JAUNTS : For an Eye-Opener, Cruise Is Yule Treat, From Ship to Shore : Bundle up on board to view the festive displays on the harbor and waterfront homes.

It’s not too late to take an evening cruise around Ventura Harbor to see the boats gussied up with Christmas lights and the pricey homes in the Ventura Keys with their lavish decorations.

You won’t see the whiz-bang lighting extravaganza of Ventura’s Candy Cane Lane. But the 90-minute, leisurely paced cruise does pass some eye-opening displays--like red-nosed blue dolphins that seem to be leaping over the water.

Bayqueen Harbor Cruises is offering two nightly rides through Jan. 1. The excursions cost $8 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

Board the 40-foot boat at Ventura Harbor Village, near the Coastal Cone Co. There to greet you will be the boat owners and operators, Tom and Julie Rush.

Not only is the boat decorated with lights and garlands, but the Rushes themselves are decked out in red sweats and Santa hats. On board, passengers can buy mixed drinks, beer, wine, hot chocolate, coffee and soda. (The boat is equipped with a restroom.)

The Bayqueen has seating for 49, and the open-air night cruises often draw 35 to 40 people, bundled up in coats, gloves, hats, even ear muffs. The boat has uncushioned seats, and passengers are free to move about for better viewing.

“If you don’t have a boat, there’s no way to see this,” Julie Rush said as the boat took off one night with a light load of 20 people and the couple’s friendly Australian shepherd, Lobo. Christmas music wafted through the air.

As the boat chugged along at about 5 m.p.h., passengers could see boats in their slips with Christmas lights strung from end to end and up and down the masts.

The Bayqueen slowed to a crawl as it entered the Keys, with its rows of waterfront homes and accompanying boats. The tour boat crept up and back down three fingers of the keys, giving passengers time to eyeball the lighting displays.

One house has what looks like icicles hanging from its roof line. Another has a larger-than-life mechanized Santa waving from the deck. At a third, a spotlight shines in an upstairs bedroom, where Santa peruses a list.

Some homeowners have also decorated their boats, decks and docks. On one dock is a lighted Christmas tree with wrapped packages underneath. At another is a large nutcracker.

As it cruised along, the Bayqueen attracted attention itself, and people on other boats and docks waved and yelled out holiday greetings.

Tom Rush has piloted the Bayqueen for 10 years, offering the holiday evening cruises, as well as 40-minute harbor cruises year-round during daylight hours.

Details

* WHAT: Cruises of Ventura Harbor at night.

* WHEN: The 90-minute cruises depart at 6 and 8 p.m. seven nights a week, except Christmas Eve, Christmas night and New Year’s Eve. The last night is Jan. 1.

* WHERE: Cruise boat is docked at Ventura Harbor Village, near the Coastal Cone Co. 642-7753. Reservations required.

* COST: Adults $8, children under 12 $5.

* FYI: Dress warmly, including gloves. Passengers are not required to wear life preservers, but they are available if adults or children wish to wear them.