Marina del Rey WaterBus – Harbor Boat Ride with Kids

The Marina del Rey WaterBus is a small taxi boat that takes passengers around the harbor at 8 different stops. The boat ride is nice and slow, with great scenic views of the harbor. The entire loop is about an hour, and tickets are inexpensive, so it’s a great way to get an affordable harbor boat ride with kids.

In this blog post, we’ll cover:

  • Overview
  • Location & Hours
  • Cost to Ride
  • Nearby Restaurants & Hotels
  • Tips For Riding
  • Related Activities
  • Video

Overview of the Marina WaterBus

The Marina del Rey WaterBus is a small boat with bench seating for about 20 passengers. There is space in the middle for strollers. The boat has a roof to block the sun, and the sides around the bench are open with no windows, letting you feel the ocean breeze.

The WaterBus is captained by one individual and goes around the harbor at a nice slow speed. It goes out in the middle of the harbor and into some of the channels. You’ll see other boats and yachts, and kayakers and paddle boarders along the way. To make the entire loop, the ride lasts about an hour, depending on how many stops are made. The boat will only visit a stop if there are passengers getting on or off.

A Marina water taxi will pass through each location about every every 15 minutes, so there’s plenty of opportunities to board. The taxi boats run in both directions in a loop around the harbor.

Location & Hours

Address & Directions

You can board the Marina WaterBus at any of the stops along the route:

  • Fisherman’s Village – 13755 Fiji Way
  • Burton Chace Park – 13650 Mindanao Way
  • Waterfront Walk – 4375 Admiralty Way
  • Marina “Mother’s” Beach – 4101 Admiralty Way
  • Dolphin Marina – 13900 Panay Way, Dock Gate, #202
  • Esprit – 13900 Marquesas Way, Dock Gate, Slip #B-602 1/2
  • Wetland Park – 4360 Via Marina
  • Del Rey Landing – 13800 Bora Bora Way, Fuel Dock Gate

Parking

There are paid parking lots available around the harbor near each stop.

Operating Hours

The Marina del Rey WaterBus only operates during the summer on weekends. The 2024 schedule runs from June 2 – September 2.

Friday & Saturday: 11:00am – 11:00pm Sunday: 11:00am – 9:00pm

Restrooms

There are no restrooms on the taxi boats, but most of the stops have public restrooms available nearby.

Cost to Ride WaterBus

Each one-way ticket is $1 per person. Of the 8 stops, you need to get off at one of the 7 other ones. In order to ride the boat around the entire harbor back to the place where you started, you will need to get off at one of the stops, and purchase another one-way ticket and get back on the boat.

Food & Lodging Nearby

Restaurants

Many of the stops have restaurants, making it convenient to have a meal at the beginning and end of your boat ride, or at a stop in the middle. Here are some of the popular restaurants available:

Fisherman’s Wharf:

Waterfront Walkway:

Mother’s Beach

Hotels in Marina del Rey

If you’re coming from out of town and staying in Marina del Rey, here are a few hotel suggestions that are kid friendly – they have a swimming pool and/or spa, and have either complimentary breakfast or a restaurant on site for convenience. They are all on the harbor.

Standard:

    Luxury:

    • The Ritz-Carlton – pool, on-site restaurant, room service, and free cribs on request.

    Tips for Riding the Marina WaterBus

    • Bring cash – they do not accept credit cards
    • Plan out where you want to start/end, and where you want to get off and get back on.
    • Bring a jacket, the harbor breeze can be cold even on a hot day.
    • Use the restroom before you go – it’s an hour-long boat ride

    Related Activities in Marina Del Rey

    If you want to upgrade your harbor cruise experience, here are a few alternatives:

    Video of Marina WaterBus

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