Adventures Unbound: Columbia Island Marina

I do boat Renovations. Upholstery covers and pontoon decking rebuilds. Nice ramp to pull out on. Clean place and we'll maintenance. Parking lot could usesome repairs. But with the winter we had. Not bad at all

Columbia Island Marina is the best! The location is perfect and the amenities a great perk, but the real gems are the staff. We couldn’t be more pleased with their help and attention to detail. We’re so grateful to have had this home for our boat for the past 5 years!

Great place for kayaking. Free parking is always a plus. There is a separate dock for non-motorized boats including kayaks to go out onto the water. The view is really nice. We launched The kayaks and headed up river for about 2.5 miles will end you up in Georgetown. We docked at Thompson's boathouse before we started our journey back.

Best place to avoid the crowds and kick off an idyllic spring walk along the Potomac. Wonderful place to spend a Sunday afternoon. We got to the marina around 430pm; there were lots of parking spaces. We walked along the path and were able to catch the golden hour for photos. The marina had plenty of picnic tables where you could see the river. We were able to do a nice short walk to the trail along the Potomac

As many have already said, this spot is a hidden gem of dc! Enjoy the water views and access to the river from the restaurant which often has live music. The food is basic but good…the drinks are really the better than element. The restaurant also offers packages for those going with a big group. They close early though, 7pm most days!

We are so happy that we moved to this Marina. Great location, great, friendly staff, cool bar and good food. Fairways are nice and wide and the water is always calm. Loving this Marina!

What a hidden gem. Frankly I’d rather rate it a 1 star to keep this gem all to myself but that wouldn’t be fair to the staff there. It’s such a great quiet spot with great food and island drinks, please don’t go.

Looking for somewhere to launch a kayak to paddle DC? This is the place! Marina Staff answered the phone and answered my questions and made it super easy. Parking was right next to the non-powered floating dock and was easy to find.

Always a great crab cake sandwich at Island Time Bar & Grill. No filler and tasty. The fried shrimp basket is more like shrimp tempura- juicy and flavorful. The view is beautiful and serene. The ducks are plentiful-- a little too friendly, because NO, you can't have my delicious fries.

Unfortunately, my friends and I didn't get to enjoy the grill part of the "Island Time Bar and Grill" (which is the moniker many of us know this place under) because wait times for food we're over an hour... And other patrons who were fortunate enough to get their food mentioned that it was not good. Shame. Onto the drinks, I ordered a Mai Tai... Forgot what my girls ordered. Unfortunately, it lacked the bite of many other Mai Tais I had. It was mid at best, But as hot as it was outside, I was just glad to be drinking something. Despite they're being so many people out, including a few private parties, my friends and I were able to find a picnic bench on the far end of the seating area which was probably the best part of the visit. Another plus... Plenty of free parking. My friends and I came in the middle of the day and were able to find parking spots with ease. Truly a luxury around these parts.

As described, a hidden gem. No frills but the food was excellent. Order drinks and food and the bar and food is brought out. The lobster rolls were the main reason we went and they did not disappoint. The fries were an unexpected plus, hot and crispy. The lobster rolls were fresh with a generous amount of lobster and celery, etc. the rolls were perfectly buttered and grilled. I called ahead to see about reset, but no answer. I was pleasantly surprised to get a call back from the restaurant saying they had no problem accommodating our small group. Well done Island time!

Island Time was fantastic! My group had a social event with appetizers catered this afternoon and it couldn't have gone any better! There is corn hole and other games available to boost camaraderie. And the scenery right on the water is so nice. Shout out to Bruce for all his help coordinating such a fun event!

Beautiful setting, food, drinks and music! The music is the best part with everything from pop covers to jazz. Come check it out!!

Omgeee such a cute hidden gem hidden in plain sight! Came on a Friday after work and the following Saturday. Good food. Good drinks. Good music. I had the red sangria, which isn't like your typical watered down sangria it was made just right. The meat lovers pizza IS ANYONES FAVORITE (unless you don't eat pork). The perfect size snack. Ask for a side of jalapeños for an extra kick and sit back and enjoy the view. I do wish they'd update their Facebook page so we can know if there is a band present but overall they have a customer for life!!

Cute little hidden gem! There's a decent amount of seating under the patio, and out on the lawn by the boats and water. We couldn't sit under patio as there was some sort of event going on and it was reserved. Food came out pretty quickly and was okay. Had the fish tacos which came with fries- the fish tasted super fishy, not sure what kind of white fish it was. My partner tried the personal sized pizza and enjoyed it. Tried a Mai tai but it seemed very watered down. The views were lovely, and they had cornhole and a ping pong table. Definitely a nice place to sit and relax when it's nice out.

Island time bar and grill is a laid back place to eat and grab a drink outdoors right next to water. It has a pretty view of the marina and the Pentagon across the lagoon. Parking is easy and convenient. It has a full bar and the lobster rolls are really great!

Unless you are a boat owner you won't find this gem...free parking, ample space for everyone, and reasonable prices are a few highlights....all foreign concepts to those in the DMV..:we stumbled here while visiting Lady Bird Johnson park and I've been coming back every since. You can fish here, walk, ride bikes, get a drink, and bring your family. There are bathrooms and picnic tables for those interested. You can also use boatsetter to rent a boat...perfect for new water beginners. Ask for Keke if you go to the island time bar and grill

Almost don't want to review this hidden gem! I had (several) Delicious orange crushes and great lobster roll. Views were delightful and the vibe was very relaxed. As a former eastern shore gal, this does the trick for a chill dock experience without the drive. Also made a duck friend. 5/5.

Great little location right off of the docks and the bike path in LBJ park. Good value for drink prices and the fruit crush cocktails used fresh squeezed juice and were so bright and delicious. Decor could use a little refresh but for a little island bar, it's a bang for your buck!

Columbia Island Marina is a marina on Columbia Island, a small island on the Potomac River close to Arlington, Virginia. The marina itself houses many boats and has a boat gas station. In addition, there's a restaurant on-site, free parking, kayak and paddle boarding rentals and amazing views of the National Mall and the Pentagon.

This place looks wonderful, but we had horrible service. The bartender tipped him self with my card and didn't tell me about. If I had not checked the total to calculate how much I was going to leave I wouldn't of noticed he already closed me out and helped himself. They served us the wrong drinks three times, and they told us they would substitute onion rings for fries since they ran out of french fries, and then they still charged us for it anyway after they told us it was included. Real nice place to hang out, the view is very nice, and it's very family friendly but the staff is shady and took advantage of us...

Cute little place to hang out while you're boating! The staff are really nice. I will probably return in the near future!

I have had my boat in this marina for about a year. I have been boating for over 30+years and this is by far one of the best marinas on the Potomac. Very active group of boaters, the boating world is always a friendly group, it comes with the life style. We are extremely pleased with our move to this marina. The facility is great, not a 5 star restaurant but that is not the expectation. Great bar bites and a well stocked bar. Live entertainment in the summer. Great destination with or without a boat moored here. Close to the trail along the river, such much to do! Marina staff is friendly and very accommodating.

I've been launching from this marina for 10 years and it's always been nice...until this past weekend! The pictures tell it all...what a disaster!!! The launch was full of branches, tree trunks (yes, whole trees), tires, garbage, etc. and they refused to clean it. They used to charge $5 round-trip but now it's $20 (why does inflation affect the cost of maintaining a ramp?) The worst of it is, they still charge that fee even though don't clear the launch of debris when it happens. In comparison, Gravely Point right across the highway (public/free) didn't have that problem. Maybe it's because of the way the water moves things around, but Columbia Marina is IRRESPONSIBLE to not maintain their marina in good condition, especially if they're going to jack their fees. I'll be launching from somewhere else from now on. STAY AWAY or launch at your own risk (that's what they actually said to me)!!!

Best lobster roll I've had in a long time. Big, identifiable pieces of lobster meat with just the right amount of mayo on a toasted roll. I'm told their crab cake sandwich is excellent too. I'll try it next time. Fair beer and average wine selection. Very casual dining that faces the marina across from the Pentagon A perfect summer lunch in the shade...

When I was six years old, my dad used to dock his 26-ft Bayliner in F-6. We would walk up to the "house" and get a mariner's platter (fried fish sandwich, fries, cole slaw, pickle) and bring it back to the boat and share it while he tinkered around in the bilge. One day, I was playing up on the grassy area near the picnic tables and I found three blue round things. My dad told me they were robin's eggs and to put them back. I pocketed them thinking I'd hatch them later in my room at home. Dam. None of those eggs made it off of the marina property. I forgot they were in my pocket and smashed them when I was fooling around with the wheel barrow. My dad was so mad at me. Also smashed robin's eggs really stink up your coat pocket. He hosed out the pocket. Yes. My whole coat was wet. Fast forward to 2012. Now, I'm hanging out with boat guys my own age. Boy are they sleazy. They have these boats just to get women. I wonder if that is what my dad had his for. Anyway, the marina is quite different now. It looks so much smaller than it did when I was a kid. It has (thankfully) been totally revamped. It doesn't look like you will automatically punch a hole in the piers simply by stepping on them. They're sturdier now. The house. That will always be the same. I wonder where the find a continuous supply of grouchy elderly women to work the snack counter. At any rate, I will always love Columbia Island Marina and will always be a fan.

If you've ever biked or roller bladed in and around National Airport, you've seen the marina. The body of water that this marina is on is called "Pentagon Lagoon." Really. It is! Like any marina, Columbia offers slip rentals. There is also a picnic area. This is actually one of my favorite spots to watch the fireworks in July-- great view of the monuments from here. Speaking of holidays, in a couple of weeks you can see Santa water ski the day before Christmas. Park here at the marina, and walk over to Lady Bird Johnson Park for the best vantage point. Parking and the jolly entertainment is free! It happens at 1pm..but get there plenty early. This has been going on for 20 plus years so it gets mad crowded.

The view of the Pentagon is awesome and the boats are pretty but the food.. ehh McDonald's makes better eggs. Came here after a funeral at Arlington Cemetery for a "deluxe" breakfast buffet, which was anything but deluxe. There was also only one guy working the bar and buffet so he was running back and forth, very nice guy but can somebody help him out?! They serve beer and wine but the wine isn't anything special and it's served in a plastic cup, MillerLite, Corona, Bud and BudLite. When the buffet was finally set up, there was hard as a rock toast, sausage patties that taste exactly like McDonald's, actually pretty good bacon, watery bland eggs, cold but yummy crunchy potatoes and moldy jelly packets. Ohhh... real deluxe. I think it's more of a snack bar type place for people who put their boats in there. Overall it's a nice venue for an event but the food is a "deluxe" disappointment.

Some improvements since our last visit, a nice pergola with fans over the patio replaced the tent and there is an adjacent outdoor bar. Food is still good (we had burger and fish tacos), prices reasonable. There are afternoon bands 3-7 at least on Saturday. It's like going to a beach bar without leaving town. The official name is Island Time Bar and Grille.

This is an amazing place away from the city. You can sit comfortably at the bar or at the table with comfortable chairs. You can chill on the lawn or the benches on the lawn. This is home away from home for boaters and they are welcoming you very much there. Nice people, nice snacks and prices are very much affordable.

This is my home away from home. They have completely transformed this entire facility. The food is amazing! The bar is fantastic. Everyone should come to this place but please don't tell everyone because it's a secret. CIM is amazing.

Way way overrated....under serviced, music was incredibly amateur, bar tender more interested in flirting with the two girls at the bar then serving other customers waiting fo-ever for a drink. Don't go...

I spoke at the National Potomac Yacht Club flag-raising. While waiting my time slot I sat in the cafe and happened to overlap with a visit from the Guest Services corporate team. I was impressed by their attention to detail. Customers seemed pleased with the food and definitely everything was clean and well maintained. Good job by Columbia Island Marina, GSI, and the National Park Service.

I tried the Columbia marina for the first time this weekend and i was very impressed with there service with the set up and customer service they provided as it is equipped with a nice boat ramp,food and a gas station with a nice overpass exit to get out onto the Potomac. Its also in a good location we were able to head up river just pass the Georgetown water front to anchor down a party it up! there's a good atmosphere on the river in that area, as we were able to grill and play beer pong without interruption from any unwanted authority types. its a great way to spend the day.....

Really awesome BBQ sandwiches with lovely shoe string french fries and delicious hush puppies. Have also had their grilled chicken which is quite good. Prices are reasonable. Place is clean and comfortable. I launch a stand up paddle board from the marina and their food REALLY hits the spot after hours paddling on the Potomac.

We had the best Saturday afternoon here! Fun people, great view, good music and more! They have just completed a renovation and it's lovely. Food and beer were great and VERY well priced. I can't wait to plan my next outing and bring more friends and family to this gem of a spot just outside our nation's capitol! Oh and the lobster rolls are to die for and crab cakes and old bay fries! We will see you again soon! APB

This is the best kept secret in Washington. At a marina, on the water, beach/waterfront vibe with a great happy hour. Excellent service, lovely location (rush hour, not so wonderful, but a great place to let it go by...). The menu is limited, but what they have is just great. It's a great place to visit to get to a lunch or happy hour vacation.

Scenic bike ride away from downtown DC! Cross the Arlington Memorial Bridge and head down Mount Vernon Trail - voila!

This place is on year 2-3 and improving every day. Went from nothing to something. Blake their manager is awesome. Food better and better. Guest Services management (Joseph) fully committed.

Liked the location with Pentagon right in front of you. Saw a DC ducks tours in the water in front of us. The cafe had decent Chicken Tenders and Crab Cake sandwich, music was just starting when we were leaving. The restaurant is bare bones and old. But, the location is good for relaxing. Saw quite a few bicycle riders, stop and have a drink. A boat slip is also available and one of the owners was having a private party. Bartender was a bit rude, roughly explaining that the place was not a sit down restaurant. Loss of a star for this.

Amazing burgers and cookout menus for catering services. Great place for an outdoor event :)

This marina is fantastic! The people who work here are so pleasant, it is well maintained, clean. Yes, the view of the Pentagon is like nowhere else. The food is the food. Very passable for a place run by a food Service company. You can get on the bike path or take out your boat. It is more than basic. I thought it was pretty cool that you could get any kind of beer or wine at a public park. Check it out!!