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S AFTERNOON DRAWS TO A CLOSE, the sky above Newport Harbor transforms into a watercolor wash, and the barks of playful sea lions echo through the waterways. Aboard an electric-powered Duffy, passengers drink in the sights and sounds as they propose a Champagne toast: Here’s to taking the helm of our SoCal aquatic adventure.
“When guests visit Newport Beach, they’re looking for that on-the-water experience, and our Duffy boats offer [that] in a luxurious and private setting,” says Greg Sinks, general manager at California Recreation Company. “With just you and your guests on board, you go at your own pace.”
Introduced by a Newport Beach local some 50 years back, canvas-topped Duffy boats are ubiquitous in Newport Harbor. Groups of eight to 11 passengers can captain 18-foot-long vessels that max out at just five mph through a wakeless harbor that promises water gentle enough for novices.
California Recreation Company’s boats are crafted with attention to detail. Wood-topped dining tables with bench seating provide cozy comfort, while removable window surrounds ensure temperature control year-round. Each on-board amenity, including a sound system, a refrigerator for snacks, ice buckets and flatware, is designed to guarantee a carefree outing.
For guests at The Resort at Pelican Hill,® booking a Duffy boat is seamless, as the concierge team handles everything from checking on availability and arranging transportation to placing catering food orders.