Searching for a Slip in San Diego?

If you are meandering south this season with your eye on the start of the Baja Ha-Ha, you’re probably contemplating a slip or mooring. San Diego has been called one of the most cruiser-friendly cities on the West Coast, as our editor-at-large Andy Turpin found out when he passed through in early 2018. “In addition to the dozen marinas that may have guest slips available for transient boats on a short-term basis, the Port of San Diego, in cooperation with the local Port Tenants Association, has gone to great lengths to organize a clear-cut system of anchoring, berthing and mooring options that are laid out on the Port’s easy-to-navigate website: www.portofsandiego.org.”

Still, finding an actual slip can be a little tricky during the cruising rush hour of the fall. Here is the status of several San Diego marinas from Marcia Hillman at Downwind Marine (Also take advantage of Downwind’s October seminar schedule.):

Temporary slips continue to be difficult to find, especially in any size over 35-ft. But San Diego marinas are cruiser-friendly, and many will hold slips openings for temporary use in the latter half of October — so if the picking seems slim right now, things might change in the few weeks before the Rally start.

One option, I am told by the marinas, is to check the website www.dockwa.com to help book slips and moorings online in San Diego. Many of the marinas listed below have been filling their “guest” slips this way already.

Here is the short list of the marinas I know in the area that will work hard to support cruisers when they can.

Shelter Island Marina — Dockmaster Joe: 619-223-0301

Marina can usually offer up to 35-ft slips – currently 100% FULL but OK to call later in Oct. to check.

Humphrey’s Half Moon Marina — Dockmaster Brad: 619-224-3401

Marina is now full, and may be full in late October as already several cruisers occupy guest slips. Still, more slips often become available, expect most available only up to 35-ft. But call to check availability up to 80-ft.

Koehler Kraft — Dockmaster Liz: 619-222-9051

Currently 100% full as several cruisers have already reserved the empty slips. But, if desperate, Koehler can fit a couple more boats on their 90- to 100-ft work dock over the weekend just before the Ha-Ha starts. Call to reserve from Friday, November 1 after 4 p.m. to Monday, November 4 at 7:30 a.m.

Point Loma Marina — Dockmaster Jill: 619-718-6260

Comment—Marina can offer 45- to 70-ft slips. Currently 100% full, but OK to call in late October to check.

Shelter Cove Marina — Dockmaster Bill: 619-224-2471

Marina can offer 28-, 32- and 36-ft slips; currently 100% full, but expect some availability later.

Sun Harbor Marina — Dockmaster Sean: 619-222-1167

Marina can offer 32- to 40-ft slips, but sometimes longer; currently 100% full — many cruisers there already — but OK to call later in October to check.

Sunroad Marina — Dockmaster Josh: 619-764-9169

Marina can offer 35- and 40-ft slips; currently 100% full, but OK to call later in October to check, or fill out and submit an application onlne at www.sdmarina.com.

Cabrillo Isle Marina — Dockmaster Thomas: 619-619-297-6222

Slips become available often; expect most of these to be only up to 35-ft, but call to check on available temporary slips up to 100-ft.

Harbor Island West — Dockmaster Eric: 619-291-6440

Marina is now full and should be full in late October as several cruisers occupy guest slips already. Still, slips become available often — expect most of these to be only up to 35-ft, but call to check on available temporary slips up to 100-ft.

Marina Cortez — Dockmaster Emily: 619-291-5985

Pretty much the same stories as everywhere else. Call in late October.