Reviews: Holden Beach Transient Dock

Reviews Summary

The reviews for the Holden Beach Transient Dock highlight it as a convenient and economical overnight stop for boaters along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). Priced at $1.25 per foot, with additional charges for electricity and a self-service pump-out, the dock offers essential amenities such as fresh water, restrooms, and laundry facilities. Reviewers appreciate the dock's location in a no-wake zone, which minimizes disturbances, and its proximity to the beach and several restaurants within walking distance.

While the dock can accommodate only two boats, some guests experienced issues with double bookings, but the city staff were helpful in resolving these situations. The dock is described as well-maintained, with friendly city employees and a pleasant park nearby. Reviewers recommend making reservations in advance due to limited space and suggest checking in at the police department if there are issues with phone reservations.

Overall, the dock is praised as a hidden gem, ideal for a relaxing stopover, with a charming small-town atmosphere and easy access to local attractions. However, some guests noted challenges with the online reservation system and the need for better communication regarding availability.

Reviewed by: William Groening , Sundog, on Dec 22, 2025
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Being just a few feet outside G51A, I was skeptical about this as an overnight stop but at least at this time of year, wakes were not an issue. Both the power and water were off when we arrived but a dedicated town employee (from a different department, no less) was very persistent in getting them back on. The self-serve pump out is convenient and very strong. Overall a great economical choice.

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Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Jul 7, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

The Holden Beach Transient Dock was a wonderful stop for the evening. There is no one to assist with docking, and when I arrived there was high easterly winds that made single-handed docking a real challenge. The dock is a bargain for the ICW at $1.25 a foot and (I think) $7.50 for 50 amp electric. The dock has fresh water and there is a self-pump-out on the dock for only $5.00. The dock is also in the no wake zone for the bridge, so the wake protection is excellent at all times. The park has restrooms/showers and a laundry, but I did not use them to comment. There are three restaurants within a short walk, and the beach is only two long blocks from the dock. The dock is located in front of a children's park and the Holden Beach Police Department (check in at the City Administration Office to the right of the police entrance). The dock is very small, maybe 100 feet in overall length (two forty-foot boats max), so call ahead early to make reservations - (910) 842-6488.

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Reviewed by: Lance Williamson on Apr 21, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

Nice small transient dock. Room for two boats in the 40' range. Nice park just ashore of the marina. Pumpout machine is practically new (less than two hours on it) and works great. Short walk to the beach. Would have given them 5 stars but they had double booked the dock. We had a 9.5 hour run that day and arrived just before dark to find two boats already at the dock. No place to anchor or to go to before dark. We were to call the police department if we had any problems. The city staff person discovered the double booking. The police officer suggested we tie up at the restaurant's dock just across the waterway, eat dinner there and then talk to the manager and tell him what happened and see if we could stay the night at their dock (which we did). We went to the city transient dock the next morning for what was to be our second night. The city refunded the fee for the night we could not stay there.

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Reviewed by: Timothy Smith , HOMES, on Jun 3, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 56'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Agree with other reviews. Enjoyed our stay. At 56 LOA, we took up the whole dock. If no one answers the phone on a weekend, call the Holden Beach Police Department. We couldn't get anyone to answer the phone at the listed number on a Saturday and the reservation page on the website didn't work. After docking, we just walked our printed reservation form and a check up to the police station - 500 yards away.

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Reviewed by: Mo Mo on May 25, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 52'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Hidden gem for sure! Room for one, reserve early. 3 restaurants in walking distance. Great park steps from dock, great biking too. Floating dock with good power and water. Pump out too! Lovely town.

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Reviewed by: David Mann , Now or Never, on Apr 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.7'

Rating: 4

$1.25 a foot, right on the ICW in a no wake zone, reasonable price for electricity, includes dockside water. Self pumpouts are $5. Very personable and helpful police department a block away. The beach is 2 blocks away. Several places to eat/drink or dinghy across the river to Provision Company. Did not try the showers or laundry. Must reserve space ahead. Pay upon arrival online (+3.5% credit card fee) or pay by check at or in front of the city hall.

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Reviewed by: Captain Gene on Oct 30, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

October 26 2023 stayed the night here. Dock is about 90' long with one electrical pedestal. Depth at low tide was 9'. Pump out on the dock $5. $1.25' electric $5 30A $10 50 A. Laundry has one washer and one dryer. You obtain key from city hall when you register which lets you use shower and laundry. City staff friendly and helpful. Walked to Mermaids for nice lunch. Also went to public beach on the Atlantic just across the street. Pleasant stop but must plan/book ahead. Most boats will not wake you here and Provision company is just across the water from this dock.

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Reviewed by: Scott Lapointe , Heliopause, on Nov 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 56'
Draft: 4.4'

Rating: 4

Holden Beach Transient Dock was wonderful. $1.25 /ft $5.00 power. Water also available. Clean showers, super nice laundry and anything you need within walking distance. It's a Great town, super nice people. Provisioning a 1 mile walk to town. Voted best family beach in NC several years. It's a beautiful beach strand and within 100yds from the town dock. Definitely a nice stop to unwind, especially with a lot of loopers hopping through this area fairly quick. After the rock piles in Myrtle beach, this is a great option to recharge your mental batteries and decompress some

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

Rating: 5

The dock was in very good shape and by a nice park. There was one shower and one washer/dryer, both in excellent condition. You need to get keys when check in. Public bathrooms were always open and less clean than the locked facilities. The city staff managing the dock couldn't be more friendly.

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Reviewed by: Scott Schmidt , Booger, on Oct 24, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 41'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 5

Love the dock and location. Easy deep dock 8'at low tide. Great power, water and pump out. Only two boats per night. Each contact to staff has been great. Please keep this as a secret

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Reviewed by: Scott Doyle , Cruisin Cat, on Oct 19, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Nice stop, about 7' dockside at low tide. No help tying up unless someone is on the dock. Room for 2 boats. One power pedestal. Get the key from the town hall to access showers and laundry. The dock is in the no wake zone so you don't get waked. Across the street from the beach and close to restaurants.

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Reviewed by: Robert Manier , Benita, on Apr 9, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 33'
Draft: 3.6'

Rating: 5

We stayed here one night in April 2022. Dock is located just off the channel. We were unable to follow the link given for the online reservation/ payment on our iPhone. Instead we called and made a reservation and then paid in person at the Parks and Rec Department just up the street. Very friendly staff. The park is clean with clean restrooms/shower and a washer and dryer (free). Quick walk to the beach and restaurants.

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

Rating: 5

Spent one night in early April 2021. Great stop for an overnight while moving along the ICW. Floating dock with 30/50 amp in great shape. Directly adjacent to small park, city hall and police department. Online payment system works great.
Several beach restaurants within easy walking distance. Great dog friendly little sea-side town without that touristy feeling.

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Reviewed by: Rob Dare , Liberty Call , on Apr 1, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

This is a hidden gem that we were lucky to find. Easy approach. 30 & 50 amp Power, water and pump out are available. One block from the ocean with easy access. The dock is right at a nice park with lots of things for kids. Plenty of really nice areas to walk a dog including the beach this time of the year.

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Reviewed by: Ray Heath on Oct 31, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 3

I have not docked here by live nearby. There are two restaurants within walking distance towards the bridge. Castaways and Mermaids. Across bridge several more. A Food Lion, Walgreens, and a couple of small places to eat about 1/2 mile across the bridge.

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Reviewed by: John Rockwell on Apr 28, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

This is a 90 foot long floating dock. The approach is easy, just come in against the tide or wind as need be. The dock is in good shape and the price is right for what you get. The online payment system was pretty easy. But don’t rely on the “WiFi”. (I could never could pick it up.) There is at least 6 feet of water at low tide. The dock isn’t really near anything, so this is not really a reprovision stop.

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