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Port of Benicia

USBNC🇺🇸USA

Port Location

About Port of Benicia

Located on the Carquinez Strait in California's North Bay, Benicia is a small harbor established in 1850. It serves as a marina and requires pilotage and tug assistance for vessels.

Background
Benicia is a city in Solano County, California, on the north bank of the Carquinez Strait in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. It served as the capital of California for nearly thirteen months from 1853 to 1854. The population was 27,131 at the 2020 United States census. Benicia is just east of Vallejo and across the strait from Martinez.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Channel Depth
9ft
Tidal Range
1ft
Elevation
-2m

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
Unknown
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Drydock
M
Repair Code
U

History

Established
1850

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Identification

UN/LOCODE
USBNC
Country
🇺🇸USA
Time Zone
UTC-8
Feature Type
MAR (Marina)

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
Coastal natural
Shelter
Excellent

Region

Subdivision
US-CA
Area
US West Coast
Latitude
38.0428°
Longitude
-122.1369°

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
16470 →
GeoNames ID
7644874 →
Wikidata
Q817301 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Official Site
www.ci.benicia.ca.us →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Benicia?+
The approach to Benicia is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Carquinez Strait Lighthouse at 3.9 NM to the WNW. Other aids include East Brother Island (14.8 NM WSW), Southampton Shoal (15.8 NM SW), Lightship Wlv-605 Relief (16.3 NM SSW), Oakland Harbor (16.4 NM SSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.
What major shipping routes pass near the Port of Benicia?+
The Port of Benicia is located within the US West Coast shipping lane — a major trans-Pacific trade route serving West Coast ports of the United States. This strategic position influences vessel traffic density, anchorage availability, and port scheduling.
How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Benicia?+
You can track vessels near Benicia (USBNC) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for USBNC on the live map.
What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Benicia?+
The Port of Benicia operates in the UTC-8 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.