Marina guide
Big Bear Marina
Big Bear Lake, San Bernardino County, CA
Overview
Big Bear Marina is a full-service marina at 500 Paine Ct. on the south shore of Big Bear Lake. It's home to the Big Bear Queen tour boat and is one of two private marinas offering day launches for the 2026 season, along with Pleasure Point.
What's here
The marina has the biggest trailer lot of the three south-shore marinas, with 25 spaces, plus five carry-down walkways for kayaks and paddleboards, a boarding float and transient tie-ups. It sells fuel and Big Bear lake use permits, rents slips and moorings, and offers boat rentals, haul-out and repair, dry storage for about 60 boats, a snack bar and a tackle shop. Boats from 12 to 26 feet are handled.
Boating at Big Bear
The Big Bear Municipal Water District requires every boat, motorized or not, to be inspected and permitted before it enters the lake, and boats must arrive clean, drained and dry. For 2026 the District stopped issuing blue cards because of the golden mussel infestation at nearby Silverwood Lake.
Season
The District reported Big Bear Marina's 2026 opening as April 3. Call ahead for launch hours and fees.
Getting there & access
By road
The marina is at 500 Paine Ct. on the south shore of Big Bear Lake. It has 25 trailer parking spaces, the most of the south-shore marinas, but summer weekends still fill up.
Launching here
Big Bear Marina is one of two private marinas offering day launches in 2026. Plan on an inspection by certified staff before launch, load gear and insert drain plugs in the lot, and keep the winch strap on until the motor is running and the boat floats.
Permits and inspection
Before launching, every boat needs a Big Bear Municipal Water District lake use permit and a passed invasive-mussel inspection. 2026 permits for registered vessels are $148 for the season or $46 for one day; non-registered craft such as kayaks and paddleboards are $68 for the season or $29 for one day. Permits are sold at the public launch ramps, many private marinas and the District office (the office does not inspect boats). In 2026 the District directs all of its own ramp inspections to the East Ramp at 41911 North Shore Dr.
Paddlecraft
Five carry-down walkways make this an easy spot for kayaks and paddleboards. Non-motorized craft also need a lake use permit and an inspection by District or marina staff before launching.
Amenities
- Launch — Day launches in 2026, boarding float, 5 carry-down walkways
- Trailer parking — 25 spaces
- Fuel — Fuel dock
- Permit sales — Big Bear lake use permits
- Slips and moorings — Rental slips, moorings and transient tie-ups
- Boat rentals — Pontoons, fishing boats, kayaks and personal watercraft
- Haul-out and repair — On site
- Dry storage — About 60 boats
- Other — Snack bar, tackle shop, ice, restrooms, oil disposal
Rules & official resources
- All vessels, motorized and non-motorized, must be inspected and permitted before they enter Big Bear Lake, and must arrive clean, drained and dry
- Lake use permit must be displayed on the vessel and is non-transferable; the 2026 season permit runs April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027
- Maximum boat length 26 ft and maximum width 9 ft; houseboats are prohibited
- Waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing and personal watercraft only between 7 a.m. and sunset; ski boats travel counter-clockwise, with an observer at least 12 years old and a red flag when a skier is in the water
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025
- Non-motorized vessels must not launch without an inspection by District or marina staff and a lake use permit
Common boat service needs here
Winterization and engine service
Big Bear sits high in the San Bernardino Mountains and the boating season is built around spring opening and late-fall closing. Engines, cooling systems and water lines need winterizing before freezing nights, and a spring tune-up before the April opening.
Find Marine Mechanics & Engine Service providers →Clean, drain, dry and washdowns
Boats must reach the lake clean, drained and dry or face decontamination fees, so owners who also visit other lakes rely on thorough wash-and-dry service between trips.
Find Boat Detailing & Washing providers →Covers and canvas
Strong high-altitude sun in summer and snow in winter are hard on Bimini tops, mooring covers and seats, so fitted covers and canvas repair are steady needs for boats left in slips or storage.
Find Canvas, Covers & Upholstery providers →Trailering to the mountain
Most boats arrive by trailer up steep mountain highways and owners with slips still haul out for winter, so transport and haul-out help is common.
Find Boat Transport, Towing & Delivery providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.
Sources
- dbw.parks.ca.gov
- bbmwd.com
- bbmwd.com
- bbmwd.specialdistrict.org
- destinationbigbear.com
- bbmwd.specialdistrict.org
Last verified October 7, 2026