Whales and Wildlife by Kayak~ Moss Landing

Whales and Wildlife By Kayak~ Moss Landing $85

  Book a private tour or  review our   Local Tour Date Here

Upcoming~   Ocotber 6th and 20th, 2024

Book a private tour with 4 or more of your friends, email Kim for details at: bluewaterventuressc@gmail.com

4-5 people~ $100 per person for a private day on the water, 6 or more the above rates apply

Join Blue Water Ventures for an incredible day on the water. Our plan is to meet and paddle through the clam water of North Moss Landing Harbor. If conditions permit, we will paddle off shore  in search of  Whales and other wildlife of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The location of Humpback Whales are hard to predict on any given day, but they have are  close to shore off and on throughout the year.

We reserve the right to change our plan on the morning of the trip depending upon weather conditions. We may decide to observe wildlife in Moss Landing Harbor and Elkhorn Slough rather than kayak offshore if we feel that conditions are not acceptable to paddle in the bay.No first time kayakers permitted. Participants need to be comfortable with following instructions while in open ocean, swell and wind chop. Ages 14 and above when accompanied by parent or legal guardian in kayak.

Close encounters of a whale kind while kayaking Monterey Bay

Refunds are given when cancellations are made at least 10 days in advance of trip date. A  full refund will be given if the trip is cancelled due to inclement weather ( high winds or rain; not light mist or fog). Release forms will be discussed and signed before launching our boats.

We will maintain an appropriate distance from wildlife but sometimes wildlife approach us. We can not predict behaviors or location nor guarantee viewing.  Look  through our Facebook page for a whale of a time!

After scouting for whales, we may observe the marine mammals residing in the upper harbor area. Birding is excellent with many species arriving into this rich wetlands to feast in the mudflats. Our trip will begin or end with a quiet observation of sea otters and harbor seals that reside in Moss Landing Harbor. For the variety of wildlife encounters, this combination of kayaking experiences can not be beat!

Dear Sea Kayakers:

I would like to welcome you to our kayaking adventure in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Coastal California is an ideal place to observe some of the nation’s finest coastal resources. Sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions and an array of birds can be seen at close range.

Throughout the year, Humpback Whales and other whales  migrate through  Monterey Bay from the edges of our famous  submarine canyon to our local residential neighborhoods.  Whales can be difficult to spot from a kayak, but the bay is so rich  that we will paddle among other species if not whales. We have seen some of our best whale activity in the morning.

For more details contact Kim Powell at: bluewaterventuressc@gmail.com

Plan on meeting at the public boat launch ramp in North Moss Landing Harbor just behind Monterey Bay Kayaks (2360 Hwy One) at 8:30am or TBA. We will be using double sea kayaks which are very stable and easy to use.

Some kayaking experience is required and paddlers should feel comfortable in open water conditions, wind chop and swell. We expect to be back at the launch area by by 12:30pm or 1:00pm

As far as things to bring, here are a few suggestions I can offer:

• Dress in layers — Fleece, capilene, silk or wool are good insulators; bring a warm top that can be put on if cool weather (fog) approaches; a sweatshirt is adequate.
• Long pants or shorts– sweat pants that can be rolled up work well; an outer shell of nylon material dries quickly, jeans get soggy and are not recommended.
• Wind breaker or paddling jacket
• Footgear – tennis shoes, Teva type sandals or wet suit booties — any style is fine; they will get wet as you wade in to launch your boat.
• Hat with visor for sun protection
• Paddling gloves (optional)
• Water bottle-nondisposable
• Lunch or snack in a compact lunch bag –take in boat with you
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Sun glasses (or prescription glasses) attached with a leash
• Binoculars and camera in waterproof bag ( use at your own risk)
• Small, compact daypack (optional)
• Change of clothes and towel  for ride home to be left in car
• Face Mask and personal hand sanitizer
• For our offshore (whale watching) tours: Sea Sickness Medication if you are prone to sea sickness, we recommend taking some form of prevention. Your local pharmacist or physician can give you advice. Bonine taken the night before has worked for many. Drowsiness or thirst can be a side effect. Some clients have used Sea Bands which employ a pressure point on the wrists rather than medication. Sea bands have no side effects and can be purchased at most dive shops.

That covers the logistics for your Whales and Wildlife  by Kayak! A full refund will be given if the trip is cancelled due to inclement weather (high winds or rain; not light mist or fog). Release forms will be discussed and signed before launching our boats. We are looking forward to our adventure together in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Very Sincerely,

Kim Powell, MRPA
Owner, Operator & Naturalist
Blue Water Ventures
phone & fax: 831-459-8548
www.bluewaterventures.org
email: bluewaterventuressc@gmail.com
127 Mason St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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DIRECTIONS TO NORTH MOSS LANDING HARBOR

FROM SANTA CRUZ

* TAKE HIGHWAY 1 SOUTH TOWARDS MONTEREY

* TURN RIGHT AT NORTH MOSS LANDING HARBOR BOAT RAMP~ MONTEREY BAY KAYAKS 2360 CA-1).
you will pass Moss Landing State Beach, then Kayak Connection; it takes about 30 minutes from Santa Cruz; this right turn takes you into Moss Landing North Harbor.

* MOSS LANDING NORTH HARBOR LAUNCH RAMP
The public boat launch area is behind Monterey Bay Kayaks (2360 CA-1, Moss Landing, CA 95039); park behind MBK in the public boat launch area. When you arrive, you will need to pay your $10 parking fee. Your Blue Water Ventures guides will have your parking permits to leave in your car. You will need $10 cash when you check in with them.

We will be unloading the trailer from a blue toyota sequoia at the boat ramp directly behind Monterey Bay Kayaks in North Moss Landing Harbor.

NOTE
as you’re heading south you’ll see the Moss Landing power stacks on the left side of the highway; if you go over the bridge and pass these stacks you’ve gone too far.

Kim can be reached on her cell phone on the day of the trip at: 831-345-2417