The purpose of this site is to share my kayaking enthusiasm and experiences. Most of the following photos on this site are of Newport Beach in Orange County, California. Living in Balboa on the peninsula your backyard is the ocean and your front yard is the bay. The water adventures are endless.
Newport Harbor is the largest small boat harbor in the United States. Famous for its beautiful bayfront homes and magnificent yachts, Newport is also home to many of the "Rich and Famous".
There are eight islands in Newport Harbor: Lido Isle, Balboa Island, Linda Island (a.k.a. Shark Island), Newport Island, Harbor Island, Bay Island, Collins Island and Little Balboa. Only the smallest island, Bay Island, is a natural island and the only one that you cannot drive a car on! The rest of the Islands in Newport Harbor are man-made.
Newport is also home of the Upper Newport Bay, an Ecological Reserve and Nature Preserve, the largest estuary south of San Francisco. The beauty of the “Back Bay” is the tranquility and variety of beautiful birds. I like to drop an anchor and enjoy the scenery for hours.
Twenty-six miles away is Santa Catalina Island. I can see Catalina from my home. Grab your kayak, hop on board of a friend’s boat and off you go to do some of the best kayak scuba diving in Southern California.
As I mentioned, KayakGirl.com’s back yard is the beach. Just east is the famous bodysurfing beach, the Wedge. We get some pretty good surf in my backyard! When the waves are happening, grab your kayak and go surfing! Some kayak companies offer kayaks designed especially for wave riding. My neighbors take their inflatables out. Another friend of mine takes his tandem out with a friend. Whichever kayak you choose, not only will you have a blast but you will also have the lifeguards rolling with laughter!
Have fun, keep your kayak happy! 