Making waves

Santa Barbara Water Taxi starts unique service.

Santa Barbara Water Taxi, operated by Capt. Fred Hershman, will be decked out for the holidays and participate in Sunday’s 18th annual Parade of Lights.

The water taxi service offers regularly scheduled rides between Stearns Wharf and the harbor accommodations dock, right in front of the West Marine chandlery building, where the harbor patrol boats dock. Visitors on lower State Street can be linked to the wharf, the Maritime Museum, restaurants and shops of the waterfront area.

Boarding is at kiosk on the end of Stearns Wharf, right across from the Shellfish Company.

Passengers may board at either stop, and all-day passes are $5 for adults, with kids under 12 free.

Hershman and his wife Kathy began operating “Lil’ Toot,” a Crosby Tugboat, in October, and are cruising every day except Wednesdays during fall and winter. The taxi operates from noon to 4:30 p.m. during winter and 10 a.m. to after sunset in summer. Pick-up times are posted at both stops.

The water taxi also can deliver passengers to their boats in the harbor. For more information, call 896.6900, log on to the web at www.sbwatertaxi.com, or e-mail info@sbwatertaxi.com.

— From staff reports