We stayed here May 26, 2019, that is Memorial Day weekend. It was very rolly due to boats passing very nearby without slowing down. This is an exposed piling type dock where you need fenderboards or long fenders turned sideways. The constant rocking and rolling did a number on our fenders and lines, but we kinda expected that. The marina staff are great, but the marina is still rough around the edges. We would stay there again, but I would prefer an interior slip versus the face dock we were on. We are planning our next trip to dock further south on the ICW and miss Dudley's when we go back south. Great town and great food. They also have a courtesy vehicle which was great. Also a little less than 6' depths in some areas around the docks.
I docked there several times. Sure, it is not by any means upscale but who cares, it still has the flavor and atmosphere of what boating was like in the old days before Yuppies started to throwing money around, demanding fancy enmities and destroying what boating was all about “Messing-about-in-boats”.
Capt. Bobby T.
yuppies started to throw money around increasing prices and demanding amenities which destroyed the meaning of “Gunk-Holeing and Messing-about-in-boats.
Paula Spence, M/Y Sea Eagle- July 15, 2014 - 5:15 pm
We stopped in Swansboro last weekend to visit with a friend who lives there. We’ve stayed at Dudley’s twice before and will do so again in the future, but NEVER, EVER on a weekend! The boat traffic was on the river was very heavy, which I would expect on a weekend in July, but virtually non one pays any attention to the No Wake zone. Boats of varying sizes flew by us not 20 feet from our hull. The heavy wakes were almost constant, starting very early in the morning and going on well into the evening. I don’t understand why there is no enforcement in areas like this.
Stayed here for two nights this week. It was our second time stopping at Dudley’s this year. The docks are still rough and there are shallow areas around for sure. The wind was blowing pretty good against the dock when we got there and when we left. The dock workers there really know their stuff and were very helpful getting us in and out of there. The place is nothing fancy by any means but it serves its purpose well. We are walkers so we went across the bridge to town (a mile or so?) to check out all the shops again. There is a Wed and Sat street market but we were very disappointed to find that there were no produce vendors, only arts and crafts.
We tied up at Dudley’s on April 26. The fixed piers are still rough so get out your old lines and fenderboards. But Dudley’s is still $0.75 per foot and they are generous with their courtesy car and their hospitality. There is a Walgreens Pharmacy and a grocery in town (too far to walk). I didn’t see a West Marine but Dudley’s has more parts and fishing supplies that I have ever seen in a West Marine and at reasonable prices. Folks here in Swansboro are proud of their seafaring and boatbuilding history. One of the Dudleys published a pictoral history of the town. They have a copy in the office. They might let you view it. The wind was blowing a 30-40 the day we arrived. Every hand from the marina was on the dock landing boats. Each of them, mechanics, yard workers, and all, knew how to handle a line and tie a clove hitch. One sailboat ran aground when entering a slip and the dock boys brought the towing skiff around to pull him off. The senior Mr. Dudley stepped aboard, took the helm, and, with a near gale blowing, impressed us with as fine a demonstration of boat handling as I have ever witnessed.
We stopped by Dudley’s on 11/23/11 on a short Thanksgiving cruise to Beauford, NC. A thank you from the Halifax Crew to Dudley’s for keeping the dockage fee and the price of gasoline/fuel affordable so we can continue to boat. Very friendly staff and helpful with docking. I recommend them and wil stop in again. Easy walk over the bridge to town from their location.
Bob & Lynne /Traveller- November 15, 2011 - 7:45 am
Make no mistake about it, Dudley’s is a great local sport fisherman’s marina with dockage for cruisers. We love the service and the helpfullness of the staff and it’s working boat yard atmosphere. It’s a great value for the cruiser at 75 cents a ft., electric, water and courtesy van included. Their facilities are “seasoned” and more than adequate.
We stayed at Dudley’s Marina for three days just after January 1, 2010. It was so cold that we had to cover the engine room vents to keep it from freezing, even with heat on. Dudley’s is a great place, and we should all support them for helping us keep the cost of cruising down. We were there simply because it was too cold to move. The cost was minimal, because of the $.75 per foot rate. A car is available for the short run to Swansboro and necessary grocery stores and even a Lowes. We look forward to returning in the spring.
8-17-09 Currently staying at Dudley’s Marina in Swansboro, NC. Not much of a tide change daily, so the old fixed wooden dock is fine. Especially for .75 per foot and free electric. Plus a car to use for short trips. The owner is a bit curmudgeonous, but the rest of the employees are great. The historic district is nice, with lots of shops and restaurants. LuAnne Woods
Subject: Marina Cruising News: Dudley’s Marina in Swansboro,NC is a good deal! Not in the cruising books but has docks for .75/ft and free electric 50a.They have clean restrooms and a van for going to store, etc. Patty Mitchell
Reviews from Cruisers (12)
Check [channel and dock depths] with marina. We spent most of a tidal cycle aground after filling at Dudley. Cheap fuel though.
Han Gregory
We stayed here May 26, 2019, that is Memorial Day weekend. It was very rolly due to boats passing very nearby without slowing down. This is an exposed piling type dock where you need fenderboards or long fenders turned sideways. The constant rocking and rolling did a number on our fenders and lines, but we kinda expected that. The marina staff are great, but the marina is still rough around the edges. We would stay there again, but I would prefer an interior slip versus the face dock we were on. We are planning our next trip to dock further south on the ICW and miss Dudley's when we go back south. Great town and great food. They also have a courtesy vehicle which was great. Also a little less than 6' depths in some areas around the docks.
I docked there several times. Sure, it is not by any means upscale but who cares, it still has the flavor and atmosphere of what boating was like in the old days before Yuppies started to throwing money around, demanding fancy enmities and destroying what boating was all about “Messing-about-in-boats”.
Capt. Bobby T.
yuppies started to throw money around increasing prices and demanding amenities which destroyed the meaning of “Gunk-Holeing and Messing-about-in-boats.
Capt. Bobby T.
Great experience here: cheap, GREAT customer service – dock hands were incredibly accommodating. Easy access. Ship store well stocked.
We stopped in Swansboro last weekend to visit with a friend who lives there. We’ve stayed at Dudley’s twice before and will do so again in the future, but NEVER, EVER on a weekend! The boat traffic was on the river was very heavy, which I would expect on a weekend in July, but virtually non one pays any attention to the No Wake zone. Boats of varying sizes flew by us not 20 feet from our hull. The heavy wakes were almost constant, starting very early in the morning and going on well into the evening. I don’t understand why there is no enforcement in areas like this.
Stayed here for two nights this week. It was our second time stopping at Dudley’s this year. The docks are still rough and there are shallow areas around for sure. The wind was blowing pretty good against the dock when we got there and when we left. The dock workers there really know their stuff and were very helpful getting us in and out of there. The place is nothing fancy by any means but it serves its purpose well. We are walkers so we went across the bridge to town (a mile or so?) to check out all the shops again. There is a Wed and Sat street market but we were very disappointed to find that there were no produce vendors, only arts and crafts.
We tied up at Dudley’s on April 26. The fixed piers are still rough so get out your old lines and fenderboards.
But Dudley’s is still $0.75 per foot and they are generous with their courtesy car and their hospitality. There is a Walgreens Pharmacy and a grocery in town (too far to walk). I didn’t see a West Marine but Dudley’s has more parts and fishing supplies that I have ever seen in a West Marine and at reasonable prices.
Folks here in Swansboro are proud of their seafaring and boatbuilding history. One of the Dudleys published a pictoral
history of the town. They have a copy in the office. They might let you view it.
The wind was blowing a 30-40 the day we arrived. Every hand from the marina was on the dock landing boats. Each of them, mechanics, yard workers, and all, knew how to handle a line and tie a clove hitch.
One sailboat ran aground when entering a slip and the dock boys brought the towing skiff around to pull him off. The senior Mr. Dudley stepped aboard, took the helm, and, with a near gale blowing, impressed us with as fine a demonstration of boat handling as I have ever witnessed.
We stopped by Dudley’s on 11/23/11 on a short Thanksgiving cruise to Beauford, NC. A thank you from the Halifax Crew to Dudley’s for keeping the dockage fee and the price of gasoline/fuel affordable so we can continue to boat. Very friendly staff and helpful with docking. I recommend them and wil stop in again. Easy walk over the bridge to town from their location.
Make no mistake about it, Dudley’s is a great local sport fisherman’s marina with dockage for cruisers. We love the service and the helpfullness of the staff and it’s working boat yard atmosphere. It’s a great value for the cruiser at 75 cents a ft., electric, water and courtesy van included. Their facilities are “seasoned” and more than adequate.
We stayed at Dudley’s Marina for three days just after January 1, 2010. It was so cold that we had to cover the engine room vents to keep it from freezing, even with heat on. Dudley’s is a great place, and we should all support them for helping us keep the cost of cruising down. We were there simply because it was too cold to move. The cost was minimal, because of the $.75 per foot rate. A car is available for the short run to Swansboro and necessary grocery stores and even a Lowes. We look forward to returning in the spring.
8-17-09 Currently staying at Dudley’s Marina in Swansboro, NC. Not much of a tide change daily, so the old fixed wooden dock is fine. Especially for .75 per foot and free electric. Plus a car to use for short trips. The owner is a bit curmudgeonous, but the rest of the employees are great. The historic district is nice, with lots of shops and restaurants.
LuAnne Woods
Subject: Marina
Cruising News: Dudley’s Marina in Swansboro,NC is a good deal! Not in the cruising books but has docks for .75/ft and free electric 50a.They have clean restrooms and a van for going to store, etc.
Patty Mitchell