Cachuma Lake Boating

Santa Barbara County

Lake Cachuma, CA
Lake Cachuma, CA

Cachuma Lake Boating

Santa Barbara County


Cachuma Lake Boating in a Nutshell

  • Pleasure Cruising, Patio Boats, Fishing Boats
  • Kayaking, Canoeing

Because Cachuma Lake is a drinking water supply and allows no body-to-water contact, there is no water skiing or jet skiing. Cachuma Lake has strict Quagga and Zebra Mussels inspection regulations. See Cachuma Lake Quagga and Zebra Mussels Boat Inspections below.

Hours of the park vary by season, so it is best to call ahead to be sure of opening and closing times. The lake is limited to 254 boats on the lake at one time. Dogs are not allowed in boats. The maximum speed on the lake is 40 MPH. There are a number of regulations regarding the size and design of boats which may be used in the lake. See Boat Regulations.

  • Vehicle Entry Fee:   $10
  • Boat Entry and Boat Launch:   $13
  • Annual Boat Entry & Launch (resident):   $100
  • Annual Boat Entry & Launch (non-resident):   $125
  • Canoe or Kayak:   $5, $30 for annual pass

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Cachuma Lake Water Level

Cachuma Lake Recreation Area



Cachuma Lake Marina

Cachuma Lake Marina and Boat Rentals

116 136 Lakeview Drive
(805) 688-4040

Marina:

  • Launch Ramps
  • Facilities and Services:   Bait Shop, Fuel
  • Boat Storage: Slips by night or week; Dry storage also available
  • Boat Rentals

Cachuma Lake Boat Rentals
Boat Seats Features
Fishing Boat 4 6 HP
Fishing Boat 6 9.9 HP
Patio Deck Boat 10 25 HP
Patio Deck Boat 14 25 HP
Patio Deck Boat 20 40 HP

Cachuma Lake Kayak, Paddle and Row Boat Rentals
Boat Seats
Single Kayak 1
Double Kayak 2
Paddle Boat 2
Row Boat 3



Cachuma Lake Quagga and Zebra Mussels
Boat Quarantine and Inspections

Mandatory Boat Quarantine Requirement: Check the Boat Launch Protocol for Cachuma Lake for complete information and any updates. The information shown below is only an overview of the process.

All boats and trailers entering Cachuma Lake must undergo a quagga and zebra mussel inspection and 30-day quarantine protocol. Inspection hours 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Boats must be presented clean and dry.

  1. Hulls must be free of foreign matter. Bilges, live wells, bait tanks, integral coolers, and other compartments must be clean and dry, including ballasts.
  2. All Drain Plugs must be removed. That includes drain plugs in hull, tanks, wells, coolers, and any other compartment.
  3. All boats, crafts and other vessels must have on board any safety equipment required for their vessel by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). All registration (CF#) stickers must be current and visible with the Mussel Fee Paid sticker also attached.
  4. Boats with residual water that discharges from motors will be required to start and flush the motor for at least 5 minutes.
  5. Boat and trailers which fail inspection will be quarantined (on or off site) for 7 days.
  6. No boats allowed which have been in infested waters within the previous 30 days.
  7. No live bait other than commercially purchased worms or nightcrawlers.

Upon completion of inspection boats and trailers will be treated with a heated power wash prior to being allowed to launch. (no charge for power wash)

Boats can be fitted with a Boat Launch Tag which ensures that the boat has not been used while off site. The tag expedites inspection upon return to the lake.

For more information about Santa Barbara County Parks' Quagga and Zebra Mussel Prevention Program, see Quagga and Zebra Mussel Prevention Program.

For more information about boating at Lake Cachuma, see
Santa Barbara County Boating.

New Same-Day Launch

"Starting June 15, 2018, Cachuma Lake will be allowing same-day launching for "simple boats" with current California registration. To qualify as a "simple boat" the vessel must have an open hull, no compartments, and a single outboard motor. The boat must enter Cachuma Lake Clean, Drained, and Dry. This criteria is stringent and must be followed to allow for same day launching. Boat owners with questions regarding same-day launches or the criteria to qualify as a "simple boat" can call (805) 686-5052"


Cachuma Lake Nature Cruises

Cachuma Lake Recreation Area offers year-round natural history adventures for the whole family, including exciting Lake Cruises aboard the Osprey, a shaded 30 seat pontoon boat, led by a Santa Barbara County Park Naturalist.

From March l October the 2-hour Cachuma Lake Wildlife Cruise is offered Fridays 3-5 pm, Saturdays 10 am-noon and 3-5 pm, and Sundays 10 am-noon.

From November l February the 2-hour Winter Wildlife Cruise is offered Friday l Sundays 10 am-noon and Fridays and Saturdays 2-4 pm.

Cruises focus on geology, flora and fauna, local and migratory birds as well as the rich cultural history of the area.

Reservations are recommended by calling (805) 568-2460 weekdays or (805) 686-5055 weekends.

Cachuma Lake Nature Cruises

Cachuma Lake boats, CA

Key Cachuma Lake Boat Regulations

  • Standard-designed boats must be a minimum 10 feet long, 42 inches wide and 12 inches deep in the passenger carrying space.
  • Inflatable boats must have a rigid flooring, a rigid transom, and 2 or more inflatable chambers.
  • Boats under 12 feet long and 48 inches wide may carry no more than 2 persons.
  • Collapsible boats must be at least 12 feet. in length, bow to stern, may not carry more than 2 persons, and may not carry a motor weighing more than 50 pounds.
  • All collapsible boats must display a Coast Guard certificate for design and manufacturer.
  • Catamarans with trampoline decks must be at least 14 feet in length, and may carry a maximum 4 persons.

See complete information at Santa Barbara County Parks' Boating at Cachuma Lake.



Canoes and Kayaks

  • Sit-in and sit-on-top Kayaks and Canoes are allowed if they have a rigid hull (no inflatables) and are stable enough to avoid capsizing.
  • Single and up to 3-Person Kayaks and Canoes are allowed.
  • Frequent tipping of occupants into the lake could result in removal from the park.
  • Kayaks and Canoes are subject to the same inspections and fees as other vessels.
  • Kayaks and Canoes should not enter the center of the lake except when crossing.
  • Kayaks and Canoes must observe the closed waters at Bradbury Dam and Tecolote Tunnel outlet the same as all other boats.
  • Kayaks and Canoes must return to the Marina Safety Zone not less than one hour before lake closure

For a complete list of Kayak and Canoes Regulations, see Boating at Cachuma Lake.


Marine Services

Marine Service By Steve Vukas
Goleta, CA
(805) 658-0995


Channel Island Marine
74 Aero Camino, Goleta, CA
(805) 968-9716

Channel Island Marine

Pacific Marine Repair
2807 Palma Dr., Ventura, CA
(805) 658-1709

Pacific Marine Repair

Tilly's Marine
935 E. Front St., Ventura, CA
(805) 648-3812

Tilly's Marine

Ermonds Boats
11470 Vanowen St.,
North Hollywood, CA
(818) 982-2220

Ermonds Boats

Marine Service Center
270 Easy St. #4,
Simi Valley, CA
(805) 581-5777

Marine Service Center

West Marine
26 A S. Calle Cesar Chavez or
132 C Harbor Way
Santa Barbara, CA