Who can rent and drive the boat?

The person who books the boat and the person who drives it must both be 21 or older. Passengers can be any age.

Nobody needs boating experience. Before you take over, the Dock Master takes your boat to the end of the dock, hands you the keys, and gives you a quick tutorial and a map of the sights. Driving a Duffy is very similar to driving a golf cart, with a top speed of 5 mph.

How many people can come on one boat?

12 at most, and that number includes children and babies. A baby in a carrier still counts as one of the 12.

If your group is bigger, book more boats. Thirteen people need two boats; twenty-five need three. The group planner works it out for you.

What are the life jacket rules?

Adult life jackets are aboard every boat.
Every child under 12 must wear a life vest for the whole trip. Our front office hands them out at check-in.
We provide infant vests too. Infants in a car seat or baby carrier are not required to wear one, but we provide one anyway.
We do not provide life vests for pets. If your dog is coming, bring your dog’s own.

Can we bring alcohol?

You can bring your own beer and wine.

The usual laws come aboard with you: everyone who drinks must be 21 or older, and under California law the person driving the boat must not be under the influence.

Can we bring food?

Yes. Bring snacks, a meal, a cake, whatever the occasion calls for, and bring a cooler. Ice is $7 a bag in the boat shop, or bring your own. The popcorn in the office is free.

If you would rather not cook or carry, local vendors deliver food and décor for rentals. Call (562) 598-2628 and we will point you to them.

Can we bring our dog?

Yes. Dogs are welcome aboard. Bring your dog’s life vest, a leash and water. Bringing your dog has more on planning a trip with a dog.

When should we arrive?

30 minutes before your start time, with your whole party. That covers parking, check-in and life vests for the kids, so the boat can leave on time. The contact page has the map and parking details.

When do we bring the boat back?

By the end time on your booking. Rentals run one or two hours. Keep an eye on the clock as you head out; at 5 mph, the trip back from the far side of the bay takes a while, so start back in good time.

What if the weather turns?

All sales are final. If weather closes the bay, we move your rental to another day. The boats are fully enclosed, so a gray day on its own is no reason to stay home.

What if something is damaged?

A $100 damage charge applies to damage caused during your rental, as set out in the booking terms. Treat the boat the way you would treat a friend’s car and it will not come up.

What if we leave something behind?

Call (562) 598-2628 with a description. We are not responsible for personal belongings, but we will contact you if we find it.

Where can we go?

Anywhere inside Alamitos Bay on the map you get at the dock, including the Naples Canals when the tide allows. When the tide is too high for the canals, you can still cruise around Naples Island, into Jellyfish Cove, Spinnaker Bay, Marina Pacifica and Mother’s Beach. Check the tides before you book if the canals matter to you.

What should we pack?

Food and snacks, and a cake if it is a birthday
A cooler, with your own ice or $7 a bag from the boat shop
Your own beer and wine, if you like
Layers or a blanket for evenings and winter: the cabin is enclosed, but you will want them
Sunglasses and sunscreen for bright days on the water
A phone or camera for the canals, the sunset and the sea lions
Your dog’s life vest, a leash and a water bowl, if your dog is coming
Whatever the baby needs for an hour or two; we provide the infant vest