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Kayak, Canoe, and Standup Paddle Board (SUP) Upper Newport Bay from North Star Beach in Newport Beach, California.
The best place to launch for paddling Upper Newport Bay is North Star Beach by the Newport Aquatic center which has free parking and free launching from the beach. You can also use the dock at the Newport Aquatic Center for a small fee and rent canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards (SUPS).
The afternoon onshore sea breeze blows up the bay and normally calms down in the evening so I like to paddle here starting at North Star Beach in the late afternoon and head up the bay (heading Northeast / to the left from North Star Beach) with the wind at my back and then paddle back in the evening around sunset when the wind has died down and the water has glassed off. The current from the tides normally isn't as big of a factor in paddling here as the wind is, but if you can time the incoming tide with your trip up the bay and the out flowing tide with your trip back, it makes the paddle that much easier. Paddling up the bay you see extensive wetlands. This is an excellent trip for bird watching.
Another paddling option is to head Southwest towards lower Newport Bay/Newport Harbor. This is a good paddling option if you are here mid morning or early afternoon because you will normally have the wind at your back when coming back in the afternoon. Heading Southwest, you pass some wetlands and some scenic cliffs.
Here is a map to North Star Beach: North Star Beach Map Link
Other spots to launch nearby for Upper Newport Bay are the Newport Dunes (fee for parking and rental kayaks available) and off of back bay drive (free parking but only good to launch at a fairly high tide).
If you will be paddling here, be sure to look at my Upper Newport Bay web page with more information and pictures.
Upper Newport Bay is also called Newport Back Bay or just Back Bay
North Star Beach is a popular spot to have a paddling and beach day picnic and/or barbeque - it's a great place for this! However, it seems to be getting more and more popular on the weekend and sometimes the huge parking area can fill up or you might need to park quite far from the beach and launch area. (Update 10/19/2024 - the parking area was completely filled up and we went and paddled someplace else - sometimes there are paddling events or meetups here that fill up the place!) Other nearby places to launch for your paddle include Newport Dunes, Lower Castaways Park, and spots out on the Balboa Peninsula.
Northstar Beach is a nice beach with no waves. However, there are no lifeguards here so be watchful of your children if they swim here!
North Star Beach Kayak and SUP Launch:
Stand up paddle boards and kayaks by North Star Beach Kayak Launch:
You can rent canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards (SUPS) here.
Looking at Upper Newport Bay from the cliffs in Newport Beach:
Snowy Egrets in Upper Newport Bay. The Back Bay is an excellent place for bird watching ( birding)
Kayak Launch North Star Beach / Upper Newport Bay
Kayaking in Upper Newport Bay:
I have an Upper Newport Bay web page with more information and pictures.
(c) Copyright 2011 and 2014 by Mister Dave ----- KayakDave.blogspot.com
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