Spend Christmas Eve afloat in Marina del Rey with a 2.5-hour buffet dinner cruise. Enjoy harbor lights, skyline views, and seasonal décor while practical tips help you board, dress, and time the sunset.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Boarding begins in the soft, salty light of Marina del Rey and the harbor breathes around you — masts creak, deck lights wink, and the city skyline sits low and expectant. On a Christmas Eve buffet cruise you trade the crowded restaurant for a moving shoreline: palm-fringed docks slide past, holiday lights ripple on the water, and the Pacific horizon keeps time with the tide.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness required — able to board a vessel and stand or walk short distances.
Wildlife
History
Marina del Rey was developed in the 1950s–60s as a planned small-craft harbor and has since become a recreational and boating hub for Los Angeles County.
Conservation
Harbor cruises should minimize light and noise and avoid feeding wildlife; opt for operators who follow local guidelines to protect coastal birds and marine life.
Reserve your spot on the Marina del Rey Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Dress in layers
Even when the harbor is calm, night air off the water is sharp—bring a warm jacket and a windproof layer.
Arrive early for boarding
Plan to be at the dock 30–45 minutes before departure to allow time for parking and check-in.
Choose midship seating if sensitive to motion
Sitting near the boat’s center reduces feel of any movement; bring medication if you get seasick.
Pack a small binocular or camera
Deck views reward a longer lens or binoculars for skyline and wildlife sightings during the cruise.
Warm, windproof jacket
Keeps you comfortable on deck when evening harbor breezes pick up.
winter
Non-slip, closed-toe shoes
Stable footing on wet gangways and boat decks improves safety.
Motion-sickness remedy or patches
Useful if you’re prone to nausea on moving vessels; midship seating also helps.
Compact camera or binoculars
Helps capture skyline lights, passing boats, and nearby seabirds up close.