Monterey Bay Kayaks
Monterey Bay Kayaks
5
Private Tours • Stand Up Paddleboarding • Kayaking & Canoeing
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Sea kayak and standup paddleboard rentals, guided tours, classes and sales at two amazing wildlife locations, Monterey and Elkhorn Slough @ Moss Landing! Open daily 9:00 (except Christmas). See website for holiday hours. Closing hours changes seasonally.
Monterey Bay Kayaks
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(140 reviews)
(33 reviews)
(20 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,174 reviews
Excellent
1,071
Very good
79
Average
13
Poor
4
Terrible
7
Joel C
1 contribution
Aug 2022 • Friends
What an amazing outing. I’ve been thinking about kayak rock fishing for sometime now. I ended up asking a buddy who was also interested to join me before we commit to such a big purchase. We ended up bringing our sons who are about the same age. After the tour all my questions were answered and everyone had a blast, not to mention some memorable catches. Our guide, Will, was professional and knowledgeable. I recommend him if you plan on doing this tour. Will really took us rock fishing….. he actually caught a rock, It was the side of a softball. I will be buying a kayak soon and looking to catch my very own rock. Thanks Will and Monterey Bay Kayaks for a Father and son trip we will never forget.
Written August 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ellenjoljung
Geneva, IL9 contributions
Sep 2021
We are avid kayakers who have paddled on five continents, so we always seek local paddling when we're traveling. We did their Monterey Bay tour and absolutely loved it! Our guide, Josh, was truly informative and very skilled at working with paddlers of different experience levels. I was a bit anxious about the heavy surf at the put-in and take-out [after a squall the previous day], especially given my dysfunctional knees and the memory of a capsize in surf like that in Sicily], but Josh launched and retrieved each of us with no trouble. Sea lions, seals, and cormorants abounded, and we were sorry when the paddle ended. Although we avoid sit-ons as a rule, these boats were really comfortable with proper back support, and Josh adjusted the boat for each of us. We had such a good time that we're already planning to return for an evening paddle and the Elkhorn Slough next June. First rate operation!
Written October 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David B
Inglewood, CA5 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Simply amazing. Recommended beyond measure. Lovely guides, stunning scenery with otters, seals and birds everywhere. There was some wind, but even us inexperienced kayakers were more than able to manage. My eye sight is far from 20-20 but I saw more than I expected. Respect the marine life and enjoy this fabulous day
Written August 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bailey N
Snohomish, WA8 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
The sunrise kayak was so much fun. It was a gorgeous morning and our guides were very accommodating and informative. It was however so cold! Which no one can help the weather and the guides did what they could to help us warm up, but I would recommend bringing some sort of water shoes if you go in the winter. If our toes were even just a little bit warmer it would have been a game changer! Overall this was great though!
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Christina Theresa
1 contribution
Feb 2020
This was both mine and my boyfriends first time kayaking and we absolutely loved it! Natalie was our tour guide and she was such delight; very friendly and informative. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the rental fees include all day rentals; you can take the tour, go out to lunch and come back to go out again on your own! I was also thankful that they have a selection of wet suits and windbreakers for you to wear, I ended up switching my own jacket out for a windbreaker that was more appropriate for kayaking.
Overall it was so much fun and we can't wait to go again!
Overall it was so much fun and we can't wait to go again!
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lo
1 contribution
Mar 2021 • Business
Booked a tour with this company and planned my whole day around it, rushing to make it on time and leaving Carmel sightseeing. When I got there they informed me that they had cancelled the tour because not enough people had signed up. I wish they would have contacted me before I showed up (you are supposed to get there 30 minutes before so even if they had called me an hour before it would have been appreciated). It impacted the timeline of my day and wasted my time :( just disappointed
Written March 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
hart and col
Bozeman, MT46 contributions
Dec 2019
We did a 9am kayak around the bay. Since we had young kids we had to have a guide with us but we totally preferred it that way because she was amazing. Our guide was a pre-school education major that also knew tons about the coastal wildlife. She was great with the boys and made everyone feel safe while still having a great time. We saw sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, and all sorts of birds that our guide knew the names of but I have forgotten. Truly a great experience that we would highly recommend for any family visiting or living the the Monterey Bay area. Plus they make it very easy by suppling the wetsuits and splash guards as well as the equipment.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lovetotrip
Ripon, CA6 contributions
Jan 2020
The trip was lovely, but the guide, Nick was wonderful. Didn't have a prepared script, but talked about what we were interested in, answered our questions with clear knowledgeable answers and best of all listed to our stories! Weather was overcast, but they make sure you are warm and comfortable. Perfect for taking pictures.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Grannie Annie
2 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
After visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium getting out in kayaks to see the sea otters, seals and birds in their natural environment was beyond fabulous. Our guide was knowledgeable and attentive to our safety and the safety of the animals. Strongly recommended for all ages.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Theresa A
30 contributions
Mar 2022
We kayaked as part of a group in conjunction with Sea Otter Savvy. The guides were very helpful and made sure everyone was properly outfitted and understood what to do. We had folks who had kayaked before and those who hadn't. The guides respected distance for the otters and shared information freely. They clearly respected the wildlife and ensured we didn't disturb the animals. It was a great experience and everyone enjoyed it very much.
Written March 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
scubagoose
UK661 contributions
did you do the elkhorn or monterey bay tour? i cant decide which to do
bowrudder7
Monterey, CA3 contributions
I've paddled both locations independently (not with MBK), and both are good but different. In the slough you will see lots of wildlife -- birds, sea otters and seals. On Cannery Row you will see sea otters, cormorants, sea lions, and the occasional seal. Of the two I think Cannery Row is more beautiful. But Elkhorn Slough has flatter water if you are concerned about that.
Birds on Cannery Row: Depending on the season, pelagic cormorants, Brandt's cormorant, pigeon guillemots, grebes, etc. Birds on Elkhorn Slough: great egrets, snowy egrets, willets, marbled godwits, loons, terns, etc.
Carrie
Malibu, CA
Is this good for kids?
SeasideChick
27 contributions
Daytime tours are definitely fine for kids.The kayaks are 2 person and they provide life jackets to all. The water is calm and the ratio of guides to patrons is good so I'd definitely feel safe taking my kids.
simran k
San Jose, CA
Do you have to know swimming for kayaking?
David L
Berkeley, California, United States29 contributions
No. This trip includes personal floatation device and trained safety personnel in a fairly calm Bay without waves. If you follow instructions it is difficult to fall out of the kayak, because they are very stable.
Sarah
Kilkenny, Ireland3 contributions
Hi, is it possible to kayak in an area where dolphins and whales are present?
Uncleputter
Atlantic Beach, FL51 contributions
Unlikely. You have to go much further out and the water is much rougher.
skepticaltraveler
Texas30 contributions
If you use tandem kayaks, can a single individual take part in a tour?
Davisite_49
Davis, CA7 contributions
Yes, I was a single beginner paddler in the group and the guide paired me up with another experienced paddler who was ok with that.
sue d
Madison, NJ1 contribution
Hi is it necessary to book in advance for a Sunday and are there specific times when the boat go out?
Karyn5657
San Diego, CA25 contributions
We booked it on a weekday and were the only ones. But I would book it advance. We loved it and it was the highlight of the trip. Bring water proof camera if you can. We saw a huge sea lion on dock and lots of seals and otters. Great experience!
nkaurc
9 contributions
Hi all, can you tell me if this is a good experience for anyone that can't swim?
Cass S
Monterey, CA
Hello! The guided tours are best if you don't swim. The guides are with you at all times and the chance of capsize is much smaller!
You cannot do a rental and go out on your own if you can't swim.
Savannah M
1 contribution
Can I kayak anywhere in Monterey without a guide?
Do I need to get a permit to use public waters?
I have my own kayak, but am not a native to Monterey. I would like to be able to go into some of the sloughs, or anywhere I can see animals and plant life.
FreitasRJ
Monterey, CA82 contributions
As far as I can tell you can kayak anywhere in the Monterey Bay you like; no guides and no permits needed and you can bring your own kayak. There is an abundance of wildlife in the bay and sloughs to see but you just need to realize that most of these areas are classified as wildlife preserves and you must respect the environment (especially any breeding grounds, etc.).
Loritraveler1962
Berkeley, CA4 contributions
I would like to know what are the biggest differences between kayaking in Monterey Bay and the Elkhorn Slough. Is one more challenging than the other? And are we more likely to see sea otters if we kayak on the Bay? I have done both before but it was probably about15 year ago, when my kids were little. I'll be in Monterey soon with another adult and 1 fit 18 year old, and 1 fit 14y year old. I'm in decent shape, feel fine about kayaking wherever as long as its not too windy. The other adult is my cousin who hasn't kayaked before. So just thought I'd ask you about the difference in these two places. I think I'd prefer the bay, but not sure. Do you have to walk through the faves to get into the Bay or can you get in from a doc. In other words, do we get quite wet? I cannot remember how wet one gets when kayaking with your kayaks in Monterey....thanks so much in advance. Lastly, what time of the day is the calmest? Thanks, Lori Rogala :)
CALuci
Oakland, CA52 contributions
We have done Monterey Bay twice...with and without a guide and the same with Elkhorn. We saw more otters in Elkhorn. Neither is difficult, even for first timers.