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Note: Some of the parts of the site are under construction as of April 2025. We are looking to improving the site for clarity and a source of information for all boaters alike. Information is subject to change. Stay tuned!


Links from these pages to non-Coast Guard sites are provided as a customer service and do not represent any implicit or explicit endorsement by the United States Coast Guard of any commercial or private issue or products presented here.

San Francisco Bay Area Buoy Guide

Safety & Navigation Notes

  • Do not tie up to or hang on any navigation buoy except a designated mooring buoy.
    (CA State Parks Waterway Markings Guide)
  • The US Coast Guard is removing some Safe Water Buoys and replacing them with Virtual AIS (V-AIS) Aids to Navigation. Some sound signals (bells/gongs) are also being discontinued.
    (Latitude 38, April 2024)
  • For the latest Light List updates, use the USCG Navigation Center's MSI Products app which provides real-time data refreshed every 15 minutes. Weekly PDF updates are also available.
    (USCG NAVCEN, May 2025)
  • Always check the latest USCG Local Notices to Mariners for up-to-date buoy status and navigation changes.

Common Buoy Types & Meanings

Type Description Color/Shape Image
Port-Hand Buoy Marks the left side of a channel when entering from seaward. Keep to your port (left) side when proceeding upstream. Green, can-shaped, green light Port-Hand Buoy
Starboard-Hand Buoy Marks the right side of a channel when entering from seaward. Keep to your starboard (right) side when proceeding upstream. Red, nun-shaped, red light Starboard-Hand Buoy
Safe Water (Fairway) Buoy Indicates midchannel or landfall, pass on either side. Red & white vertical stripes, spherical, white light Safe Water Buoy
Information/Regulatory Buoy Displays info, warnings, or restrictions (speed limits, hazards, etc.). White with orange markings Regulatory Buoy
Mooring Buoy Designated for mooring; the only buoy you may tie up to. White with blue band Mooring Buoy

Official Buoy Data & Charts

Resource Description QR Code
CA Waterway Markings Guide (PDF) Official chart and explanations of all buoy types and markers in California. CA Waterway Markings QR
USCG Navigation Center MSI Products App Access real-time Light List data with updates refreshed every 15 minutes USCG MSI Products QR
USCG Pacific Coast Light List (Current Year) Annual publication - remember to check weekly updates via MSI Products App USCG Light List QR
SF Bay Racing Buoys & Marks Descriptions and GPS coordinates for permanent racing marks in the Bay. YRA Racing Marks QR
NOAA National Data Buoy Center Live weather and ocean data from buoys off the Bay Area coast. NOAA NDBC QR

Notable Bay Area Buoys & Marks

Name/Number Description/Location Link
San Francisco Main Ship Channel Buoy 7 Entrance to SF Bay, lighted bell buoy (sound signal recently discontinued) NOAA Station 46026
Half Moon Bay Buoy (formerly 46012) Now replaced by Saildrone USV, provides weather and ocean data NOAA Station 46012
Alcatraz Lighted Bell Buoy AZ Near Alcatraz Island, marking channel hazards (sound signal discontinued) USCG Light List (Real-time)
Permanent Racing Marks Used for sail racing, named for local sailors (Blackaller, Easom, Perkins, Tosse) YRA List

Tip: Print this page and keep it on your boat for quick reference to buoy types, locations, and official resources. For best QR code scanning, print in color and ensure each code is at least 1 inch wide.