<\/video><\/div><\/div>\nThe Newport Beach, Harbor, and Back Bay Paddle Guide<\/h3>\n Newport Harbor and back bay offer many great launch locations for people of all skill levels to kayak and paddle board. It is located off Pacific Coast Highway and the southern end of the 55 freeway. Newport Beach is one of the most popular paddling destinations in California as it is conveniently located in the heart of Orange County.<\/p>\n[cp_info_bar display=\"inline\" id=\"cp_id_08768\"][\/cp_info_bar]\n
In Newport Harbor, you can kayak and paddle alongside miles of million-dollar homes and yachts. The harbor consists of the Balboa peninsula sheltering a number of large man-made islands. This side of Newport gets especially busy during the summer, so try to paddle closer to shore to avoid boat traffic.<\/p>\n
In the Newport Beach Back Bay, you will find one of the very few remaining natural estuaries to paddle and kayak in Southern California. This area is home to many species of aquatic birds, who make their nesting sites on the numerous mudflats in the area. The upper part of the reserve is closed to motorboat traffic and can be a very serene place to paddle. Fishing here is not allowed, only in the harbor past the Highway 1 bridge.<\/p>\n
You can also launch your stand up paddle board and kayak in the Harbor and paddle outside of it. If you paddle south out of the harbor you will go past the scenic rock cliffs of Corona Del Mar. Here you will find Arch Rock, a naturally formed rock bridge coming out of the water. Exercise caution here as it can become quite windy outside the harbor in the afternoon and incoming swells can be large.<\/p>\n
STAND UP PADDLE BOARD AND KAYAK FISHING SPOTS -<\/h4>\n This is a very popular SUP and Kayak fishing area with anglers going after spotted bay bass, calico bass, halibut and sand bass with both bait and artificial lures. Fishing pressure is very high in Newport Harbor, so careful catch and release are important. Newport sees pressure for float tubers, shore fishermen, SUP fishermen, kayakers, and boaters on a daily basis. Flipping and pitching swimbaits on pilings and docks in the harbor can be very productive during a big tidal movement. Trolling crankbaits along docks can also be very effective.<\/p>\n
The kelp fields around Little Corona outside and south of the harbor are a good location for sculpin, rockfish, calico bass, and even the occasional sheepshead. Bringing a kelp anchor<\/a> is highly recommended as the wind and current can be quite powerful. These fish accept both artificial lures and bait. If you are coming from the harbor, there is a bait barge on the inside of the jetty where you can get a scoopful of bait for $5. If you are venturing outside of the harbor, it is best to go in the morning as south-going winds can really pick up in the afternoon.<\/p>\n