Balboa Island

Balboa Island: Our most recommended tours and activities

Newport Beach: 2-Hour Whale Watching Tour

Newport Beach: 2-Hour Whale Watching Tour

Embark on a whale-watching adventure off Newport Beach, CA and look out for a variety of whales, including humpback whales and blue whales. Observe marine life in the wild and admire the Newport-Laguna coastline. On these year-round cruises off Newport Beach, many whale varieties are regularly seen including the giant blue whale (summer and fall), finback whale, grey whale (winter and spring), minke whale, and humpback whale. Several types of dolphin, seals, and all sorts of other marine life are typically spotted on the excursions as well. The cruises depart from Newport Harbor, located in the heart of Orange County, which is just a short drive from both Los Angeles and San Diego. Each cruise is a unique experience as you may never know what you might encounter. A recent cruise encountered a pod of more than 30 killer whales, including adults and their young, making for a whale watching adventure of a lifetime. The cruises enjoy a 96 percent success rate viewing whales and/or dolphin.

Newport Beach: Ultimate Whale Watching Adventure

Newport Beach: Ultimate Whale Watching Adventure

Take a 2-hour dolphin and whale watching tour from Newport Beach. Cruise in an open boat that offers 360-degree views from anywhere onboard, allowing everyone a to have close encounter with nature. Admire the stunning coastal landscape and look out for whales, dolphins, and other marine wildlife.   Board a custom-built RIB, perfect for whale watching. The boat has a maximum capacity of 15 people, giving each passenger a piece of the action. See dolphins come almost close enough to touch. The boat can travel at speed and cruises up to 14 miles from port to ensure the highest success rate of animal sightings.

Newport Beach: Year-Round Whale Watching Cruise

Newport Beach: Year-Round Whale Watching Cruise

The waters surrounding Newport Harbor are deep and nutrient-rich, attracting all types of marine creatures. Cruises typically see a variety of whales including giant blue whales (during the summer and fall), finback whales, grey whales (in the winter and spring), minke whales, and humpback whales, as well as several types of dolphin, seals, and all sorts of other marine life. Each cruise is a unique experience in that you never know what you might encounter. The Laguna Beach coastline lies just to the south of Newport Harbor and is some of Southern California’s most beautiful coast. The grey whales are commonly seen in this area. Most whale watching cruises take in the scenic backdrops of Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach, while viewing the gentle giants just a few hundred yards from shore. Due to the geography of the Orange County coastline that surrounds Newport Harbor, ocean conditions are very calm allowing whale watchers to fully enjoy the amazing viewings. Our primary whale watching ship is 65 feet long, and has a large upstairs sundeck, wrap-around outside seating, snack bar, and indoor seating with large windows. The ship was purpose-built for viewing marine life. Plenty of other amenities guarantee a very comfortable and exciting trip. Captains and crew members are well-versed in marine biology and are incredibly knowledgeable about marine creatures, environment, and eco systems.

Superior 2hr Private Whale & Dolphin Watching Newport Beach

Superior 2hr Private Whale & Dolphin Watching Newport Beach

Welcome to East Meets West Whale Watching, where the thrill of exploration meets the serenity of nature in Newport Beach, CA. Founded by Captain Nick in 2016, our mission is to deliver an unrivaled whale and dolphin watching experience. Nestled in the heart of Newport Beach, we are fortunate to be in one of the world's premier destinations for observing a bountiful variety of whales, dolphins, and marine life YEAR-ROUND. At East Meets West, we invite you to share in our passion of the ocean. As pioneers in the industry, we take pride in being the newest, fastest, and safest small capacity whale watching vessel in Newport Beach, with all tours limited to just 6 persons. Captain Nick's dedication to providing a superior experience led us to develop a vessel that goes beyond the ordinary. Private group tours are our specialty. Our 2021 26’ commercial built fiberglass catamaran is equipped with super comfortable suspension seating, offering 360-degree viewing, ensuring you won't miss a moment of the breathtaking marine spectacle. We take you further than others, allowing you to witness more whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Imagine getting so close that you can almost pet the dolphins, creating memories that will last a lifetime. To enhance your comfort, we've incorporated an exclusive SeaKeeper gyro vessel stabilizer, reducing side-to-side movement by up to 92%. This innovative technology nearly eliminates motion sickness, allowing you to focus on the beauty of the ocean without any distractions. Embark on a journey with East Meets West Whale Watching and let us redefine your expectations of marine exploration. Join Captain Nick for an unforgettable experience where East truly meets West in the realm of awe-inspiring nature.

Newport Beach: The Boat People Cruise-Private Harbor Cruises

Newport Beach: The Boat People Cruise-Private Harbor Cruises

COME ENJOY A RELAXING PRIVATE CRUISE ON OUR SAILBOAT! 1. We are a couple who have received our US Coast Guard Captains License and have a huge passion for sailing and the ocean. We started our small boat chartering business giving harbor cruises around Newport Beach Harbor on our sailboat for people to enjoy life on the water with a very unique view and two captains. 2. Join us for a hour and a half cruise with a coastal ambiance on the bow of our sailboat. We strive to create an unforgettable evening with contagious laughter and panoramic views of the Newport Bay. Perfect for a date night or intimate group gathering of four as it is close proximity. You don’t want to miss out on this sea-worthy experience. Please BYOB (BRING YOUR OWN DRINKS AND FOOD as we will have an area to facilitate provisions). Also we DO NOT allow any marijuana on the boat as it is not legal under the maritime law. 3. We want our guests to leave with some great memories and good laughs onboard. We strive for passengers to leave with more knowledge of Newport Beach Harbor as well as grow a deeper connection to one another as they share a fun and unique experience onboard. *Each cruise is a PRIVATE cruise of just your party. *We require a minimum of 2 seats booked. *We offer a sunrise cruise, cruises before sunset, a sunset cruise, and romantic twilight cruises!

Long Beach: California Coastal 30-Minute Helicopter Tour

Long Beach: California Coastal 30-Minute Helicopter Tour

Climb aboard your helicopter and depart from Long Beach to enjoy the picturesque landscape of Orange County. See the pristine shorelines of Newport Beach and Seal Beach, the dramatic cliffs of Dana Point, and the serenity of Laguna Niguel from above. Soar over the breathtaking Pacific Ocean coastline, revealing exquisite architectural residences, extravagant seaside resorts, and lavish golf resorts. Continue with stunning views of the iconic Huntington Beach Pier, Balboa Island, and Laguna Beach. Watch for California's diverse marine life throughout the flight, often witnessed in the glistening waters along the Pacific Coast Highway and world-renowned surf beaches. Pass the enchanting beauty of Corona Del Mar, the untouched wilderness of Crystal Cove State Park, and the breathtaking allure of Emerald Bay along the Golden Coast. Conclude with a journey over Long Beach, showcasing modern and historic sights. Fly past the historic British cruise liner, the Queen Mary, the Port of Long Beach, one of the world's busiest seaports, and downtown, home to the Long Beach Grand Prix. Finally, land back at the starting point.

Orange County: Coastal Air Tour from John Wayne Airport

Orange County: Coastal Air Tour from John Wayne Airport

Fly over all of Orange County's captivating beaches and coastal cities for 45 minutes. From the southern shores of San Clemente to Huntington Beach! The OC Coastal Classics Air Tour is our most popular scenic flight and the best value airplane ride in OC. Enjoy a personalized private experience and all-smiles Joy Air service for up to 3 passengers. A top choice for both locals and visitors looking for an extended aerial adventure. Choose the last flight time of the day for a sunset cruise you will never forget! Golden hour sunset rides are an additional $20 per person. This flight features spectacular views of Newport Harbor, Balboa Island, Pelican Hill Resort, Corona del Mar, Crystal Cove, Fashion Island, Montage Laguna Beach, Dana Point Harbor, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Huntington Beach Pier, Saddleback mountains, Back Bay, Irvine Spectrum, UCI, El Toro Marine Air Station, The OC Great Park, Wild Rivers and of course… John Wayne Airport!

Orange County: Deluxe Air Tour from John Wayne Airport

Orange County: Deluxe Air Tour from John Wayne Airport

Fly over Orange County's captivating beaches and coastal cities on a 60-minute private airplane ride. Enjoy aerial views of Newport Harbor, Balboa Island, Pelican Hill Resort, Corona del Mar, Crystal Cove, Fashion Island, Montage Laguna Beach, Dana Point Harbor, Disneyland, Anaheim Stadium, Knott’s Berry Farm, Long Beach Airport, Port of Los Angeles, The Queen Mary, Downtown Long Beach, Los Alamitos Joint Forces Base, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach Pier, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Saddleback mountains, Back Bay, Irvine Spectrum, UCI, El Toro Marine Air Station, The OC Great Park, Wild Rivers, and John Wayne Airport. Choose the last flight time of the day for a sunset cruise you will never forget. On a clear day, you can see Downtown Los Angeles and The Hollywood Sign in the distance.

Newport Beach: Scenic Air Tour over OC Beaches

Newport Beach: Scenic Air Tour over OC Beaches

Soar over three of Orange County’s prominent beach cities in a private airplane on a scenic air tour. Enjoy a personalized private experience and all-smiles Joy Air service for up to 3 passengers. A great option if you are looking for a quick adventure or a unique date idea that won't break the bank. Start at the John Wayne Airport. Choose the last flight time of the day for a sunset you will never forget. Golden hour sunset rides are an additional $15 per person. Enjoy a scenic flight over Fashion Island, Pelican Hill, Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove, Balboa Island, Newport Harbor, Huntington Pier, and of course, John Wayne Airport.

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Other Sightseeing Options in Balboa Island

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What people are saying about Balboa Island

Overall rating

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3
4.3 out of 5 stars
(421 reviews)
5 out of 5 stars

Seeing hundreds of dolphins up close was an incredible experience. The crew and captain were very friendly and provided great explanations. In particular, they used a drone to locate whales and captured some amazing photos for us. The entire journey was smooth and truly enjoyable. My daughter loved lying at the front of the boat, watching the dolphins swim just beneath the surface—she seemed to be connecting with them in a special way. Thank you for giving a special experience.

5 out of 5 stars

Got to see a lot of dolphins and otaries which we were lucky to find as an heavy fog happened as we were getting on the sea. I do think they should rename the activity as the guide said themselves that they have not seen much whales lately in the area so would be better to say sea life watching or something to manage expectations. It’s a bit expensive for what it is but the guides were really good

5 out of 5 stars

This was an amazing cruise! Loved that it was just us. They were extremely friendly, helpful, and accomodating. The views were spectacular as we did the sunset cruise. Will be doing this cruise again! Recommend it to anyone who enjoys a very personal experience.

5 out of 5 stars

Great experience with Erica and her crew! Both women were so nice and cheerful and helpful. We saw the dolphins and it was very beautiful despite the fog!

5 out of 5 stars

Excellent trip. Saw loads of dolphins and a grey whale. Very happy son too. Highlight of our stay