Reviews: Port Sanilac Municipal Harbor

Reviews Summary

The reviews for the marina highlight a consistently positive experience for visitors, emphasizing the following key points:

1. Friendly and Helpful Staff: Many reviewers praised the staff, particularly the dockmaster Annie, for their professionalism, attentiveness, and assistance with docking and fueling. The staff is noted for going above and beyond, including offering supplies for cleaning hands after fueling.

2. Well-Maintained Facilities: The marina is described as clean and well-kept, with good facilities including restrooms, showers, and laundry services. Reviewers appreciated the availability of 30 and 50 amp power at the docks and the overall condition of the grounds.

3. Convenient Location: The marina is conveniently located within walking distance to the town, which offers various amenities such as restaurants, grocery stores, a hardware store, and a Dollar General. Reviewers also mentioned local attractions like the Alli Bar, known for live music and a unique atmosphere.

4. Safe and Protected Harbor: The harbor is noted for its protection from the elements, making it a safe spot for boats. Reviewers felt secure even during inclement weather, with no issues related to storm surges.

5. Dog-Friendly Environment: The marina is accommodating for pet owners, with ample walking areas for dogs along the beach and nearby streets.

6. Community and Activities: Visitors enjoyed the local community vibe, with friendly boaters offering assistance and sharing tips about the area. Events like concerts in the park and the Vintage Boat Show were highlighted as enjoyable experiences.

7. Minor Issues: A few reviewers mentioned minor inconveniences, such as a reserved slip being occupied upon arrival, but overall, these did not detract significantly from their experience.

In summary, the marina is highly recommended for its excellent staff, clean facilities, convenient location, and welcoming atmosphere, making it a great choice for both short and extended stays.

Reviewed by: Mike Hubley , Hubs Hideaway, on Nov 2, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.6'

Rating: 5

Stayed here in August 2025. Nice Marina. Great showers. Easy to walk to town. There is a Dollar General for small supplies. Dog friendly.

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Reviewed by: Zachary Wright on Aug 16, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Annie the Dock Master and her 1st mate ensured everything from arrival to fueling, pump out and departure went extremely smooth. Well kept. Fixed docks. No issue entering the harbor (4ft draft).

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Reviewed by: David Mann , Now or Never, on Jun 10, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 4.7'

Rating: 5

We were called by the harbormaster the moment we entered the harbor who gave us information on where we could tie up and then met us there and made quick work of the lines. The area has no silting or issues that impede entry into this well protected harbor. Clean grounds and facilities. Short walk into town for usual needs. Strong docks with good pedestals that have 30 and 50 receptacles. Easy location for pump out and fuel.

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Reviewed by: Kevin Williams , m/v Blue Tortuga, on Aug 14, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

I will echo Tom's review from 7-12-24 and his detail. We fueled and pumped out upon arrival, and the assistance was A+. The dockhand gave great advice on the best approach, another dockhand conducted the pumpout professionally and quickly. When I was done fueling the dockhand offered supplies so I could clean my hands- I've never experienced that. The only thing to be aware of is the marina, like all marinas in this area, has a lot of bottom growth. Overall a great marina.

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Reviewed by: Tom Hedge , Manifest, on Jul 12, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Great staff (dockmaster Annie is so professional& accommodating), super local boaters (always providing help with lines or tips on local establishments, and even loaning cars!), and the town is small but has good restaurants and a great hardware store. And the Alli Bar (in an alley behind a knick knack/rummage shop) is not to be missed! Great live music on Fridays & Saturdays, and it's just a hoot to walk around the alley checking out all the "stuff." Great dog walking along the 2+ mile beach just north of the harbor breakwater, or along Lake Street that parallels the coastline (so many cute houses with beautiful gardens!). And the marina next store has a good marine store and provides just about all boating services. Very well protected harbor (we were there when remnants Hurricane Beryl came barreling through Michigan and it wasn't choppy at all in the harbor.

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Reviewed by: Marc LaFleur , Dragonfly, on Jul 3, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 55'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Great spot nice clean bathrooms, good dockage, 50 amp and 30 amp you can take a short walk into town to a few restaurants and groceries. There's also an ice cream shop. They were able to get us in last minute on July 3. We were quite surprised that they were able to get us a slip, very polite. Easy to work with people definitely recommend.

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Reviewed by: Anonymous on Aug 12, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

The diesel price on 10 August was $4.02/gallon. Since the last time I visited, nice improvements have been made to the restroom, boater's lounge, and showers.

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Reviewed by: Kerry Batty on Sep 14, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 41'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 4

Cute town!! Go to the Ali Bar - it is full of treasures!

The facilities were fine. They left the laundry room open for us as we got in close to closing time. There is one washer & one dryer. $1.25 per machine. Which I thought is cheap compared to other nearby stops. Bathroom & showers were clean.

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Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer on Sep 8, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Nice marina, friendly staff, good facilities, including a properly configured WiFi system that works all the way out at the boat slips. Covered patio area with tables and BBQ grills. Walking distance to several restaurants, a hardware store, a Dollar General, and a supermarket. This marina and the neighboring one are protected from the lake by a metal sea wall. We were here during thunderstorms and the boats were rocking, but there was no storm surge.

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Reviewed by: Jeffrey Skoda on Sep 6, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 65'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 5

Great docks, facilities and people. Short walk up the hill to a fantastic hardware store. Also Friday nights in the park they have concerts for the family.

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Reviewed by: Barbara Burrington , Irene, on Aug 25, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

The harbor and marina are easily accessed a d well protected. The staff are friendly, outgoing, attentive and knowledgeable. The Harbormaster is a gem and makes sure your needs are met. The provide a shuttle to the market but there are also shops and restaurants in walking distance. The docks are solid with adequate room.

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Reviewed by: David Merchberger , Slo Pace, on Aug 5, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 5

Nice harbor, dock and facilities. The staff on duty while we were there were among the best encountered anywhere.

Short walk into town for groceries, hardware, restaurants. Nice stop for an overnight or a few days.

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Reviewed by: Wade A. on Aug 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

Pro: Safe, sheltered harbor. Good docks. Good fuel prices. Well-trained and attentive staff. Lovely town. Short walk to shopping, laundry, restaurants.

Con: State Harbor of Refuge. Our reserved slip was occupied and they could not make that boat move. So we ended up on the fuel dock overnight.

Conclusion: A well-run marina. The staff took us to urgent care in Sandusky, MI at no charge!

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Reviewed by: Rob Dare , Liberty Call , on Aug 4, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Great marina. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Wide docks with good power. Easy to get into. Nice facilities. Lots of spots to take a dog for a long walk. Great hardware store 2 blocks away.

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Reviewed by: Robert Collins on Jul 12, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Great staff, very helpful. Nice town; boat store, hardware store, Dollar General, Grocery store, music in the park. Great weather protection, small Anchorage area available with good protection from all sides.

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Reviewed by: Anonymous on Sep 21, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

On the north end of the harbor access to slips and fuel dock (diesel $2.4/gallon) are easy with minimum of 8 feet water. Facilities are efficient and clean. Staff is friendly and helpful. In these COVID times only the Stone Lodge and Blue Water Bar and Grille are open. We enjoyed our dinner at the latter. Within walking distance, Willis' Marketplace meets grocery and beverage needs.

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Reviewed by: Holly on May 21, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 30.0'

Rating: 5

Came here for the Vintage Boat, Trailer and Car Show last year. FABULOUS hospitality! The marina facilities are kept spanky, clean. Everyone involved was wonderful. The town is small but has a great pub and fun shops as well as a hardware store all within walking distance. Fun to see the campers and cars. Great time had by all! We will come back often when we are in the area and for this year's show.. (If it happens.) Thank you

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