Slips & Anchorages in San Diego & South
PLEASE NOTE: The Baja Ha-Ha Rally Committee DOES NOT arrange berthing at San Diego. There are usually a fair amount of berths available in San Diego, particularly in the South Bay. However, if the entire Baja Ha-Ha fleet cannot be accommodated in marinas much of the overflow can anchor in a specially designated free anchorage.
As nice as it can be to spend time in San Diego Bay, though, we’d suggest that you also take advantage of the many berthing opportunities while you’re on your way south. Don't miss the tips and contact information on our SoCal Berthing page.
San Diego Slip Availability — Before you arrive in San Diego Harbor, we suggest you check out the Port of San Diego website. Links to marinas and yacht clubs can be found at San Diego Bay Marinas and on the Port of San Diego Reservations page, you can find information on the convenient slips at the Shelter Island Harbor Police Guest Dock, apply for an anchoring permit for several local anchorages, and access info about local boater services, including a list of dock-and-dine locations.
The South Bay — Pier 32 Marina, Lowes Crown Isle Marina, Safe Harbor Bayfront, and Safe Harbor South Bay are all in the south end of San Diego Bay. While it is farther from the Ha-Ha events and marine stores at Shelter Island, it's easy to get there with the help of Uber and the San Diego Trolley system. Or rent a car for a few days to take the pressure off the final provisioning, picking up crew at the airport, and don't forget the mandatory Skipper's Meeting and the Kick-off party. In the past, there have been lots of available slips in the south bay.
Shelter Island Harbor Police Guest Docks — These are 26 guest slips located on the northwest tip of Shelter Island. The slips are $1.27 per foot per day with a maximum stay of 15 days in any 40 day period. Reservations may be made up to 14 days in advance. As such, up until just before the start of the Ha-Ha there are usually lots of vacant slips. Each slip has potable water and 30-amp power. Reserve online at www.reservations.portofsandiego.org.
Anchoring in San Diego — The Port of San Diego has always been supportive of the Baja Ha-Ha. Once again they have set aside a free ‘special event’ anchorage for exclusive use by the Ha-Ha fleet for the two weeks before the start. (Non-San Diego-based boats only, please). No individual permit is necessary but you must fly this year's Baja Ha-Ha burgee while anchored and follow these rules sent to us by the Port:
- The permitted vessels must observe all navigation rules and regulations and must use their marine sanitation devices.
- Care must be taken to not anchor in the channel.
- Due regard should be given by the mariner for the draft of their vessels and the tidal flow.
- Anchoring will be at your own risk.
The permit allows for boats to anchor in Glorietta Bay adjacent to the golf course between the Coronado Bridge and Red Buoy #6 marking the Glorietta Channel, close to the Coronado Municipal Golf Course, and will only be open to officially registered Ha-Ha entries for two weeks before the start.
The Port also provides two 72-hour anchorages and a 90 day “(A-9) Cruiser Anchorage”. No fee is required to anchor in these areas; however, a permit is required. Permits for the La Playa (A-1) and Glorietta Bay (A-5) anchorages are available online at www.reservations.portofsandiego.org. For the A-9 Cruiser Anchorage, permits require a vessel inspection performed by a Harbor Police Officer and must be obtained in person at the Harbor Police dock. You cannot be a resident of San Diego County, it's on a first-come-first-served basis, and they do not take reservations.
For over two decades, the Port and Harbor Police have bent over backward to accommodate the Ha-Ha’s special needs, so please treat them with the respect they deserve.
Mission Bay — San Diego’s Mission Bay is a great stop before entering San Diego Bay. You can anchor for free for 72 hours with no reservation in Mariners’ Basin, which is to port just after entering the Mission Bay Channel. There is no dinghy dock but there are public docks on this map of the bay.
The Ensenada Option — There are several advantages to starting from Ensenada. The long first leg is 55 miles shorter, and in Ensenada, you can get your TIP, visas, and other paperwork taken care of. Both Cruiseport Village Marina (ECV) +52 (646) 219-5822, from USA (877) 219-5822 and Marina Coral +52 (646) 175-0050, from USA (866) 302-0066) would welcome you. However, we highly recommend you make a land trip to San Diego for the mandatory skipper check-in and the extremely informative Skippers Meeting, where you get the Rally Instructions and all of your questions answered. You will also be on hand for the afternoon Costume Kick-off Party & BBQ where you will have a chance to meet some fellow cruisers and pick up your swag bag.
Berthing and Anchoring at Cabo —
Marina Cabo San Lucas will have a very limited number of slips available. The marina will assign slips, and the Rally Committee will relay the slip numbers to the fleet during leg three of the Ha-Ha. Assignments will be based on the chronological order of each boat that entered the event. The manager is Jesus Esquitel, +52 (624) 173-9140, VHF 88A. They will not assign you a slip without going through the Baja Ha-Ha Rally Committee procedure so don't even try.
Marina del Rey is a new marina and fuel dock on the left as your enter the Cabo harbor. It is a bit of a walk around the marina to town, but the harbormaster speaks English and the fuel is a little cheaper. We don't know if they will have any slips available but if you do snag one give us a heads up so we know if it's possible. The harbormaster is Arturo Serrano Torres, +52 (624) 143-6522 ex25, from USA (619) 259-6902, VHF - 06 & 16.
Marina Puerto Los Cabos is about 20 miles past Cabo San Lucas, and each year several Ha-Ha boats that can't get a slip in Cabo take one here. There is good transportation to and from Cabo, so it's easy to make the parties and awards ceremonies. Manager - Anibal de Iturbide, +52 (624) 105-6028, +52 (624) 105-6181, VHF - 22A.
There is no way of knowing how many slips will be available in these marinas until just before the fleet arrives. All skippers should be prepared to anchor out in the beautiful bay at Cabo. Be forewarned, berthing in Cabo is very expensive, even if you are the third boat out on a raft-up. There are usually plenty of slips available in Cabo starting on Sunday after the Ha-Ha awards.
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