Safe Harbor Ballena Isle

Traveling sailors should note that this marina does not provide guest slips when the marina is closed, so don't plan on going here on any holiday, even if you book ahead of time and arrive ahead of time. It seems odd that this would be the case since they also close every night...It's surprising they advertising guest slips at all. We recently tried booking one night for the Thanksgiving holiday and despite our offer to meet and provide our documentation and payment ahead of time, when the marina was open, they were not at all accommodating. We requested the booking on the Dockwa network and had to wait 2 days for the bad news, further limiting our options. Spare yourself the wait and trouble and book at one of the many friendly marinas on the Bay who are supportive of getting out and exploring by water!

Recently I had good reason to go to Ballena Bay Isle Marina twice within a month. My boat is pretty big (57') and I was nicely accommodated at one of the refurbished docks. This is a delightfully busy marina with lots of hand-launched vessels, personal watercraft, all manner of sailboats, and every conceivable powerboat.

The staff are super friendly and always on hand to help. The fuel dock is a bit tight (for a big boat). Some of the docks are a bit rickety. But it is clear there is an investment in the facilities and some of the former neglect is being replaced with first-class marine materials.

Pier 29 Restaurant has an amazing selection and the food is well prepared, well presented, and reasonably priced. DO NOT MISS the Moroccan Restaurant tucked around the back (Saturday night pre-fixe dinner is the best deal in town). There's also a mom-and-pop shop near E-dock.

The Ballena Bay Yacht Club is welcoming and inviting. There's even boat rental. Great spot for a weekend away.

As a vendor with a yacht detailing company (Salty Sparkles Interior Detailing), I am routinely at this harbor. The office staff are extremely helpful and friendly. The slips are slowly being replaced. The views are unbelievable, the peninsula and San Francisco can't be beat at sunset. Everyone seems to love this place including the liveaboards. I have met people at the yacht club and they are so nice, I'm thinking about joining even though my sailboat is in Half Moon Bay. I would seriously think about moving my boat here if you are looking for an East Bay location thats safe and peaceful.

I have lived in this marina for over ten years. For most of this time it has been a very beautiful place and an exquisite location.
But due to neglect the once lush vegetation which surrounded it has decayed. The docks were poorly constructed and are disintegrating underfoot.
The walkways have been bulldozed for five months for improvement, and meanwhile I undergo weekly power and water shortages without warning. What's left of the landscaping is in freefall.
The saving grace used to be the slip fees which remained almost level. But now with everything disintegrating they have raised the liveaboard fees by $100.00 per month.
It used to be such a beautiful place, but now is in such sad shape.

Had lunch at pier 29 and was interested in the particulars of Safe harbor marina. On their website practically no information available. No pictures of facilities, showers, restrooms, etc. No financial information whatsoever. Apparently you have to email them. Sorry, not interested. Don't want endless sales people and emails. Every other Marina around is very open about costs, etc. up front. I guess if I have to ask , I shouldn't be there. Fine by me. I'll stay elsewhere , no problem. Cheers!

While paying to rent a slip, and with permission, my sister left her truck in the parking lot while moving. They had her email address, as the slip fee was never late. Had my sisters truck towed. I just had to take a day off work and spend close to $2000. To get the truck out of impound.

After being loyal tenant and customer for years, and after making arrangements in advance, and it's not like those parking lots are filling up. Really ? And not so much as an apology.

Treating people this way tells a lot about the management.

The front office staff is wonderful. Great customer service. However this marina is practically a dump. The docks are falling apart. Im sometimes afraid that the dock will fall apart when I walk on it because it doesn't seem stable. Yesterday we had some super high 35knot winds and I saw one part of the dock get covered in water. The women's restroom/showers are always somewhat dirty. There are ants everywhere. I even brought some back to the boat because I didn't realize a few had crawled into my gym bag. I don't understand how women could use these restrooms/showers and not pick up after themselves. I'm cleaning the restroom myself because someone decided it would be a great idea to give themselves a haircut. There is hair all over the place.
I gave this place 2 stars because the front office staff people are very nice.

Ballena Isle Marina has made great strides to modernize the marina under safe harbor -- our dock is a newer addition and it is wonderful. You cannot beat the location on the south shores of Alameda (I do not miss the estuary!). Office staff are helpful, professional, friendly and personable. Maintenance crew also great and work hard for all of us. the ballena bay yacht club and pier 29 restaurant are great places to spend a weekend afternoon. Overall the vibe of Ballena Bay is splendidly laid back. If you need a hip yachting scene, look elsewhere...otherwise, this is the place to be in Alameda. Such a wonderful spot.

The staff was very nice on the phone BUT the entrance to the marina needs dredging. Very shallow! We tried to get in last weekend and ran aground right in the center of the entrance way. We were only sailing a 37 ft boat with 6.5 ft of draft. Yes - we were near low tide, but it was a +1.4. There should have been room. How can the center of the entrance way to a marina - the one place that needs depth - be so shallow?? Very strange. Surely they should be aiming for 10ft at low tide?? Minimum. At the central channel, entrance to a marina. Thanks

Maybe a good location but this is the worst managed marina in the bay area and anywhere else I've been in the U.S. starting with the present harbor master. If the new owners do not make the necessary changes no strctural changes will make a difference. And still considered the trash heap in the bay.