Randal and Crysta were amazing! So nice and helpful. I would recommend this outfit anytime!! In…read morefact, I want to work with them!! Lol Doreen B.

Short Version: There's a strong trend in the reviews for this vendor. Many people get their boats…read moreand have a good time. But Crystal coast Boat Charters has a problem with communication, and if anything at all goes wrong, you'll find yourself wondering what just happened and be left without a boat. We booked a boat for rental on Friday, May 28, for our family coming in to town for Memorial Day weekend. We had a couple calls with Krista over the next couple weeks, up until two days before the rental. During that call she told me the person who was bringing the boat (I think she said her husband, but not sure if I remember that right) had a broken phone, but that she promised to get me "some phone number so you could reach him." Not exactly confidence inspiring, but stuff happens, so I rolled with it. I went back to other reviews after the crash and burn and found this broken phone thing was a common issue that they still haven't fixed. The day of the rental came and I finally received a phone call about an hour before our rental time. The gentleman who called me was bewildering at best. Instead of clearly telling me what was broken and whether it could be fixed soon, I got a bizarre set of contradictions ranging from, "I have a guy in Swansboro hooking me up" (With what? A new boat? A part?), to "I'm trying to just delay an hour" and then ending with, "I'm shootin for the stars, man, I just dunno. I'm a nice guy, though, I'm an owner operator." It was difficult to get further details out of him. As we got closer to delivery time, I texted. No response. Then I called at the time he was supposed to deliver the boat. "Sorry man, I'm not 1000% sure it's going to happen today." I said "ok, if it isn't, then do you know anyone else that rents boats?" Instead of responding to the question, he said "Gimme a few minutes man, I'll call you back." When he called me back, he said, "We got it and we'll be at X launch point in 30 minutes." When I told him, "We ordered it for Y launch point," he replied, "Well that's news to me!" But we expected to meet him there in 30 minutes. 30 minutes later, I received a vague text message, "The hub is done sorry I will call you." I tried calling him and he stopped picking up the phone. Not knowing exactly what that text message meant, I texted Krista indicating what a stunning failure this had been and received a text full of excuses. Mechanical issues are out of people's hands. I get that. But communication is fully in the business's hands. Bottom line: this company is a slap dash operation who won't take responsibility for their failures, and will just stop talking to you when everything founders.

Fun 2 hr. guided tour of isle. Would definitely repeat next time we're down visiting. Business…read morefriendly and guide knowledgeable and helpful in our trek to lighthouse.

we had a great time on our jet ski tour! friendly, efficient and easy to follow. Reservations were…read moreeasy to make online

My husband and I were heading out to the coast for the weekend and we wanted to go sailing. It was…read morekind of last minute but we called and were able to meet them to rent a sailboat easily. Filling out the waivers was quick and easy via their website and were given a short but detailed sailing boundaries and we were off. We will absolutely be back for some more sailing fun!

We have rented kayaks and boats here, and it has always been an excellent experience!! The staff…read moreare very helpful, accommodating and knowledgeable.

This place was popular but not what we were looking for. The pier was very crowded with people…read morefishing. I had to keep my head on a swivel to make sure no hooks were coming my way. The cost to park was 5$ for 40 minutes, max around $30 for the day. There was an ice cream shop but it had closed before we arrived. We like more relaxing places so we will not be back. If you are looking to pack a cooler and fish for the day, off the pier, then it might be for you!

I grew up fishing here and the local area (25 years) I have really really tried to give this pier a…read morechance with the constantly changing rules and management (four times I gave them) and this last one did it for me. I had two eyes break off an old rod, I kept it there with my stuff because I wanted to see what happened (pressure, wear, epoxy failure) and swapped reel to another one from my car. When I was leaving after watching the hoveround gang come and flex their AARP affiliation, I had SIX people come out (they have walkie talkies) and tell me I had too many rods and that though the one was beaten like a dead mule and visibly not usable (missing the top of the darn rod tbh) that I shouldn't do it there again... because I was idk huckleberry finning for crawdads or something... one or two saying it okay; but six. Jesus, I know this is the first time y'all have had power over other people and such but damn... I might be a bit forgetful at my age now but not that quick. If I go back ya'll can hold my rods and bait em for me to make sure I don't upset any rules (as kids are smoking dope and drunk as hell on the pier)....

The New Bern Grand Marina Yacht Club has been one of our very favorite stops! The proximity to town…read moreis unbeatable! We loved being able to step off our boat and be in the heart of New Bern's charming downtown area. There were so many things for our kids to do and explore in the area. The marina itself is in a rebuilding state from a recent hurricane. The office is housed in a temporary building that is about a block away from the docks. They do have bathrooms and laundry, but the pool is still closed. The transient dock is brand new and extremely nice. We docked on the far side and struggled to get the marina wifi. My advice would be to try to dock closer to the gate at the end. You will have a shorter walk with laundry and closer proximity to wifi. The staff is very friendly at New Bern Grand Marina Yacht Club and they offered our family several suggestions on restaurants. We will definitely return!

This absolutely the best dive center in Eastern North Carolina! The staff are so professional,…read moreknowledgeable and courteous. I began diving with them in May 2025 and each and every visit to the pro shop is awesome. There is no better captain, boat or crew around. Every dive is an amazing adventure and makes you yearn for the next dive! Enthusiastically recommended for anyone wanting to dive regardless of experience!

Well run dive center, experienced team, with safety at the center. When the weather is good it's…read moresome of if not - the - best diving in the continental US. Want schools of fish so big you can't see because too many fish - check. Want sharks - check. Want big fish - check. We have returned every year for 4 years - been to the sub 4 or 5 times - sometimes do it multiple times per trip. To address some of the other reviews complaints - these folks don't control the weather - it is highly variable and the wrecks are off shore - so it gets blown out sometimes, but they do the best to get you out to where you will have a good time and will try to get you to the wreck you want if they can.

Great experience. Captain Mark held a wonderful ceremony for my mother. He was thoughtful and…read morerespectful. We greatly appreciated his efforts and would highly recommend H2O.

I've had the pleasure to book an excursion with Captain Mark yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised…read morehe met us in the free parking lot! I felt totally safe and prepared for the trip ahead, being given a thorough safety briefing. He was able to answer my multiple questions during the entire trip, concerning the history of the horses and people who lived on this beautiful barrier island. His expertise in maneuvering the boat around the wakes let to an extremely comfortable ride. We had a fun and will definitely be back next year.

I had the most pleasant experience with Mr. Eugene Sumrell. I needed 6 fuel injectors for my Yamaha…read more150 outboard. I called Tidewater and spoke with Mr. Sumrell. he gave me a phone number to a outboard parts dealer in Greenville NC. I called Mr. Stroud and told him what I needed and received my Parts within 3. Both companies offered exceptional customer service and Mr. Sumrell didn't charge a fee for the referral. Mr. Sumerll has his two sons that work with him and all are extremely knowledgeable. Tidewater Marina is without a doubt the premier service center for your boat in New Bern NC.