There are marinas that simply provide dockage, and then there are marinas that become part of your entire boating lifestyle. Bay St. Louis Municipal Harbor falls firmly into the second category. Located directly beside Bay St. Louis’ famously charming Old Town district, this marina has become a favorite among boaters from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and across the northern Gulf Coast who want more than just a place to keep their boat.
What makes Bay St. Louis special is how seamlessly the boating experience blends into daily life once you arrive. Restaurants, bars, coffee shops, live music venues, beaches, and local shops are all just steps from the docks. For many owners, their boat (and maybe a golf cart) is all they need for the entire city. It’s the kind of setup that turns quick overnight trips into long-term traditions.
Contact Information
For inquiries about slip availability, reach out to the marina office:
📍 Address: 100 Jody Compretta Drive, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
📞 Phone: (228) 467-4226 (or Channel 16)
🌐 Website: BayStLouis-MS.gov
The Harbor sits directly on St Louis Bay, nestled between the Hwy 90 and the railroad bridge.
GPS Coordinates:
📍 30.310588° N, -89.323334° W
Brief History
The modern Bay St. Louis harbor is relatively new compared to many Gulf Coast marinas, but its development tells an important story about the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s recovery after Hurricane Katrina. Following the devastation of 2005, Bay St. Louis rebuilt much of its waterfront infrastructure with the goal of reconnecting the downtown area directly to the water while creating a stronger economic and recreational hub for the city.
Completed in 2014, the harbor project transformed the waterfront into a modern marina destination with full-service docks, fuel facilities, public access areas, and a direct connection into Old Town Bay St. Louis. The project earned the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce “Community Award of Excellence” and is often viewed as one of the standout waterfront redevelopment projects on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Today, the harbor serves as both a marina and a central gathering place for the town itself, helping define Bay St. Louis’ reputation as one of the Gulf Coast’s most enjoyable small boating communities.
Facility Features
Walkable Old Town Location: This is the feature that defines Bay St. Louis Municipal Harbor. Once tied up, boaters are immediately connected to Old Town Bay St. Louis, one of the Gulf Coast’s most active and walkable waterfront districts. Restaurants, cocktail bars, breweries, galleries, coffee shops, bakeries, boutiques, and live music venues are all located within a short walk or golf cart ride from the docks.
Dockage includes everything you’d expect from a modern, full-service marina, like:
- 200+ slips
- Transient dockage
- Full-Service Utilities
- Restrooms, Showers, and Laundry
- Wi-Fi
- Fuel Dock
- Fish cleaning stations
- 24-hour staff presence and security systems
Final Thoughts
Bay St. Louis Municipal Harbor succeeds because it delivers something increasingly rare along the Gulf Coast: a marina that genuinely feels connected to the town around it. The combination of protected dockage, quick Gulf access, walkability, and relaxed coastal culture creates a boating experience that feels easy in the best possible way.
For boaters coming from other cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or inland Mississippi, it has become one of the most practical and enjoyable weekend boating destinations anywhere on the northern Gulf. You can leave work, make the drive over, hop in the golf cart, and spend the next few days barely needing your truck again until it’s time to head home.