Shelter Island: Boat Ramp Access And Availability

The Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp in San Diego is open seven days a week. The facility, which is located at 2210 Shelter Island Drive, opened to the public in December 2018. It is believed to be the busiest boat launch ramp in California, with an estimated 50,000 launches per year. However, as of January 2025, the west side floating dock is closed due to structural damage, with repairs anticipated to begin in December 2025 or January 2026.

The Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp is open seven days a week

The Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp offers a state-of-the-art facility for boaters. It features an enlarged basin, longer boarding floats, and a public walking platform with viewing areas. The improvements made to the facility have enhanced safety and navigation, including enlarging the manoeuvring area in the basin, replacing the worn-out launch ramp, and adding new signage and lighting.

The Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp is conveniently accessible throughout the week for recreational boaters. It serves a diverse range of vessels, from small yachts to motorboats and fishing boats. The facility's improvements have also addressed congestion and delays, particularly during low tide, by providing more space and improved infrastructure.

With its seven-day accessibility, the Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp caters to the needs of boaters in the San Diego area. The facility's dedication to safety and convenience ensures a positive experience for all users. Whether you're an experienced boater or just starting out, the ramp provides a well-maintained and user-friendly gateway to the waters of San Diego Bay.

It is worth noting that as of January 2025, the west side floating dock at the Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp is closed due to structural damage. Repairs are currently underway, and the Port of San Diego is working to complete them by early spring. This temporary closure is necessary to ensure the safety of all boaters and visitors to the facility.

The facility opened to the public in December 2018

The Shelter Island Boat Launch Facility in San Diego, California, opened to the public on December 21, 2018. The facility, which is located at 2210 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101, is believed to be the busiest boat launch ramp in California, with an estimated 50,000 launches annually. The Shelter Island Boat Launch Facility was officially dedicated on January 22, 2019, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community leaders and boating enthusiasts.

The new state-of-the-art facility features an enlarged basin, longer boarding floats, a public walking platform with viewing areas, and improved signage and lighting. The project cost approximately $9.6 million, funded by grants from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways, and the State of California Wildlife Conservation Board.

The Shelter Island Boat Launch Facility Improvement Project addressed the need for repairs due to seawater corrosion and heavy use, as well as congestion and delays caused by increased boat traffic and larger recreational vessels. The improvements included enlarging the maneuvering area in the basin, replacing the worn-out launch ramp, extending the boarding floats, and adding public walking platforms with viewing areas. The project also brought the docks, public walkways, and restrooms up to current ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards.

The original Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp was constructed in the mid-1950s with a single-lane concrete launch ramp. The last major improvement was completed in the mid-1970s with the addition of the existing 10-lane boat-launching ramp. The Shelter Island Boat Launch Facility is now a modern and accessible space, accommodating recreational boaters from the general public, including small yachts, motorboats, and private fishing boats.

It is believed to be the busiest boat launch ramp in California

The Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp in San Diego is believed to be the busiest boat launch ramp in California. The facility is open seven days a week and is estimated to host 50,000 launches annually. It accommodates a wide range of vessels, from small yachts and motorboats to fishing boats and amphibious tour buses. With such high traffic, congestion and delays became common, especially during low tide when basin access was restricted.

The Shelter Island Boat Launch was originally constructed in the mid-1950s with a single-lane concrete launch ramp. While it underwent significant improvements in the mid-1970s, when a 10-lane boat ramp was built, it wasn't until 2018 that the facility received a much-needed upgrade. This latest renovation addressed safety concerns, improved navigation, and enhanced the overall experience for recreational boaters.

The $9.6 million improvement project delivered a state-of-the-art facility, boasting an enlarged basin, longer boarding floats, and a stunning public walking platform with viewing areas. The project also addressed the corrosive effects of seawater and the wear and tear caused by heavy usage. Additionally, the docks, public walkways, and restrooms were brought up to current ADA standards, ensuring accessibility for all.

The funding for this transformation came from grants provided by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways, and the State of California Wildlife Conservation Board. The total cost of the project was covered by these grants, amounting to $6.1 million and $3.5 million, respectively. The project faced challenges due to the discovery of large buried concrete debris, which required adjustments to the initial schedule.

Today, the Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp continues to be a bustling hub for boating enthusiasts in San Diego and beyond. With its modern amenities and convenient access to San Diego Bay, it serves as a testament to the region's vibrant boating community and their passion for life on the water.

The west side floating dock is closed due to structural damage

The Shelter Island Boat Launch Facility in San Diego is open to the public seven days a week. However, as of January 2025, the west side floating dock is closed due to structural damage. The closure is a result of excess sand migrating into the launch basin, causing the dock to bottom out at low tide. This has understandably caused some inconvenience to the boating community, but the Port of San Diego is making significant progress on the required repairs. Work is expected to begin in December 2025 or January 2026, with completion anticipated in early spring 2026.

The Shelter Island Boat Launch is a state-of-the-art facility that was opened to the public in December 2018, following a $9.6 million improvement project. It is believed to be the busiest boat launch ramp in California, with an estimated 50,000 launches per year. The facility serves recreational boaters, including small yachts, inboard and outboard motorboats, and private fishing boats.

The west side floating dock is an important component of the Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp, providing boaters with access to the water. However, due to the structural damage caused by the excess sand, it has become unsafe for use. The closure of the dock has impacted the boating community, as it reduces the capacity of the ramp and may cause delays during busy periods.

Despite the inconvenience, the Port of San Diego has assured the public that they are working diligently to address the issue. The repairs will involve removing the excess sand from the launch basin and making any necessary improvements to the dock's structure to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. In the meantime, boaters are encouraged to use alternative boat launch ramps in the San Diego area, such as the San Diego Bay Kayak Launch Ramp or the National City Pepper Park boat launch facility.

While the closure of the west side floating dock is unfortunate, the Port of San Diego is taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety and functionality of the Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp. The boating community is asked to remain patient and understand the importance of these repairs in maintaining a safe and accessible facility for all users.

Repairs are anticipated to begin in December or January

The west side floating dock at the Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp in San Diego is currently closed. The closure is due to structural damage caused by excess sand migrating into the launch basin, causing the dock to bottom out at low tide. The Port of San Diego is making progress on the required repairs, and these are anticipated to begin in December or January, with an expected completion date in early spring.

The Port of San Diego has recognised the impact that the closure is having on the boating community and has apologised for any inconvenience caused. The repair work will address the issue of structural damage caused by excess sand. The sand has migrated into the launch basin, causing the dock to bottom out during low tide, making it unsafe to use.

The Shelter Island Boat Launch Ramp is a vital facility for recreational boaters in the area, with an estimated 50,000 launches annually. It serves a variety of vessels, from small yachts and motorboats to fishing boats and amphibious tour buses. The facility underwent a $9.6 million improvement project, completed in 2018, which included enlarging the basin, adding longer boarding floats, and constructing a public walking platform with viewing areas.

The upcoming repairs beginning in December or January will ensure the continued safe and efficient use of the boat launch ramp for the boating community in San Diego. The exact timeline of the repairs is subject to change, and further updates will be provided as the work progresses. In the meantime, boaters are advised to use alternative launch ramps in the San Diego area, details of which are available on the Port of San Diego website.

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