Harbor guide
Marina del Rey
Marina del Rey, Los Angeles County, CA
Overview
Marina del Rey is Los Angeles County's home harbor and one of the busiest recreational boating hubs on the West Coast. Roughly 4,600 boat slips fill eight basins, lettered A through H, that branch off a single Main Channel. Locals describe it as the largest man-made small-craft harbor in North America. Owners keep everything here from 20-foot center consoles and daysailers to large sportfishers and motor yachts, and the harbor sits just four miles from LAX.
How the harbor came to be
The harbor was carved out of the former Ballona wetlands, a marshy lagoon known as Del Rey Lagoon. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers drew up the plan in 1949, federal funding followed, and Marina del Rey was formally dedicated on April 10, 1965. Los Angeles County still owns the harbor. The Department of Beaches and Harbors manages it, leasing the land under most marinas, apartments, restaurants and yacht clubs to private operators. That's why marina names here often change while the docks stay the same.
What it's like to boat here
Inside the breakwater the water is flat and protected. The whole harbor is a 5-knot, no-wake zone, and the average depth runs about 15 to 21 feet. Most boaters head out the Main Channel to Santa Monica Bay for fishing, sailing and day trips along the Malibu and Palos Verdes coasts. Many run the roughly 30 nautical miles across to Catalina Island. Afternoon westerlies make the bay a favorite with sailors, and the harbor is home to some of Southern California's most active racing clubs.
Everyday logistics
The harbor is built for owners who keep a boat in the water year-round. There's a 24-hour public launch ramp in Basin H, county-run guest docks at Burton Chace Park, one fuel dock and five public pump-out stations. The County also runs dry storage, mast-up storage and dinghy storage, and you'll find boatyards, chandleries and a large community of marine service providers.
Good to know before you go
Anchoring isn't allowed inside the harbor and there are no mooring buoys, so plan to tie up at a slip, guest dock or launch ramp. The harbor is a no-discharge zone. Shoaling builds up every year near the south entrance, so local guidance is to use the north entrance unless you know current conditions.
Getting there & access
Entering from sea
The entrance is protected by a detached breakwater, with jetties on the north and south sides. Lights: North Jetty flashes green every 4 seconds, North Breakwater red every 6 seconds, South Jetty red every 4 seconds, South Breakwater green every 6 seconds. A fog horn and radio beacon sit at the end of the north jetty. Mariners can trigger the horn by keying VHF channel 81A five times, which sounds it for 30 minutes.
Sediment builds up each year between the south jetty and the breakwater. Local guidance is to use the north entrance unless you've confirmed current conditions.
Hazards just outside
West of the Hyperion treatment plant, a submerged pipeline floats less than 6 feet below the surface at low tide; it's marked by the R "2ES" buoy. Partially submerged remains of the old Santa Monica Pier breakwater extend up to about 100 yards west of the Santa Monica G "1" buoy. Ballona Creek drains into the bay just south of the harbor entrance and can carry debris after rain.
Trailer boats
The County's public launch ramp is at 13477 Fiji Way in Basin H, entered from Fiji Way about 1.5 blocks west of Lincoln Boulevard. It's open 24 hours. Kayaks, paddleboards and dinghies can be hand-launched for free at Marina "Mother's" Beach on Palawan Way (standard parking fees apply).
Visiting by boat
Burton Chace Park (13650 Mindanao Way, on the Main Channel) has the County's guest docks. A 4-hour dock is free with no registration, and overnight berths are first-come, first-served for up to 7 nights in any 30-day period. Visiting members of reciprocal yacht clubs can also ask about guest slips at the California Yacht Club and Del Rey Yacht Club.
By land
The harbor is bordered by Admiralty Way, Via Marina, Fiji Way and Lincoln Boulevard, with the 90 Marina Freeway ending at its east side. The Ballona Creek Bike Path runs nearly 7 miles from Culver City to the harbor's south edge.
Amenities
- Public launch ramp — Basin H, 13477 Fiji Way, open 24 hours
- Guest docks — Burton Chace Park: 4-hour free dock plus overnight berths with 110-volt power, water, restrooms, showers and Wi-Fi
- Fuel — Del Rey Landing / Del Rey Fuel, 13800 Bora Bora Way: diesel, regular and high-octane gas
- Pump-out stations — Five public: Anchorage 47 (Basin G), the guest docks, Del Rey Landing, the launch ramp (Basin H) and Panay Way Marina (Basin D)
- Used oil recycling — Free County drop-off at 13483 Fiji Way for uncontaminated motor oil and filters
- Dry & mast-up storage — County storage at Dock 77 (power boats up to 40 ft) and at the launch ramp (sailboats 15–31 ft)
- Dinghy & paddlecraft storage — Dock 77, the launch ramp and Mother's Beach (waitlist)
- Boatyard — The Boat Yard, 13555 Fiji Way: haul-out and repair, 108 slips for boats 12–100 ft
- Yacht clubs — California Yacht Club, Del Rey Yacht Club, Santa Monica Windjammers Yacht Club and others
- Waterfront parks — Burton Chace Park (about 10 acres) and Marina "Mother's" Beach
Rules & official resources
- 5-knot maximum speed and no wake everywhere in the harbor
- No-discharge harbor: hold all sewage on board for a pump-out station, and never discharge contaminated bilge water, fuel or oil
- Anchoring isn't permitted, and there are no mooring buoys
- Boats may not extend more than 4 feet beyond their slip
- Only minor emergency repairs and normal wash-downs are allowed in slips; bigger jobs go to a boatyard
- No fishing from docks (fishing is allowed from berthed boats and designated piers); quiet hours 10 p.m.–7 a.m.; pets leashed on docks
- Emergencies on the water: LA County Sheriff Marina del Rey Station, (310) 482-6000 or VHF 16
- California Boater Card required for operators of motorized boats (California Division of Boating and Waterways)
Common boat service needs here
Bottom and hull cleaning
Boats here live in warm, nutrient-rich salt water year-round, and marine growth on the hull builds up quickly. Most owners with boats in a slip keep a diver on a regular cleaning schedule to protect speed, fuel economy and running gear.
Find Bottom Cleaning, Hull Cleaning & Dive Services providers →Bottom paint
Antifouling paint wears out with constant immersion and regular diver cleaning. Haul-outs for bottom paint, zincs and running-gear service usually go to a boatyard, because only minor repairs are allowed in slips.
Find Bottom Painting & Antifouling providers →Washdowns and detailing
Salt spray, sun and bird traffic mean regular wash-and-wax service is common, especially for boats used for Catalina trips or charters.
Find Boat Detailing & Washing providers →Engine and generator service
Annual service, impeller changes and cooling-system work matter in salt water. Many owners use mobile mechanics who come to the slip.
Find Marine Mechanics & Engine Service providers →Canvas and upholstery
Strong coastal sun breaks down canvas, enclosures and cushions. Replacing covers and Bimini tops is a steady local need.
Find Canvas, Covers & Upholstery providers →Electrical and electronics
Shore-power corrosion, battery systems and navigation electronics for fog-season trips across the bay are common service calls.
Find Marine Electrical & Electronics providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.
Sources
- beaches.lacounty.gov
- beaches.lacounty.gov
- beaches.lacounty.gov
- visitmdr.com
- thelog.com
- en.wikipedia.org
- marinasailing.com
Last verified October 1, 2026