Lota sits on the bayside foreshore between Manly Boat Harbour and the mouth of Lota Creek, and its ramp runs off the Esplanade straight onto the Waterloo Bay flats. The state register lists a single lane, no facilities and unmarked parking; council's asset data records it as a two-lane ramp. What matters more is the tide: the register flags it tide-limited, and the sand and mud in front of Lota dry hundreds of metres out at low water. Launch and come home on the top half.
It is a tinnie and kayak ramp, used by locals to reach the bay without the Manly harbour crowds. From the flats the run is out past Green Island to Peel Island and St Helena, with Manly's marked channel just to the north. Six knots applies along the foreshore.
Manly Boat Harbour, five minutes north, has two all-tide multi-lane ramps. Marine Rescue Queensland Brisbane is based at Manly and monitors VHF 16.