Dana Point Harbor
About
Dana Point Harbor is Orange County's only small-craft harbor — a well-protected port carved into the headland that Richard Henry Dana immortalised in 'Two Years Before the Mast.' Rebuilt after renovation, the harbour offers two marina basins, a vibrant marine district with restaurants, shops, and the Ocean Institute, and reliable year-round access to the Santa Catalina Island passage (26 nm) and the offshore Channel Islands. Transient visitors enjoy excellent shore amenities and a sheltered anchorage in the outer basin.
Specifications & Services
Fuel & Services
Fuel Diesel & gas 
Pump-out Available 
Haul-out Available Amenities
Events Near Dana Point
All events →class
Marine VHF Radio Operator Certification — Spring 2026
May 9, 2026 · Shilshole Bay Marina Community Room
View all events →festival
Anacortes Waterfront Festival 2026
May 16, 2026 – May 17, 2026 · Cap Sante Boat Haven
Event details →race
Swiftsure International Yacht Race
May 23, 2026 – May 24, 2026 · Royal Victoria Yacht Club
Event details →Useful Guides for Visiting Sailors
Education hub →Seamanship · 13 min read
Docking and Mooring in Tidal Waters
Master docking techniques and mooring strategies for Pacific Northwest's challenging tidal environments.
Navigation · 20 min read
Tides and Currents in the Pacific Northwest
Seymour Narrows runs at sixteen knots. Cattle Pass produces standing waves. Active Pass schedules itself around BC Ferries. PNW navigation is governed by tides and currents — this is how to read them.
Seamanship · 14 min read
Anchoring in Pacific Northwest Waters
Twelve-foot tides, four-knot current in the passes, kelp on every shoreline, and a wind that can shift through three quadrants while you sleep. PNW anchoring is its own discipline.