Moss Landing Harbor

Moss Landing Harbor sits midway between Monterey and Santa Cruz on Monterey Bay, bounded by the Pacific to the west, the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve to the north and east, and farmland to the south. It is run by the Moss Landing Harbor District, formed on June 22, 1943, with the harbor opened in 1947 after dredging and construction by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is billed as the number one commercial fishing harbor in the Monterey Bay and also berths pleasure craft. The district office is at 7881 Sandholdt Road.

North Harbor and South Harbor

The district's facilities split into a North Harbor and a South Harbor. The North Harbor Improvement Project, completed in 2007, added a 4-lane launch ramp built with a California Department of Boating and Waterways grant, a 900-foot public access wharf and a visitor dock. The ramp is adjacent to Highway 1. The South Harbor has the free pump-out facility and laundry facilities, and showers and restrooms are available to slip holders and temporary visitors. Berthing assignments and payments are handled at the Harbor Master's office.

Fuel and services

A fuel dock sells gasoline and diesel, along with water, ice and marine supplies, according to harbor listings. Bilge and sewage pump-out are available, and a 70-ton mobile hoist handles repairs. Dry storage for boats and equipment is offered.

The entrance

Coast Pilot-based harbor listings describe a 15-foot deep federal project channel entering from the northeast, marked by a lighted bell buoy, with jettied channels and range markers. Shoaling usually occurs on the south side of the entrance between the jetties, and vessels are advised to favor the north side. The North Harbor basin is reached by a private channel that shoals frequently, with depths of 10 to 16 feet, and local knowledge is recommended. Conditions change, so confirm current depths with the harbor before you enter.

Contact

Reach harbor operations at 831-633-2461. The harbor monitors VHF channels 9 and 16.