Naples Boat Parade canceled due to high tides from El Niño threat

The Naples Improvement Association announced the cancellation of the Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade, a Long Beach tradition since 1946, due to anticipated high tides and heavy surf that would make the event unsafe for visitors and participants, LAist reported.

This marks the first cancellation in six years, the previous being during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The parade has grown from a small procession of decorated barges to an event with over 100 entries and approximately 60,000 spectators, according to the Long Beach Post.

The decision followed weeks of deliberation and a poll of 600 respondents, most of whom supported canceling the parade and all holiday events in Naples this year. Forecasters expect El Niño to raise tides 6 to 18 inches above normal levels, with tides reaching 7.5 to 8.5 feet during the Christmas week.

The high tides are expected to peak in the mornings around Christmas Eve. The El Niño season will bring slow, wide swells of warm water, known as Kelvin waves, to Long Beach’s southern-facing coast this winter, further contributing to hazardous conditions.

Additionally, frustrations with the city’s handling of related issues contributed to the decision, according to the association president, Ben Fisher.

The cancellation affects local residents and visitors who traditionally gather to view the decorated canal homes and boats during the holiday season.