We've been coming to this marina for 20 years to rent sailboats and it's always a great experience. The office staff are friendly and helpful, and the folks down by the dock do a great job of explaining how the boat works, the wind conditions, how to stay away from shallow water, and so forth. Highly recommended. read more

Came here to get in our own kayaks and it was $10 anyway despite the limited parking situation, cash only. Got lucky with that. The bathroom situation was atrocious, this place is a busy marina you would assume whomever is paid to work there would maintain that. Decent launch area though just would more likely leave from a different spot next time read more

Belle Haven Marina - Nearby launch area - Boating Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

See all

At $15 a trailer just to ramp out you would think they could clean up The area and maintain the area. This place is falling apart. The only reason we come here is because it's close enough to the apartment. read more

See all

Nice and helpful staff. A friend and I took the weekend adult sailing classes and really enjoyed it. The harbor is nothing fancy, but it's easy to navigate and we like renting a boat and sailing there. read more

This is a gorgeous local park and marina on the Potomac. I came here as a launch/starting point for my paddle board. There is a teeny tiny beach area (with some sand and fallen logs) where you can walk in. It's kind of cramped, so you do have to get your feet wet to get in! There is plenty of parking in this area, even on the warmer and more popular days. You'll be sharing with folks who are barbecuing on the picnic benches and fishing along the water's edge. It's very family friendly! And a delight to smell all the yummy foods wafting in the air. You can also go sailing here and take sailing lessons, but I havent explored that yet (perhaps later this summer!) If you paddle out further, you can get to Dyke Marsh and see a lot of wildlife. Last time I came, I saw a baby bald eagle perched on a nearby tree! Many people park their sailboats here - and at sunset, it's an idyllic sight! (I'd recommend going at sunset instead of mid-afternoon as there's less people). If you're boating/kayaking or paddle boarding - be careful on rainy or windy days, as they waves can get pretty high here. read more

See all

Everything was great, we used this marina to take a trip to DC! Nice location and easy access !

Great place to walk, bird watch, enjoy a picnic. The water views are fantastic. Lots of parking. Bike and walking trails for miles. Very close to Old Town. read more

Belle Haven Marina - Bald eagle - Boating Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Belle Haven Marina is a small marina along the Potomac River with many docks for boats. Even if you don't own a boat, you can still go, park, and rent a kayak or canoe to explore the river. read more

What a diamond in the rough!! Had a great time on the water. Not to busy just right and a beautiful night watching the stars.

Pros: Great location, cheap. Renting here is much lower stress than trying to do the same on DC, but it's still a nice stretch of river. Cons: The woman you have to deal with in order to rent anything is unpleasant. She's the classic self-important gatekeeper type who seems to enjoy being difficult because she can. She was prickly and unhelpful with me but downright rude to the guy behind me - snapped at him for no discernible reason. Looks like other reviewers have had the same experience. Either learn basic manners or find a job where you are not interacting with customers. Also, the marina is falling apart. Docks are literally decaying. Given that this is park land, you'd think the government could be a little more discerning about the business they chose to operate this. read more

It was super easy to rent a kayak here. The office has limited capacity, so normally there's only one customer in at a time (face masks required). I signed the waiver beforehand so checkout was really quick. There are also bathrooms on site. The gentlemen at the dock were very friendly and might have even convinced me to return for sailing lessons. The water wasn't choppy and it was a wry pleasant trip around the marshes and island. Overall a splendid time. read more

See all

Great place! They allow dogs! Just make sure you bring them a life jacket! Also much more affordable than other dc area waterfronts. read more

Belle Haven Marina - Fido Friendly! - Boating Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Nice biking/walking/running path along the water with plenty of picnic tables and green space as well. read more

Belle Haven Marina - Boating Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

We had a fantastic experience with this group. The park is beautiful and the process of renting a kayak was very simple. The staff was helpful and knowledgeable through the entire process. They were able to fit us in last minute for my birthday. They have several options for rental including canoes, kayaks, double kayaks, and stand up paddle boards. We chose a double Kayak but I think we might do 2 singles next time. There is plenty of parking and you are a relativelty short walk from old town Alexandria. Looks like they have sailing lessons and power boating lessons also. Great little spot! read more

Belle Haven is a hidden gem. I almost feel selfish having to share my guilty pleasure. I visit from as far away as the northwest corridor of the state and arrive within 45 minutes barring traffic. It is easily accessible off the GW Parkway or the capital beltway. The staff makes me feel right at home, and when I',m out on the water, need I say more! It has become my oasis and try to sail there at least twice a week. Their instruction is bar none and I would encourage any beginner looking to take up the hobby or even novice to experience their instruction and certification. Belle Haven you guys are a special breed, and thank you for being a part of my daily routine : ) read more

See all

Whether you want to walk at nearby Duke Marsh or rent a kayak at the marina, this park gives you a wonderful opportunity to slow down, to reflect while seeing a wildlife. The walk path is wide so you can talk with a person you are walking with. There are benches and at the end you are rewarded with the river-walk. The kayak rental is in one of the last marinas not owned by the Guest Services monopoly (see boatingindc.com). Chip @ Marina's kayak house is such a nice fellow and willing to help or just chat with you. You take sit-in kayak and you go for the adventure on water. The cost is a bit too much ($30 for 2 hours) and it is too bad that it cannot be rented for an hour. Being on the water within nature is therapeutic and high cost or kayak rental beats any counselor or therapist high fees. I felt very relaxed after kayaking and I smiled when I realized it. Although "I sold my soul" to boatingindc season pass I may come few times this year to the marina, just to be more out of the city. read more

Belle Haven Marina - Bold eagle seen while kayaking @ marina - Boating Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

See all

this is a really nice park in alexandria, va, which sits along the mount vernon trail. although i planned to run through this park, i didn't expect to actually enter and stay in the park, but of course, on a cold winter morning run, nature called! thank goodness i spotted some restrooms near the parking lot, and some women entering, so i knew they were at least open! the restrooms were actually fairly clean and well cared for with flushable toilets, clean toilet bowls, toilet paper, soap, running water, and hand dryers. one of the women actually told me that the men's restroom was locked, and had been locked for quite some time, hence she brought her young son into the ladies' room. i can see how this would be a pain to the men who need to relieve themselves, but thank goodness for the plethora of trees and bushes in this park! speaking of which, this park was quite lovely, especially covered in fresh, white snow. i enjoyed running through the park, along the trail, watching the snow fall and admiring the small, frozen lakes and potomac river which surrounded this park. there's several picnic tables & benches here, and i actually saw one running group staking a claim to one of the tables, a couple of volunteers waiting with hot coffee and snacks for returning runners...what a great idea, and incentive to get out there and run! there's ample parking in the dedicated lot, and parking appeared to be free, since i didn't see any signage or park ranger collecting fees. if i came back to this area, i'd definitely consider driving here, parking my car, and running along the trail to points further south so that i could explore more of the area. read more

Still a great spot. I have sailed there for three years now and the staff is great. Lessons are enjoyable and it is a great time if you want to get out on the water. read more

I sail here one to two times a year when in town. Wanted to support local business coming out of the lockdown. The wind was breezy and wanted to give it a try today. Forget it..! Tried talking to their representative over the phone that I may be a few minutes late, after five. She would not rent the boat to me if I was 10 minutes late due to traffic, even if I brought the boat back by 7 as required. Very hard to have a business conversation with her. They lost my business for good. read more

I appreciate the laid back feel of this Marina. If you are looking for a yacht club, then this is not your place. But if you want to get out on the water without a hassle then I whole heatedly recommend this place. I rented a sailboat for a couple of hours and it was great fun. It was great to have all the fun of sailing without any of the maintenance. Parking is a little challenging, but other than that it was an all around good experience. read more

Rented a sailboat today. Wonderful experience! Boat in fine shape, sailed well. Staff very friendly and helpful. Vibe super chill and welcoming. read more

Beauriful park along the Potomac river in Alexandria VA. The park also has a boat launch, also ideal for kayakers and paddlers. The trails take you to the forest and along the waterfront. read more

Lovely park and marina for the DC area. It almost feels like I am in Marina Del Rey. Wait, that's actually incorrect. Still, come here to relax. read more

This is one of my favorite parks. It's a lot of fun and it has a lot of space for grilling and having parties outside. The last couple of times that I've been here I've come to a luau, & I came to a Filipino picnic both of which I've had a lovely time. The park is well maintained, and you have a lot of people that come here to park before they head out on their boat or if they're going to take the Mount Vernon trail. There usually is a lot of parking. It does depend on the time of day that you come out though. If you come out in the middle of the afternoon on a beautiful Saturday; be prepared to be waiting for a while. Allow yourself some extra time to get where you're going that way you'll find parking in time for whatever event you're attending. This offers a panoramic view of National Harbour and Woodrow Wilson Bridge from the Virginia side. While you're at it, venture a little further down and go see Jones Point. Its not that far from Belle Haven. read more

The ratings for this pretty little spot are probably accurate--when we're not in the middle of a pandemic. But I rode my bike an hour to get there to rent a kayak and was so turned off and freaked out by the non-mask-wearing, non-social-distancing proprietor and his customers that I turned around and rode another hour back home. The website clearly states that masks must be worn, so I brought mine with me, put it on when I got to the marina, but I was the only one. I love that this place has stuck it out through the decades as the DMV has gotten fancier and more expensive, and I truly want them to succeed, but I'll ride my bike to another kayak rental place next time. read more

Accessible from either the northbound or southbound lanes of the GW Parkway, Belle Haven is a great place to start out for a run or bike ride on the Mount Vernon Trail. The park is between mile markers 7 and 8. If you head south to Mount Vernon, you have the 7 most beautiful miles of the trail ahead of you. Boardwalks over marshes, quiet tree-lined stretches, and beautiful views of the Potomac. For a short, but beautiful and serene diversion, take the Mount Vernon Trail south from the parking lot, and turn left at the driveway for the marina. On your right, you will see a small trail--the Dyke Marsh Trail. The trail is a short out and back that takes you further into the marsh. Belle Haven is probably slightly more scenic than Jones Point Park (just north on the trail about a mile and a half) and parking here gets you closer to the "good parts" of the trail. However, the trade off is that the bathrooms at Belle Haven are very old, and not nearly as nice as the ones at Jones Point. There is a water fountain at Belle Haven as well, but it is turned off in the winter. read more

My favorite place to kayak! Not as crowded as other Marinas and if you go during the week you might be the only one out in the marshes. Potomac by no means is clean so please caution before you stick your feet and other parts over the boat. Pack your lunch and paddle out far so you can sit back and watch planes landing and launching to and from Reagan National. Be careful of speed boats! People fly down the Potomac and may not be able to see you. read more

I just took a lesson with David and rented flying scots twice at this marina. It sounds like the manager who was problematic in previous reviews is no longer there. Everyone I dealt with was AMAZING! David was the best sailing instructor - explaining the why behind everything and super patient and joyful. I have taken several lessons at elsewhere and would definitely recommend the Belle Haven Marina for lessons and rentals over other places. I also interacted with Greg and Tim and they were incredibly kind and helpful. I will be back for rentals soon! read more

I went kayaking on September 12, 2019. Fun. It was my first time at BHM but not my last. Buy your ticket from Sarah in the office, and say hello to the friendly black Lab. I'm sorry I can't remember the Lab's name. I paid $30 for a single-person kayak for a two-hour rental. Then walk to the dock and Chip, the dockmaster, will set you up. read more

I've lived and visited Belle Haven marina for over 20 years. Even was asked to help with sailing outings. The place has aged with the years and looks like a neglected, run-down, rusted tin can of a place. Million dollar homes all around and the basics here (aka docks, ramps) are rotten. I like simplicity and focus on nature (as it should be), but not to this level of neglect. Now this morning I noticed a turtle giving birth near the main trailer. A heavily trafficked spot. So I alerted 'Lenni' in the main trailer who was simply nasty and blew me off all by 9am. What a neighborly experience. Not sure what my tax payer dollars are paying for. read more

My husband and I recently took adult sailing lessons with David M. and had an awesome experience. David was extremely experienced, knowledgeable and patient. My husband sailed extensively 20+ years ago and David was able to assist him with getting his sea legs again. He was also very patient and calm which was very important as I learned the feel of the flying scot and got used to the wind changes and sailing terms. All of the marina staff we met were pleasant, knowledgeable, helpful, and fun. We sent our kids here too for summer camp and they enjoyed it as well (and that's something!!! :)). We are looking forward to many years of sailing as a family at Belle Haven! read more

This is a beautiful route to run along the GW Parkway. Beware of bikers, though. They are everywhere! Some are polite and call out to you; most are not and make the runner feel like you're in their way. On a hot day, say 94 degrees like when I ran, there is not a ton of shade. Come prepared with water and a good hat. read more

This park is such a nice escape from city life. Stop by if you're enjoying a run, walk, bike or hike on the amount Vernon Trail. The views are great. You are right on the Potomac River. Just a warning though that as the weather gets nice Saturday mornings are extremely crowded. read more

Great place to park for walking/biking as well. Bathrooms and water access. A little dark in some areas but it's open and busy most times so it seems pretty safe. Beautiful for sunrise/sunsets! read more

I've visited this park on multiple occasions for different reasons, and I have always had a great time! The hours seem to pass by so quickly at this serene park. This park has a wide open, flat, green space that overlooks the water, Wilson Bridge, and National Harbor. There are numerous picnic tables and large trees that provide ample shade. In my experience, it's cool to bring either a blanket to sit on the ground or your own chairs. People bring portable grills for cooking as well. Parking is spread out across three areas, so I haven't had trouble finding a spot. Everything is free! The park closes at dark. Bottom line: for any reason at all, you should stop by! Bring a blanket, food, water, a game, and you're all set! read more

Belle Haven Park and Marina is right off the GW Parkway and is a great place to hang out and watch the planes head to DCA. There is also a good view of the National Harbor. Plenty of picnic tables are available for hanging out or parties. My dogs enjoyed scrambling down the rocks into the Potomac for a swim as well. I didn't check out the Marina, but you can take sailing lessons there. read more

See all

Bad managers, they harass people using the NPS trail and park adjacent to their leased space. People are just trying to walk in public space and they encourage their clients to run them down in their trucks. read more

One of our favorite parks. Lots of parking. Good picnic facilities. Bathrooms are often clean. Biking, walking and running path. Animal friendly. Fish in the Potomac. Marina nearby and beautiful Dyke Marsh. read more

Took sailing basics lessons last Fall with Brian, our instructor with my girlfriend, Grace. Despite rain and gusty, high, winds, Brian was patient, knowledgeable, and friendly, and despite only a 2 day lesson, we've comfortably and confidently sailed without Brian on several occasions since of the lessons. The staff is incredibly flexible (swapping out boat rentals for kayaks on low wind days) and friendly despite a reserved first impression. Would recommend to others without hesitation! read more

Was a good place to put in our paddle boards. The day we went there were heavy winds which made for a good workout. To use the ramp cost $5 for car top and $8 for trailered vessels. We lucked out and got a parking sport right away (around 9am on a Saturday). However, when we were going home there were several people looking for parking and someone who waited 5 minutes for our spot. Great view of the bridge, ferris wheel and the marshes nearby. read more