Ramsgate Marina Review (2026): Costs, Facilities & Liveaboard Guide
Updated: Aug 11
Looking for a marina in Kent? We spent just over a week living aboard our 44ft Kelly Peterson at Ramsgate Marina while meeting friends and exploring the East Kent coast. Here's what we paid, what we loved, and whether we'd stay again.
Our Verdict
⭐ Overall Rating: 6.5/10
Ramsgate Marina is one of those places we really wanted to love. The setting is beautiful, the staff were genuinely friendly, and it's an excellent base for exploring Kent, with easy access to Canterbury, Margate and Broadstairs. However, it was also the rolliest marina we've stayed in so far, and there was almost constant activity from Border Force, police and commercial vessels entering and leaving the harbour throughout the day. It's also one of the more expensive marinas we've visited.
For us, Ramsgate is a fantastic stopover for a few days while cruising the East Coast or heading across the Channel, but we probably wouldn't choose it for an extended stay.
Ramsgate Marina at a Glance
📍 Location: Ramsgate, Kent
⛵ Boat: Kelly Peterson 44 (13.4m)
📅 Length of stay: 8 days (1 week + 1 extra day)
💷 Weekly fee: £310.80 (discounted weekly rate)
➕ Extra day: £53.95
⚡ Electricity: Included
💧 Water: Included
🚿 Shower blocks: 1
🧺 Laundry rooms: 1
🐈⬛ Pet friendly: Yes
🚂 Train station: Around 25–30 minutes' walk
🚗 Parking: Multiple car parks nearby
🌐 Wi-Fi: Available
📮 Post Office: Just a short walk away
🔒 Security: Gated pontoons
Why We Chose Ramsgate
Originally, we had planned to meet friends in Margate, but our draft meant we couldn't get into the harbour there. Ramsgate turned out to be the perfect alternative. Our friends drove over to visit us on the boat before we all headed out together, and with Margate only around a 15-minute drive away, it worked really well.
The marina staff also recommended walking to Broadstairs or catching one of the frequent buses. Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas during our stay, but it's definitely on the list for our next visit.
What We Paid
Our stay cost:
1 week: £310.80 (discounted weekly rate)
1 additional day: £53.95
We decided to stay an extra night so we could leave in better weather rather than rush out into uncomfortable conditions. One pleasant surprise was that electricity was included in the berth fee. After paying metered electricity elsewhere, it was refreshing not to think about topping up, and we made good use of it by catching up on washing aboard Silva Nova.
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Facilities
Facilities were fairly basic but clean throughout our stay. There is one shower block and one laundry room. Unfortunately, the laundry facilities were the biggest disappointment of our visit. The machines only accepted coins, which proved surprisingly difficult to find, and we ended up spending £16 after using the dryer twice and what appeared to be one of the machines swallowing some of our coins.
The washing machines are also very small, and despite running the dryer twice, our clothes still weren't completely dry. In the end, we found it easier to do more washing aboard the boat while making the most of the free electricity. Fresh water is available around the marina, and we found the shower facilities clean and well maintained.
Living Aboard at Ramsgate Marina
Although we were only visiting for just over a week, Ramsgate appears to have an established liveaboard community, particularly within the inner marina behind the lock, which looked significantly calmer than the outer berths. If you're staying in the outer marina, be prepared for movement. We experienced constant rolling throughout our stay. Some people won't mind it, but after several days it definitely became tiring.
The marina is pet friendly, and we spotted plenty of dogs during our visit.
Canterbury cathedral
Location
Location is undoubtedly Ramsgate Marina's biggest strength.
The marina sits beside the historic Royal Harbour and is surrounded by cafés, restaurants and pubs. We quickly developed a habit of wandering into the harbour arches for a full English breakfast before starting the day.
We also found ourselves visiting the enormous Wetherspoons overlooking the marina more than once. Whether you're after breakfast, lunch or a reasonably priced evening meal, it's a handy option.
Ramsgate is also brilliantly placed for exploring East Kent. Canterbury is an easy train journey away and makes a fantastic day trip, while Margate is only a short drive from the marina. Broadstairs is equally accessible on foot or by bus, giving plenty of options if you're spending several days in the area.
Security
Ramsgate Marina felt secure throughout our stay, with gated access to the pontoons and marina staff regularly visible around the site. The harbour itself is very busy, with frequent movements from Border Force, police and other working vessels. While this adds plenty to watch, it also contributes to the constant activity and wash that reaches the marina.
What We Loved
Beautiful marina and historic harbour.
Excellent base for exploring East Kent.
Easy day trips to Canterbury, Margate and Broadstairs.
Plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby.
Friendly and helpful marina staff.
Electricity included in the berth fee.
What We Didn't Love
Expensive compared with many UK marinas.
Very rolly in the outer marina.
Constant harbour traffic.
Disappointing laundry facilities.
Would We Stay Again?
Yes — and we're already planning to.
Our cruising plans around the UK were interrupted while we returned home to sort out our house, and Ramsgate is likely to be one of our first stops when we set off again.
That said, we'd probably stick to shorter stays. If we returned, we'd also ask whether a berth inside the inner marina behind the lock was available, as it looked considerably more sheltered than where we stayed.
Final Thoughts
Ramsgate Marina won't be everyone's ideal marina, but it absolutely has its place.
If you're looking for a convenient stop while cruising the East Coast or preparing for a Channel crossing, it's a fantastic location with plenty to do ashore and excellent transport links to explore Kent.
For us, the rolling motion, busy harbour traffic and relatively high cost stopped it becoming one of our favourites. Even so, the friendly staff, beautiful surroundings and easy access to places like Canterbury and Margate mean we'd happily return.
Next time, we'll just be hoping for a berth in the calmer inner marina.
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