An absolutely incredible experience! Perfect for any child who loves the idea of a mermaid or princess makeover! My daughter is all about mermaids so we knew this would be the perfect venue for her 6th birthday party!
I booked the venue far in advance, which I recommend because this venue fills up, so I was able to snag a date and time that was perfect! It was super easy to book. …
We paid extra to upgrade one of the mermaids to a princess of my daughter's choice (she chose Ariel) and it was absolutely worth every penny to upgrade. I was pleasantly surprised to see Ariel was present for the entire duration of the party. She was partially in a mermaid style dress and then transformed into her mermaid form! It was absolutely magical!
The sand craft was super cute and the girls had so much fun having Ariel help make their sand creations! I loved the organization where some girls would be getting makeovers and some would be doing the craft. The other mermaids doing the make-overs were incredible! They were super friendly to all the girls and talked and entertained them the entire time they were doing the make-overs.
The venue has been remodeled since we had been there a year ago and it was absolutely gorgeous. You really feel like you are in an underwater cavern! I loved how the little forest doubled as a closet for the mermaid tails and a little hideaway for the kids!
I highly recommend this venue!!
Our seasonal pop-up · inside the Balboa Fun Zone
Closed for the season · reopening summer of 2027
A mermaid,
in minutes.
There is only one thing on the menu at the Cove, and it is the best thing: you arrive a child and leave a mermaid. A braid woven with color, a shimmer of gems, a tail, a throne, twenty minutes of sea-magic for $29.99, right beside the Ferris wheel.
Mermaid Cove at the Balboa Fun Zone
The magic, made quick.
When our little salon on Balboa Island became one of Southern California’s most sought-after children’s experiences, the very same visionaries behind Once Upon an Island knew the magic needed another cove.
So, just across the water, Mermaid Cove was born, a charming little seaside salon where the very same mermaid artists create beautiful transformations in a quicker, more spontaneous experience, perfect for beach days, ferry rides, and Fun Zone adventures.
Walk-ups are always welcome. Reservations are recommended.
Two shores, one magic
The Cove, or the Island?
✦ Mermaid Cove at the Balboa Fun Zone
Quick. Fun. Walk-up magic.
- Our brand-new second location inside the Balboa Fun Zone
- A simplified version of the magic you know and love
- Mermaid braids, shimmer makeup, face gems & tail photo moments
- Perfect for beach days, ferry rides and spontaneous fun
- Walk-ups welcome, appointments recommended
- Most experiences take around 20 minutes
One minute at both shores, see the difference for yourself.
✧ Once Upon an Island the flagship, on Balboa Island
Immersive. Personal. Unforgettable.
- Our fully immersive indoor grotto on beautiful Balboa Island
- Mermaid Lagoon adventures, tea parties, crafts & storytelling
- Extended one-on-one time with mermaid characters
- A luxurious Parents Lounge with complimentary lattes
- Perfect for birthdays and special occasions
- Designed to fully immerse children in a mermaid world
Weekends at the Island book out? The Cove is a ferry ride away, and the mermaids are already expecting you.
One transformation, no decisions
The Mermaid Transformation.
It begins in the salon chair and ends on the clamshell throne. Every transformation includes:
- One colorful mermaid braid
- Shimmer mermaid makeup
- Face gems & sparkles
- A real mermaid tail transformation
- A photo on the giant clamshell throne
- A digital photo booth session
- Playtime & styling with a real mermaid
$29.99 · about 20 minutes · walk-ups welcome
Upgrade her hairstyle: two mini braids · +$15 ✧ deluxe mermaid braid · +$25
Check Availability, Mermaid CoveReserve online or simply walk up. No deposit, a credit-card hold saves your spot, and you build your experience when you arrive.
The Cove keeps Fun Zone hours, which change with the season. Check the booking calendar for today’s magic.
Perfect for vacation days, small celebrations, older kids and teens, mermaid-loving little ones, and anyone after a truly magical photo.
Seven seconds of magic
Life at the Cove.
Real makeovers, real mermaids
Fresh from the salon chairs.
Even Orange County royalty stops by
Straight from the reels.
Gretchen RossiThe Real Housewives of Orange County · visiting Mermaid Cove
Tap any reel to press play.
Parent reviews
Parents on our mermaids.
Mermaid Cove is run by the Once Upon an Island team. These five-star Yelp reviews come from families who met our mermaids on Balboa Island.
From the moment we entered it was magical! My Granddaughter was greeted by her Mermaid "Merina" who was 100% in character!! She spent every moment talking, playing, engaging with Sage (my Granddaughter). The tea party, jellyfish salon, dress up, learning to wave hello & goodbye with her mermaid tail! It was the most MAGICAL experience for Sage!
She is still talking about it!!
Extra bonus for all of you! We took the ferry across to the island. I told Sage we are going to a "magical island". It was the perfect bonus!
When we returned home & Sage was asked what she did today her 1st response was "I took a boat to a magical island and met mermaids!"
My heart it truly full!!! Worth every penny!!! BESTGrandma & Granddaughter Day EVER!!! She will never forget!
The most magical and most special place I've ever taken my daughter! In her words it was the "best day ever!". Such an enchanting experience with our beautiful princess mermaid. She treated my shy daughter with such love and care. We were in awe the entire time. The best-thank you for being so wonderful and making her 5th birthday a forever memory!
Find the Cove
Inside the Balboa Fun Zone.
600 E Bay Ave, Newport Beach, on the Balboa Fun Zone boardwalk, a short stroll from the ferry landing. Ride over from the Island, or make the Cove the sparkling finish to a Fun Zone day.
Do we need a reservation?
Walk-ups are welcome whenever the tide allows, but appointments are recommended, especially on weekends and holidays. Reserving takes only a credit-card hold; there is no deposit.
How long does it take?
Most experiences take around 20 minutes, just right for a Fun Zone day, a ferry adventure, or a beach afternoon that could use a little extra shimmer.
Is this the same as the Balboa Island experience?
Same magic makers, same mermaid styling expertise, in a quicker, simpler format. The flagship on Balboa Island offers the fully immersive version: the grotto, the lagoon, tea parties, crafts and extended one-on-one time. See the full transformations here.
What does it cost?
The Mermaid Transformation is $29.99, with hairstyle upgrades available: two mini braids for $15 more, or the deluxe mermaid braid for $25 more. You build your experience when you arrive.
Somewhere along the boardwalk, past the carousel and the arcade bells, a clamshell throne sits waiting, and a mermaid who already knows today is the day.