The best way to experience this National Marine Sanctuary is a guided tour with our Certified Wildlife Stewards

Monterey Harbor  1.5 Hour Guided Tour

This beautiful harbor is a calm area where you can view sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, shorebirds, and marine invertebrates. No experience is necessary and is recommended for families with children aged 3 to 12. See Tour FAQS below for details.

​$60 per person 
Daily 11:00 am, 1:00, 3:00  (more times available on select days)

Monterey Shoreline Tour

Kayak along the shoreline of Monterey - from Monterey Beach to the Harbor and along Cannery Row. This beautiful area of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary has the highest concentration of marine life so close to shore. Experience paddling by kelp beds, watching the sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions and even the occasional dolphin! No experience required.  See Tour FAQS below for details. 
​2 Hours - $65 per person 
​(Kids must be 5+)
Daily 10:00 and 2:00 pm 

​Must arrive 30 minutes prior to start time to gear up. For more info - see FAQ's below. 
​Starting March 31,  2025
​2.5 Hours - $70 per person 
​(Kids must be 12+)
​Offered 9:00 am Daily 
​
​Must arrive 30 minutes prior to start time to gear up. For more info - see FAQ's below. 

Come to our store on Monterey Beach
693 Del Monte Avenue

Launch from Monterey Beach

Close to Fisherman's Wharf and downtown Monterey

We are easy to find and convenient public parking onsite. 
​FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT  MONTEREY BAY TOURS
​How DO guided tours work?
a.  Tours are led by our informative and trained guides and groups are kept small to provide the best-personalized experience. Spaces are limited on each tour, so reservations are required. Reservations require full payment in advance, have a 48-hour cancellation policy, and can be made online or by phone. You will then receive an email confirmation with trip details.

b. Tours start on time! Check-in at the store 30 minutes before your tour starts so you can relax and meet your guide and gear up. They will make sure you are comfortable and prepared. If you are not fully ready to join the tour, we may have to leave without you in consideration of other guests on the tour. There are no refunds for lateness but there is an option to go out on a rental. 

c.  Your guide will help you launch, and once everyone is on the water, will lead you on an amazing tour of Monterey Bay. 
​
d. Consider a nice tip for your hardworking guide!
what is the tour cancellation policy? ​
1. We require 48 hours' notice for a full refund. There are no refunds for any cancellations, changes, lateness, or no-shows within 48 hours of your event.  

2. Our tour groups are kept small for the best experience and have a higher guide-to-customer ratio than other kayak companies.  Your reservation has held your space and turned away others, so please do not ask for exceptions. 

3. We will refund you if we cancel for safety reasons. We do not cancel or refund for light rain, overcast skies, or cool temperatures. Strong winds are the most frequent reason we cancel, even on warm, sunny days. Dense fog is rare and temporary but may postpone launching. 

4.  We do not cancel tours based on the general forecast because of our unique micro-climate. Actual conditions on the day of the tour will determine if the water conditions are safe. If you are concerned about the weather, cancel at least 48 hours before your trip and re-book closer to the time/date if the tour is available. A reminder email about your reservation is sent 48 hours before your tour.
Whats the weather? When is the best time to paddle and see wildlife? Short answer: when its least windy! 
Kayaking with an experienced guide is always easier, despite weather conditions. In general, mornings are usually the calmest and least windy time of day but can be cloudier and cooler. Afternoons can be sunnier and warmer but with more onshore winds making paddling back harder. Strong winds are the main reason we limit or cancel tours. 

* April-June:  Early morning is the calmest time.  Springtime afternoon winds are typical and can be very gusty. 

* July-Oct: Early morning and late afternoon are the calmest time of day on the water. The middle of the day is often the windiest.  September and October are sometimes our warmest and least windy months!

 • Nov-March:  We can have some of the nicest weather of the year in between any rain or storms.  Weather can be more unpredictable and subject to rapid changes.  

Weather sites:
Windfinder set for Monterey Bay, Wharf 2
Weather Channel for Monterey, CA
what should I bring/wear?  Will I get wet?
•You should plan on getting a little wet since this is a watersport!  Fortunately we have you covered!
​
WE INCLUDE:
•  Lifevest and optional wetsuit and splash jackets that can be worn over your bathing suits, board shorts, etc. If you don't opt for a wetsuit, wear quick-dry clothing and leave extras in your car. Monterey Bay water temp averages 57 degrees year-round. 
• We have private changing rooms and restrooms for our customers.
• Kayaks are equipped with backrests, paddles and leashes
* YOU BRING:
​• Hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, eyewear retainers, water, and snacks. Phones should be in waterproof cases. (many of these items are available for sale at our store)
* Flip flops or any footwear you can get wet. 
• Don't wear expensive watches or jewelry or bring large backpacks on the water. 
Do you have lockers? Parking? 
No lockers, but we have guest bins where you can leave clothing/shoes. We recommend locking valuables in your car, and we offer to hold your car keys at the front desk.

Our location is easily accessible via the recreational walking/bike trail and by car from Del Monte Avenue and Fisherman’s Wharf. The most convenient parking is in front of our grey building, but there is parking all around us. Monterey City Waterfront parking can be purchased either in person at the kiosk next to our building or through the ParkMobile app (our lot is Zone 21008).  

WHAT IS BEST FOR CHILDREN ​?
• We recommend the 1.5 harbor tour for children 3 - 12 yrs
• Children at least 10 yrs old can join a 2.5 hour tour if parents think it is suitable.
• Children do not need to know how to swim however, they should be comfortable in the water. 
Will I see any animals? How close can I get to them?
While the goal is to see as much wildlife as possible, your guide will keep a respectful distance to avoid disturbing their natural behavior.  We ask all paddlers to be aware that sea otters are a threatened species and are protected by Federal law from harassment.  You must stay at least 5 boat lengths from sea otters and harbor seals in the estuary.  Paddle parallel to them, and avoid surrounding them if there are other people.  No matter how far away you are, back away immediately if the animal seems alarmed or starts to escape from you.  You may be fined if you disturb, harass, touch, or feed them.
​
Not only are they the cutest animals ever, but they are also an important keystone species for the entire ecosystem. Therefore we need to help them survive and thrive and not cause harm.  Observe and appreciate from a distance to avoid stressing them and wasting their limited energy, especially mothers and pups. Harbor seals and pups are also very sensitive to disturbance, especially when they are resting on shore. 
​
Learn more:  SEA OTTERS AND OTHER MARINE MAMMALS.  ​
Elkhorn Slough or Monterey bay?  Which is better?
They are both unique places to paddle and see wildlife, so you can't go wrong at either location! Both places are protected calm areas suitable for beginners. Both locations are sometimes subject to wind on certain days, making the water choppier and limiting how far you can paddle.  We offer guided tours and rentals at both locations.

If you want to experience the exciting California Pacific Coast AND see an amazing array of wildlife, come to our Monterey beach location.  We paddle the shoreline from the Monterey Harbor, Fisherman's Wharf, and historic Cannery Row areas. This is the best place to experience the famous Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, with its diverse wildlife and ecosystems. Typically, paddlers will see everything from sea otters, seals, sea lions, the occasional dolphin, shorebirds, and habitats like kelp forests. Our paddling area is the most protected spot on the bay, but can occasionally experience small swell outside the harbor area.

If you want to experience the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Reserve, come to our location in the North Harbor of Moss Landing, just 20 minutes north of Monterey on Highway 1. We paddle inland, and once past the Highway 1 bridge and the power plant, it is a quieter area with few buildings and is surrounded by mudflats and oak hills.  Recently a new home for sea otters, you will see lots of them (and harbor seals!) all along your paddle route. This is also an amazing area for discovering shore birds - especially during spring and fall migrations!  Strong afternoon onshore winds and winter tidal currents can sometimes make the return trip a bit challenging if you are looking for more excitement!  ​
SHOULD I DO Rentals or guided tours?
Our guided tours are for those who want to learn more about natural history of Monterey Bay and want the safety of having a guide.  Our personable guides will make sure you get to see and experience as much as possible to get the most out of your time on the water. Because our tour groups are small, you must make reservations ahead of time.

For rentals, you receive on-land safety orientation and kayak, and you can launch, paddle, and land on your own schedule. Capsizes are rare but they can happen!  If you capsize, you should have the upper body strength to climb back on your kayak and help others in your group.  If you are unsure of your skills, consider a guided tour where you will be accompanied by a guide at all times.
Should i do a 1.5 hour Harbor tour and 2.5 hour tour?
The 1.5-hour Harbor tour is recommended for families with young children 3 years and up, Due to the shorter duration, the tour ventures only into the harbor area. However, many sea otters, harbor seals and sea lions can be seen in the Monterey harbor.

The 2.5-hour tour provides enough time to paddle to the Monterey Bay Aquarium at the end of Cannery Row. The pace is leisurely, with plenty of time to observe wildlife and check out the kelp beds. We recommend this tour for older children and adults.

Note the actual distance paddled is determined by each group's abilities and factors like winds and tides.
What kind of kayaks do you use on tours? 
We use sit-on-top doubles for the 1.5 and 2.5 hour tours. They are very user-friendly, stable and comfortable for everyone from children to adults. If there is an odd # of guests in your group, you may paddle a single kayak. Singles can be tippier than doubles. All kayaks have backrests. ​
Is there a weight limit?
Yes, 250 lbs per person for safety reasons. ​
Can I rent if I am pregnant?
Yes as long as you are not in your 3rd trimester.
​Can I bring wine?
NO, we will not allow anyone under the influence of alcohol/drugs/legal marijuana to get on the water for safety reasons.​
​Are dogs allowed on guided tours?
Not on guided tours due to the consideration of other guests.  They are allowed only on rentals of open-deck kayaks.​​
I have a group of 17 or more people