Shelter Island Guest Docks

The Port of San Diego’s Maritime Department manages anchorages on San Diego Bay and the Port’s Shelter Island Guest Docks located at 1401 Shelter Island Drive on the southern end of Shelter Island at the entrance to the Shelter Island Yacht Basin.

Shelter Island Guest Docks and Anchorage

In order to accommodate boating visitors to San Diego Bay, the Port of San Diego maintains a public access Guest Dock facility at the Harbor Police Sub Station, 1401 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego. The station is located on the southern end of Shelter Island at the entrance to the Shelter Island Yacht Basin.

• The facility has 26-slips
• It can host recreational vessels up to 65-feet in length
• Vessels can stay for periods of up to 15 days, within a 40 day period
• Water and 30 Amp shore power connections are available at each slip
• The slips are rented at $1.27 per lineal foot per day
• Sanitary station facilities are provided at the Guest Dock - Click for more information & additional locations

Shelter Island Guest Docks and Anchorage Online Reservations Click here 

• Visit: http://reservations.portofsandiego.org/boating to see available slips, then call 619.686.6227 between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week to make a reservation. Valid ID and vessel registration will need to be emailed to moorings@portofsandiego.org. 
• The Port also provides two 72-hour anchorages and a “Cruiser Anchorage.” No fee is required to anchor in these areas; however, a permit is required. Permits for the A1 and A5 anchorages are available online.
• A9 anchorage, permits still require a vessel inspection performed by a Harbor Police Officer and must be obtained in person at the Harbor Police substation located at 1401 Shelter Island Drive.

All boaters must comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including illegal discharges to land and water. San Diego Bay is a “no discharge” area. The discharge of black water (sewage) from any vessel while berthed, moored, or anchored in San Diego Bay is prohibited. All boats with installed toilet facilities must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board. Boats must store sewage in holding tanks and dispose regularly at sanitary stations (pump-out facilities).

See Tariffs & Regulations

A1 (LA PLAYA COVE) 

• La Playa Cove is a 72-hour, weekend-only anchorage located between San Diego and Southwestern Yacht Clubs in the Shelter Island yacht basin.
• The hours of anchoring are from 0900 hours on Friday through 0900 hours on Monday.
• In case of a weekend holiday, anchoring is permitted for 96 hours.
• If the holiday falls on a Friday, anchoring is permitted from 0900 hours on Thursday through 0900 hours on Monday.
• If the holiday falls on a Monday, anchoring is permitted from 0900 hours on Friday through 0900 hours on Tuesday.
• A maximum of 40 boats are allowed in the cove.
• Boats must store black water (sewage) in holding tanks and dispose at sanitary stations (pump-out facilities).
• Boaters must minimize the discharge of gray water. What can boaters do to reduce gray water discharge?
  • Use shore-side facilities - showers, sinks, laundry
  • If not available, save showers, laundry, and dishwashing for home
  • If possible, install holding tanks for gray water
  • Use water saving devices such as low pressure showerheads to conserve water
  • Use more "elbow grease" and as little cleaning product as possible.
  • Try to skip the boat wash. Unless you need to rinse the salt water, wiping the boat down with a damp cloth will suffice.
  • Use tarps or canvas boat covers to keep boat clean between trips and reduce the amount of cleaning you need to do.
  • Use only biodegradable, non-phosphate, and less toxic laundry detergents, soaps, drain openers, cleaners etc.
  • Conserve water and use water saving devices such as low volume showerheads
  • For more information go to California Department of Boating and Waterways. 

A5 (GLORIETTA BAY)

• The A5 anchorage is located in Glorietta Bay, south of the Coronado Golf Course.
• Anchorage is allowed for up to 72-hours only.
• The hours for anchoring are from 0900 hours on the first day to 0900 hours on the last day.
• Minimum of one calendar day between A5 permits.
• A maximum of 20 boats are allowed in the anchorage.
• Boats must store black water (sewage) in holding tanks and dispose at sanitary stations (pump-out facilities).
• Boaters must minimize the discharge of gray water. What can boaters do to reduce gray water discharge?
  • Use shore-side facilities - showers, sinks, laundry
  • If not available, save showers, laundry, and dishwashing for home
  • If possible, install holding tanks for gray water
  • Use water saving devices such as low pressure showerheads to conserve water
  • Use more "elbow grease" and as little cleaning product as possible.
  • Try to skip the boat wash. Unless you need to rinse the salt water, wiping the boat down with a damp cloth will suffice.
  • Use tarps or canvas boat covers to keep boat clean between trips and reduce the amount of cleaning you need to do.
  • Use only biodegradable, non-phosphate, and less toxic laundry detergents, soaps, drain openers, cleaners etc.
  • Conserve water and use water saving devices such as low volume showerheads
  • For more information go to California Department of Boating and Waterways.

A9 (CRUISER ANCHORAGE)

• The A9 anchorage is located in an area adjacent to the United States Coast Guard Air Station and the eastern tip of Harbor Island.
• This anchorage is available to non-residents of San Diego County only.
• Permit requires a vessel inspection performed by the Harbor Police Officer.
• Permits for this anchorage must be obtained in person at 1401 Shelter Island Drive and proof of non-residency must be provided. You may dock at the Harbor Police/Customs Check-in Dock.
• Notify Harbor Police Department Dispatch, (619) 686-6272 that you are on the dock requesting an A-9 vessel inspection and permit.
• A copy of the permit will be issued to the boat owner and must remain on board as proof of issuance.
• The length of stay allowed for the anchorage is 30 days with two extensions available for a total stay of 90 days in a 12-month period.
• All vessels obtaining a permit must renew their permit every 30 days without exception.
• The Cruisers Anchorage is marked by three large yellow can buoys that warn of the restricted water space toward the Coast Guard Air Station to the east.
• A red channel buoy showing the entrance to the Harbor Island lagoon marks the West End.
• This anchorage is available for up to 20 vessels.
• Boats must store black water (sewage) in holding tanks and dispose at sanitary stations (pump-out facilities).
• Boaters must minimize the discharge of gray water. What can boaters do to reduce gray water discharge?
  • Use shore-side facilities - showers, sinks, laundry
  • If not available, save showers, laundry, and dishwashing for home
  • If possible, install holding tanks for gray water
  • Use water saving devices such as low pressure showerheads to conserve water
  • Use more "elbow grease" and as little cleaning product as possible.
  • Try to skip the boat wash. Unless you need to rinse the salt water, wiping the boat down with a damp cloth will suffice.
  • Use tarps or canvas boat covers to keep boat clean between trips and reduce the amount of cleaning you need to do.
  • Use only biodegradable, non-phosphate, and less toxic laundry detergents, soaps, drain openers, cleaners etc.
  • Conserve water and use water saving devices such as low volume showerheads
  • For more information go to California Department of Boating and Waterways. 

In the event Harbor Police or Harbormaster staff determine that any anchorage is congested and an additional vessel would inhibit access by police/fire boats or in some manner would be detrimental to safe boating, a permit would not be issued. Owners/Operators of vessels are responsible for all applicable state laws and local ordinances, in addition to any environmental concerns such as sanitary containers and holding tanks.