Baltimore is a stop for many boats cruising the Chesapeake, and for local boaters who want a night in the city. Several marinas welcome transient boats, and most of what you need to know is on their own websites, if you know where to look. This guide covers booking, arriving and the Maryland rules that apply to visiting boats.
Before you leave
Book and read the cancellation terms
Marinas in the Inner Harbor, Harbor East and Canton take transient reservations online. Read the cancellation policy before you pay. One Inner Harbor marina requires full payment to secure a booking and cancellation at least 24 hours before arrival for a refund, or 72 hours before arrival on holiday and special event weekends, with no exceptions for weather or boat problems. The same marina charges more on holiday weekends, so book early.
Check power and pump-out
Match the slip to your shore power. City marinas list 30, 50 and 100 amp connections, and electricity may be charged by the night on top of the slip. If your boat has a holding tank, find the pump-out: several marinas list in-slip pump-out or an on-site station. See Marine Toilets, Y Valves and Pump-Outs in Maryland for the state’s rules.
Know the office hours
Office hours change with the seasons. Marinas publish separate in-season and off-season hours, and some close on major holidays. If you expect to arrive late, ask how to find your slip and get through any gates.
On the radio
| Marina area | VHF channel published by the marina |
|---|---|
| Inner Harbor (Key Highway) | 69 |
| Harbor East | 68 |
| Fells Point | 68 and 72 |
| Canton (Boston Street) | 16 |
Call ahead as you enter the harbor so the dock staff can meet you. One Canton marina notes that its dock team assists with arrivals and departures, which helps in a tight fairway with wind or current.
Tip: Have lines and fenders ready on both sides before you enter the marina. Slip assignments sometimes change at the last minute.
Rules that follow you into Maryland
Visiting boaters do not escape Maryland law, but the law does make room for them:
- A boat validly numbered in another state that displays its number and carries its certificate is exempt from Maryland numbering, and a boat from another country is exempt for less than 90 days.
- An out-of-state resident visiting for 60 days or less in a boat numbered in another state is exempt from Maryland’s boating safety certificate requirement if 16 or older or holding a certificate that meets national criteria.
- On a boat with an installed toilet and a holding tank, the Y valve and any overboard discharge paths must be secured while on Maryland waters, with a civil penalty of up to $2,000.
- Federal equipment rules apply everywhere: a wearable life jacket for each person and a throwable on boats 16 feet or longer. Maryland also requires children under 13 to wear a life jacket on recreational boats under 21 feet unless moored, anchored or below deck.
Staying longer than planned? A boat numbered in another state but principally used in Maryland may become subject to Maryland titling and excise tax; see Registering and Titling a Boat in Maryland.
Dock and dine
Not every visit is overnight. At least one Inner Harbor marina offers hourly dockage for a meal ashore, from dinghies and personal watercraft to larger slips, with a minimum stay and booking by phone rather than online. Ask the marina you plan to visit whether it offers something similar.
Getting around once you are tied up
The city marinas describe themselves by what is within walking distance: restaurants and shops in Harbor East and Fells Point, the ballparks from the Inner Harbor, Canton Square and the waterfront park from Canton. Several of them mention a water taxi stop at or near the marina, which is often the easiest way to move between neighborhoods without taking the boat out again. If you arrive on Middle River instead, plan on a car or a ride for trips into the city.
Visiting in a group? At least one Harbor East marina and one Canton marina say they host cruising groups and rallies, with coordinated dockage and space for gatherings. Contact them well ahead of the date, since group bookings need more slips on the same dock.
Leaving
- Settle up at the office or online before an early departure.
- Pump out before you go if your tank is filling.
- Check the weather and your route out of the harbor.
- If you liked the marina, ask about seasonal or annual terms; see Transient, Seasonal or Annual: Choosing a Slip in Baltimore.
Our Marinas lists which Baltimore marinas mention transient slips on their websites, with their addresses and phone numbers.