By A long the cool waters of Alamitos Bay, on the edge of Belmont Shore, lies a small hut surrounded by fluorescent kayaks scattered on the sand. This is none other than Kayaks on the Water, one of the best-kept secrets in Long Beach.
For less than $10 per kayaker per hour, a salty oasis abundant with jellyfish, blue herons, sandpipers and more awaits.
Although BBQs, suntanning, boozing and other activities may spark interest with college beatniks, none capture the natural beauty of Long Beach while giving you a workout like kayaking does. Kayaking burns 300 calories per hour.
With a provided waterproof map in hand, kayakers can guide themselves through the yacht-filled waters to several destinations: Spinnaker Bay Canal, where you can touch wild jellyfish; the wildlife refuge; the Naples Island canals; or dock and get a refreshing drink at the Starbucks or Jamba Juice.
Some people even tie up their kayaks and dine at Acapulco in Marina Pacifica. Kayak rentals are by-the-hour, however, so be wary of the time.
Secluded in the end corner of Spinnaker Bay Canal is where you’ll get your money’s worth. Just below the surface, clusters of jellyfish gracefully swim about in the algae green waters.
If you’ve never been up-close-and-personal with aurelia aurita, otherwise known as moon jellies, then you’re in for a treat.
Bell-shaped and translucent, the jellies effortlessly glide through the waters. Four shiny orb-shaped gonads located in the center make the jellies easy to spot. Their simple design and graceful movements just scream “touch me,” and luckily for you, you can. They do not sting.
However, to preserve the jellyfish and not disrupt their natural habitat, Kayaks on the Water asks that kayakers do not remove the jellies from the water and instead touch them while they swim.
Minutes fly by as you carefully hunt down the jellies for a quick pat. Some are as big as a basketball, while others are as small as an eraser on a pencil. The larger ones feel surprisingly thick and heavy and are covered in a gummy slime.
The jellyfish are seasonal and are usually around throughout the summer.
A little further down the water route is yet another close encounter with nature: the wildlife refuge in the Los Cerritos Wetlands. During high tide, several species of birds ranging from pelicans to seagulls can be viewed. The natural ambiance is limited, however, because in order to get there kayakers must paddle under a busy PCH bridge and looming in the distance are the grey towers the industrial facilities on the other side of Studebaker Road.
Since 1993 Kayaks on the Water has provided an easy, fun and user-friendly activity. Maps, lifejackets, waterproof bags and, of course, kayaks and oars are available. There is also a choice of either a single kayak, which is $8 per hour, or a double kayak, which is $15 an hour. The best time to kayak, according to Kayaks on the Water employee Reeve Hartman, is early in the day, when the water is calmer.
Payment for the rentals does not apply until after you return. To insure you come back, one person from each group must leave his or her driver’s license. Also, before you kayak, all participants must sign a waver form insuring that all bodily injuries or damage to yachts made by patrons is not the company’s responsibility. But if you just stay clear of yachts and don’t do anything crazy, you should be fine.
Parking in Belmont Shore is difficult sometimes, so you may also want to carpool.
Kayaks on the Water
5411 E. Ocean Blvd.
(562) 434-0999
April through September
Monday to Sunday
Hours: 9 a.m. until 60 minutes before sunset
October through March
Open Saturdays and Sundays only
Closed during poor or unsafe weather
