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Kayaking Morro Bay
Kayak Morro Bay if you want to see the wonders of the Bay from the
best seat in the house, in a kayak. Kayaking Morro Bay with an expert
nature guide from Central Coast Outdoors ensures you will see the
wonders of this extraordinary National Estuary. You can kayak Morro
Bay in all its moods, sharing it with harbor seals, sea lions and sea
otters, as well as literally hundreds of species of birds, including
several rare and endangered species.
The waters of Morro Bay are protected from the open ocean by a
scenic four mile long sandspit and the weather is moderate year round,
creating an ideal place for beginners, families and experts to
kayak. All our Morro Bay kayak tours launch from State Park Marina,
the closest access point to the wildlife and natural peacefulness of
Morro Bay's back bay and estuary. Our experienced and knowledgeable
guides enhance any excursion you'll have on the water with us. Come
with us kayaking Morro Bay and experience one of the best kayak trips
in California.
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“Our experience with your company was amazing. From our first
phone call to leaving the dock after the trip, everything was
wonderful. You and our guides were personable, knowledgeable and
accommodating. Our family had a wonderful time, learned a ton, and my
partner and I are hooked on kayaking... Thanks for an incredible
experience!”
Jenny Adams
Atascadero, CA
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| KAYAKING: Morro Bay Half Day Classic (Family Friendly) |
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Our classic half day kayaking tour of Morro Bay is our most popular
Morro Bay guided kayak
tour, and with good reason! An easy morning of paddling visits an
oyster farm, harbor seals, a heron rookery, the bird haven of Grassy
Island, and we have chances to see otters. After taking all this
wildlife in, we beach our kayaks on a secluded part of Morro Bay's outer
sandspit for a fun dunes walk to a hidden Chumash shell midden. A
short walk past the midden, we come to the Pacific Ocean and
unparalleled views up and down miles of isolated beach.
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Our Morro Bay Kayaking Tour Voted #1 Watersport Adventure on the Central Coast.
by Outdoor Writers Association of California.
See the article.
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Back on the bay side of the dunes of this Morro Bay kayak tour, you'll
either return to your kayak for the short paddle back to the kayak
docks or linger a while longer for a
gourmet picnic lunch
including
complimentary locally produced wines and beers and a selection of
sodas, juices and bottled waters.
The picnic lunch is highly recommended and
the perfect way to round out one of the best kayak trips in
California.
This Morro Bay kayak trip is designed with beginners and
family groups in mind and includes basic paddle and safety instruction
at the start of the tour. The sandspit protects the bay from the ocean
and large waves.
| KAYAKING: Morro Bay Sunset Paddle |
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Kayaking Morro Bay at dusk is a different world.
Slowly the human activity
of the daylight hours fades away and the rhythms of the natural world
reassert themselves. It's truly a magical time to be on Morro Bay. Our
sunset guided kayak tour of Morro Bay begins about two and a half hours
before sunset
and finishes back at the kayak docks a bit after dusk, as the last of
the natural light fades and the lights of the harbor and town start
winking on.
Our very casual kayak tour route meanders through Morro Bay and
includes a stop on the dunes of the sandspit to watch the sun drop
into the Pacific Ocean with a complimentary drink (wine, beer bottled
water or soda) in hand.
Kayaking Morro Bay on foggy days,
the sunset won't be as spectacular, but the
sense of peace on the water as daylight fades is possibly even more
dramatic.
This kayak tour of Morro Bay is light dependent, so call or click here for sunset
kayak tour times on specific dates.
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| 3-3.5 hrs | $70
per person |
2-2.5 hours |
Varies - click here |
| KAYAKING: Morro Bay Full Moon Paddle |
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Come join us on this Morro Bay kayak tour
for a magical blend of moonlight, peaceful water and
sea kayaking on Morro Bay.
Leaving a short while before dusk in sea kayaks, we'll ride the
tide to explore different hidden corners of Morro Bay. After the sun
sets, the full moon illuminates our way and we'll tune into the sights
and sounds of the bay at night.
You won't believe how much bird and
wildlife activity there is out there in the evening until you
experience it for yourself. A mug of hot chocolate (fortified with
schnapps, if desired) and cookies rounds out this truly unique
Morro Bay kayak adventure. If the evening is foggy, the full moon
won't be as spectacular, but the sense of peace on the water at
night is still well worth it
This tour can also be done on dates not listed below as a
starlight or partial moonlight tour.
| January 29 | 4:45 PM |
| February 27 & 28 | 5:15 PM |
| March 29 | 6:45 PM |
| April 27 | 7:00 PM |
| May 26 & 27 | 7:30 PM |
| June 25 & 26 | 7:30 PM |
| July 25 & 26 | 7:30 PM |
| August 23, 24 & 25 | 7:00 PM |
| September 22, 23, & 24 | 6:15 PM |
| October 22 & 23 | 5:30 PM |
| November 20 & 21 | 4:15 PM |
| December 20 & 21 | 4:15 PM |
| 2.5-3 hrs | $70
per person | 2-2.5 hours |
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| KAYAKING: Dinner on the Dunes |
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Our Dinner on the Dunes Morro Bay kayak trip is possibly one of the
most unique kayak
trips in California. Kayaking Morro Bay in the late afternoon, we'll
visit some of the favorite hangout areas for local wildlife before
heading to the outer sandspit.
Beaching on the far side of Morro Bay, you'll have a chance to frolic
in the pristine sand dunes while your guide prepares a delicious
California
beach style grilled dinner,
including complimentary locally
produced wines and beers and a selection of sodas, juices and bottled
waters.
As the sun slowly slips behind the dunes, you'll climb
back in your kayak for a magical paddle in the deepening dusk back to
the docks - an experience you will not soon forget!
Call us or click here for departure times
at different times of year.
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| 3-3.5 hrs | $100 per person |
1.5-2 hours |
Varies - see table below |
2010 - Dinner and Sunset Paddle Meeting Times
Meeting times at the docks are approximately 2.5 hours before sunset.
| January 1-15 | 2:30 pm | July 1-15 | 5:45 pm |
| January 16-31 | 2:45 pm | July 16-31 | 5:45 pm |
| February 1-15 | 3:00 pm | August 1-15 | 5:30 pm |
| February 16-28 | 3:15 pm | August 16-31 | 5:15 pm |
| March 1-13 | 3:30 pm | September 1-15 | 4:45 pm |
| March 14-15 | 4:30 pm | September 16-30 | 4:30 pm |
| March 16-31 | 4:45 pm | October 1-15 | 4:00 pm |
| April 1-15 | 5:00 pm | October 16-31 | 3:45 pm |
| April 16-30 | 5:15 pm | November 1-6 | 3:30 pm |
| May 1-15 | 5:30 pm | November 7-15 | 2:30 pm |
| May 16-31 | 5:30 pm | November 16-30 | 2:15 pm |
| June 1-15 | 5:45 pm | December 1-15 | 2:15 pm |
| June 16-30 | 5:45 pm | December 16-31 | 2:30 pm |
| Kayak and Hike Full Day Adventure (Family Friendly) |
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If you'd like to extend your adventure with us, adding a hiking eco
tour in the afternoon is a great way to do so. Our Morro Bay Kayak and Hike Tour does exactly this - it
combines the classic half day Morro Bay kayak tour above with a great
two to three hour eco tour hike after lunch. After the Morro Bay kayak
tour portion of the day we usually hike a relatively easy and little
known trail north of Cayucos that takes in beaches and bluffs. When
the wildflowers are in bloom, we may hike a different trail just off
the bay that is a little hillier, but which showcases an extravagant
display of native wildflowers and affords a view of the Morro Bay that
is hard to beat.
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“It was a great trip. Just the right amount of kayaking for
me. We both really enjoyed the nature talks. And I liked getting to
know Morro Bay - it would have been overwhelming to kayak around an
area much larger since I have only been in a kayak one time before. It
is a great trip for beginners. The guides were great - very personable
and helpful.”
Molly Huber
Novato, CA
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What is provided on your Morro Bay kayak tours?
On all our guided kayak tours of Morro Bay
we provide kayaks, PFDs (life jackets),
paddles, waterproof fleece lined lap blankets, dry bags (on request),
snacks and water. The guide(s) also provide basic paddle instruction
and provide commentary on the ecology, history and wildlife of Morro
Bay while you are on the water. On our lunch and dinner Morro Bay
kayak tours, a scrumptious meal is also provided.
Do you offer kayak rentals?
Although we provide kayaks for our guided kayak tours on Morro Bay, we
do not provide kayak rentals direct to the public separate from our
guided tours. If you'd like to rent a kayak, we suggest renting kayaks
from the rental facility at the Morro Bay Kayak Shack
on State Park Road in
Morro Bay: 805-772-8796. This is the same facility from which we launch our
guided Morro Bay kayak tours.
Do you do large group kayak trips on Morro Bay?
If you have a student group, a family reunion or some other large
event and want to get out kayaking on Morro Bay - give us a call!
We've accommodated many groups like this on guided kayak tours and can comfortably put up to about 50 people on the water at a time.
We are highly flexible and can work with you on guide to client ratio as
well as food and duration of tour to fit your time and budget.
What are your rates for private guided kayak tours?
If the timing of our regular guided kayak tours on Morro Bay
doesn't work for you or you'd
like to spend more time on the water, we are happy to oblige.
Our rates for small private tours are $35 per person
per hour ($100 minimum total charge) and include kayak rental.
Do I need to have prior kayaking experience?
Absolutely not! Our kayak tours and kayak trips on Morro Bay are
designed to accommodate beginners as well as experienced kayakers. In
fact, about half of our participants have never even kayaked
before!
The best Morro Bay kayaking tour for beginners is
our Half Day Classic Tour.
Because wind can make kayaking challenging for
beginners on the bay, our Half Day Classic Tour
starts in the morning, when the wind is usually the lightest.
Do you have a minimum age?
No. As long as the young ones can sit relatively still in a kayak for
the paddling time, they are fine. We've been taking our daughter
kayaking since she was two. Really young kids (age 0-2) usually sit in
a lap of an adult while somewhat older kids (age 3-8) can sit in the
front of a tandem with an adult in the rear. Kids age 10 and up have
the option to go in a single, but we always make sure they understand
that they will have to paddle the whole way if they want a single. We
have appropriate PFDs available for all age levels. Our ability to
take kids of all ages kayaking on Morro Bay makes our guided kayak
tours among the best kayak trips in California for families.
What kind of kayaks do you use on your kayak tours of Morro Bay?
We use traditional "sit inside" kayaks on our Morro Bay kayak
tours. These tend to be
drier, more comfortable and perform better on the relatively flat
water of Morro Bay than "sit on top" kayaks. We offer single or
double kayaks, depending on your preference.
Are there big waves? Will I get wet?
There are no large waves, but you should expect to get at least a
little bit wet. Morro Bay is a great place for kayak trips in
California because it is protected from the large waves of the open
ocean by a four mile long sandspit. It is like kayaking on a small to
medium sized lake, except there are some tidal currents. Occasionally,
if it is breezy, small waves may kick up on the bay and you might get
some spray in the boat. However, it is highly unlikely large waves
will break over the boat to soak you. Water often drips off the
paddles into the boat as well. To protect you against spray and paddle
drip (and to keep you warm), we have waterproof fleece lined lap
blankets available for your use. See gear section below for our
recommendations on clothing.
Do I need special gear on your kayak tours of Morro Bay?
No. Although you will get a little wet, wetsuits or other special
gear are not required on our Morro Bay kayak tours.
We also have waterproof fleece lined lap
blankets to help keep you warm and dry. Our recommendations:
- Wear footwear that can get wet and muddy.
- Avoid blue jean long pants or cotton sweat pants. These can soak and hold water, making you wet and cold. Wear shorts or lightweight long pants.
- Bring a jacket - a windbreaker or waterproof jacket is
best.
- Add an additional warmer layer for colder weather.
What is the weather like? What time of year is best?
Morro Bay is a great year round kayaking destination. The weather
is mild all year. April through October is virtually rain free. In
winter, there is a possibility of rain, but the rain tends to be
infrequent and storms are often separated by days or weeks of clear
weather. Winter is also the best time to see the incredible diversity
of migrating birds that call Morro Bay home for that part of the
year.
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“This trip was the highlight of my sister's 50th birthday weekend. Yes, 3 middle-aged sisters did it! We can't say enough good things about this 1st wonderful experience in kayaking. Ed was very patient, knowledgeable about the area and wildlife and an excellent cook to boot! We are all planning on doing other trips with you in the future.”
Marty McMillan
Sacramento, CA
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Do you kayak if it's foggy?
ABSOLUTELY! Although most people understandably prefer sunny skies, kayaking during foggy conditions on Morro Bay is often a magical experience. The wind is usually less strong when it's foggy and the bay feels very quiet and intimate. Most of the wildlife is typically close enough that you can still see it. Furthermore, the fog is notoriously hard to predict and sometimes comes and goes multiple times during the course of a tour, which can be quite dramatic. And somehow being on the water when it's foggy seems better than being on land. When the coastal areas of SLO County are socked in by fog, there is no place we'd rather be than kayaking on Morro Bay!
What is your cancellation policy for bad weather (rain or high wind)?
We certainly don't want people to feel like they have to go out in bad weather or they will lose all their money. If the weather is bad on the day of your kayak trip, you have three choices. First, continuing with the planned activities (perhaps with alternate activities worked in). Second, transfer with no additional fees to a trip in the future. Third, cancel entirely with a $15 per person cancellation fee. We always wait until the day of the trip to make this decision because weather forecasts are not always 100% accurate. On kayak trips, if the weather is so bad that we think going out would be a safety issue, we will cancel the trip with a full refund. Note that fog or cooler weather are not considered bad weather for purposes of this policy.
Are your Morro Bay kayak trips considered eco-tours?
Absolutely. Morro Bay is a wonderful place for an eco-tour,
especially by kayak. Our guides will explain about how the estuary
works and will identify birds and other animals for you. But taking a
kayak ecotour on Morro Bay doesn't mean you can't have fun!
There is plenty of time for romping on the sand dunes and our gourmet
picnic lunch will spoil you. Ecotouring and fun on Morro Bay are what
we are all about.
Morro Bay National Estuary Program
Learn more about this unique eco-system by visiting the Morro Bay National
Estuary Program or by stopping by their visitor center in Morro
Bay at 601 Embarcadero.
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