Long Beach had one unusually scenic answer to the biggest headache around Saturday night’s Lil Wayne concert: get fans across the harbor by boat. Long Beach Transit scheduled special AquaLink service for the F&M Bank Amphitheater show, linking Aquarium Dock 4 with the Queen Mary and warning riders not to treat the final trip like a guaranteed escape hatch.
According to the city’s transit notice, AquaLink boats were set to leave Aquarium Dock 4 every 30 minutes from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., with return trips from the Queen Mary running from 10:30 p.m. through 1 a.m. The special fare was $5 one way or $12 round trip, and riders received a wristband for the return to Dock 4. The notice said the last trip could fill, so concertgoers were urged to have another ride plan ready.
Long Beach’s Waterfront Venue Still Needs A Ride-Home Plan
Because the F&M Bank Amphitheater has no regular on-site parking, the city listed several alternatives, including official off-site lots with shuttles, free Passport bus service, rideshare access at the east entrance, walking over Queensway Bridge and water taxis. The City of Long Beach guide said shuttles would run from designated parking lots directly to the venue’s west entrance. It also urged visitors to check return schedules early, since late-night demand can be heavy.
The special AquaLink service was cashless, accepting contactless credit or debit cards and TAP cards with stored value but not cash or the RideLBT app. Seating was first-come, first-served, and Long Beach Transit asked passengers to arrive 15 minutes before boarding. The $12 round-trip option covered the ride back, while anyone using a one-way fare needed to plan and pay for the return separately.
The Lil Wayne Show Put The New Amphitheater’s Transit Setup On Display
Saturday’s concert featured Lil Wayne with The Game and 2 Chainz at the new waterfront venue, according to the Downtown Long Beach Alliance. The show was part of the amphitheater’s inaugural season, giving the city another high-profile test of how fans move between downtown, the Queen Mary and the concert grounds. The boat ride may have been the most memorable option, but it was not the only one available.
For future shows, Long Beach’s message is becoming clear: transportation is part of the ticket plan, not an afterthought. With no regular venue parking, the smart move is to decide how to get home before the encore—not while everyone else is trying to board the last boat, as the city’s visitor guidance makes clear.
