Point Reyes Kayaking Tours

Tomales Bay is the largest unspoiled bay along California's coastline. It has become a choice destination for sea kayakers. Located within an hour of San Francisco metropolitan areas, Blue Waters is easily accessible for a half or full day paddle or overnight campout. Our Tomales Bay site is one of the premier locations on the west coast for sea kayaking tours, and it provides beginners or experienced paddlers with easy access to the heart of the Point Reyes National Seashore.

Tours Available

Tomales Bay Morning Paddle: 9:30am - 12:30pm, $68 (see Calendar)
Full Day Paddle and Hike - Naturalist Led Tour: 9am - 3pm, $98
Full Moon & Sunset Paddle: 3 hour tour, start times are Seasonal, $78 (see Calendar)
North Bay/Tule Elk Tour: Full Day 9:30am - 3:30pm, $98; or Half-Day 9:30am - 1:30 pm, $88 (see Calendar)
Drake's Estero: Full Day (6 hrs), $98; Half-Day (4 hrs), $88. Dates and times tidally determined (see Calendar)
Giacomini Wetlands Tour: Full Day $98; Half-Day $88. Dates and times tidally determined (see Calendar)

Tomales Bay Morning Paddle
This gentle naturalist-led tour includes an introductory kayak lesson and is perfect for first-time paddlers — young and old. Bring the whole family along for a fun adventure of paddling and nature watching!
Cost: $68.
Every Saturday and Sunday. From either our Inverness location at the Tomales Bay Resort or the Marshall Boatworks in Marshall on the east shore of Tomales Bay - call for details.
Time: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm (see Calendar)
Event description: Inverness
Event description: Marshall

Full Day Paddle and Hike - Naturalist Led Tour
We will meet at the Blue Waters Kayaking site in Inverness. After organizing gear and going over basic kayaking instructions and safety procedures, we'll launch our boats and paddle along the bay.  We'll paddle along the Pt. Reyes shoreline, enjoying the  wildlife and beautiful scenery. We'll share a leisurely potluck lunch at one of the many beautiful Tomales Bay beaches.  After lunch we will put on our hiking shoes and explore the trails of Tomales Bay State Park.  Your NATURALIST guide will interpret the plant and animal life and the geology of this fascinating area. After hiking we'll re-launch our kayaks and paddle back to base, enjoying the quiet and solitude of the bay.
A perfect trip for beginners and pros alike.
Cost: $98.
Event Description and Directions
Time: 9 am - 3 pm

photo by Chris Smith

North Bay/Tule Elk Tour - Watch Tule Elk Video!
The area arond Hog Island is rich in wildlife and scenic beauty. Over 400 Tule Elk inhabit the northern part of the peninsula, and can be seen from the kayaks. We will launch at Miller Park Boat Ramp (nest to the restaurant at Nick's Cove) and paddle through the tide channels to the remote beaches of the Penninsula. As we paddle along we will discover the myrad and diverse animals which inhabit the Bay and its shores. In addition to the Tule Elk, it is common to see harbor seals, bat-rays, leapard sharks, osprey, occasionally Sea Lions, and recently, some juvenile Gray Whales feeding in the area!
Full-Day Tour, 9:30am - 3:30pm; $98.
Half-Day Tour, 9:30am - 12:30pm; $88.
Dates: see Calendar.
Full Day Event Description and Directions
Half Day Event Description and Directions

Full Moon Paddle and Sunset Paddles
Experience the tranquility and magic of sunset and moon rise on Tomales Bay. On this easy-paced tour we meander across the Bay to the Point Reyes National Seashore. Watch the day change to night in the company of seals and birds, such as night herons, osprey and kingfishers, who may present themselves as we quietly paddle. Time seems to stand still when the full moon casts a mystical glow on the water and our kayaks glide home across the Bay as we follow the arc of the rising full moon. Bring a friend - this will be a tour to remember. This special three hour event will launch from our Marshall or Inverness site. Start time varies by season. These tours fill up, so call early to reserve.
Cost: $88.
Dates: See Calendar.
Time: Start Times are Seasonal; see Calendar
Event Description: Inverness
Event Description: Marshall

Tomales Bay Giacomini Wetlands Tour
The Giacomini Ranch was established over 50 years ago at the head of Tomales Bay near downtown Point Reyes Station.  In order to create pastureland from existing salt marsh, Rancher Waldo Giacomini built levees and tide gates to manage tidal incursion.  The levees significantly altered the patterns of estuarine circulation and sediment deposition in the area. In 2000 the Point Reyes National Seashore purchased 563 acres of the Giacomini farmland in order to begin the long, delicate process of restoring the wetlands.  At project end this salt marsh will add approximately 4% to existing California salt marsh.  The project took eight and a half years to finish. Now the levess have been removed.  Take this opportunity to explore the rebirth of the Tomales Bay wetlands up close. With abundant wildlife, exciting wetlands to explore, and a vibrant history, the south bay tour is sure to please the nature-loving explorer in you.
Full-Day Tour: $98.
Half-Day Tour: $88.
Dates and Times tidally determined: see Calendar.

"By the end of the day I no longer felt like a beginner...What a wonderful day. I shall remember it always. Thank you BWK. You guys are the greatest!"
— Carol Derbis, San Francisco, CA