boating

Harbor Rules & Regulations

Our online Harbor Guide makes it easy to enjoy the largest man-made small craft harbor in North America. From key contacts to launch ramps and guest docks, everything for a great on-the-water getaway is right here.

Harbor Guide

  • Navigation
  • Harbor Rules
  • Guest Docks
  • Launch Ramps
  • Services & Facilities
  • Contacts
  • Boat Slips & Anchorage Map

Fog Signal

A fog horn and radio beacon are located at the end of the north jetty with 2 second fog blasts sounded every 20 seconds and recognizable up to 1/4-mile from the harbor entrance at the breakwater.

The foghorn can be activated by clicking a VHF radio on channel 81A five times. Doing so will activate the foghorn for 30 min.

Harbor Basins

Eight (8) basins lettered A through H are located in Marina del Rey.

Harbor Depth

The average harbor depth in Marina del Rey is 15-21 feet.

Hazards

Shoaling conditions can exist at both north and south jetties. Shoal buoys have been placed to warn boaters of entrance hazards and boats should not pass inside marked buoys.

Anchored vessels adjacent to Marina del Rey entrance pose another hazard to navigation in reduced visibility and extreme caution is advised when transiting this area.

During the winter months, you can expect very low tides. Prudent boaters should consult local Tide Tables whenever they expect to traverse hazardous areas prone to shoaling conditions.

Boaters may contact the Marina del Rey Sheriff’s Station on VHF Marine Radio, Channel 16 or by telephone at (310) 482-6000 for updated information on the entrance conditions.

Navigation Lights

  • South Jetty red light flashes every 4 seconds

  • South Breakwater green light flashes ever 6 seconds

  • North Breakwater red light flashes every 6 seconds

  • North Jetty green light flashes every 4 seconds

Lat/Long Waypoints (North to South)

Note: Waypoints are approximate

Location Lat. (N) Long. (W)
Point Dume Buoy 12 3359.60 11848.30
Santa Monica Ent. Buoy 1 3400.20 11830.20
Venice Fishing Pier 3358.60 11828.20
Marina del Rey S. Breakwater Light 3357.50 11827.60
1 3354.50 11827.50
El Segundo Buoy 2 ES 3350.50 11823.70
King Harbor Buoy A 3344.50 11824.60
Point Vicente Light 3342.30 11817.60

  • Maximum Harbor Speed: 5 nautical miles per hour – NO WAKE ZONE
  • Marina del Rey is a NO DISCHARGE HARBOR! All marine and port-a-potty waste must be retained on board for disposal at a designated pump out station or mobile pump out service.
  • Contaminated bilge water, fuel, oil, solvents, etc. are not to be discharged into harbor waters.
  • Anchoring is not permitted.
  • Mooring buoys are not available.
  • Motorcycle riding, bicycle riding, roller blading and skateboarding are prohibited on all docks and gangways.
  • Yacht/dock repair technicians must register with the Harbor Master to receive a commercial service identification card.
  • Fishing is not permitted on the docks. Fishing is allowed on berthed vessels and at designated fishing piers.
  • No items are to be left or stored on the docks at any time.
  • Vessels shall not extend over 4 feet from the vessel’s dock slip.
  • Only minor emergency repairs and normal wash-downs are allowed on vessels in slips.
  • Pets must be on a leash at all times when on the docks.
  • Noise must be kept to a minimum between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. daily.
  • All in-water hull cleaners must be certified in best management practices (BMPs) for reducing copper pollution in the harbor. Hull cleaners must register with the Harbor Master to receive a Commercial Service ID with BMP Certification indicated on the back. For additional information, please visit http://beaches.lacounty.gov/hull-cleaning/

Burton W. Chace Park guest docks are public docks managed by the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches & Harbors.

These docks are available for use by vessels transiting the coast, those seeking refuge from inclement weather, or those laying in for minor repairs, replenishing supplies, or visiting. A portion of these docks — posted as “Park Dock, 4-hour maximum” — may also be used by locally based vessels under a casual visitor status.

Overnight and 4-hour guest docks are available for visitors on a first-come, first-served basis at Burton Chace Park, located along the Main Channel and Basin H. Boaters must register at the Park Office located in the center of the park.

The Office is open daily 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. For more information and fees contact the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors at (424) 526-7910.

Four-Hour Docks

Casual visitors may use the docks with signs posted as “4-hour Dock” for up to 4 continuous hours within a 24-hour period. Vessels may secure in these 4-hour docks at any time (night or day) free of charge and without registering with the Park Office. The 24-hour period commences upon arrival. For example, if a vessel arrives at 4 p.m. on Monday, it may stay continuously until 8 p.m.; it cannot tie up again until 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Casual visitors may not secure in the overnight portion of the docks, posted as “Overnight Guest Docks.”

Overnight Guest Docks

Overnight boaters must register in the Park Office located in the center of the park. A valid photo I.D. and current boat registration are required. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. (424) 526-7910.

Length of Stay: Seven-day maximum stay within a 30-day period. This period commences upon arrival; for example, if a boater arrives on June 17, the boater can stay for up to 7 days (consecutively or sporadically) between June 17 and July 16. Thereafter, the boater can commence a new 30-day period on the July 17 or any subsequent time. Check-out time is 12 p.m. on the last paid day. Requests for an extension may be submitted at the Burton Chace Park office Monday through Thursday only. Requests on Thursdays must be submitted no later than 12 noon.

After-Hours Registration: The Park Office is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you arrive after operating hours, you are expected to register the next morning and compensate for the night before.

Marina del Rey public boat launch ramp is located at 13477 Fiji Way (Basin H). Enter the lot from Fiji Way, one and a half blocks west of Lincoln Boulevard.

Fees:
When unstaffed, please pay at the pay station located at the entrance, which accepts bills, coins, and credit cards (Visa and Mastercard). The fee includes launching, recovery, and 24-hour parking.

  • Vehicles with trailers – $15
  • Vehicles only – $10

Trailer must be attached to a tow vehicle at all times. Vehicle must display parking receipt front-side-up and visible on the driver’s side dash board of the vehicle for each day parked, one receipt for each 24-hour period, up to a maximum of 7 days within a 30-day period.

WARNING: Parking for over 7 days within a 30-day period is prohibited. Vehicles that are parked for more than 7 days within a 30 day period may be cited and towed at vehicle owner’s expense.

Dinghy Launch Ramp and Storage
A public dinghy launch ramp is available at 14110 Palawan Way, at Mother’s Beach. There is no fee to launch, but there is a fee to park in Lot #9 or #10. For dinghy storage information, please call (424) 526-7890.

For more information, contact Modern Parking, Inc.
Phone: (310) 821-1081
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Sunday

Dry Boat Storage - 424-526-7890 - DBH Boating Section
The L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH) offers a variety of locations for dry boat storage facilities, including dinghies, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, rowing shells, and powerboats (up to 40 feet in length) and mast-up dry storage for sailboats (up to 31 feet in length).
For availability and cost information, contact DBH Boating Section, 424-526-7890, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily (except holidays).
Website

Haulout Facilities - 310-823-8964 - The Boat Yard
The Marina’s oldest and most trusted full-service boat yard and marina, they offer haul-outs, bottom painting & finishing, fiberglass & woodworking, engine & mechanical, electrical, mast & rigging, plumbing, running, rigging & props, accessories & toys and garage/marine storage units.
Website

Oil Recycling
Uncontaminated used motor oil and filters can be disposed of at no charge at:
L.A. County Used Oil Recycling Center
13741 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey 90292

Monday-Friday 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Website


Windward Yacht Center 310-823-4581
Oldest and largest boat yard in Marina del Rey. They offer bottom painting, fiberglass hull repair, electrical work, mechanical work, aluminum boat repair and wood boat repair.
Website


Fuel Dock 310-574-4443 - Del Rey Landing
The fuel dock is located on the west side of the Main Channel at the entrance of Basin A. Offers unleaded, diesel and pre-mix fuels, pump out services, marine supplies, CNG tanks, food, beverages, ice, frozen fishing bait, and tackle. Open daily. Summer, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Winter, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Website

Liveaboards 310-482-6000 (Marina del Rey Station Harbor Master)
Liveaboards in Marina del Rey must comply with County Code 19.12.1110, which prohibits a person from using a vessel as an abode in excess of three days within any one-week period, unless authorized by the dockmaster where the boat is anchored, and issued a liveaboard permit by the Harbor Master at the L.A. County Sheriff Department. It is completely within the discretion of the local dockmaster as to if and whether a liveaboard situation will be authorized in any particular marina.

A permit will only be issued by the L.A. County Sheriff Department Harbor Master upon compliance with the following:
(1) Compliance with the requirements of seaworthiness as described in County Code 19.12.1060.
(2) Installation of a federally approved marina sanitation device of self-contained portable toilet approved by the Harbor Master.
(3) Proof of authorization by the dockmaster.
Liveaboard permits are valid for a period of one year.

Pump Out Stations
Vessels using Marina del Rey's pump out stations should not tie-up any longer than necessary. Vessels blocking pump out station access will be towed. Stations are available at:

  • Burton Chace Park Guest Docks (Main Channel) – no charge, 24-hour access, 424-526-7910
  • Del Rey Landing (Main Channel) – small fee, Open Every Day: Winter, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Summer, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., 13800 Bora Bora Way, 310-574-4443
  • Public Launch Ramp (Basin H) – no charge, 24-hour access, 13477 Fiji Way
  • Anchorage 47 (Basin G / 600 Dock) – no charge, 24-hour access, 424-526-7892

LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BEACHES AND HARBORS
424-526-7777
Administration Office
Monday-Thursday 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Closed Fridays, weekends and holidays
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BEACHES AND HARBORS
424-526-7890
Boating Section
Daily 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (except holidays)
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
310-823-3773
Station No.110
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
310-482-6000
Marina del Rey Station Harbor Master
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NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA)
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NOAA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE
Los Angeles/Oxnard
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U.S. COAST GUARD - CGC HALIBUT
310-823-2300

U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY DIVISION 12
District 11 South and the Division 12 Flotillas
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U.S. COAST GUARD BOATING SAFETY OFFICE
310-521-6000
Los Angeles - Long Beach
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Marina del Rey has over 4,600 boat slips. The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors oversees all anchorages in the Marina. Individual anchorages are managed by a number of public and private organizations, including yacht clubs and apartment management companies. A dockmaster at each anchorage is in charge of renting slips. For local regulations on boating in the harbor, and for live-aboard questions, contact the Harbor Master at the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department: 310-482-6000; 13851 Fiji Way.

Download Anchorage Map

The largest man-made small craft harbor in North America (and at one time, the world), Marina del Rey has over 4,600 boat slips in 22 anchorages. Los Angeles County Department of Beaches Harbors oversees all anchorages in the Marina. Individual marinas are managed by a number of public and private organizations, including yacht clubs, hotels, and apartment management groups. A designated dockmaster is in charge of leasing slips in each marina. Download the anchorage map to see a listing of the wet slip anchorages in our community.

This symbol indicates that the marina has qualified for the Clean Marine Program Certificate.

a close-up of a logo

For slip vacancy information, contact the dockmaster at each marina. For other information, contact the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches & Harbors, which has overall management and operational responsibility for Marina del Rey, at 424-526-7777. For local regulations on boating, harbor, and live-aboard issues, contact the Harbor Master at the L.A. County Sheriff Department, 13851 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, at 310-482-6000 or click here to visit their website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the speed limits within Marina del Rey Harbor?

The speed limit is 5 mph within the harbor to ensure safety and minimize wake that could disrupt other vessels.

Can I fish in Marina del Rey Harbor?

Yes, fishing is allowed, but make sure to comply with California's fishing regulations and be mindful of protected species.

Are there specific docking rules I should be aware of?

Docking is permitted only in designated areas, and you must follow any posted signs or harbor master instructions.

What are the noise regulations in the harbor?

Noise should be kept to a minimum, especially between 10 PM and 7 AM, to ensure a peaceful environment for all visitors.

Are there any restrictions on where I can anchor within the harbor?

Anchoring is only allowed in designated areas and must not obstruct navigation channels or other boats.

What should I do in case of an emergency in the harbor?

Contact the harbor master immediately or call 911 for emergencies. Emergency services are readily available in Marina del Rey.