San Diego Bay: boating safety
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San Diego Bay, the most south-westerly harbour in the continental United States, is a large natural bay shared by recreational boats, a major US Navy base, cruise ships and cargo terminals. It is a common first US stop for yachts coming north from Mexico and a base for cruising the Southern California coast.
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Harbour and marinas
The Port of San Diego Harbor Police patrol the bay and run dispatch 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including the Shelter Island station at 1401 Shelter Island Drive. For an emergency on the water, call them or the US Coast Guard San Diego on VHF channel 16.
Port of San Diego · Port of San Diego ▾
The Port runs guest docks at the south-western end of Shelter Island, booked online, with a limit of 15 days in any 40-day period.
Port of San Diego ▾
Weather
The National Weather Service San Diego office forecasts the sea off San Diego as the zone "Coastal Waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border and out to 30 nm" (PZZ750).
National Weather Service ▾
Local rules
Visiting boats book Port anchorages online, for at most 72 hours, with a 24-hour gap before the next permit. You may not anchor in the cable and pipeline areas, and must leave free passage for other craft and the approaches to wharves.
Port of San Diego · Port of San Diego · Port of San Diego ▾
Since 1 January 2025 the Port's safe-harbour spot to drop anchor in bad weather is the Glorietta Bay basin, not La Playa Cove. It is not an official Coast Guard anchorage: show anchor lights, keep out of the channel, and anchor at your own risk.
Port of San Diego · Port of San Diego ▾
To operate any motorised boat (including a sailboat with an engine) on California waters you must pass an approved boating safety exam and carry a California Boater Card; the law has been phased in by age since 2018.
Port of San Diego ▾
Hazards
San Diego is a major Navy port. The lee of Point Loma south of Ballast Point is reserved for pilot, patrol and government craft, the numbered mooring buoys in the bay are for the US Navy only, and anchoring in the naval restricted areas needs Navy permission.
Port of San Diego ▾
Hospital and medical
Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego, in Hillcrest, has a 24-hour emergency room that is a Level I trauma centre.
Scripps Health ▾
Arriving from abroad
Boats arriving from abroad report to CBP. Boats under 130 ft can go straight to the Shelter Island Harbor Police Dock (14 ft deep at low water) and must call CBP immediately on arrival.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection · U.S. Customs and Border Protection · U.S. Customs and Border Protection ▾
Frequently asked
Who do I call in an emergency at sea near San Diego Bay?
Call Coast Guard Sector San Diego on 911. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
How do I contact the harbour in San Diego Bay?
The Port of San Diego Harbor Police patrol the bay and run dispatch 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including the Shelter Island station at 1401 Shelter Island Drive. For an emergency on the water, call them or the US Coast Guard San Diego on VHF channel 16.
Where do I get the marine forecast for San Diego Bay?
The National Weather Service San Diego office forecasts the sea off San Diego as the zone "Coastal Waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border and out to 30 nm" (PZZ750).
Read before you sail
Nearby destinations
Local rules change. Spotted something out of date? support@vesselsos.com