Warning
GeneralThis location is open during the Federal government lapse in funding.
About Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels Only (auxiliary Engine Ok)
Number of accommodations: 12
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
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Reviews (55)
What Guests Are Saying
Aquatic Park is praised as an exceptional anchorage spot in San Francisco Bay, offering a secure and scenic location with friendly and helpful staff. While the area is lively with swimmers and revelers, it adds to the vibrant atmosphere, and the proximity to city attractions is a major plus. Some challenges include navigating swimmers and potential rolling conditions, but overall, visitors highly recommend adding Aquatic Park to their cruising plans for a memorable experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Aquatic Park is praised as an exceptional anchorage spot in San Francisco Bay, offering a secure and scenic location with friendly and helpful staff. While the area is lively with swimmers and revelers, it adds to the vibrant atmosphere, and the proximity to city attractions is a major plus. Some challenges include navigating swimmers and potential rolling conditions, but overall, visitors highly recommend adding Aquatic Park to their cruising plans for a memorable experience.
Review Summary
Tara D
VerifiedOctober 14, 2022 • Stayed at: APA10, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Loved this spot -beach landing was fun and we locked our dinghy to piling for security. It is fun to watch all the swimmers - we can't believe they are swimming still! It was a tad insane during the airshow - boats anchored right on top of us so that we didn't feel comfortable going to shore (worried they may take out anchor with them when they left!) so we stayed aboard and enjoyed the show! This is the perfect spot to explore Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirradelli Square!
Dan C
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2022 • Stayed at: APA03, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Great views but the only place to leave a dingy is through the shore break on a beach. Flooded dingy a few times and after asking the very helpful park staff (really where nice) there was no other place so we left before our 5 days were up. Great location to see the town but park closes 16:30 so couldn’t go out for dinner or movie. A small dock would make all the difference.
Richard M
VerifiedAugust 21, 2022 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Iconic anchorage in SF for $10/night.
Brad G
VerifiedJuly 12, 2022 • Stayed at: APA03, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Although I've been on the water in the Bay and Delta for 51 years, I somehow never made it into Aquatic Cove. Our visit for July 4th was excellent! Great scenic anchorage next to the Hyde Street Historic Pier, not as windy or as rolly as advertised. We're going to visit many more times!
Michael E
VerifiedApril 23, 2022 • Stayed at: APA07, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Excellent location in the middle of the city with good holding.
Occasional rogue waves from passing tugs, so secure your breakables before bed.
Eric P
VerifiedOctober 15, 2021 • Stayed at: APA09, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
We happened to be there during fleet week and the NPS folks came out to us, and were friendly.
The holding is great, we never once dragged the CQR anchor, and we're able to row to shore and lock our dinghy to a light pole.
The winds can be rough, coming through the Golden Gate, and the anchorage can be rolly, but it's well worth a couple days stay.
Ryan W
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2021 • Stayed at: APA03, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
So good!
Thomas B
VerifiedJuly 14, 2021 • Stayed at: APA09, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
b
Brad K
VerifiedJuly 13, 2021 • Stayed at: APA12, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Excellent view of the fireworks!
Andrew S
VerifiedApril 13, 2021 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Beautiful lights in the evenings, good restaurants nearby, access to Hyde Street pier ships was included in anchoring charge (a great benefit). You could land your dinghy at the beach by the pier for some security, but no real secure dinghy docking. Lots of swimmers to avoid when entering and exiting.
Location Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels Only (auxiliary Engine Ok)
Address:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Fort Mason Center, Building E, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA, 94123
United States
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is located within the city limits of San Francisco, in the Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood, on the shoreline of San Francisco Bay. Aquatic Cove overnight stays are off shore, accessible only by non-motorized watercraft.
Latitude & Longitude: 37.8089 / -122.424
Elevation: 0 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Reservations. Anchoring reservations may be purchased up to six months in advance. |
| General |
Reservation-holders. Reservations are assigned to a specific visitor & vessel (CF Number). |
| General |
Sailboats with auxiliary engines only. Only sailboats with small inboard or outboard auxiliary engines are allowed in Aquatic Park Cove, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. Private motor-only boats are prohibited. |
| General |
Anchoring. There are no permanent fixed moorings or designated anchorage sites available to visiting vessels (the map shows suggestions only). Your reservation allows you to find available space on a first come, first serve basis. Use of the cove requires adequate anchor and proper gear. Visiting vessels will see moorings in the cove but they are not for public use. These moorings are reserved for National Park Service and Park Partner use. |
| General |
Large Vessels. All vessels over 40' in length or 8' in depth require park approval prior to entering the cove. Contact Anchor Permit Supervisor at (415) 716-1807. |
| General |
Reservation Only. Overnight (sunset to sun up) stays by visiting vessels are permitted by reservation only. |
| General |
Maximum Stay. Reservations serve as a permit for a maximum of 5 consecutive nights at a time. A break of one full week of seven (7) 24-hour consecutive hour time periods from Aquatic Park Cove is required before re-entering the Cove for overnight stays. After the 7-day break, visitors may request another reservation for permission to stay in Anchor Cove. Total overnight stays are limited to 30 nights per year. |
| General |
Maximum Number of Vessels. A maximum of 12 visiting vessels may overnight in the Cove. |
| General |
Unattended Vessels. Vessels may not be left unattended for more than six hours. |
| General |
Watch for Swimmers in the Cove. Open water swimmers use the cove on a nearly continuous basis both day and night. Vessels are advised to use extreme caution when maneuvering within the Cove at all times. |
| General |
Confirmation Email. Anchoring reservations permits may be obtained through Recreation.gov. Your confirmation email serves as your permit and is subject to verification by maritime ranger staff under the direction of the Aquatic Park Cove Harbor Master. Please bring your confirmation email with you. |
| General |
Other Requirements and Restrictions. Unless otherwise stated, these (and other) regulatory provisions apply in addition to the requirements contained in 36 CFR, Chapter 1, parts 1-7. |
| General |
Dragging anchor. vessels anchoring in the cove do so at their own risk. Should your vessel drag anchor, a commercial vessel assist/tow service should be called. When arrangements have been made, please contact NPS anchorage on marine channel 83A or call 1-415-716-1807. |
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralThis location is open during the Federal government lapse in funding.
