Marinas in Oregon

Confirm current requirements with the state agency before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

• Boater Education Card

  Oregon requires all operators of motorboats greater than 10 horsepower to carry a Boater Education Card, regardless of age, there is no birth-year cutoff. This card signifies completion of an approved boating safety course. Operators under 16 years of age have additional restrictions.

• Vessel Registration

  Most motorized vessels, including sailboats 12 feet or longer, operating on Oregon waters must be registered with the Oregon State Marine Board. Registration decals must be displayed prominently. Non-motorized vessels like canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards are exempt from registration, but as of 2026 nearly all must carry a Waterway Access Permit, the former Aquatic Invasive Species permit for paddlecraft, regardless of length. Confirm current rules with the Oregon State Marine Board.

• Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Permit

  As of 2026, nearly all non-motorized boats (kayaks, canoes, rafts, SUPs) must carry a Waterway Access Permit regardless of length, this replaced the old 10-foot cutoff. Oregon-registered motorboats do not buy a separate permit; part of their registration fee funds the program. Out-of-state motorboats and sailboats 12 feet or longer must carry an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit. This permit helps fund efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species. The permit must be carried on board the vessel.

• Marine Sanitation Devices

  Vessels with installed toilets must have a certified Marine Sanitation Device (MSD) on board. Discharge of untreated sewage into Oregon's navigable waters is prohibited. Many marinas offer pump-out facilities, and boaters should utilize these to comply with regulations and protect water quality.

1. 01

   1. Choose Your Waterway

   Coast, river, or lake, the three are genuinely different trips in Oregon, with different demands on boat and skipper. Match the water to your experience and the kind of day you actually want.

2. 02

   2. Research Marinas and Charters

   With a region picked, dig into marinas for transient moorage, or charter companies if you're renting or going guided. Summer books out; reserve early rather than trusting your luck at the dock.

3. 03

   3. Verify Licenses and Permits

   Check that boater education cards, vessel registration, and the Aquatic Invasive Species permit are all current and aboard. Fishing? Get the Oregon license sorted before the trip, not at the ramp.

4. 04

   4. Check Conditions and Forecasts

   Every outing starts with the marine forecast, river levels, and, on the coast, bar condition advisories. Oregon weather turns fast, and the difference between a good day and a bad one is often an hour.

5. 05

   5. Familiarize Yourself with Local Rules

   Learn the rules for your specific water: speed limits, no-wake zones, and where the commercial traffic runs. Know the local hazards, and keep required safety gear aboard and where you can reach it.