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Kayaking group on Elkhorn Slough Guided Natural History 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.



Monterey Bay Tours
Explore the harbor and Cannery Row

Enjoy the Monterey experience.

Elkhorn Slough Tours
Peaceful coastal wetland and wildlife habitat

Enjoy the Elkhorn Slough experience.



Kayak Tours on Monterey Bay and Elkhorn Slough 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.

Reservations recommended. Click for more info, directions, hours, weather and other useful visitor links!

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
2:00pm-4:00pm Daily
Other times may be arranged. Please call!

Family Adventure Kayak Tours on Monterey Bay and Elkhorn Slough



3 Hours - Natural History Tour
Monterey or Elkhorn Slough (with closed deck kayaks)

Closed Deck Kayak Tours on Monterey Bay and Elkhorn Slough

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


Summer Sunset Tours
Monterey or Elkhorn Slough (with closed deck kayaks)

Summer Sunset ToursSummer 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).

Reservations recommended. Click for more info, directions, hours, weather and other useful visitor links!

Price: $50.00 per person
Dates and Times:   All trips are from 5:00 - 7:30pm
Friday, June 5
Saturday, June 6
Friday, June 12
Saturday, June 13
Friday, June 19
Saturday, June 20
Friday, June 26
Saturday, June 27
Friday, July 3
Saturday, July 4
Friday, July 10
Saturday, July 11
Friday, July 17
Saturday July 18
Friday, July 24
Saturday, July 25
Friday, July 31
Saturday, Aug 1
Friday, Aug 7
Saturday, Aug 8
Friday, Aug 14
Saturday, Aug 15
Friday, Aug 21
Saturday, Aug 22
Friday, Aug 28
Saturday, Aug 29
Friday, Sept 4
Saturday, Sept 5
Sunday, Sept 6


Birdwatching Tours New
monthly at Elkhorn Slough

Birdwatching Tours 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).

Reservations recommended. Click for more info, directions, hours, weather and other useful visitor links!

Price: $50.00 per person, includes boats and gear
Dates/Times:   Sat, June 13, 9:30a-12:30p
Sun, June 14, 9:30a-12:30p
Sat, July 11, 9:30a-12:30p
Sun, July 12, 9:30a-12:30p
Sat, Aug 8, 9:30a-12:30p
Sun, Aug 9, 9:30a-12:30p
Sat, Sept 12, 9:30a-12:30p
Sun, Sept 13, 9:30a-12:30p
Sat, Oct 10, 9:30a-12:30p
Sun, Oct 11, 9:30a-12:30p
Sat, Nov 14, 9:30a-12:30p
Sun, Nov 15, 9:30a-12:30p
Sat, Dec 12, 9:30a-12:30p
Sun, Nov 13, 9:30a-12:30p


Ride the Tide Tours
Elkhorn Slough

Ride the Tide Tours 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).

Reservations recommended. Click for more info, directions, hours, weather and other useful visitor links!

Price: $65.00 per person, includes shuttle, boats, gear
Dates/Times:   Trips will resume in September 2009


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).

Reservations recommended. Click for more info, directions, hours, weather and other useful visitor links!

Price: $50.00
Group Rates: 10% discount for 12 or more people.
Dates/Times:  
Date Time Moonrise Sunset
Fri, Jun 5 7:00-9:30pm 7:00pm 8:23pm
Sun, Jul 5 7:00-9:30pm 7:44pm 8:29pm
Mon, Jul 6 7:00-9:30pm 8:30pm 8:29pm
Tue, Jul 7 7:00-9:30pm 9:00pm 8:29pm Full Moon Full Moon
Wed, Aug 5 7:00-9:30pm 8:00pm 8:09pm Full Moon Full Moon
Fri, Aug 7 7:00-9:30pm 8:50pm 8:07pm
Fri, Sep 4 7:00-9:30pm 7:30pm 7:31pm Full Moon Full Moon
Sat, Sep 5 7:00-9:30pm 7:50pm 7:29pm
Sat, Oct 3 6:00-8:30pm 6:20pm 6:49pm Full Moon Full Moon
Sat, Oct 31 4:00-6:30pm 4:46pm 6:11pm Halloween Halloween
Sun, Nov 1 4:00-6:30pm 4:17pm 5:10pm
Sun, Nov 29 4:00-6:30pm 2:45pm 4:52pm
Thu, Dec 31 4:00-6:30pm 5:11pm 5:02pm Full Moon Full Moon
New Years Eve New Years Eve
Fri, Jan 1 4:00-6:30pm 5:20pm 5:03pm


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:

  1. 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.
  2. Point Lobos - Launch from Whaler's cove, explore cliffs, rock gardens, sea caves and enjoy the exceptionally beautiful scenery from the water.
  3. 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.
  4. 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).

Reservations recommended. Click for more info, directions, hours, weather and other useful visitor links!

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:   All trips start at 9:00am Sat, June 20
Sun, June 21
Sat, July 18
Sun, July 19
Sat, Aug 15
Sun, Aug 16
Sat, Sept 19
Sun, Sept 20
Sat, Oct 17
Sun, Oct 18

Frequent Paddler Packages Frequent Paddler Packages

All rates are per person:

  • Package #1 — $100 for unlimited rentals or 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 within 60 days.
  • Package #2 — $250 for 2 months of unlimited rentals, and select classes and tours at both locations. Classes include Intro to Sea Kayaking, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Re-entry and Rescue Techniques, Surf Zone, Surfing in Kayaks, and any pool session (does not include rolling or private classes). Guided tours include any 2- or 3-hour Natural History, Sunset, Full Moon, and Bird Watching tour. Your $250 can then be applied to any touring kayak purchase within 60 days.