Marina 2025 Hours

Jan 13-Feb 2
Store: 7:30am – 5:30pm
Elevator: 7am – 5:45pm
Facility: 7am – 6pm

Feb 3-16
Store: 7am – 6pm
Elevator: 6:30am – 6:15pm
Facility: 6:30am – 6:30pm

Feb 17-Mar 2
Store: 6:30am – 6pm
Elevator: 6am – 6:15pm
Facility: 6am – 6:30pm

Mar 3-8
Store: 6:30am – 6:30pm
Elevator: 6am – 6:45pm
Facility: 6am – 7pm

Mar 9-30
Store: 6:30am – 8pm
Elevator: 6am – 8:15pm
Facility: 6am – 8:30pm

Mar 31-Apr 13
Store: 6am – 8pm
Elevator: 5:30am – 8:15pm
Facility: 5:30am – 8:30pm

Apr 14-27
Store: 5:30am – 8:30pm
Elevator: 5am – 8:45pm
Facility: 5am – 9pm

Apr 28-May 11
Store: 5:30am – 9pm
Elevator: 5am – 9:15pm
Facility: 5am – 9:30pm

May 12-June 1
Store: 5am – 9pm
Elevator: 4:30am – 9:15pm
Facility: 4:30am – 9:30pm

Jun 2-Aug 3*
Store: 5am – 9:30pm
Elevator: 4:30am – 9:45pm
Facility: 4:30am – 10pm
*First elevator @ 4am from Salmon Opening Day to Closing Day, then standard schedule.

Aug 4-17
Store: 5:30am – 9pm
Elevator: 5am – 9:15pm
Facility: 5am – 9:30pm

Aug 18-31
Store: 6am – 8:30pm
Elevator: 5:30am – 8:45pm
Facility: 5:30am – 9pm

Sept 1-14
Store: 6am – 8pm
Elevator: 5:30am – 8:15pm
Facility: 5:30am – 8:30pm

Sept 15-28
Store: 6:30am – 7:30pm
Elevator: 6am – 7:45pm
Facility: 6am – 8pm

Sept 29-Oct 12
Store: 7am – 7pm
Elevator: 6:30am – 7:15pm
Facility: 6:30am – 7:30pm

Oct 13-Nov 1
Store: 7am – 6:30pm
Elevator: 6:30am – 6:45pm
Facility: 6:30am – 7pm

Nov 2-Nov 30
Store: 7am – 5:00pm
Elevator: 6:30am – 5:15pm
Facility: 6:30am – 5:30pm

Dec 1-31
Store: 7:30am – 5pm
Elevator: 7am – 5:15pm

Whether you fish from a boat or from the dock, Point Defiance Marina is your resource for a fun day casting!

Free Public Fishing Piers
Salmon, bottom fish, crabbing and squid jigging are favorite pastimes. Both piers offer rod holders, benches and fish cleaning stations.

• Point Defiance Marina Boathouse
• Les Davis Pier on Ruston Way (open year round 24 hours)

Fishing Rental Rates

• Rod and Reel Combo: $15
• Salmon Net: $15

Local Fishing Opportunities

• Chinook Salmon
  Chinook Salmon, sometimes known as King Salmon or “Black Mouth” have swum these waters for generations. There are large runs of these as they return from their youth spent in the Pacific Ocean when they are 3 or 4 years old. While there they feast on the smorgasbord the ocean has to offer and they grow quickly and become very strong. These fish show up in sizes ranging from 10 to nearly 30 pounds! The majority arrive in late July and August but they begin appearances in the spring. These runs return to spawn in local rivers and streams and present a terrific opportunity for an exciting fight and great table fare along the way.
• Black Mouth
  There are also resident “Black Mouth” who for various reasons decide to stay in the local waters rather than make the sojourn to the ocean. These fish feed on local bait sources and can be found year around in local marine management areas.
• Silver Salmon 
  There are also seasonal runs of Silver Salmon (also known as Coho) which usually arrive in late summer. They are well named as they are strikingly “silver”. These fish are famous for their leaping ability during the fight.
• Chum Salmon
  These fish with prominent purple and olive green vertical bars on their sides got the nick name “Dog Salmon” as they have teeth similar to our canine friends on both jaws at spawning time. They arrive late in the year and are the last to spawn.
• Pink Salmon 
  An interesting phenomenon is the Pink Salmon. This smaller species of salmon come back to spawn only during odd numbered years…..but boy do they make a splash! Also known as “Humpys” due to a pronounced hump forward of their dorsal fin on spawning males these fish respond to nearly any lure colored pink. They arrive in huge numbers and provide a fantastic fishery for the whole family! Limits are liberal and the action can be furious!

Fishing Reports
Are you looking for some insight in regards to the best places to fish in Marina Area 11? Leave a comment on our Facebook page and get responses from the local experts. Facebook.com/PointDefianceMarina 

Weather

• Point Defiance Marine Weather
• Local/Tacoma Weather

Currents & Tides

• Currents
• Tides

FAQ

• May I reserve a rental boat?
  Rental boats are first come, first served but if you arrive to find them sold out you may put your name on a wait list. The boats are seldom out for the entire day.
• Is there lodging at the Marina?
  The closest lodging is the Silver Cloud Inn located just minutes away. There are many more lodging choices within 10 miles in downtown Tacoma and along Interstate 5.
• What are the park hours?
  1/2 hour before dawn to 1/2 hour after dusk.
• Does public transit serve the Marina?
  Yes, Pierce Transit provides bus service to the Point Defiance Ferry Terminal. From there to the tackle shop is only a few hundred yards. Learn more
• What is the ferry schedule and cost?
  Ferries are run by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
• Do you have an off-leash dog park?
  Yes, there is an approximately 7-acre off-leash area in Point Defiance Park along Five Mile Drive south of Fort Nisqually. The roadway and waterfront bluff area are fenced as well as about 1/8 acre for smaller dogs.
• Do you have overnight parking?
  Yes, in designated areas.
• Do you sell cigarettes or tobacco?
  No, we don’t and in fact smoking is prohibited in the park.
• Do you sell beer, wine or liquor?
  We sell beer at the tackle shop. Alcohol consumption is prohibited in the park except at special occasions and designated areas.
• May I moor my boat and dine at Anthony’s Restaurant?
  Yes, you may. The transient moorage floats are for day use and one is located just outside the window at Anthony’s.

We’re a 5-star certified Clean Marina!
Point Defiance Marina is committed to keeping our water and environment clean while providing facilities for recreational boaters.

Protecting our waters, marine life, fish, and waterfowl from boat and marina pollutants is a major goal of our organization.

Our staff, along with every boater must work together to keep our marina and environment clean. Learn more 

IMAGE – fishing-line-recycling.jpg

Monofilament Fishing Line Recycling
Did you know that it takes over 500 years for monofilament fishing line to decompose? Meanwhile, that discarded line can tangle itself around a boat prop or worse yet, marine life.

The Marina and Tacoma Yacht Club are providing four recycle bins where anglers can discard their used monofilament fishing line

• At the Boat Launch
• On the outside wall of our Tackle Shop
• At the Yacht Club Guest Dock
• At Les Davis Pier on Ruston Way

Yacht Club volunteers regularly box it up and send it to Berkeley Conservation where they recycle the monofilament and document the return for the granting agency.

Grit City Litter Cleanup Events
Help keep our beach and park clean! Held every 3rd Saturday April to September from 9 am-noon. Meet at the Tackle Shop at 9 am. Click here to register.

The Point Defiance Marina in partnership with Parks Tacoma’s Park Volunteers program and other volunteers conducts regular beach patrols in the area to keep our waterfront clean and provide valuable stewardship and conservation education for participants.

• Scholarships
  Point Defiance Marina classes, events, and camps are offered at the lowest possible cost necessary to provide a safe and quality experience. We do realize that even these fees may limit someone from participating, so we have developed a scholarship fund to assist children, youth and adults.These are needs based scholarships that may have additional requirements based on the donors. There may also be occasional merit-based scholarships associated with our programs.To request more information on contributing to these scholarship funds or applying based on available funds please contact us at (253) 404-3960

• Corporate Sponsorships 
  Businesses searching for creative, interactive ways to reach new, loyal and active customers are invited to contact Parks Tacoma to learn about sponsorship opportunities.
• Volunteer at the Marina
  Join community volunteers to help clean up areas around the Point Defiance Marina, Owen Beach, Promenade, and surrounding park. We couldn’t do it without you and many helping hands are welcome! Litter Cleanup Events at the Point Defiance Marina are held on the 3rd Saturday of every month, April – September, 9 am-noon. All necessary supplies will be provided. These are great opportunities for families, school groups, neighbors, and anyone interested in helping! Click here to register.
  
  Find Volunteer Opportunities

Parks Tacoma strives to create an atmosphere of accessibility for our diverse community.

Marina Accessibility

• Parking: There are designated ADA parking stalls on site at the end of the parking lot; nearest the marina entrance. There is a drop off area leading to the marina entrance. After navigating the ramp from the parking lot, the route to boathouse and marina entry is firm and level on dock planks.
• Entrance: Main Entrance is the accessible entrance for the facility. External doors are not automated and require less then 8lb of pressure to open. Doors are commonly propped open and staff is available for assistance.
• Route: The dock is an open plaza leading to all piers and amenities. There is a 36″ + wide accessible route through the tackle shop, to the boathouse, and to boat lifts. Any alternative paths of travel are noted on the route. Rental boat access is through the Marina. The new boathouse has two levels of lockers; the first level is accessible. The new boathouse has more stable ground consistency than the old boathouse locker area. Given that the Boathouse & Marina is an outdoor dock/pier foundation, disruptions in wood and concrete flooring may exist.
• Assistance: Most information, retail items, signage and customer materials are within the 15-48″ reach range. Ice and herring coolers have lids that require more than 5lb of force to open. Staff is available to provide assistance with out of reach items & frozen bait, particularly in the marina. All cashier and assistance counters are 36″ or less.
• Hospitality: There is a hospitality station in the marina tackle shop, and picnic tables out on the plaza. The hospitality station provides all services within reach range, with appropriate approach.
• Viewing: There are several water view points from inside the tackle shop and along the pier near the boathouse lockers. Safety railings may obstruct some of the view.
• Program: Accessible cleaning station is provided on the dock near the marina. Access to the floating fuel station is provided through an ADA compliant gangway. Assistance with the boat lift for rentals or boathouse tenants is available from the boathouse marina staff.
• Sensory Experience: The marina is in a waterfront complex where inconsistent winds, unique smells, saltwater spray, fish textures, and other natural elements exist. Persons with allergies or sensitivity should review the potential impact when deciding to visit.

Boat Launch & Pier Accessibility

• Parking near boat launch: There are designated ADA parking stalls on site near the boat launch.
• Route to boat launch: The route from the parking lot to the launch is paved and gradually slopes. Ground markings designating cross walks should be followed. The launch gangways are built to accessibility standards.
• Assistance: Most information, launch signage, and customer materials are within the 15-48″ reach range. Staff is available to provide assistance with payment, rules and out of reach items during launch hours. Assistance with the fishing pier amenities is available by contacting the Boathouse Marina staff.
• Restrooms: The public restrooms near the marina tackle shop entrance are accessible. Restrooms on the ferry terminal island are provided by the Department of Transportation.
• Viewing: The pier provides access to a gazebo and two viewing stations. The viewing stations have picnic tables. The level of access within the viewing stations vary on placement and activity.
• Sensory Experience: The pier and launch are in a waterfront complex where inconsistent winds, unique smells, saltwater spray and other natural elements exist. Persons with allergies or sensitivity should review the potential impact when deciding to visit.

Anthony’s Restaurant Accessibility

• Parking: There are designated ADA parking stalls on site nearest the Restaurant entrance. There is a drop off area leading to the entrance on firm and level on dock planks. The route to the restaurant is accessible.
• Entrance: Main Entrance is the accessible entrance. External doors are not automated and require less then 8 lb of pressure to open.
• Internal Access: The internal routes and facility set up is managed by the restaurant.
• Restroom: The restaurant provides ADA accessible restrooms for customers.