Boat Launching Ramps

San Diego Bay Boat Launching Ramps

San Diego Bay has four boat launching facilities located in convenient sites around the harbor. The boat ramps are four or more lanes wide with ample dock space nearby for boarding. Each boat ramp has an adjoining parking lot designated for vehicles with trailers only. There is no cost to launch a boat at the ramps. The Chula Vista, National City and Shelter Island ramps and the adjacent parks are operated and maintained by the Port of San Diego. The Glorietta Bay ramp is under the jurisdiction of the City of Coronado.

Chula Vista

The Chula Vista Boat Launching Ramp is located at the J Street Marina Park off the J Street Interstate 5 off ramp in Chula Vista. The facility has a large parking lot for vehicles with trailers, picnic facilities and restrooms. Care should be taken navigating in the adjacent areas of San Diego Bay as there are extremely shallow shoal areas. Refer to a current navigational chart prior to leaving the ramp area.

Click here for more information on the Chula Vista Boat Launching Ramp

Glorietta Bay 

The Glorietta Bay Boat Launching Ramp is located in the City of Coronado. Glorietta Bay is a secluded and picturesque area of San Diego Bay with calm, protected waters. A 72-hour anchorage is located directly across the basin from the ramp. Permits are issued through the Harbor Police to anchor in the area. The area from the boat ramp to the main channel of San Diego Bay is 5 miles per hour. Carefully check a current navigation chart so that you will become aware of the shallow areas immediately outside of Glorietta Bay.

Click for more information on the Glorietta Bay Boat Launching Ramp

National City

The National City Boat Launching Ramp is located adjacent to Pepper Park, National City. The ramp accesses San Diego Bay via the Sweetwater Channel. The closest freeway access is off the 24th Street Interstate 5 offramp in National City. Restrooms, picnic facilities and a fishing pier are also located on the property.

Click here for more information on the National City Boat Launch Ramp

Shelter Island

The Shelter Island Boat Launching Ramp is a several acre facility located at the northwestern end of San Diego Bay. This ramp provides the closest access to the Pacific Ocean (approximately 3 miles away). Restrooms and a large parking lot are immediately available. For visiting fishermen, the bait receivers, where anchovies and sardines can be purchased, are located on the right side of the channel as you exit the harbor. The bait barges are open 24 hours per day.

NOTICE: The Shelter Island Boat Launch will be closed to the public from approximately 6 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2024. This emergency closure is to accommodate removal of a vessel that was abandoned at the launch and subsequently sank. The Port of San Diego and the Harbor Police Department will work to make accommodations for vessels that are already out to sea and want to land during the closure, but no launches will be allowed during the closure. Portions of the launch are being closed today to prepare for vessel removal tomorrow. The Port’s goal is to complete the removal and reopen the launch facility in time for the weekend. Click here for more information.

Alternate Launch Facilities