Harbor guide
Huntington Harbour
Huntington Beach, Orange County, CA
Overview
Huntington Harbour is a residential canal-and-island harbor in northwest Huntington Beach. It covers roughly 680 acres, with five man-made islands (Admiralty, Davenport, Gilbert, Humboldt and Trinidad) joined by waterways that run about 15 to 20 feet deep. Development began in 1963 on the former Sunset Bay estuary. OC Parks counts about 3,000 boats and more than 1,500 waterfront homes here, and the Orange County Sheriff's Harbor Patrol covers about 1,745 acres of water and 6 miles of shoreline across the Sunset-Huntington harbor area.
A harbor with an unusual front door
Unlike most Southern California harbors, Huntington Harbour has no entrance of its own. Boats reach it from the ocean through Anaheim Bay, a shared inlet between two breakwaters that is also the front door to the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. The Navy controls the bay, and boaters must stay in the marked public channel. The Navy opened a dedicated civilian channel in January 2021, about 1,200 feet long and 200 feet wide, with U.S. Coast Guard aids to navigation, and closed the old channel, which became a construction zone. Boaters entering from the bay have been told to stay to the right to avoid the restricted area.
Rules inside the Navy area
The federal restricted-area regulation (33 CFR 334.930) bans personal watercraft, kayaks, canoes, rowboats and other hand-powered or recreational craft from the bay, and bars swimming, smoking, open flames and barbecues aboard transiting boats. Vessels must keep to the marked channel at slow speed. The Navy can restrict access for security or safety, especially during explosives handling. The Sheriff's Harbor Patrol says personal watercraft must be towed through the area and that kayaks and paddleboards are prohibited. In August 2026 the Army Corps published a proposed rule to formalize a Navy Operational Area and a marked public navigation channel, so check current wording before you go.
Boating inside the harbor
Once past the bridge the water is calm and sheltered. The city's boating code sets a 5 mph limit in the harbor and restricts towing, and living aboard is limited to 72 hours. Boaters here are mostly slip and dock owners, with day-trippers on rentals and paddlecraft. In December a boat parade and a Cruise of Lights tour the decorated canals. Fuel is the main practical gap: the Mariner's Point fuel dock closed in 2015, so confirm current fuel availability, or plan to fuel at another harbor.
Getting there & access
Entering through Anaheim Bay
The only water route in is through Anaheim Bay between the east and west jetties, then through the Navy's marked small-craft channel to the Anaheim Bay bridge and into the harbor. Stay inside the marked civilian channel. The Navy has closed the old channel, and entering the Navy Operational Area without authorization is prohibited. The Naval Weapons Station Commanding Officer enforces the restrictions and can close the bay for security or safety reasons, so watch for patrol vessels and signs and follow their instructions.
Who can transit
Under the federal regulation, personal watercraft, kayaks, canoes, rowboats and other hand-powered craft may not enter. The Sheriff's Harbor Patrol says personal watercraft must be towed through, and kayaks and paddleboards are prohibited in the area. Powered boats must go slowly at steerage speed (about 5 mph or the minimum safe speed), with no smoking, open flames or barbecues aboard. Hand-powered boats should be launched inside the harbor rather than taken through the bay.
Public launch ramps
Sunset Aquatic Marina (2901 Edinger Ave.) has the main trailer ramp, with parking for 187 vehicles with trailers. The city's Huntington Beach Boat Ramp at 3831 Warner Ave. is smaller, with 15 trailer spaces and a boat-length range of 10 to 25 feet according to the state database. Both are inside the harbor, so a trailer boat is not subject to the Anaheim Bay channel until it heads to sea.
Guest slips and docks
The Harbor Patrol lists guest slips at Sunset Aquatic Park and Peter's Landing, each at a posted per-foot nightly rate; call ahead and confirm current prices and documentation requirements. City-controlled public docks need written authorization and have posted time limits.
By land
Peter's Landing is at 16400 Pacific Coast Highway, Mariner's Point at 15922 Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Aquatic Marina on Edinger Avenue and the Warner Avenue ramp on Warner Avenue.
Amenities
- Sunset Aquatic Marina — Public marina at 2901 Edinger Ave.: launch ramp, dry storage (162), wet slips for boats 20–100 ft, transient berths, showers, pump-out and oil disposal
- Peter's Landing Marina — 16400 Pacific Coast Highway: slips for boats about 31–96 ft, transient berths, power and water, showers, laundry, haul-out and repair, pump-out
- Mariner's Point — 15922 Pacific Coast Highway: state database lists a public fuel dock and pump-out; the dock closed in 2015, so call ahead for current status
- Huntington Beach Boat Ramp — 3831 Warner Ave.: city ramp for boats 10–25 ft, 15 trailer spaces, boarding floats, pump-out
- Davenport and Huntington Harbor marinas — Additional marinas listed by California State Parks in the harbor
- Mobile pump-out — Cat Harbor Pumpout Service listed at 4281 Warner Ave.
- Boat and paddle rentals — Electric Duffy boats, kayaks and paddleboards rent inside the harbor
- Huntington Harbour Yacht Club — Founded in 1965 with about 300 members and youth sailing programs
Rules & official resources
- 5 mph speed limit for vessels in Huntington Beach harbor waters, with exceptions only for police, fire and lifeguard duties
- No living aboard in city harbors beyond 72 hours; towing people or objects is generally prohibited except in special use areas or approved events
- Anaheim Bay: personal watercraft, kayaks, canoes and hand-powered craft are prohibited, and swimming, smoking, open flames and barbecues are not allowed aboard transiting boats
- Stay in the marked small-craft channel; the Naval Weapons Station Commanding Officer may restrict navigation for security or safety
- Personal watercraft must be towed through the Anaheim Bay area, and kayaks and paddleboards are prohibited there (OC Sheriff Harbor Patrol)
- Proposed 2026 federal rule would formalize a Navy Operational Area and a marked public navigation channel; civilian craft limited to the marked channel
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025
Common boat service needs here
Bottom and hull cleaning
Boats kept in the warm, sheltered canals collect marine growth, and slips sit in water only about 15 to 20 feet deep. Slip owners commonly keep a diver on a regular schedule.
Find Bottom Cleaning, Hull Cleaning & Dive Services providers →Engine and outboard service
Trailer-boat owners launching at Sunset Aquatic and Warner Avenue, and owners making the run through Anaheim Bay to sea, rely on cooling-system, impeller and fuel-system work. With fuel limited inside the harbor, boats are often serviced and topped up elsewhere.
Find Marine Mechanics & Engine Service providers →Detailing and washdowns
Salt air, sun and canal-side dock use make regular wash and wax work a steady need for dock-kept and trailered boats.
Find Boat Detailing & Washing providers →Dry storage and slip services
Sunset Aquatic offers dry storage and Peter's Landing offers haul-out and repair, so owners often combine storage with yard work.
Find Marinas, Storage & Dock Services providers →Canvas and upholstery
Southern California sun wears down Bimini tops, covers and cushions on boats left on open docks.
Find Canvas, Covers & Upholstery providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.
Sources
- ocsheriff.gov
- parks.oc.gov
- law.cornell.edu
- federalregister.gov
- ecode360.com
- dbw.parks.ca.gov
- thelog.com
- en.wikipedia.org
Last verified October 1, 2026