Anchorage

Dana Cove

Shelter: NW, N, NE, W, E, SW, S, SE
Seabed: mud
Anchoring: Allowed

Designated anchorage in the west basin of Dana Point Harbor, on the Orange County coast of California.

Pontoon
Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Dana Cove lies at the west end of the harbour, behind the breakwaters, on a mud bottom that holds well and is sheltered from every quarter. The anchorage is marked by yellow buoys and yellow signage on the seawalls. Vessels may stay up to five days within any 30-day period.

Practical

Dana Point Yacht Club is 0.1 nm to the E and Dana West Marina 0.2 nm to the E, both giving fuel, water and berths. The harbour offers guest slips as an alternative to the anchorage, busy on summer weekends. Aventura Sailing runs an ASA sailing school within the harbour.

Ashore

The Ocean Institute sits at the harbour entrance, with the replica brig Pilgrim alongside. A cliff trail climbs to Dana Point headland. Doheny State Beach lies just east of the harbour mouth.

History

In 1835 the sailor and writer Richard Henry Dana Jr called here aboard the brig Pilgrim, a voyage recorded in his book Two Years Before the Mast. The headland and harbour later took his name.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 33.46089, -117.70568 (33°27.65'N 117°42.34'W)
Country: United States
Shelter: Sheltered from north-west, north, north-east, west, east, south-west, south, south-east winds
Seabed: mud
Anchoring: Allowed
Services: Pontoon, Beach
Boaters' rating: 4.5/5
Updated: July 7, 2026