Looking for the best things to do in Marina del Rey? You’ve found your answer on the water. Marina del Rey is Southern California’s crown jewel for aquatic adventure — a sun-drenched, protected harbor surrounded by blue skies, golden light, and some of the most accessible paddling conditions in all of Los Angeles. Whether you’re a first-timer curious about stand-up paddleboarding, a couple searching for a romantic sunset sail, or a group ready to turn a weekend into a memory, Paddle Method has been turning people into paddlers — and landlubbers into water lovers — since 2010.
From calm beginner-friendly flat water at Mother’s Beach to coastal cruises off Malibu’s Paradise Cove, there is truly no better place in LA to live life on the water. Here’s everything you need to know about the most unforgettable water experiences Marina del Rey has to offer.
6 Water Experiences You Can Only Get at Paddle Method
1. Marina Discovery Paddle — Our #1 Experience
If there’s one experience that defines what Paddle Method is all about, it’s the Marina Discovery Paddle. This is our flagship guided tour and lesson rolled into one extraordinary outing. You’ll paddle through the heart of Marina del Rey, discover its wildlife, learn real SUP skills from a professional coach, and come home with photos and memories that last a lifetime.
It runs year-round, welcomes all ability levels, and is genuinely one of the most unique things to do in Los Angeles — not just Marina del Rey. Groups of friends, couples, families, and solo adventurers all love it. Starting at $65 per person for groups, this is one of the best-value experiences on the water in SoCal.
2. SUP Lessons — From Beginner to Advanced
Never tried stand-up paddleboarding before? Perfect. Paddle Method was built for exactly that moment — the first time you step onto a board and realize this is something you were meant to do. Our Lesson 1: Marina Maneuvers starts at Mother’s Beach, the flattest, most forgiving water in the entire marina, and walks you through the fundamentals using a baby-steps coaching methodology developed by founder Tim Sanford over thousands of sessions with paddlers from all over the world.
From there, you can progress through Lesson 2 (afternoon conditions, chop, and technique) and Lesson 3 (surf zone, wave catching, and coastal cruising). Every lesson is customized to your goals and your pace. Lessons start at $65 per person in a group setting or $125 for private coaching.
3. Sunset Discovery Paddle — Magic Hour on the Water
There are sunsets, and then there are Marina del Rey sunsets from a paddleboard. The Sunset Discovery Paddle is an guided evening experience that takes you out onto the water as the sky turns amber and the harbor glows. It’s equal parts adventure and meditation — the kind of evening that resets your entire week.
Available at $65 per person for groups, this is one of the most popular experiences we offer — and it books up fast in summer. Don’t wait.
4. Discover Sunset Sailing — Set Sail on a 40-Foot Ocean Cruiser
Ready to feel the wind in your sails? Our brand-new Discover Sunset Sailing series runs on Wednesday evenings aboard a stunning 40-foot blue-water ocean cruiser. Skippered by an OUPV-licensed captain with decades of experience and an American Sailing Academy teaching background, this 3-hour cruise is your chance to get behind the wheel, hoist a sail, learn real seamanship, and test your sea legs on the open Pacific.
This isn’t a booze cruise — it’s a genuine sailing education wrapped in one of the most beautiful evenings you’ll ever spend on the water. Priced at $250 per person or $400 for two, with private charters available. This is the most sophisticated new water activity in Marina del Rey, and there’s nothing else like it in LA.
5. Paddle Party — Group Fun on the Water
Looking for a bachelorette party idea in LA? A corporate team-building event that people will actually talk about? A birthday celebration that goes beyond the usual? The Paddle Method Paddle Party is your answer. Groups of 8 or more hit the water together for a guided paddle experience that’s equal parts skill-building and pure fun.
At just $65 per person for groups of 8 or more, it’s one of the most affordable and genuinely memorable group activities in all of Los Angeles. We also work with corporate teams, event planners, kids camps, and rehabilitation centers — because the water is for everyone.
6. SUP Rentals — Paddle at Your Own Pace
Already know your way around a board? Grab a rental and go. Our SUP rentals are available in 1-hour ($30), 1.5-hour ($40), and 2-hour ($50) blocks, launching from our prime Marina del Rey location. Whether you’re a local getting your weekly paddle in or a visitor wanting to explore the harbor on your own terms, rentals are a simple, flexible way to get on the water.
And yes — wildlife encounters like the one above are a very real possibility. Marina del Rey and the surrounding Santa Monica Bay are home to sea lions, dolphins, pelicans, and even the occasional whale. That’s just a Tuesday out here.
Why Choose Paddle Method?
We’re not just a rental shop. Paddle Method is the only water activity operator in LA County with access to both Mother’s Beach — the most beginner-friendly flat-water launch in the region — and the North Channel Jetty, the ideal training ground for learning to navigate the surf zone and catch waves on a SUP. Our coaching methodology was developed by Tim Sanford over thousands of hours and thousands of students from around the world, spanning all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
We’ve been doing this since 2010. We know these waters, we know these conditions, and we know how to take someone who has never set foot on a board and turn them into a confident, capable paddler who keeps coming back for more. That’s what turning people into paddlers really means.
Marina del Rey: The Perfect Home Base for Water Adventure
Marina del Rey sits at the heart of the Los Angeles coastline, minutes from Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and Playa del Rey. It’s America’s largest man-made small craft harbor — and one of the most protected, accessible, and beautiful places to get on the water in all of Southern California. The flat, calm conditions inside the marina make it ideal for beginners, while the open Santa Monica Bay just beyond the breakwater offers everything from coastal cruising to whale watching to SUP surfing.
And unlike the rest of LA, this is a year-round destination. Fall and winter often bring the clearest skies, the calmest mornings, and the most spectacular conditions of the entire year. Summer brings the energy, the warmth, and the full magic of living life on the water in Los Angeles.
Ready to experience it for yourself?
👉 BOOK NOW at paddlemethod.com — or DM us the word PADDLE to get started.
Let’s go paddle!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Marina del Rey on the water?
Marina del Rey offers some of the best water activities in all of Los Angeles. Top experiences include stand-up paddleboard lessons and guided tours with Paddle Method, sunset paddleboard tours through the harbor, sunset sailing on a 40-foot ocean cruiser, group paddle parties for events and celebrations, and SUP rentals for independent exploration. The calm, protected waters of the marina make it ideal for all skill levels year-round.
Do I need experience to try paddleboarding in Marina del Rey?
Not at all. Paddle Method specializes in introducing complete beginners to stand-up paddleboarding. Our Lesson 1: Marina Maneuvers launches from Mother’s Beach, the flattest and most forgiving water in the marina, and uses a step-by-step coaching approach developed over thousands of sessions since 2010. If you can stand, you can paddle — we’ll take care of the rest.
What water activities are available for groups in Marina del Rey?
Paddle Method offers several group-friendly water experiences in Marina del Rey. The Paddle Party is perfect for groups of 8 or more at $65 per person and is popular for bachelorette parties, birthdays, and corporate team building. The Marina Discovery Paddle and Sunset Discovery Paddle also accommodate groups at $65 per person. Private sailing charters are available for more intimate group experiences on the water.
Can I see wildlife while paddleboarding in Marina del Rey?
Yes — and it’s one of the most magical parts of paddling in this area. Sea lions, dolphins, and pelicans are regular sightings in and around Marina del Rey and the Santa Monica Bay. Whale sightings are also possible, especially during migration seasons. Our guided tours are led by experienced coaches who know exactly where and when to look for wildlife encounters.
Where is Paddle Method located and what areas do you serve?
Paddle Method is based in Marina del Rey and serves the greater Los Angeles coastline including Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu, and Palos Verdes. We launch from Mother’s Beach for flat-water lessons and the North Channel Jetty for surf zone and wave-catching sessions — the only operator in LA County with access to both locations. Visit paddlemethod.com to book your experience.
