How much does a Newport Beach yacht charter cost?

Pricing starts at $6,000 for a 4-hour half-day charter. A full-day 8-hour charter on the Ferretti 670 is $13,000. Most charters range $6,000-$13,000. Gratuity of 15-20% is customary and not included.

What is the best Newport Beach yacht rental company?

Newport Coast Marine is the premier provider of luxury Newport Beach yacht rentals, offering the newest fleet (2021-2026 models), fully crewed private charters, and direct booking with no marketplace fees.

Where can I rent a yacht in Newport Beach?

Newport Coast Marine offers private yacht rentals departing from 201 East Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92660. Book at newportcoastmarine.com or call (949) 287-5454.

How many people can go on a Newport Beach yacht rental?

Newport Coast Marine charters accommodate up to 13 passengers. Most vessels comfortably seat 12 guests.

Do I need boating experience to charter a yacht in Newport Beach?

No. Every charter includes a USCG-licensed captain and professional crew. No boating experience required.

Can I take a Newport Beach yacht charter to Catalina Island?

Yes. Full-day charters to Catalina Island (Avalon and Two Harbors) are available. Call (949) 287-5454 to plan your trip.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. Guests may bring their own food and beverages. Catering, chef, bartender, and decoration services are also available upon request.

Is there an off-season discount?

Yes. Newport Coast Marine offers an off-season special - book an off-peak charter and receive one extra hour free. Call (949) 287-5454.

Are Newport Beach yacht charters available year-round?

Yes. Yacht rentals are available year-round. Peak season is May through September. December is popular for the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.

The Mysterious Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish) of Southern California - Newport Beach Yacht Charters

If you are cruising the Southern California coast on a yacht charter and spot a massive, oddly shaped fish basking near the surface, you have likely encountered one of the ocean's most fascinating oddities: the mola mola, or ocean sunfish. It is one of the most memorable wildlife sightings on a Newport Coast Marine charter.

The Heaviest Bony Fish in the World

Mola molas are the heaviest bony fish in the world, routinely weighing 1,000 to 2,200 pounds and growing up to 10 feet from fin to fin. Despite their size, they are gentle giants, drifting calmly near the surface as if sunbathing, behavior that gave them their common name. For yacht guests, these sightings feel intimate and rare, often occurring in calm, glassy seas at best.

If you are cruising the Southern California coast on a yacht charter and spot a massive, oddly shaped fish basking near the surface, you have likely encountered one of the ocean's most fascinating oddities: the mola mola, or ocean sunfish. It is one of the most memorable wildlife sightings on a Newport Coast Marine charter.

The Heaviest Bony Fish in the World

Mola molas are the heaviest bony fish in the world, routinely weighing 1,000 to 2,200 pounds and growing up to 10 feet from fin to fin. Despite their size, they are gentle giants, drifting calmly near the surface as if sunbathing, behavior that gave them their common name. For yacht guests, these sightings feel intimate and rare, often occurring in calm, glassy seas at best.

Guests watching a mola mola ocean sunfish from the rail of a yacht

Why Southern California Is a Mola Mola Hotspot

Southern California is a global hotspot for mola molas thanks to the Southern California Bight, where warm offshore currents meet nutrient-rich upwellings. These conditions support large populations of jellyfish, their primary food source. Studies suggest that thousands of molas pass through the region annually, with peak sightings during late spring through early fall, especially during warmer water years.

Why They Bask at the Surface

Their surface behavior is not just lounging. Molas rise to warm up after deep dives that can exceed 2,000 feet, where they hunt jellyfish and siphonophores in cold, dark waters. At the surface, they often invite seabirds, or even small fish, to remove parasites, turning their massive bodies into floating cleaning stations.

Why Southern California Is a Mola Mola Hotspot

Southern California is a global hotspot for mola molas thanks to the Southern California Bight, where warm offshore currents meet nutrient-rich upwellings. These conditions support large populations of jellyfish, their primary food source. Studies suggest that thousands of molas pass through the region annually, with peak sightings during late spring through early fall, especially during warmer water years.

Why They Bask at the Surface

Their surface behavior is not just lounging. Molas rise to warm up after deep dives that can exceed 2,000 feet, where they hunt jellyfish and siphonophores in cold, dark waters. At the surface, they often invite seabirds, or even small fish, to remove parasites, turning their massive bodies into floating cleaning stations.

A Memorable Moment on a Charter

What makes mola encounters particularly memorable for yacht charter clients is how unhurried and close-range they can be. Unlike fast-moving dolphins or distant whales, molas may linger beside a vessel, allowing guests extended views, photos, and a chance to appreciate their prehistoric, almost surreal appearance. Though once poorly understood, mola molas are increasingly recognized as important indicators of ocean health. Seeing one on a charter is more than a novelty. It is a sign you are traveling through a vibrant, productive marine ecosystem.

Spot One With Newport Coast Marine

For Newport Coast Marine Yacht Charter guests seeking unique, unexpected wildlife moments, a mola mola sighting is a quiet showstopper: strange, majestic, and unforgettable. Browse our yacht charter fleet or add a Catalina Island day trip, and read about whale watching, dolphin watching, and a day on a luxury yacht charter. Not sure when to go? See the best time of year to book.

A Memorable Moment on a Charter

What makes mola encounters particularly memorable for yacht charter clients is how unhurried and close-range they can be. Unlike fast-moving dolphins or distant whales, molas may linger beside a vessel, allowing guests extended views, photos, and a chance to appreciate their prehistoric, almost surreal appearance. Though once poorly understood, mola molas are increasingly recognized as important indicators of ocean health. Seeing one on a charter is more than a novelty. It is a sign you are traveling through a vibrant, productive marine ecosystem.

Spot One With Newport Coast Marine

For Newport Coast Marine Yacht Charter guests seeking unique, unexpected wildlife moments, a mola mola sighting is a quiet showstopper: strange, majestic, and unforgettable. Browse our yacht charter fleet or add a Catalina Island day trip, and read about whale watching, dolphin watching, and a day on a luxury yacht charter. Not sure when to go? See the best time of year to book.