Our

Harbourgate Resort & Marina
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Approximately 33 51.130 North/078 39.266 West

A Salty Southeast Cruiser's Featured Marina

We return to the South Carolina coastline yet again for this month's featured marina. I know it seems as if we have shone the Cruiser's Net spotlight on a whole collection of facilities along the Low Country coastline over the past several months, but there has been good reason. The numbers of new and improved marinas between Calabash and the Savannah River is indeed impressive!

So, let's talk about Harbourgate Marina. This pleasure craft Mecca occupies the charted square cove abutting the ICW's southern banks between the two (charted) Nixon Crossroads bridges. The marina is designated as facility #18 on chart 11534. A huge building complex, recently augmented by an impressive array of condos, overlooks the harbor's northern and westerly banks you would pretty much have to lose the power of sight to miss this stop.

Harbourgate has not been found atop our list of quality South Carolina marinas in years past. All that has now changed for two VERY good reasons.

First, the entire dockage basin and its approach was dredged during the 2005 winter season. Gone are the questionable 4 ½ to 5 foot depths of a few years ago. Now, with current MLW dockside soundings of 7 to 10 feet, Harbourgate can justly lay claim to some of the most impressive depths of any South Carolina marina north of the Waccamaw River.

Secondly, and of equal if not greater importance, is the arrival of Susie Watson as the harbormaster and "in-charge" person at Harbourgate Resort and Marina. Succinctly, Susie is one of the best and most knowledgeable marina people in the Southeast USA. She grew up in the business. Her father built Anchor Marina in North Myrtle Beach, and she worked there for many a year, followed by a stint as dockmaster at Myrtle Beach's Doc Holiday's Marina. Now, she has settled at Harbourgate, and brings not only her welcoming attitude and knowledge, but also a commitment to further improve her facility until it's second to none!

Transients are eagerly accepted for overnight dockage at the Harbourgate's modern, wooden decked floating docks, which feature 30-50 amp power and fresh water connections. Pay for Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the harbor, as is waste pump-out service. Gasoline and diesel fuel can be purchased at a separate pier, which fronts directly onto the ICW. Transient vessels are sometimes moored here (10 foot MLW depths), but usually visitors are accommodated in the main harbor. Mechanical problems can often be referred to independent contractors.

Shoreside, visitors will presently discover two climate-controlled showers and an air conditioned Laundromat in the temporary dockmaster's building which overlooks the marina's northeasterly entrance point. There is also a small ship's store contained within this structure. Eventually a permanent marina services building will take shape here, and that structure will include new showers and a Laundromat, plus a Cruiser's Lounge. The one on-site restaurant is known as Filets (843-249-5200). It is open for the evening meal only, and while it has been recommended to us, we have not yet sampled its offerings. Other lunch and breakfast spots are within walking distance. Ask the friendly marina staff for recommendations.

Transportation to nearby grocery stores can sometimes be arranged by the marina staff. Failing that, you can call either Southern Flyer (843-361-2464) or Road Runner (843-249-2337) for taxi service. For those who might want to spend a night or two with solid ground under their feet, condos flanking the marina basin are usually available for rent.

So, there you have it, yet another quality South Carolina marina, ready, willing and able to serve cruising transients as they wend their way north or south along the ICW. And, as long as Susie is the harbormaster here, you can expect a warm and helpful greeting. Tell her we sent you!