Boating in San Diego: Bay, Mission Bay and Oceanside Harbor

San Diego County offers three distinct boating worlds on the coast: San Diego Bay, a deep natural harbor shared with the Navy and commercial ships; Mission Bay, a city-run aquatic park; and Oceanside Harbor to the north. This page covers all three.

Where to launch

• Shelter Island Boat Launch is run by the Port of San Diego, with no launch fee and about 3 miles to the ocean.
• Glorietta Bay Marina and Boat Launch in Coronado has a public ramp on Strand Way, with no overnight parking. Chula Vista Marina and Boat Launch has a public ramp at Bayfront Park, and shoals sit nearby.
• Ski Beach Boat Launch is on Vacation Isle in Mission Bay. Fiesta Island has no restrooms, and its north end is closed to beaching.
• Oceanside Harbor has a free ramp with four boarding floats, and parking fees apply in the paid lots.

Harbors and marinas

• San Diego Bay is about 12 miles long and 1 to 3 miles wide. See also San Diego and Coronado.
• Shelter Island Yacht Basin has the Port's 26 guest slips, for stays up to 15 days in any 40. San Diego Yacht Club is private, and High Seas Fuel Dock sells diesel and gasoline nearby.
• Harbor Island Marinas include Harbor Island West Marina, with a fuel dock and a free public pump-out.
• Mission Bay Park is about 4,235 acres, roughly half water. Quivira Basin holds four marinas by the entrance channel.
• Oceanside Harbor has 24 guest slips and bans anchoring, with a 30-day maximum stay.

San Diego County reservoirs

San Diego's freshwater lakes are covered under Inland Lakes and Reservoirs, and each has its own rules: Lake Murray, Lake Hodges, Lower Otay Lake, El Capitan Reservoir, San Vicente Reservoir and Lake Jennings.

Rules every boater should know here

• San Diego Bay is a no-discharge zone, and black water may not be discharged while berthed, moored or anchored. Vessels with toilets need a working marine sanitation device.
• Stay 100 yards from Navy vessels and slow to minimum speed within 500 yards. Navy security zones need authorization. Near Coronado, a restricted area bans swimming, fishing, mooring and anchoring.
• Lagoons such as Shelter Island Yacht Basin and Glorietta Bay are 5 mph, as is South Bay.
• Anchoring is by free Port permit at designated anchorages, with a holding tank required. Call the Mooring Office at (619) 686-6227.
• Mission Bay is 5 mph from sunset to sunrise, and overnight anchoring is allowed only in Mariners Basin for up to 72 hours.
• Harbor Police: emergency 911 or VHF 16; non-emergency (619) 686-6272.
• California Boater Card: required for every operator of a motorized vessel, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025.

Conditions and seasons

Oceanside Harbor's entrance can be hazardous in a large south or southwest swell. Mission Bay's entrance channel can see breaking swell and strong tidal current, so check conditions first. Shoals lie around Chula Vista and outside Glorietta Bay.

Boat services in the region

Shelter Island Yacht Basin is subject to a copper reduction program for antifouling hull paint, so bottom paint choice matters. Warm water also means frequent bottom cleaning and detailing. Boatyards line Shelter Island Drive, and Chula Vista has a large yard with haul-out.