Marinas in Long Beach, CA

The best overall window for boating on Alamitos Bay and the Long Beach Channel is July through September. Long Beach boating remains available year-round, with the city offering year-round guest mooring, but local climate normals show July through September as the warmest stretch.

Coastal water temperatures rise from the mid 50s in spring to the low to mid 70s by early fall. Late-spring and early-summer upwelling can keep the water cooler and strengthen the marine layer. Morning departures often avoid the typical west or southwest afternoon sea breeze, which commonly reaches 10 to 15 mph across the Los Angeles Basin.

Source: City of Long Beach Marine Bureau (longbeach.gov)

From Long Beach, you can boat Alamitos Bay, Marine Stadium, Queensway Bay and San Pedro Bay. Alamitos Bay is a sheltered small-craft harbor entered between two jetties and served by Alamitos Bay Marina. Marine Stadium forms the bay’s more enclosed inner section, with a city ramp for boats up to 23 feet. Queensway Bay offers protected downtown harbor cruising from the Downtown Marina or nearby South Shore Launch Ramp. Long Beach Harbor opens into broader San Pedro Bay, which is protected by breakwaters; continuing outside the federal breakwater leads to open coastal water.

Source: City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (longbeach.gov)

From Long Beach, boaters can choose Rainbow Harbor, the Naples canals, Marine Stadium in Alamitos Bay and Avalon Harbor on Santa Catalina Island. Rainbow Harbor pairs waterfront attractions with restaurants and shops; Naples offers gondola rides through its canals; Marine Stadium draws water skiers and rowers with a sand beach and launch ramps; and Avalon provides assigned moorings and shore boat service for an island stop.

Source: City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (longbeach.gov)

California requires a Boater Card, rather than a conventional boating license, for most recreational operators of motorized vessels. Since January 1, 2025, the requirement applies regardless of age and includes personal watercraft. Operators generally must be at least 16 for vessels over 15 horsepower; ages 12 to 15 may operate only if supervised on board by an attentive adult 18 or older, and must either hold a card themselves or be supervised by a cardholder.

Rental vessel operators are exempt. Exemptions also cover direct supervision and qualifying temporary visitors. Approved applicants may print a 90-day temporary card while awaiting the permanent card. California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways administers the program.

Source: California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (parks.ca.gov)

California boaters should carry a Coast Guard approved life jacket for everyone and ensure children under 13 wear one whenever a recreational vessel is moving. Operating a boat, water skis or similar device at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher is illegal. Sailboats over eight feet and motorized vessels must be registered with DMV. Personal watercraft may not operate from sunset to sunrise; operators generally must be at least 16, while ages 12 to 15 require qualifying onboard adult supervision. California registered vessels using freshwater also need current Mussel Fee Stickers, and some waterbodies require inspections. The responsible agency is California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways.

Source: California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways (parks.ca.gov)

In California you must be 16 or older and hold a California Boater Card to operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 horsepower or more, including a personal watercraft. Someone aged 12 to 15 may operate that same class only while supervised on board by a person at least 18 who is also in possession of a California Boater Card. The supervising adult needs the card, not just the years. State Parks' Division of Boating and Waterways administers it. The rental company sets its own minimum rental age, often higher, so confirm it when booking.

Source: California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways, dbw.parks.ca.gov and californiaboatercard.com (parks.ca.gov)

Alongside the marinas on this page, Long Beach has 27 boat rentals, 4 boat clubs and 4 boat dealers.