San Francisco Bay: boating safety
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San Francisco Bay is a large, busy estuary with marinas in San Francisco, Sausalito, Oakland, Alameda and Richmond, known for strong afternoon winds, fast tidal currents and summer fog. Recreational boats share the bay with large ships, ferries and the vessel traffic lanes through the Golden Gate.
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Harbour and marinas
Ship traffic in the bay, the Golden Gate and the approaches is managed by the Coast Guard's Vessel Traffic Service, "San Francisco Traffic", on VHF channel 14. Its traffic centre is on Yerba Buena Island.
eCFR, 33 CFR 161.12 (Vessel Traffic Services) · U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center ▾
South Beach Harbor (Port of San Francisco), next to the Giants ballpark, needs prior permission to berth. Its South Guest Dock is closed for renovation from 14 October 2026 until further notice.
Port of San Francisco · Port of San Francisco ▾
Weather
NWS San Francisco Bay Area runs two marine NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts: WWF-64 on 162.45 MHz (SF/Monterey Bay) and KDX-54 on 162.50 MHz (North Bay). The bay forecast is split at the Bay Bridge into separate north and south zones.
National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area · National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area · National Weather Service ▾
Local rules
A California Boater Card is required for every operator of a motorised boat, whatever their age.
Port of San Francisco ▾
Hazards
The San Francisco Bar outside the Golden Gate becomes very dangerous when big ocean swell meets the ebb, which can run over 6 knots about 4 hours after high water. Steep waves of 20–25 ft have been reported; Four Fathom Bank is the worst part, and even the Main Ship Channel can be dangerous on the ebb.
NOAA Office of Coast Survey, U.S. Coast Pilot 7, ch. 7 · NOAA Office of Coast Survey, U.S. Coast Pilot 7, ch. 7 · NOAA Office of Coast Survey, U.S. Coast Pilot 7, ch. 7 ▾
In the Golden Gate the ebb has been measured at more than 6.5 knots between Lime Point and Fort Point, with heavy rips and overfalls off Point Bonita. Leaving through Bonita Channel on the ebb, take great care crossing the rip.
NOAA Office of Coast Survey, U.S. Coast Pilot 7, ch. 7 · NOAA Office of Coast Survey, U.S. Coast Pilot 7, ch. 7 ▾
Fog is common in the Golden Gate. Strangers should wait for it to clear, or take a pilot, before crossing the bar in thick weather; radar helps, but targets at the entrance can show ghost echoes.
NOAA Office of Coast Survey, U.S. Coast Pilot 7, ch. 7 ▾
Hospital and medical
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital is the only Level 1 trauma centre for San Francisco and northern San Mateo County, with emergency and urgent care.
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center ▾
Frequently asked
Who do I call in an emergency at sea near San Francisco Bay?
Call Coast Guard Sector San Francisco 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 Francisco Bay?
Ship traffic in the bay, the Golden Gate and the approaches is managed by the Coast Guard's Vessel Traffic Service, "San Francisco Traffic", on VHF channel 14. Its traffic centre is on Yerba Buena Island.
Where do I get the marine forecast for San Francisco Bay?
NWS San Francisco Bay Area runs two marine NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts: WWF-64 on 162.45 MHz (SF/Monterey Bay) and KDX-54 on 162.50 MHz (North Bay). The bay forecast is split at the Bay Bridge into separate north and south zones.
Read before you sail
Nearby destinations
Local rules change. Spotted something out of date? support@vesselsos.com