North Star Beach Access provides a hand-carried boat launch for kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards into Upper Newport Bay, with the Newport Aquatic Center offering hourly rentals (single kayaks $20/hr, double kayaks $30/hr, SUPs $25/hr) and tutorials for all experience levels.

The facility operates on a first-come, first-served basis with rental hours Monday-Thursday 7am-4:30pm, Friday 7am-3:45pm, and Saturday-Sunday 7am-3:45pm, and staff recommend calling ahead to confirm conditions are suitable for beginners.

There is no parking fee for launching your own watercraft, and the calm waters of Upper Newport Bay make it an ideal location for paddling and wildlife viewing.