Alamitos Bay Boat Rental

Where is Alamitos Bay?

On the east side of Long Beach, at the outlet of the San Gabriel River, where Los Angeles County meets Orange County. A pair of jetties separates the bay from the river and from Seal Beach, and the three islands of Naples sit entirely inside it. Alamitos Bay Marina, run by the City of Long Beach, holds 1,624 slips around the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and 2nd Street.

Our boats leave from Alamitos Bay Landing, on Marina Drive, a few steps from where you park.

Why is it a good bay for a Duffy?

Because it is sheltered. The jetties keep the river’s flow and the open ocean outside, and the water inside stays calm, which is exactly what a Duffy is built for. The boats top out at 5 mph, and on calm water that makes driving easy for someone who has never been at the wheel of a boat.

What will you see on a cruise around the bay?

• The Naples Canals, when the tide allows: three islands of homes with private docks, ringed by canals. See cruising the Naples Canals.
• Jellyfish Cove and Spinnaker Bay, two corners of the bay that stay on the route when the tide is too high for the canals.
• Marina Pacifica, on the bay’s edge, another stop on the high-tide route.
• Mother’s Beach, the calm, shallow beach at Marine Park, where families swim.
• The marina, with sailboats in their slips and, often, out on the water.
• The local sea lions, which make appearances throughout the day.

You get a map of the sights at the dock, with the keys.

What is Marine Stadium?

A long, straight rowing course carved out of the bay for the rowing events of the 1932 Olympic Games, and set to host rowing and canoe sprint again for the 2028 Games. It is still a training ground for rowers today, which is a reminder that the bay is a working waterway shared by many kinds of boats.

How does the tide affect a bay cruise?

The bay itself is open at any tide. The tide matters for the Naples Canals, where low bridges limit what fits underneath at high water. When the canals are off-limits, you can still cruise around Naples Island, into Jellyfish Cove, Spinnaker Bay, Marina Pacifica and Mother’s Beach. The tides page shows the week ahead.

How long does it take to see the bay?

One hour is enough for a loop of the main bay and a look at Naples from the water. Two hours covers the canals, the quieter coves and the long way back without watching the clock. If you have never been, two hours is the better first trip.

Where do you park, and when should you arrive?

Parking is free and on site at Alamitos Bay Landing, a few steps from the boats. Arrive 30 minutes before your start time with your whole party so there is time to park, check in at the office and board. The contact page has the map and directions.

What is near the dock?

Alamitos Bay Landing has restaurants and shops along the water, so a meal before or after is easy. Our guide to eating around Alamitos Bay has ideas, and Belmont Shore is a short drive west.

How do you share the bay with other boats?

Alamitos Bay is a working waterway. Sailboats come and go from the marina, rowers train around Marine Stadium, and kayakers and paddleboarders cross the bay. Keep to the right, slow down near docks and moorings, and give sailboats and paddlers plenty of room; at 5 mph, a Duffy has time to steer around anything. The map you get at the dock shows the route.

Is the bay good for a first-time driver?

Yes. The water is sheltered, the boat moves at 5 mph, and the Dock Master gives every driver a quick tutorial and a map before leaving the dock.

What does a bay cruise cost?

$125 for one hour or $250 for two, per boat of up to 12 guests. See prices and the complete guide to renting a Duffy in Long Beach.

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