Visitor's Dock and Anchorage

In order to accommodate boating visitors to San Diego Bay, the San Diego Unified Port District maintains a public access docking facility at the Shelter Island Police Boat Station, 1401 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego CA 92106. The station is located on the southern end of Shelter Island at the entrance to the Shelter Island Yacht Basin. Most of the docking facility can host recreational vessels up to 40 feet in length for periods of up to ten days within a 40 day period. Slips are available that will accommodate vessels up to 65 feet. Water and 110-volt shore power connections are available at each slip. The 28 slips in the facility are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Although reservations are not accepted, boaters may contact the Shelter Island Mooring Office to inquire on immediate and expected availability of slips. The mooring staff can be contacted by calling (619) 686-6227, or on Marine Channel 16 (Note: marine radio traffic will be transferred to Channel 12 after contact has been made on Channel 16). Restrooms, showers and parking are available adjacent to the dock area. A public telephone is located at the base of the nearby Harbor Police Longdock.

When arriving from seaward, vessels may stop temporarily at the Harbor Police Longdock for the purpose of obtaining a rental slip. The Harbor Police Mooring Office is located at the base of this dock. Boaters must provide current evidence of registration/documentation and identification to the Mooring Office staff when signing in. The slips are rented at $10.50 per day for the first five days and $21.00 per day for the second five days. Vessels 55 feet or greater in length shall pay a double fee. Cash or checks are accepted as forms of payment. No major repairs or maintenance shall be performed at this facility. In addition to the transient slips, the Port also provides two 72-hour anchorages and a "Cruisers Anchorage". No fee is required to anchor in these areas, however, a permit is required and can be obtained through the above-mentioned mooring office during office hours.

Requests for anchoring permits may be submitted up to 30 days in advance, but no less than one day in advance. No more than three 72-hour anchoring permits may be issued to any person or boat in any 30-day period. The three permits may be issued for A1 or A5, or both, but are cumulative.

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 twenty-five (25) boats is allowed in the cove. All boats must have holding tanks or port-a-potties.

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 twenty (20) boats is allowed in the anchorage. All boats must have holding tanks or port-a-potties.

A9 (CRUISER ANCHORAGE) – The A9 anchorage is located in an area adjacent to the United States Coast Guard Air Station and the east tip of Harbor Island. This anchorage is available to non-residents of San Diego County only. Permits for this anchorage must be obtained in person at 1401 Shelter Island Drive and proof of non-residency must be provided. Permit requires a vessel inspection performed by the Harbor Police Bay Control Officer. 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 thirty 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 twenty (20) vessels.

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.