Guided Tours
The best way to experience the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, in Monterey Bay or Elkhorn Slough. Our guides are trained naturalists, and the group sizes are small to provide personal attention. The paddling pace is leisurely, with plenty of time to watch and enjoy the wildlife.
- Kayaking and Yoga
- Monterey Bay 2 Hour Family Adventure Tour
- Elkhorn Slough 2 Hour Family Adventure Tour
- Monterey Bay 3 Hour Natural History Guided Tour
- Elkhorn Slough 3 Hour Natural History Guided Tour
- Monterey Bay Sunday Sunrise Paddle
- Summer Sunset Tours
- Birdwatching Tours
- Ride the Tide Tours
- Ride the Tide - Reserve Hike and Paddle Tours
- Monthly Full Moon Tours
- Coastal Expeditions - 5 Hours
- Kids Paddling Club
Choose a Location
Kayaking and Yoga
Monterey
Need some balance in your boat or in your life? Looking to develop more strength and flexibility? Our kayaking and yoga class will do just that! In this class you will develop strength, stability, and stamina by doing yoga on beach and working up a sweat paddling on the beautiful Monterey Bay. But this experience is not just about fitness—it is also a great opportunity to view wildlife on the bay along with your instructor, who is also a trained naturalist! Join us for two hours of paddling and an hour of yoga.
| Price: | $60.00 |
| Group Rates: | 10% discount for 12 or more people |
| Times: | First Sunday of every month in Monterey: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
2 Hours - Family Adventure Tours
Monterey or Elkhorn Slough (with open deck kayaks, recommended for families with children 3-12 years of age)
This shorter tour is a perfect, quick getaway to discover the wonders of the bay! Both locations provide wonderful wildlife and paddling adventures.
We use open deck doubles for their ease of paddling and stability. You might get a little splashed. Your choice of wetsuits, paddling jackets and pants and all kayak gear are included.
Bring bathing suits, lightweight, quick drying tops and bottoms to adjust for weather, shoes that can get wet, towel, and dry clothes for when you return.
| Price: | $50.00 for adults $30.00 for children ages 3-12 |
| Group Rates: | 10% discount for 12 or more people |
| Times: |
10:00am-12:00pm Daily 12:00pm-2:00pm Daily 2:00pm-4:00pm Daily 4:00pm-6:00pm Daily Other times may be arranged. Please call! |
3 Hours - Natural History Tour
Monterey or Elkhorn Slough (with closed deck kayaks)
You'll enjoy spending more time on the water exploring our unique habitats, renowned for their beauty and abundant marine life. Closed deck kayaks are longer boats that provide a drier, stable ride, allowing us to go further and faster! A true sea kayak experience! Recommended for beginners ages 12 and up.
You might get a little splashed, so paddling jackets, pants, life jackets and all kayak gear are included.
Wear lightweight, quick drying tops and bottoms to adjust for weather, shoes that can get wet, towel, and dry clothes for when you return (just in case).
Reservations recommended. Click for more info, directions, hours, weather and other useful visitor links!
| Price: | $60.00 |
| Group Rates: | 10% discount for 12 or more people. |
| Times: | 9:30am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-4:30pm daily |
Monterey Bay Sunday Sunrise Paddle
Gain a new early morning perspective on the Monterey Bay by single kayak. Recommended for ages 13 and older.
Every Sunday morning, 7:00am - 9:00am.
Summer Sunset Tours
Monterey or Elkhorn Slough (with open deck kayaks)
Summer is the time to enjoy the Bay or the Slough during sunset. The sky and water are bathed in a beautiful light—a great time to join the marine life and enjoy this peaceful part of the day!
You might get a little splashed, so paddling jackets, pants, life jackets and all kayak gear are included.
Wear lightweight, quick drying tops and bottoms to adjust for weather, shoes that can get wet, towel, and dry clothes for when you return (just in case).
| Price: | $50.00 per person |
| Dates and Times: |
All trips are from 5:00pm - 7:30pm Fridays and Saturdays through September 5 |
Birdwatching Tours
monthly at Elkhorn Slough
With over three hundred species of birds living in or migrating to the Elkhorn Slough year round, our kayaking tours provide an excellent opportunity to view this amazing wildlife firsthand. Each season throughout the year yields different bird varieties and behaviors. From giant Great Blue Herons to tiny Plovers, an astounding variety of birds can be viewed during these exciting and informative three-hour tours. Our knowledgeable staff will help identify and discuss the fascinating behaviors of the many bird species you will encounter on this unique paddling experience.
You might get a little splashed, so paddling jackets, pants, life jackets and all kayak gear are included.
Wear lightweight, quick drying tops and bottoms to adjust for weather, shoes that can get wet, towel, and dry clothes for when you return (just in case).
| Price: | $50.00 per person, includes boats and gear |
| Dates/Times: | Click on the "Make a Reservation" button above to check available dates or to book a reservation. |
Ride the Tide Tours
Elkhorn Slough
Winter at the Elkhorn Slough is a very special time. Not only are the marine mammals here year-round, but many of the 340 recorded species of birds spend their Winter at this unique ecological treasure.
Trips are scheduled during the days of the year with the biggest tidal differences of more than 6 feet. It's a wonderful opportunity to view winter bird activity during the low tides, as well as paddle more of the slough with less effort. We launch from Kirby Park after high tide, and glide our kayaks with the increasing current towards Moss Landing's North Harbor. As the tide gets lower, shorebirds swoop in to take advantage of the exposed mudflats, making it a great time to bird watch. Toward the end of the trip, seals and sea otters meet us, as we get closer to the ocean and North Harbor. This trip is available to anyone in good physical condition.
It is usually colder this time of year, so your choice of wetsuit, paddling jackets, pants, life jackets and all kayak gear are included.
Wear bathing suits, lightweight, quick drying tops and bottoms to adjust for weather, shoes that can get wet, towel, and dry clothes for when you return (just in case).
| Price: | $65.00 per person, includes shuttle, boats, gear |
| Dates/Times: | Click on the "Make a Reservation" button above to check available dates or to book a reservation. |
Ride the Tide - Reserve Hike and Paddle Tours
Elkhorn Slough
This is a special opportunity to see two different sides of the Slough. Start off with a hiking tour of the Elkhorn Slough Visitors Center then paddle your kayaks back to the shop on a falling winter tide. After the hike we will head to launch our boats from Kirby Park after the high tide, and glide our kayaks with the increasing current towards Moss Landing's North Harbor. This combination of hiking and kayaking will give you a unique opportunity to explore both the inland trails of the Slough as well as the tidal flats throughout the Slough. This trip is available to anyone in good physical condition.
It is usually colder this time of year, so your choice of wetsuit, paddling jackets, pants, life jackets and all kayak gear are included.
Wear bathing suits, lightweight, quick drying tops and bottoms to adjust for weather, shoes that can get wet, towel, and dry clothes for when you return (just in case).
| Price: | $75.00 per person, includes shuttle, boats, gear |
| Dates/Times: | Click on the "Make a Reservation" button above to check available dates or to book a reservation. |
Monthly Full Moon Tours
Magic on Elkhorn Slough (2-½ hours)
Come join us each month for a magical blend of moonlight, water and kayaking on the Elkhorn Slough. We'll head out as the sun begins to set and then explore the area under a silver sky. A special and memorable experience.
You might get a little splashed, so paddling jackets, pants, life jackets and all kayak gear are included.
Wear lightweight, quick drying tops and bottoms to adjust for weather, shoes that can get wet, towel, and dry clothes for when you return (just in case).
| Price: | $50.00 |
| Group Rates: | 10% discount for 12 or more people. |
| Dates/Times: | Click on the "Make a Reservation" button above to check available dates or to book a reservation. |
Coastal Expeditions
Point Pinos, Point Lobos, Moss Landing, or Elkhorn Slough (5 hours)
Explore more of the Monterey Peninsula's beautiful coastal areas. Paddling these places requires more experience and skill but the rewards are worth it! Stretch your muscles and challenge yourself with these exciting tours led by our instructor/guides.
Each month's expedition will be determined by weather forecast for that week and seasonal factors. Sign up and be prepared for an adventure to any of these destinations:
- Point Pinos - Start at Monterey Beach and paddle to the tip of the Monterey Peninsula and get a view of the southern coast. This is also in the migratory path of the California Grey whale.
- Point Lobos - Launch from Whaler's cove, explore cliffs, rock gardens, sea caves and enjoy the exceptionally beautiful scenery from the water.
- Moss Landing Oceanside - Paddle west 2 to 3 miles out of Moss Landing harbor and you might be paddling with the Blue and Humpback whales feeding over the enormous Monterey Bay Canyon.
- Entire Elkhorn Slough - 10 miles with or without the help of the tides. Tidal creeks, birds, marine mammals - all in one day!
Wetsuits, paddling jackets, life jackets and all kayak gear are included.
Wear lightweight, quick drying tops and bottoms to adjust for weather, shoes that can get wet, towel, and dry clothes for when you return (just in case).
| Price: | $120.00 (includes open-deck or closed-deck singles or doubles) |
| Requirements: | Previous sea kayaking experience and ability to paddle approximately 8 miles in open ocean conditions. Self-rescues a must if paddling closed deck kayaks. |
| Dates and Times: | Click on the "Make a Reservation" button above to check available dates or to book a reservation. |
Kids Paddling Club
Kids Paddling Club is an excellent opportunity for all our Kids Camp graduates to get out on the water at a new paddling destination. Each week we will have a new activity for the Club members that will test their paddling knowledge while teaching them about the unique ecosystem that is the Elkhorn Slough Natural Reserve. Some of the Club topics will be:
Birding Bingo Bonanza
This activity will teach kids about the great diversity of bird life that calls the Elkhorn Slough home. We will focus on the differences and similarities between the resident and migratory bird populations all in a fun "Bingo" game format.
Hidden Treasures of the Elkhorn Slough
This activity will introduce the participants to parts of the Slough that they may not normally encounter. Kids will take mud samples from different parts of the Slough to investigate the creatures that live within the mud flats.
Reading & Riding Tides
In this activity the kids will learn about how the tides can affect both the slough and kayakers. The shape of Elkhorn Slough allows for a significant tidal flow during certain times of the year. We will learn how the animals adapt to tidal changes, and how kayakers can cope with and harness the tidal swings.
| Price: | $30.00 per person |
| Dates and Times: | Click on the "Make a Reservation" button above to check available dates or to book a reservation. |
Frequent Paddler Packages
All rates are per person:
Package #1
$100 for 2 months of unlimited rentals/demos of our kayaks at both locations, and Stand Up Paddleboards in Monterey. A great way to try out all the different models that we have available. The $100 can then be applied to any new boat purchase over $500 within 60 days.
Package #2
$250 for 2 months of unlimited rentals, classes, and guided tours at both of our locations. A great way to learn about the different boat models, kayaking skills, and the natural history of the Monterey Bay. The $250 can then be applied within 60 days to a new boat purchase valued above $1000.