Contrary to popular belief, boats are actually much safer than cars, which inexplicably sink every time you drive them on water. Take a proper water-road ride with today’s Groupon: for $29, you get a one-hour runabout boat rental at Marina Boat Rentals (a $69 value). No boating license is necessary to drive the boat.

Located in the Balboa Fun Zone waterfront, Marina Boat Rentals offers self-guided tours of Newport Bay in a 16' marina runabout boat, which can fit up to four adults, or a Wookiee and a smaller Wookiee. Although the boats look fast, each is governed to the maximum harbor speed, a blazing 5 mph, making it ideal for a sunset cruise, a water picnic, or a floating lecture on condensed-matter physics. While piloting your private vessel, you can soak in Newport Bay's 27 square miles of sights, including seven islands, celebrity homes, and the abundant wildlife of paparazzi. If vivid flashbacks of Party of Five encourage you to party in a group of five or more, you can use the $69 value of today's Groupon toward a larger boat rental. You can also purchase up to two Groupons and use them to extend the boat-rental time.

Most people experience the city on land. Whether going to work, driving across town, or selling stolen DVDs on street corners, there's no opportunity to sit back and soak in all that's Newport Beach. Even tourists commonly spend their time rushing from attraction to attraction without taking in the bigger picture. A self-guided cruise from Marina Boat Rentals provides a fresh perspective that even the oldest Newport resident (Mary Higgins, 47) can appreciate. Boat rentals are subject to availability, so reservations are recommended.

Reviews

Seven Yelpers give Marina Boat Rentals a near-perfect average of 4.5 stars:

• The staff couldn't have been nicer or more laid back. This might become an annual thing. – Jen K., 3/18/10
• Marina Boat Rentals--what a great way to party! – Maria T., 7/20/09