Harbor guide
Los Angeles Harbor (Main Channel)
San Pedro, Los Angeles County, CA
Overview
Los Angeles Harbor, the Port of Los Angeles, is among the busiest container ports in the Western Hemisphere, and it is also home to a large recreational boating community. The Port operates 15 marinas with 3,736 slips across San Pedro and Wilmington, and twelve are certified Clean Marinas. If you boat here, you are sharing the water with some of the largest ships on the Pacific.
Entrance and layout
The harbor is protected by breakwaters. The San Pedro Breakwater runs about 0.9 mile southeast from Point Fermin, then turns east-northeast another 0.9 mile to Los Angeles Light, with the Angels Gate Lighthouse marking the entrance. The Los Angeles Main Channel has a project depth of more than 45 feet from the breakwater through the Inner Harbor and into Cerritos Channel. The Super Tanker Channel branches west with depths above 40 feet. Fish Harbor on Terminal Island's south side accommodates recreational vessels, with about 14-foot depths in its dredged channel.
Ship traffic and VHF
The Marine Exchange of Southern California and the U.S. Coast Guard jointly operate Vessel Traffic Service for the approaches, and power-driven vessels of 40 meters or more must participate. Recreational boaters should monitor VHF channel 16 (distress), 14 (San Pedro Traffic) and 13 (bridge to bridge). Los Angeles Pilots use channel 73 and harbor tugs use 77. Large vessels cannot stop or turn quickly, so avoid passing close and stay clear of narrow channels. Mariners must also use extreme caution when crossing the traffic separation lanes outside the breakwater.
Security zones and speed
Controlled Navigation Areas restrict recreational boat entry without a Port Police permit, to keep non-essential traffic away from large commercial vessels. A 100-yard security zone applies around cruise ships in San Pedro Bay. Speed limits for non-tank vessels are posted as 6 knots in the Inner Harbor and 5 knots in no-wake zones.
Where boaters go
Cabrillo Way Marina and Cabrillo Marina are the main recreational hubs near the entrance, and the Cabrillo Beach ramp is the public launch. A free courtesy dock at Downtown Harbor (Berth 85) allows four hours per 24-hour period.
Getting there & access
Entering through Angels Gate
The harbor entrance is through the breakwater at Angels Gate. The San Pedro Breakwater runs from Point Fermin, and Angels Gate Lighthouse marks the entrance. Expect large ships entering and leaving, and stay out of the pilot areas unless you are entering or leaving the harbor.
Ship traffic and VHF
Monitor channel 16 and 13, plus channel 14 for San Pedro Traffic. Los Angeles Pilots are on channel 73 and harbor tugs on 77. Vessel Traffic Service covers the approaches and applies to power-driven vessels of 40 meters or more. Avoid crossing close ahead of large ships and stay clear of narrow channels.
Security zones and Controlled Navigation Areas
Controlled Navigation Areas restrict recreational entry without a Port Police permit; call (310) 732-3500. A security zone extends 100 yards around cruise ships in San Pedro Bay, and you must request permission from the Captain of the Port at (310) 521-3801 or on VHF channel 16 to enter.
Speed limits
The Port lists a 6-knot limit in the Inner Harbor for non-tank vessels and 5 knots in no-wake zones such as the area around the Cabrillo ramp. The 12-knot limit in the regulated area outside the breakwater applies to large commercial vessels.
Where to tie up or launch
A free courtesy dock at Downtown Harbor (Berth 85) allows four hours per 24-hour period for vessels up to 100 feet. Public landings at Berth 84 and Berth 186 allow free launching. The public ramp is at Cabrillo Beach.
Amenities
- Marinas — 15 Port-area marinas with 3,736 slips, including Cabrillo Way Marina and Cabrillo Marina
- Public launch ramp — Cabrillo Beach ramp via Shoshonean Road
- Courtesy dock — Downtown Harbor, Berth 85, free daily 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., four-hour limit
- Public landings — Free launching at Berth 84 and Berth 186; no unattended vessels, no fishing
- Fuel — Cabrillo Marine Fuel Dock, 210 Whalers Walk
- Pump-outs — Cabrillo Marina, Cabrillo Marine Fuel Dock and Cabrillo Way Marina
- Fish Harbor — Terminal Island facility accommodating recreational vessels
- Yacht clubs — Five yacht clubs, including Los Angeles Yacht Club, Buccaneer Yacht Club and Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club
Rules & official resources
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025
- Monitor VHF channels 16, 14 and 13 and avoid passing larger vessels closely
- Controlled Navigation Areas restrict recreational boat entry without a Port Police permit; call (310) 732-3500
- 100-yard security zone around cruise ships in San Pedro Bay; permission from the Captain of the Port, (310) 521-3801 or VHF 16
- Inner Harbor speed limit is 6 knots for non-tank vessels and 5 knots in no-wake zones
- Courtesy dock at Berth 85: four hours per 24 hours, no vessel repairs and no discharges of any type
- Vessel Traffic Service applies to power-driven vessels of 40 meters or more; use caution crossing traffic lanes
Common boat service needs here
Bottom and hull cleaning
Boats kept in the harbor's warm water pick up marine growth quickly, and regular diver cleaning is common. The Port discourages improper hull cleaning, so use a professional who follows Clean Marina practices.
Find Bottom Cleaning, Hull Cleaning & Dive Services providers →Marine electronics
Radios and AIS matter for monitoring VHF 16, 14 and 13 and keeping clear of ship traffic.
Find Marine Electrical & Electronics providers →Engine service
Boats here run to Catalina and along the Palos Verdes coast, so cooling-system, impeller and generator service are steady needs.
Find Marine Mechanics & Engine Service providers →Bottom paint
Constant immersion wears out antifouling paint, so haul-outs for bottom paint are routine.
Find Bottom Painting & Antifouling providers →Slip and storage services
With thousands of slips, owners often need storage and dock services.
Find Marinas, Storage & Dock Services providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.
Sources
- portoflosangeles.org
- kentico.portoflosangeles.org
- nauticalcharts.noaa.gov
- law.cornell.edu
- law.cornell.edu
- spcvb.com
Last verified October 1, 2026