, and certainly no showers. There is a small straight dock without finger piers, with a few pilings and space for 6 to 8 boats. Basically a place to stern dock, get power, and raft to a neighboring boat. This space, behind the rear junkyard of a moped rental shack is run by Breezy, a confident, very competent dock hand. Breezy will get your boat secured, without any interest in your preferences or willingness to raft to the 65-foot behemoth she blithely grinded in place next to you.

Block Island only floating dock. Breezy was very helpful pulling in to the dock and very friendly. Even called us to make sure we was ok because we was running late. Definitely would return here

Awesome trip Breezy is fantastic no drama at all while docking and she sets up all the lines perfectly.Great location right in the middle of town.

Breezy is a fabulous dockmaster with wonderful skills and a calming demeanor. She makes getting in/out a breeze! It is rare to find someone as professional as she is. The marina itself is convenient, perfectly located and has a floating dock.

It was great the dock master took Awsome care of my boat and are needs as well