SeaDoo jet ski rentals at Long Beach Watersports
Weather Forecast: Warm temps and sunny skies! Get outside and see the beauty of Downtown, the harbor, and the ocean from many vantage points. You’ll discover new places to eat, drink, and shop along the way. It’s easy to make memories when you’re out and about at Downtown’s beautiful waterfront.
AQUALINK & AQUABUS WATER TAXIS
You have two water taxi options in the Downtown Waterfront; the AquaLink, which takes you on a scenic 40-minute trip from Downtown to Alamitos Bay ($5 one-way), and the AquaBus, a 20-minute jaunt ($1 one-way) that highlights Rainbow Harbor’s hot spots. Both water taxis make stops at the Queen Mary. NOTE: The AquaLink provides special service to and from the new F&M Amphitheater on concert nights! For complete schedules, parking info, and payment methods, click here.
If you’re looking for a truly breathtaking perspective on the beauty of the Downtown Waterfront, try soaring 800 feet above it on a parasail! California Parasail operates out of Shoreline Village seven days a week. A professional crew will guide you as you fly 600 or 800 feet above Rainbow Harbor. There’s room for one or two of your guests to enjoy the thrilling flight. Flyers must be at least five years old and weigh at least 40 lbs. Kids under 18 must be signed in by an adult. You can get a digital photo package to preserve your memories and show off! Fly FREE on your birthday in tandem with someone doing a paid 800-foot flight.
SPIRIT CRUISES ONE-HOUR HARBOR CRUISE
Spirit Cruises departs from Dock 9 in front of Parkers’ Lighthouse Restaurant on a schedule that gets updated every Monday. All kids age 12 and under cruise FREE! Many great sights are seen during the cruise, such as Long Beach’s main shipping channel with its tug boats and fire boats, the sea lion buoy, the old US Navy Base and, of course, the Queen Mary. Refresh yourself along the way at the full cocktail bar. No reservations are necessary for this cruise. You can purchase tickets up to an hour in advance. It is recommended that you arrive at least 45 minutes early.
HARBOR BREEZE WHALE WATCHING & DOLPHIN CRUISE
Harbor Breeze Cruises, a Downtown Waterfront mainstay for over 35 years, operates a fleet of multiple vessels. For an unforgettable experience, book a spot on this cruise. The expert captains and crew will help you spot Humpback Whales, Fin Whales, Dolphins, Sea Lions, Minke Whales, and other marine life that make their homes in Long Beach’s coastal waters all year. Now is an especially great time to do this cruise because it’s the beginning of migration season for the Blue Whale – the largest animal ever known to have lived on Earth! Wear proper shoes, bring your camera, and be ready for amazement!
To get up close and personal with magnificent ocean creatures, let Captain Steve pilot your whale watching cruise aboard the Cetacea, a rigid-hull inflatable boat that safely accommodates just six guests. You’ll have a spectacular time observing the sea animals in this quick and agile vessel with unobstructed views and no distractions from crowds. SoCal Whale Watching is the only small-boat whale watching operator in Long Beach. The Cetacea has been certified for safety by the U.S. Coast Guard. Everything is in place for a nautical adventure you’ll never forget!
The award-winning, world-renowned Aquarium of the Pacific offers plenty of outdoor fun in addition to its fantastic indoor labyrinths of sea creatures! In the 5,400-square foot Lorikeet Forest, you’ll walk down a path where colorful and lively lorikeets fill the trees. Buy a cup of their favorite nectar, and as you walk through the forest they’ll land on you to get a sip! With over 100 exhibits and 19 distinct habitats, the Aquarium is a must-visit for the entire family. Click here to get tickets, book an Aquarium-connected boat cruise, and get a feel for everything this very special place has to offer.
No matter how old you are, that first up-and-over on a ferris wheel is always a thrill. Add a one-of-a-kind sunset view to the mix and you’ll be having a fine time indeed. The 90-foot tall ferris wheel at the Pike Outlets sits on hallowed ground; It’s where the Pike Amusement Park used to be, of course. You’ll get a nostalgic feeling on the ride, but you’ll also dig the awesome computerized light show on the sides of the wheel and the new-school jams they’re playing as you revolve. You can ride Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9 PM, Monday from 3 to 9 PM.
Ever dream about getting away from it all with five of your favorite friends on a tropical tiki boat with a licensed captain and all your favorite foods and drinks? Book a Long Beach Tiki Cruise and make your dream come true! Choose and pack your own food and bevvies, then tell the captain if you want to say hi to the whales and dolphins, anchor for a swim, or just cruise around for hours. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, bachelorette party, or a night out with pals, your only job will be to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
For an old-fashioned, peaceful experience that includes a mild ocean breeze, rent a Swan Boat at Rainbow Lagoon! They’re powered by you and anyone else who wants to help out. Drift along Shoreline Drive in the calm lagoon waters, then pedal ’round the bend where it’s a bit more secluded. The swans look AMAZING when they light up after 7:30 PM! Due to capacity limitations, reservations are required. The swans are available from 10 AM to 10 PM every day. To make your reservation, click here.
Have fun multitasking on the Downtown Fitness Loop! You’ll be exercising, getting a complete overview of the Downtown Waterfront, and humble-bragging to your friends on social media. The Loop is a 4.8-mile walking/running path bordered by Alamitos Avenue, East Shoreline Drive, Aquarium Way, West Shoreline Drive and Ocean Blvd. It’s a distance-marked path that connects fitness equipment stations, which helps fitness buffs establish a routine. Throughout the Loop there are active exercise stations such as pull-up and dip bars, and passive stations for balancing and stretching. Push yourself a little bit — but make sure you’re savoring every great view you encounter!
Frolic with the whales and dolphins on a jet ski! Long Beach Watersports has a fleet of SeaDoo jet skis waiting for you at their dock next to Hotel Maya at 700 Queensway Drive. Cruise solo or with one passenger in the HUGE ride zone – it’s over 6 miles long. You can rent your jet ski for one hour, two hours, or the entire day. Click here for rules, parking details, and to reserve your jet skis.
The Downtown Waterfront has many options for getting out on the water or cruising around on nearby bike paths, but if you and your people prefer to just walk around, Shoreline Village has all the goods to keep you entertained and well-fed all day long! From fine dining to quick bites, elegant wine service to pints and shooters, there’s a huge variety of eateries and drinkeries. The merry-go-round provides old-fashioned family fun, games, and photo ops. Shoreline Village is a great place to shop for everything from Long Beach souvenirs to handcrafted art. You can have fun for an entire day, and you’ll definitely get your steps in!
Wheel Fun Rentals in Shoreline Village has been putting DTLB visitors on wheels for over 25 years. You and your family can roam the Shoreline Village Boardwalk and the 4.5-mile Shoreline Bike Path on a fleet of bikes, eBikes, and cruisers, or you can all ride together in a surrey. Bike locks, maps, and helmets are offered FREE with rentals. Wheel Fun Rentals will also validate parking in the Shoreline Village lot. Click here for more, including photos of all vehicles for rent and info about the exciting night rides!