Newport Fun Tours
Newport Fun Tours
4.5
Boat ToursSightseeing ToursBoat RentalsStand Up PaddleboardingKayaking & Canoeing
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Full view
About
Newport Fun Tours is the premier Southern California destination for all of your land and sea activities, tours and adventures. With two convenient locations we carry all of the equipment you could possibly need to enjoy a fantastic day out in Newport Beach! Whether you are looking for an exciting sightseeing adventure around the Newport Peninsula or a tranquil cruise…
Newport Beach, California
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
509 reviews
Excellent
385
Very good
52
Average
20
Poor
12
Terrible
40
HITOMI M
Laguna Niguel, CA16 contributions
Apr 2021
Parking was excellent, despite the extra cost. Carpooling advised if possible. Area restaurants are within walking distance. Consider having a meal after the fun.
Attendants were friendly and helpful. A few of us arrived late due to traffic but they allowed and applied grace period, as there were more boats than demand at our return time. Our trash was collected by attendants who cleaned the boat after we returned.... worth tipping.
Check in was easy. Receptionists were helpful and knowledgeable about COVID related requirements and recent changes.
Great way to have fun.
Attendants were friendly and helpful. A few of us arrived late due to traffic but they allowed and applied grace period, as there were more boats than demand at our return time. Our trash was collected by attendants who cleaned the boat after we returned.... worth tipping.
Check in was easy. Receptionists were helpful and knowledgeable about COVID related requirements and recent changes.
Great way to have fun.
Written April 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolyn N
8 contributions
Jul 2021
We had a great afternoon ride through the Newport Harbor in an 8 person boat. The young man who helped us into the boat was thorough in the utilization of the boat and he helped us with the QE code on our IPhones. Our boat was clean and ran well. My husband and I and our two children spent the 90 minutes touring along the route given and we had a blast!
The staff was friendly. and we really had a great time! We had never rented from Newport Fun Tours before, but we planning on coming back with more family members. I thought it was a beautiful place to rent a small boat for 90 minutes. The only less than easy part of our day was the parking, which I am not going to take off a star for, because we did find parking within the structure, just go slow when driving in there, it’s tight on a busy day!
The staff was friendly. and we really had a great time! We had never rented from Newport Fun Tours before, but we planning on coming back with more family members. I thought it was a beautiful place to rent a small boat for 90 minutes. The only less than easy part of our day was the parking, which I am not going to take off a star for, because we did find parking within the structure, just go slow when driving in there, it’s tight on a busy day!
Written July 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angelique B
Fullerton, CA4 contributions
Jun 2021
My family was in town for a week and wanted to be near the ocean, so we looked up local boat rentals, and Newport Fun Tours came up on Groupon. However, I called directly since Groupon takes too much from vendors (upwards of 50% sometimes) and Nicole was kind enough to offer the same deal they had on the website, we opted to take her second suggestion, which was a 2 hour rental. It worked out wonderfully, the staff is very kind and attentive, we had so much fun around the harbor.
Written June 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John B
Newport Beach, CA12 contributions
Aug 2020
If you are going to rent someone a boat, make sure that it is clean, in reasonably good condition and safe.
Answer your phones, and follow up after you make a commitment.
We have rented boats from NFT numerous times over the past several years, and referred many friends and clients to them. They used to be good and seemed to care, but not any more.
We arrived for out rental 20 minutes early as suggested, and then waited for 50 minutes until a boat was ready. When they pulled it around, I thought that it was a joke, as it was so worn out. Unfortunately, the joke was on me. It looked pathetic, but time was wasting, so I commented to the dock boy and he just laughed.
When we got into the harbor, the boat was so slow that it could not get out of it's own way. I got passed by every boat there as well as people swimming. Having rented many times from them and others, I knew that this boat was messed up. I fought to get back to the dock against the current with a little wind. We covered about half of the area that we usually cover, and honestly was worried about getting back at all.
When we finally made it back and told the kid at the dock, he stated that the battery must be dead, but would report it. As we were leaving, he was loading up the next family into this death trap.
Over the next 9 days, I called the office number no less than 30 times, hoping to resolve this with them. No one answered the phone at any of the options given. Somewhere I found the ticket with the number to call if boat breaks down, and told them that I wanted to speak with a manager. Eventually Michelle called and said that she would give us another rental on her. Unfortunately, she has disappeared and not only does not answer the office phone, but ignores my call on the cell that she gave me.
What was once a good growing business, is now a tragedy. I would say terrible customer service, but since it is non-existent, not sure if that is appropriate. The boats that they rent are horrendous and borderline unsafe. I will not go back and never refer them again.
Many are upset that they could not use a discount coupon that they bought, but I paid full price and was still treated terrible.
If you need a boat, go anywhere else. It will be worth the additional few dollars that you will pay.
Answer your phones, and follow up after you make a commitment.
We have rented boats from NFT numerous times over the past several years, and referred many friends and clients to them. They used to be good and seemed to care, but not any more.
We arrived for out rental 20 minutes early as suggested, and then waited for 50 minutes until a boat was ready. When they pulled it around, I thought that it was a joke, as it was so worn out. Unfortunately, the joke was on me. It looked pathetic, but time was wasting, so I commented to the dock boy and he just laughed.
When we got into the harbor, the boat was so slow that it could not get out of it's own way. I got passed by every boat there as well as people swimming. Having rented many times from them and others, I knew that this boat was messed up. I fought to get back to the dock against the current with a little wind. We covered about half of the area that we usually cover, and honestly was worried about getting back at all.
When we finally made it back and told the kid at the dock, he stated that the battery must be dead, but would report it. As we were leaving, he was loading up the next family into this death trap.
Over the next 9 days, I called the office number no less than 30 times, hoping to resolve this with them. No one answered the phone at any of the options given. Somewhere I found the ticket with the number to call if boat breaks down, and told them that I wanted to speak with a manager. Eventually Michelle called and said that she would give us another rental on her. Unfortunately, she has disappeared and not only does not answer the office phone, but ignores my call on the cell that she gave me.
What was once a good growing business, is now a tragedy. I would say terrible customer service, but since it is non-existent, not sure if that is appropriate. The boats that they rent are horrendous and borderline unsafe. I will not go back and never refer them again.
Many are upset that they could not use a discount coupon that they bought, but I paid full price and was still treated terrible.
If you need a boat, go anywhere else. It will be worth the additional few dollars that you will pay.
Written September 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danielle D
12 contributions
Jul 2020 • Friends
I purchased a Groupon for an electric boat for 8 people. I had asked for 7pm for Monday 7/20. Nicole returned my call this morning telling me I could book 7pm, but not use the Groupon and that the rate was $150. I called back trying to book, and left a message, but no one had returned any of my calls or emails. This issue with the Groupon was through the Groupon app it was showing a lot more availability then what the girl on the phone had said that there was. I asked her if you guys would work with me and maybe switch to paddle boards or something else sense you could not accommodate that. So while that sucks, it is what it is. So then I had wanted to make sure I was down for 7 people @ 7pm 7/20 for $150 as I was told was my only option. I had called again after not hearing back. This time a woman named Michelle answered my call. Michelle, right off the bat was very abrupt, and really rude. I had explained to her all of the above, and she said yes it’s available, but now it’s $200, not $150. The pricing inconsistency does not make sense. Michelle’s response to me was that, “I can go somewhere else if I don’t like it, and we have the right to refuse service.”
Wow! I could understand where someone would escalate to a refusal of service had I been rude, or said something derogatory, really anything to warrant that kind of treatment. The attitude and way Michelle acted towards me was appalling. Anyone would be frustrated with a significant sudden price increase without any notice or reason. Michelle’s lack of customer service, and just being a nice person in general is disturbing and is a direct reflection on your company. Especially when Nicole had offered me a time and a set rate. It is very disappointing that an employee on your frontline of dealing with customers would represent your business in such a way. Especially in these hard times when small businesses rely on their customers and their referrals.
Please explain to Me the sudden $50 dollar price increase and why I am being treated so poorly.
Wow! I could understand where someone would escalate to a refusal of service had I been rude, or said something derogatory, really anything to warrant that kind of treatment. The attitude and way Michelle acted towards me was appalling. Anyone would be frustrated with a significant sudden price increase without any notice or reason. Michelle’s lack of customer service, and just being a nice person in general is disturbing and is a direct reflection on your company. Especially when Nicole had offered me a time and a set rate. It is very disappointing that an employee on your frontline of dealing with customers would represent your business in such a way. Especially in these hard times when small businesses rely on their customers and their referrals.
Please explain to Me the sudden $50 dollar price increase and why I am being treated so poorly.
Written July 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LA_editor
Los Angeles24 contributions
Mar 2021
While all of the employees were very nice, I would not rent from Newport Fun Tours again. I should have known from the haphazardly spray painted signage that this wasn't worth the money. It seems this company has everyone book for the exact same time of rental. They have the boats, they just don't have the staff. Our rental was at 1:30pm. We did not get on our boat until 2:20pm. What is the point of being there 15-minutes early for check-in if we have to wait 50-minutes just to board the vessel? The boats were not cleaned between passengers and unfortunately for us, two large dogs were on board the boat we were given so it was covered in dog hair. That wasn't even the worst part. The steering for our boat was horrible! We were terrified that we were going to crash into a yacht or the bridge because the boat did not go straight and when we would make the slightest adjustment to the left or right, it was like we had cranked the wheel all the way in that direction. We had to turn the electric boat off to get straightened out as best we could before powering up again. We rented on a sunny, 63˚F day but with the wind, we were frozen! My family and I all had hats and jackets but it was still so cold. Upon our return to the dock, we passed by Duffy Electric Boat Rental and their boats had clear, plastic windows around the boat to protect the occupants from the wind. I would definitely try out Duffy next time because Newport Fun Tours was NOT fun!
Written March 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bzuilhof
2 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Have been on the their tours a number of times as guest and as host. Liked it, so my daughter bought one on GroupOn and gifted it to me. We had friends coming into town and planned to do a 90 minute Duffy ride on Monday October 3 at 10AM. I started trying to book this on or around 1:00 PM on Tuesday the 27th but the booking would not take on the website. The booking continued to not take even through I met all the published criteria, which included 72 hour advance notice. When I called the company, they said I couldn’t book it because it doesn’t meet their 72 hour advance booking policy!?!?! They then explained that they don’t count Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays when calculating 72 hours!!! This doesn’t make any sense nor does it conform to their fine print. At that late point in time, I just had to buy it because our schedule was set. Maybe GroupOn will give us money back.
Written September 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy S
38 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
Great way to see Newport Marina
With family and friends. Safe and clean boats, experienced staff to explain details of driving the boat. The view of yachts, sailboats and seafaring boats was eye candy! We took light snacks and nonalcoholic beverages with us. We rented the boat that seats 12 but there were eight of us. Plenty of room to spare. Highly recommend this excursion. we also used a Groupon coupon which made it even more affordable.
With family and friends. Safe and clean boats, experienced staff to explain details of driving the boat. The view of yachts, sailboats and seafaring boats was eye candy! We took light snacks and nonalcoholic beverages with us. We rented the boat that seats 12 but there were eight of us. Plenty of room to spare. Highly recommend this excursion. we also used a Groupon coupon which made it even more affordable.
Written August 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katherine R
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Friends
This was the best experience I had with my friends on a Duffy boat, the manager was amazing and super nice. We were late to our reservation and they still let us have some time left over since they weren't too busy. I recommend booking with Newport fun tours 100% service is outstanding and it was so worth it.
Written March 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VincentC
1 contribution
Oct 2022 • Friends
We absolutely loved our experience with Newport Fun Tours!
Celebrating my partner's birthday, we booked a duffy for 1.5 hours at 5pm on Saturday.
The staff were super friendly and really made the whole trip so pleasant. The boat (for 8) was spacious and comfy. The only downside was the table onboard was a little small and kinda wobbly, but we managed!
They even let us stay out on the water a little longer to enjoy the sunset. No rush or anything.
Celebrating my partner's birthday, we booked a duffy for 1.5 hours at 5pm on Saturday.
The staff were super friendly and really made the whole trip so pleasant. The boat (for 8) was spacious and comfy. The only downside was the table onboard was a little small and kinda wobbly, but we managed!
They even let us stay out on the water a little longer to enjoy the sunset. No rush or anything.
Written October 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Check in was smooth and easy, a great staff! Gliding over the water in the Bay of Newport Beach with no engin noise added to the wonderful day! Will do this again!
Written October 24, 2017
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