A Floating Pool Club Is Coming To San Diego’s Mission Bay

January 24, 2020

A Vegas-style floating pool party is coming to San Diego's Mission Bay later this year, offering an experience that combines the vibe of a trendy rooftop lounge with a luxury yacht.

From San Diego-based tech entrepreneur and longtime Pacific Beach resident Brad Hunter,  AQUAlounge is 6 years in the making - a process that required Hunter to obtain proper permits for his ambitious project with the United States Coast Guard and the City of San Diego. The new concept will offer a multi-faceted experience with a 3,900-square-foot, $5 million, 3-level yacht outfitted with a pool, two bars, bottle service, DJs, cabanas, day beds, artistic displays, and modern dining in partnership with San Diego’s top restaurants and caterers. Construction on the first boat is scheduled to begin next month. The indoor-outdoor vessel will be docked at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina and aims to revolutionize the dinner cruise experience with year-round events including private functions and annual membership options available for the public.

"When I started down this path six years ago, my goal was to completely rethink everything about the bay and dinner cruise space - the layout, the experience, the ambiance," detailed AQUAlounge founder Brad Hunter. "I found inspiration on my travels. With so many amazing new dining and entertainment experiences emerging around the world, it feels good to be a part of that revolution and to bring something unique back to San Diego. Mission Bay is the largest man-made aquatic recreation area in the world, entertaining 15 million visitors annually. The area has the best year-round weather in the country, a lively hospitality scene, and breathtaking bay views, yet there are no viable options for enjoying great food, drink and entertainment on the water…it feels like a very exciting opportunity"

Entertainment features on AQUAlounge will also include synchronized light shows performed by a fleet of drones, as well as other interactive displays featuring advanced lighting, audio and visual components. There will also be heating elements throughout the ship to allow for year-round cruises. AQUAlounge is expected to launch this fall on San Diego's Mission Bay.