Shelter Cove Boat Launch

Shelter Cove is a small Lost Coast town in southern Humboldt County, about 25 miles west of Highway 101 at Garberville/Redway. Its boat launch, owned by the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District, is billed as California's only open-ocean boat launching facility: there's no harbor or breakwater-enclosed basin, just a launch at the head of the cove under Point Delgada.

How launching works

You can self-launch from your trailer, or have a local launch service carry your boat into the water with a high-clearance vehicle (the tractor launch). The launch serves boats roughly 14 to 36 feet. Trailer parking sits next to the launch, with overflow in the visitor lot uphill. Recent upgrades include the breakwater, restrooms, access road and fish cleaning station.

Conditions

The cove faces south, so it's a port of refuge from northwesterlies, but it's exposed and dangerous with south or southeast winds. Rocks covered 1 to 5 fathoms lie south of Point Delgada; stay more than 200 yards south of the lighted whistle buoy when approaching. Many fishing boats ride on offshore moorings in the cove.

Who comes here

Mostly anglers running out for salmon and crab on the open Lost Coast, where there's no other launch for many miles in either direction. Black Sands Beach and the southern end of the Lost Coast Trail are next door, and lodging, a restaurant, a store and campsites are in town.