Marina guide
Newport Harbor Public Piers & Guest Moorings
Newport Beach, Orange County, CA
Overview
The City of Newport Beach owns and manages 15 public piers around Newport Harbor, built so boaters can tie up and go ashore for a meal, shopping or the beach. Each pier has posted time limits, and the City adds piers as waterfront sites open up.
The newest piers
The Balboa Marina Public Pier at 151 E. Coast Highway opened on March 29, 2024. It's free for day use for up to three hours, holds up to 12 small boats or several larger ones, and is ADA compliant, with a lift device to help people on and off. The 29th Street Public Pier, at 29th Street and Lafayette Avenue near the end of the Rhine Channel, opened on August 27, 2024. It's free for up to three hours during the day and fits four 20-foot boats or two larger ones.
Time limits vary by dock face
The Harbormaster sets and posts time limits so docks stay open to the most people. At the busy 19th Street dock, for example, the Harbor Commission set separate 20-minute, 3-hour and 24-hour sections in 2020. Always read the sign on the face you tie to.
Staying overnight
The piers are for short stops. For overnight stays, the Harbor Department rents guest moorings, including the 'MP RENTAL' cans (numbers 7–10) near Marina Park, which you can reserve online up to 48 hours ahead.
Good to know
Newport Harbor is a no-discharge harbor, and the City runs free pump-out stations.
Getting there & access
Using a public pier
Look for the posted time-limit signs on each face of the dock and tie up only for the time shown. The 29th Street and Balboa Marina piers allow free daytime use for up to three hours. Busy docks such as 19th Street mix 20-minute, 3-hour and 24-hour sections.
29th Street Public Pier
At 29th Street and Lafayette Avenue, near the end of the Rhine Channel on the Balboa Peninsula side. It fits up to four 20-foot boats or two larger vessels.
Balboa Marina Public Pier
At 151 E. Coast Highway, on the former Reuben E. Lee site. It takes up to 12 small vessels or several larger ones and has an accessibility lift.
Overnight guest moorings
Reserve a City rental mooring online up to 48 hours in advance, or contact the Harbor Department at (949) 270-8159. Bring vessel documentation or registration, proof of insurance and photo ID. Checkout is at noon, the limit is 15 days per guest permit, and your boat must be seaworthy and able to run under its own power. Bring your own lines for the mooring.
Amenities
- Public piers — 15 City piers around the harbor with posted time limits
- Accessible pier — Balboa Marina Public Pier is ADA compliant with a lift device
- Rental guest moorings — Including 'MP RENTAL' cans 7–10 near Marina Park
- Pump-outs — Free City pump-out stations around the harbor
- Online reservations — Guest moorings bookable up to 48 hours ahead
Rules & official resources
- Public piers are free for daytime use up to the posted limit (three hours at the 29th Street pier)
- Guest mooring permits run a maximum of 15 days; checkout is at noon
- Guest moorings require vessel documentation or registration, proof of insurance and photo ID; the vessel must be seaworthy and operable
- Newport Harbor is a no-discharge harbor
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025
Common boat service needs here
Diver hull cleaning
Boats kept in Newport Harbor's warm, protected water grow fouling quickly, so regular diver hull cleaning is the most common recurring service.
Find Bottom Cleaning, Hull Cleaning & Dive Services providers →Canvas and covers
Strong sun across the harbor breaks down biminis, enclosures and covers, keeping canvas shops busy.
Find Canvas, Covers & Upholstery providers →Detailing
Day boats running between public piers and restaurants are washed and detailed often to keep salt and bird mess off decks and gelcoat.
Find Boat Detailing & Washing providers →Electric boat systems
Electric harbor cruisers are common here, and owners need battery, charger and electrical work from marine electricians.
Find Marine Electrical & Electronics providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.
Sources
Last verified October 6, 2026