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Board Aviation and float among the illuminated yachts of Marina del Rey’s Holiday Boat Parade. This intimate, three-hour cruise from Naos Yachts puts you in the center of the harbor for close-up views, reflections, and festive photo ops.
Board Aviation and float among the illuminated yachts of Marina del Rey’s Holiday Boat Parade. This intimate, three-hour cruise from Naos Yachts puts you in the center of the harbor for close-up views, reflections, and festive photo ops.
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Operated by Naos Yachts · Marina del Rey, California
On a cool December evening the Holiday Boat Parade turns Marina del Rey into a corridor of light, and the best seat in the harbor is from the teak deck of Aviation, a Beneteau 46.1 First Line. Holiday Boat Parade is a 3-hour cruise that departs from Naos Yachts Location at 13555 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, CA, and places you in the middle of the marina for front-row views of decorated yachts, lighted inflatables, and cruising families. The experience is simple: bring a warm layer, a thermos, and a sense of wonder; Naos Yachts provides the vessel, fuel, insurance and the captain’s steady course through the harbor’s sheltered channels. Marina del Rey’s basin is the largest man-made small craft harbor in North America, a low-slung spread of piers, breakwaters, and palm-fringed promenades that frames Catalina’s silhouette on the horizon when visibility is good. From Aviation you’ll pick out signature landmarks — the white sweep of Fisherman’s Village, merchant piers, and the Palm-lined bike path along Fiji Way — while the surface of the water becomes a moving mirror for holiday lights. The parade highlights a mix of private yachts, charter boats, and community vessels decorated with strings, garlands and synchronized color schemes that reflect off concrete jetty walls and trawled kelp beds. The evening’s sensory palette is salt air sharpened by cool winter wind, a soft chorus of engines and holiday music, and the flicker of lamps across gangways. Practical details: check in at the Naos Yachts office before departure, arrive early for the best parking options (Dock 52, Fisherman’s Village, or Naos’s lot), and use the marina restrooms on land—the boat’s facilities are off-limits. The cruise runs roughly 5:30pm–7:30pm; layered clothing, seat cushions and blankets make the difference between chill and comfort. Why book this rather than watching from shore? The boat’s position in the basin puts you among the fastest-moving light displays, and being afloat means you move with the parade rather than watch it pass. Naos Yachts keeps the group small—typically six aboard Aviation—so the vibe is intimate and photo-friendly. This outing is ideal for families, couples, and photographers who want stable, uninterrupted views of the harbor spectacle. Beyond the parade, Marina del Rey offers walking paths, waterfront dining, and easy access to Santa Monica and Venice. Whether you come for festive cheer or for a quiet night on the water, the Holiday Boat Parade aboard Aviation is a compact, memorable way to celebrate the season from the heart of Southern California boating culture. Tickets are typically $95 per person; groups are limited to six, so reserve early through the provided booking link to guarantee a winter evening on the water with close-up holiday lights and great memories guaranteed.
Check in at the Naos Yachts office at 13555 Fiji Way before departure; staff will direct you to the vessel.
Yes—bring your own food and non-staining drinks. Please avoid red wine as it can stain the boat.
No—guests should use the marina restrooms on land before boarding; the boat’s facilities are not for this cruise.
The vessel typically carries up to six guests for an intimate experience aboard Aviation.
Departure is usually 5:30pm with return around 7:30pm; arrive early for parking and check-in.
Tickets are typically $95 per person. Book through the provided referral link to secure your spot.
Naos Yachts is a Marina del Rey-based charter and sailing school offering a range of day sails, sunset cruises, powerboating courses, and ASA certification classes. The company operates a mixed fleet that includes monohulls, catamarans, Beneteau models, Lagoon catamarans, and specialized boats like the Beneteau First 14 for single- or two-person sailing experiences. Trips available include three-hour daysails and sunset sails, extended day sails, instructor-led ASA courses such as ASA 104/114 combo to Catalina, coastal navigation (ASA 105), docking and maneuvering (ASA 118), dinghy handling (ASA 116), plus beginning and advanced powerboating (AB101/AB103). All instruction is delivered by US Coast Guard licensed instructors or USCG-trained captains, and courses emphasize hands-on learning, safety, and small-group attention — advanced and beginning powerboating classes limit enrollment to three students per session. Vessel types and on-water routes focus on Santa Monica Bay and Marina del Rey harbor, providing scenic coastal sailing and practical seamanship training. Naos Yachts serves private charters and public classes for families, friends, and aspiring boaters seeking certification or skill-building. Booking options include hiring a trained USCG captain for relaxed cruises or self-skippered outings for experienced sailors. Equipment and vessels used in courses are modern and purpose-suited for their curriculum, from dinghy towing and beach landings to coastal navigation and overnight passage training. The business combines a large local fleet, certified instructors, and structured ASA curriculum to deliver reliable experiences on Southern California waters. Reservation and scheduling are available through Marina del Rey booking channels and online reservation platforms nationwide inquiries.
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