Sunset Cruise on Alamitos Bay

How do you time a sunset cruise?

Pick your day, find its month in the table, and book the suggested start. On a one-hour cruise, starting about 45 minutes before sunset gives you the warm light on the way out and the sun going down while you are still on the water. On a two-hour cruise, start about an hour and a quarter before sunset and stay out through the dusk.

Arrive 30 minutes before your start time, with everyone in your party, so the boat leaves on time. Sunset will not wait for a late car.

What does the light do on the bay?

In the last hour before sunset, the sun drops low over the water and turns it gold. As it sets, the sky over the bay often goes orange, then pink. After the sun is down, the water turns silver and lights come on along the shore. That last stretch, after sunset, is the reason to book two hours instead of one.

When is sunset earliest and latest?

Sunset comes earliest in late fall and early winter, a little before 5 pm, and latest in late June, just after 8 pm. In between, it moves by a minute or two a day, and it jumps by an hour when the clocks change in March and November. The table above already accounts for that.

Will it be cold after sunset?

Cooler, yes. The boats are fully enclosed: the windows go up for air while it is warm and stay down to hold the warmth in once the sun drops. Bring a layer in summer and blankets in winter.

Can you cruise the Naples Canals at sunset?

When the tide allows. Low bridges cross the canals, so if high water falls around sunset the canals may be off-limits for a while. Check the tides page for the week. If the canals are closed, the rest of the bay is open, and you can cruise around Naples Island, into Jellyfish Cove, Spinnaker Bay, Marina Pacifica and Mother’s Beach.

What should you bring?

A phone or camera with space on it, a layer, and something to eat or drink. Food, a cooler and your own beer and wine are welcome; ice is $7 a bag. Dogs are welcome too, wearing their own life vest.

Who is a sunset cruise for?

Couples, for a date night or a proposal. Families who want the kids to watch the sky change color. Friends who want the photos. And anyone visiting Long Beach who wants to see the city from the water in its softest light.

Why book a sunset start early?

Only one or two start times each day line up with sunset, so book early, and book all your boats at once if you are a group. The booking calendar shows which times are open on your day.

What does a sunset cruise cost?

You pay for the boat, not the guests: $125 for one hour or $250 for two, for up to 12 people. With a full boat, two hours is about $20.83 each. See the pricing page and the complete guide to renting a Duffy in Long Beach. In December, pair the sunset with the Naples holiday lights.

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