My wife and I took our three and six-year-old boys, along with my parents to Morro Bay for a fun family boating adventure. Our vessel of choice was the “Little Miss Magic,” a pontoon boat operated by Patriot Sportfishing in scenic Morro Bay. As a parent, it was a great way to introduce my youngsters to the diverse marine life and iconic landmarks that define Morro Bay. We got glimpses into the fascinating world of sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, and the rich history around Morro Rock and the three distinctive stacks of the Morro Bay Power Plant.
Our journey began by immediately encountering Morro Bay’s active sea otter population. We discovered that Sea otters consume an astonishing 25 percent of their body weight daily, feasting on sea urchins, crabs, mussels, and clams, by using rocks as tools to crack open their hard-shelled prey. According to morrobay.org these cute little marine mammals are known to stick close to the shore, offering up plenty of safe viewing opportunities. We learned that sea otters fur is more dense than any other animal with up to 1,000,000 hair follicles per square inch. They also have an impressive lung capacity 2.5 times greater than similar-sized land mammals. My boys didn’t care about all that, they were just excited to get an up close and personal look at them, and said they looked like sea dogs.
The next stop on our harbor cruise was the Sea Lion dock. The City of Morro Bay, in its considerate planning, constructed a sea lion-only dock to provide these marine mammals with a safe retreat away from the harbor’s main channel. There is a major size disparity between female and male sea lions and after the cruise I discovered on dolphins.org that females grow to about 400 pounds while males can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. As we cruised past their designated dock, the kids loved the playfulness of these creatures, adding another layer to our adventure.
Not to be outdone by the otters and sea lions, the harbor seals also took their place in the sun along the docs of the bay. According to the Sea Doc Society, harbor seal babies are born at around 25 pounds, doubling their weight in the first month at which point they start hunting for themselves. Harbor seals are apparently capable of staying under water for as long as 30 minutes and going as deep as 1,600 feet. I’m not sure my boys were able to truly comprehend this, but the big numbers fascinated them.
As we motor’d through the bay, the majestic Morro Rock was constantly in view, standing as a silent sentinel overlooking the harbor. The significance of Morro Rock to the city of Morro Bay goes without saying, and it was named a California historical landmark in 1968. The rock’s geological evolution, from a once-live volcano to a dome-shaped structure formed by volcanic rock and bird droppings, is captivating. During the summer months, it is possible to swim and surf near the rock with lifeguards stationed on the beach adding a layer of safety for the kiddos.
Also overlooking the bay are three massive stacks – the remnants of the Morro Bay Power Plant. A symbol of post-World War II economic prosperity, the power plant’s architectural significance in California was not lost on us. The intriguing history, detailed on morrobay.org, tells of its construction between 1953-1956 and 1961-1963, making it the 16th steam plant in the PG&E system. The plant’s closure in 2014 marked the end of an era, but its status as a prominent architectural relic persisted, representing a bygone industrial era. The boys noticed the ladders going up the stacks and had questions about who would actually climb that high.
As Captain Tabby navigated the pontoon toward the back of the harbor we were fortunate to come across the 94th Annual Southern California Yachting Association Midwinter Regatta. The regatta, which is held between Morro Bay to Baja Mexico each year, was super fun for the boys to witness. The sailing race was a testament to the diverse activities the bay offers. A little research into the regatta led us to the Morro Bay Yacht Club. They participate in both competitive and non-competitive boating activities throughout the year. It is an organization I can see us getting involved with in the future.
As we floated through the bay, the blend of natural wonders, wildlife encounters, and maritime history made for a great day on the water. The Morro Bay Harbor Cruise on Little Miss Magic was awesome and an experience that kept our boys engaged and thoroughly entertained. For parents seeking a day on the water with their children, this cruise is a perfect choice. From observing sea otters’ foraging around the bay, to marveling at the sea lions’ playful antics, the Little Miss Magic harbor cruise became the latest chapter in our family’s memory book. It not only showcased the natural beauty and biodiversity of Morro Bay but also provided a great family bonding experience – a voyage well worth taking for those seeking a blend of nature, wildlife, and maritime heritage.
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