Blue Waters Kayaking - The Best Tomales Bay Kayaking

North Bay/Tule Elk Tour
Watch Tule Elk Video!

The area arond Hog Island is rich in wildlifeand scenic beauty. Over 400 Tule Elk inhabit thenorthern part of the peninsula and can be seen from the kayaks. We will launch at Miller Park Boat Ramp (next to the restaurant at Nick's Cove) and paddle through the tide channels to the remote beaches of the Peninsula. As we paddle along we will discover the myriad 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, leopard sharks, osprey, occasionally Sea Lions, and recently, some juvenile Gray Whales feeding in the area!

FULL DAY vs. HALF DAY? Why would you WANT to spend a couple more hours near Hog Island where the Tule Elk graze? The additional couple of hours gets you an amazing experience with your fellow kayakers breaking bread together beach-side. With everyone bringing a dish (from home or from one of the local delis) you get even more of a feeling of community when you break bread together. Some ideas of items you might pick up from one of the local delis on your way to your meeting spot are cheeses, breads, fruit, 3-bean salad, hummus, pasta salad (non-mayo-based!), etc. There is also an earlier break on the beach for both the FULL day and the 1/2 day just to stretch your legs but the added yummy time of a potluck lunch on the beach? Totally worth the extra time! CLICK HERE for a listing of delis along your way to Hog Island to pick up your potluck contribution!

Itinerary:		FULL-DAY: We will meet at Miller Park Boat Launch (at Nick’s Cove) After organizing gear and going over basic kayaking instructions and safety procedures, we'll launch our boats, and paddle across the bay. We'll explore along the Pt. Reyes shoreline, enjoying the wildlife and beautiful scenery and we'll look for a nice beach to stop and have our potluck lunch and then wind our way back. We'll go rain or shine. HALF-DAY: We will meet at the Miller Park Boat Launch (at Nick’s Cove). After organizing gear and reviewing basic kayaking instructions and safety procedures, we'll launch our boats and paddle across the bay. We'll explore along the Pt. Reyes shoreline, enjoying the wildlife and beautiful scenery. We'll go rain or shine.

Equipment:		Our double kayaks track well, are difficult to capsize, and are easy to maneuver. All the necessary gear such as life jackets, paddles and spray skirts is provided.

What to Bring:		Come prepared for variable weather. Bring clothes that reflect your degree of sensitivity to heat or cold. * Sun screen & lip balm * Hat with sun visor * Wool or fleece hat (for cold days) * Sunglasses * 1 liter (minimum) water bottle * Shorts or baggy pants that can be rolled up to your knees are best for paddling * Shoes you don't mind getting wet such as Teva type river sandals, wetsuit booties, or aqua socks * Tennis shoes with wool socks or rubber boots are good in cool weather * Waterproof jacket * Wool, capilene, poly pro, or some other synthetic long sleeve, long underwear shirt that will keep you warm when it is wet (Cotton or cotton blend clothing retains water and will keep you cold if it becomes wet) * Pile or fleece pullover or a wool sweater * Change of clothes, including dry shoes * Potluck lunch (if booked on full day tour) - please bring picnic items that you can share with other people

Release Form:		Please print out, read, sign, and BRING the release of liability and assumption of risk form with you on our trip.

Directions:		NOTE: We do not recommend using Mapquest from San Francisco because it takes you on Highway 1 through Mill Valley, which is much longer than the route proposed below. Please CLICK HERE for printable directions. From San Francisco and southern Marin County (1.25 hours from Golden Gate Bridge): Take the Golden Gate Bridge and go north on Highway 101 for 8.5 miles to the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard exit. Exit at Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and go 22.8 miles through Ross, San Anselmo, Fairfax to Olema. In Olema, go right on Highway 1 following signs through Point Reyes Station. After going through Point Reyes Station, you will go approximately 12 miles on Hwy. 1 to Nick's Cove Restaurant. Miller Park Boat Launch is located next to Nick's Cove Restaurant in Miller Park. There is a $5 fee to enter Miller Park. We'll meet you at the far (north) end of the parking lot of the Miller Park Boat Launch. Alternate Route: Take Highway 101 to the Smith Ranch Road / Lucas Valley Road exit. Go west on this road (left) 10.4 miles to the end. Turn right on Nicasio Valley Road and go 3.9 miles. Turn left on Point Reyes / Petaluma Road and go 3 miles. Turn right at the bottom of the hill (purple bridge) and go 3 miles. Turn right on Hwy 1 and you will go approximately 12 miles on Hwy. 1 to Nick's Cove Restaurant. Miller Park Boat Launch is located next to Nick's Cove Restaurant in Miller Park. There is a $5 fee to enter Miller Park. We'll meet you at the far (north) end of the parking lot of the Miller Park Boat Launch. From Petaluma:* Take D Street until it becomes Point Reyes / Petaluma Road. Stay on Point Reyes / Petaluma Road for 11 miles until you get to the purple bridge stop sign. Turn right to stay on Point Reyes / Petaluma Road and go 3 miles. Turn right on Hwy 1 and you will go approximately 12 miles on Hwy. 1 to Nick's Cove Restaurant. Miller Park Boat Launch is located next to Nick's Cove Restaurant in Miller Park. There is a $5 fee to enter Miller Park. We'll meet you at the far (north) end of the parking lot of the Miller Park Boat Launch. From Santa Rosa and Points North: Take Highway 101 south to 116 west in Cotati. Go west 1.2 miles to Stony Point Road and turn left. Go 1.9 miles to Mecham Road and turn right on Pepper. Go 3 miles to Bodega Hwy and turn right. Go 0.5 miles to Tomales / Two Rock Road and turn left (follow signs to the Coast Guard Training Center). Go 7 miles to Hwy 1, turn left, and follow road until you see Nick's Cove Restaurant. Miller Park Boat Launch is located next to Nick's Cove Restaurant in Miller Park. There is a $5 fee to enter Miller Park. We'll meet you at the far (north) end of the parking lot of the Miller Park Boat Launch. From Tomales, Dillon Beach and Bodega Bay: Go south on Highway 1 until you see Nick's Cove Restaurant. Miller Park Boat Launch is located next to Nick's Cove Restaurant in Miller Park. There is a $5 fee to enter Miller Park. We'll meet you at the far (north) end of the parking lot of the Miller Park Boat Launch. From East Bay: Take I-580 west over Richmond / San Rafael Bridge and go west on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard 22 miles through Ross, San Anselmo, and Fairfax to Olema. In Olema, go right on Highway 1, following signs through Point Reyes Station. After going through Point Reyes Station, you will go approx. 12 miles on Hwy. 1 to Nick's Cove Restaurant. Miller Park Boat Launch is located next to Nick's Cove Restaurant in Miller Park. There is a $5 fee to enter Miller Park. We'll meet you at the far (north) end of the parking lot of the Miller Park Boat Launch. Alternate Route: Take I-580 west over Richmond / San Rafael Bridge and go north on Highway 101. Take the Smith Ranch Road / Lucas Valley Road exit and go west (left) 10.4 miles until it ends. Turn right on Nicasio Valley Road and go 3 miles. Turn left on Point Reyes/Petaluma Road and go 3 miles. Turn right at the bottom of the hill (purple bridge) and go 3 miles. Turn right on Hwy 1 and you will go approximately 12 miles on Hwy. 1 to Nick's Cove Restaurant. Miller Park Boat Launch is located next to Nick's Cove Restaurant in Miller Park. There is a $5 fee to enter Miller Park. We'll meet you at the far (north) end of the parking lot of the Miller Park Boat Launch. Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour time!*