Mayday Yacht Services

In California you must be 16 or older and hold a California Boater Card to operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 horsepower or more, including a personal watercraft. Someone aged 12 to 15 may operate that same class only while supervised on board by a person at least 18 who is also in possession of a California Boater Card. The supervising adult needs the card, not just the years. State Parks' Division of Boating and Waterways administers it. The rental company sets its own minimum rental age, often higher, so confirm it when booking.

Source: California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways, dbw.parks.ca.gov and californiaboatercard.com (parks.ca.gov)

California requires a Boater Card, rather than a conventional boating license, for most recreational operators of motorized vessels. Since January 1, 2025, the requirement applies regardless of age and includes personal watercraft. Operators generally must be at least 16 for vessels over 15 horsepower; ages 12 to 15 may operate only if supervised on board by an attentive adult 18 or older, and must either hold a card themselves or be supervised by a cardholder.

Rental vessel operators are exempt. Exemptions also cover direct supervision and qualifying temporary visitors. Approved applicants may print a 90-day temporary card while awaiting the permanent card. California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways administers the program.

Source: California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (parks.ca.gov)

From Huntington Beach, you can cruise Huntington Harbour, transit Anaheim Bay to the open Pacific, or make a longer coastal run to Newport Harbor. Trailered boats can put in at Sunset Aquatic Park; Huntington Harbour is a sheltered, 5 mph no-wake area to the breakwater.

Anaheim Bay is primarily a transit route: NOAA requires boating traffic to remain in the marked small-craft channel, which leads between the jetties to open coastal water. Newport Harbor provides another 5 mph no-wake harbor cruise, with trailer launching at Newport Dunes in Upper Newport Bay.

Source: Orange County Sheriff’s Department (ocsheriff.gov)

From Huntington Beach, boaters can make day trips to Alamitos Bay Landing, Naples Island, Rainbow Harbor and Lido Village. Alamitos Bay Landing has short-term public docks outside a commercial center with restaurants, while Naples Island offers a cruise through the Naples Canals. Rainbow Harbor provides short-term public mooring near downtown Long Beach shopping and dining. In Newport Harbor, boaters can follow the main channel to the Rhine Channel for access to Lido Village, passing nearby mooring fields along the way.

Source: Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (longbeach.gov)