---
title: Keep out buoy
description: The keep out buoy is a buoy that marks an area where boats are prohibited.
image: https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21118949/courses/pcoc2021/images/keep-out-buoy-hr-3.png
---

![Keep out buoy](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/pcoc2021/images/keep-out-buoy-hr-3.png?width=1100&height=619&name=keep-out-buoy-hr-3.png)

### What is a keep out buoy?

The **keep out buoy** is a buoy that marks an area where boats are prohibited.

### **What symbol can be found on a keep out buoy?**

**Orange diamond with a cross (X)** inside

→ the cross means **“Do NOT enter”**

### What it means

When you see a keep out buoy, you must:

- Stay **outside** the marked area
- Not pass between the buoys or beyond the buoy line

### Why they’re used

Keep out buoys protect:

- **Swimmers** (near beaches or swim zones)
- **Dams and spillways**
- **Water intakes**
- **Construction or restricted areas**
- **Environmentally sensitive zones**

### Important to know

- These buoys are **enforced by law**
- Ignoring them can lead to **fines** or safety risks

### Quick tip to remember

**Orange cross = Stay out**

![What symbol can be found on a keep out buoy?](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/pcoc/swimming-buoy.jpg?width=1000&height=563&name=swimming-buoy.jpg)

- [** Follow Ace Boater on YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJABNcQHyTGe3ta_lZJ4exw)
- [** Join Ace Boater on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/AceBoater)
- [** Contact Ace Boater ](https://course.aceboater.com/en/contact)
- [** AceBoater on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/aceboater/)
- [** AceBoater on X ](https://twitter.com/AceboaterCanada)

[![Ace Boater - Boating license and exam online](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21118949/aceboater/brand/ace-boater.svg)](https://aceboater.com/canada)

#### Boating License & Pleasure Craft Operator Card online exam - Accredited Transport Canada

[↑](https://aceboater.com/keep-out-buoy#top)

- [Refund Policy](https://aceboater.com/refund-policy)
- [Privacy Policy](https://aceboater.com/privacy-policy)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "WebPage",
  "breadcrumb" : {
    "@type" : "BreadcrumbList",
    "itemListElement" : [ {
      "@type" : "ListItem",
      "item" : {
        "@id" : "https://aceboater.com/canada",
        "@type" : "WebPage",
        "name" : "Home"
      },
      "position" : 1
    }, {
      "@type" : "ListItem",
      "item" : {
        "@id" : "https://aceboater.com/boat-license-canada",
        "@type" : "WebPage",
        "name" : "FAQ"
      },
      "position" : 2
    }, {
      "@type" : "ListItem",
      "item" : {
        "@id" : "https://aceboater.com/safe-boating-course-review",
        "@type" : "WebPage",
        "name" : "Table of Contents"
      },
      "position" : 3
    }, {
      "@type" : "ListItem",
      "item" : {
        "@id" : "https://aceboater.com/buoys",
        "@type" : "WebPage",
        "name" : "Types of Buoys for boats and their meanings"
      },
      "position" : 4
    }, {
      "@type" : "ListItem",
      "item" : {
        "@id" : "https://aceboater.com/keep-out-buoy",
        "@type" : "WebPage",
        "name" : "Keep out buoy"
      },
      "position" : 5
    } ]
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-02-02T12:47:06.964-0500",
  "datePublished" : "2022-02-21T15:46:14.000-0500",
  "description" : "The keep out buoy is a buoy that marks an area where boats are prohibited.",
  "headline" : "Keep out buoy",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "url" : "https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21118949/courses/pcoc2021/images/keep-out-buoy-hr-3.png"
  },
  "lastReviewed" : "2026-02-02T12:47:06.964-0500",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21118949/aceboater/brand/ace-boater.svg"
    },
    "name" : "E.S.N.N.A. Inc."
  },
  "url" : "https://aceboater.com/keep-out-buoy"
}
```