* WHAT’S AFLOAT is published periodically....
* WHAT’S AFLOAT is published periodically. If you are planning a
nautical event, submit the information to the Daily Pilot, 330 W. Bay
St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; by fax to (949) 646-4170; or by e-mail to
dailypilot@latimes.com.
SAILING CLASSES
Sailboat rentals and private lessons are available at Marina
WaterSports in the Balboa Fun Zone. Advanced classes include
navigation, big boat, powerboat, introduction to heavy weather and
first-mate instruction. (949) 673-3372; the Blue Dolphin Sailing
Club, (949) 644-2525; or Lido Sailing Club, (949) 675-0827.
Sailing Fascination offers classes in boating safety and sailing
year-round for people with disabilities. Free. (949) 640-1678.
Orange County employers can bring their employees out to Newport
Beach on weekdays to enjoy a day of sailing courtesy of Orange Coast
College. The School of Sailing and Seamanship now offers a chance for
groups to work with the on-board instructor on different sailing
techniques while they get advice on how to perform well in business.
No sailing experience necessary. One-day classes range from $100 to
$125. (949) 645-9412.
BOAT RENTALS
Balboa Boat Rentals can put you on the water in many ways, with
single and double kayaks, electric boats, 14-holder sailboats, pedal
boats and runabouts for offshore use or cruising the bay. Balboa Boat
Rentals also holds two-hour scavenger hunts aboard the electric bay
boats that provide group activity for corporations, birthdays,
nonprofit organizations and group outings. The hunt packages include
boats, trivia questions, maps, Polaroid cameras and supplies. Cost
for the hunt begins at $225 per boat and catering is available at an
additional rate. For hunt reservations, call (949) 557-5100, ext. 12.
For general information, call (949) 673-7200.
Electric boat rentals are available by the hour at Duffy Electric
Boats, 2001 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. All boats are equipped
with window enclosures and CD players. Ice and cups are provided.
Reservations are suggested. An hour rental is $70. (949) 645-6812.
Sail airborne outside Newport Harbor at Marina WaterSports, pulled
by a motorboat at Balboa Para-sailing near the Balboa Fun Zone. A
90-minute trip is $45. (949) 673-3372.
A motorized lounge chair may be rented at Resort Water Sports at
Newport Dunes for $25 per hour. Pedal boats, electric boats, boogie
boards, kayaks, inflatable rafts, beach furniture and wetsuits also
are available. (949) 729-1150.
Party pontoons, chaparral runabouts and family pontoons may be
rented at Marina WaterSports Bay Rentals in the Balboa Fun Zone.
(949) 673-3372.
Gondola tours are offered by the Gondola Co. of Newport, 3400 Via
Oporto, Suite 102-B. The $75 cost includes a basket of bread, cheese,
salami, ice, glasses, a blanket, music and a Polaroid picture. Wine
also is available. (949) 675-1212.
Gondola Adventures/Newport, 3101 W. Coast Highway, offers one- and
two-hour gondola cruises. A one-hour tour with champagne is $70. A
two-hour tour with dinner and champagne is $180. Pickup is available
at waterfront restaurants. (949) 675-4984.
Irvine Coast Charters in Lido Marina Village offers two-hour
electric boat cruises with a gourmet dinner. $180 for two people.
(949) 675-4704.
Gondola Romance offers daily tours of Newport Harbor during lunch
and dinner. Call (949) 675-4730. The tours go out of Lido Marina
Village, 3400 Via Oporto, Newport Beach.
CRUISES
The Newport Landing Belle is available for weddings and
receptions, cocktail and sightseeing cruises, and meetings at $250
per hour (minimum two hours) and $150 for each additional hour. (949)
361-3640.
Fun Zone Boat Co. runs a 45-minute cruise (adults, $6; children,
$1) and 90-minute cruise (adults, $8; children, $1), departing from
Balboa Fun Zone every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. A
60-minute showboat sunset cruise (adults, $6; children, $1) leaves
the Fun Zone at 7 p.m. daily. Private charters are available. (949)
673-0240.
Catalina Passenger Service runs 45-minute harbor cruises (adults,
$6; children, $1) and 90-minute cruises (adults, $8; children, $1),
departing from Balboa Fun Zone every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. daily and on the hour until 7 p.m. (949) 673-5245.
Cruise the harbor aboard the Electra, a 100-foot Classic Fantail
vessel. Charters with catering are available for up to 145
passengers. (949) 723-1069.
A three-course dinner and dancing while cruising the harbor is
available at 8 p.m. Fridays and at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays at Hornblower
Cruises & Events, 2431 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. The fee is
$59.95 per person on Fridays and $64 on Saturdays. Brunch cruises
also are available. (949) 631-2469.
The Catalina Flyer departs from Balboa Pavilion at 9 a.m. daily
and returns from Catalina Island at 4:30 p.m. $36 round-trip for
adults; $20 round-trip for children. Reservations are recommended.
(949) 673-5245.
Hornblower offers weekend dinner dance and Sunday champagne brunch
cruises on Newport Harbor that celebrate imaginative cuisine and
pampered service. 2431 W. Coast Highway, Suite 101, Newport Beach.
(949) 631-2469.
The Adventures at Sea Yacht Charters hosts cruises around Newport
Harbor from 12:30 to 2 p.m. every Sunday at 3101 W. Coast Highway,
Newport Beach. $20, includes cruise, parking, cookies and sodas.
Reservations required. (949) 650-2412.
FISHING
Fishing classes leave Balboa Pavilion at 6 a.m. and return at 4
p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays. $125. (949) 673-2810.
Get to the Newport Pier early to watch the dory fishing fleet
return with the fresh catch of the day. Fish are prepared for sale at
McFadden Square, an open-air market.
Fishing supplies and boat charters (open party and private) are
available at Davey’s Locker, 400 Main St., Balboa (949) 673-1434; and
Newport Landing Sportfishing, 309 Palms, Suite F, Newport Beach (949)
675-0550.
Day and night fishing charters are available for groups or singles
at Bongos Sportfishing on Balboa Peninsula. (949) 673-2810.
KAYAKING/CANOEING/SCUBA
Beginning sea kayaking, rolling clinics and private lessons are
offered at Paddle Power, 1500 W. Balboa Blvd., Balboa. Kayak and sea
ski rentals also are available. (949) 675-1215.
Two-hour kayak tours begin at 10 a.m. Sundays from Newport Dunes.
$20 for adults and $15 for children. Kayak rentals and classes also
are available. (949) 729-1150.
Single kayak rentals ($10 per hour) and doubles ($15 per hour) are available at Balboa Boat Rentals in the Balboa Fun Zone. (949)
673-7200. Paddle Power also provides kayak, surf ski and canoe
rentals. (949) 675-1215.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.