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Monterey Bay Kayaks

mountainlake
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
3
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Great Experience

  • September 23, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by boktoy from Belmont, California
Myself, husband and granddaughter were first time kayakers. Brian did a great job as our guide and teacher. We saw many sea lions and otters and learned a lot from Brian about kelp and star fish. The staff is friendly and informative and we would recommend Monterey Bay Kayakes to anyone, experienced or novices.

Thank you, The Gee's
Editor Pick

Monterey Bay Ocean Kayaking

  • March 18, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by 2go4fun from Cortlandt Manor, New York
One of the best and uncrowded ways to see Monterey Bay is on a kayak. At sea level, I love enjoying the close view of sea otters, birds, sea lions, and other marine life. My favorite memories of kayaking? Watching the sea otter pups playing and sleeping with their mothers. What a view!

The first time I went ocean kayaking, I was intimidated. But Monterey Bay Kayaks (www.montereybaykayaks.com) gave a thorough on-land lesson. They provided the wet suits and life jackets with their kayak rentals. We found that unlike their competitors, they rent out their kayaks, per day, not by the hour. They also have parking in front of their building, a definite plus. A little less intimidated after the lesson, my husband and I headed out in our open-deck double kayak. We easily moved pass the surf and out into the bay. Immediately I realized that the sea was calm and serene! Soon, we saw sea lions and sea otters wrapped in kelp. Before we knew it, we were kayaking for 2.5 hours. We have kayaked in Monterey Bay many times since.

If you want a little bit of adventure, mixed in with relaxation and an amazing view, this is definitely worth the try. But here are some hints:

Go between mid-spring to early-fall, when the weather is nice and the water is not as choppy.

Bring a bathing suit or swim trunks. If you bring any electronics, such as cell phones, be sure to put them in water resistant containers.

As a warning, your cameras may get wet!

Yield to the boats that share the Bay with you.

Keep at least 50 feet away from the marine animals. It is against the law to be any closer; coast guards are always on the lookout!

If you have to rent, use Monterey Bay Kayaks (www.montereybaykayaks.com). I have no incentives for plugging them, but they are really the best deal and most convenient kayak rental store in Monterey. It is great to be able to park at the rental facility, which is also where you start kayaking. Other companies are not on-site of where you start kayaking. Monterey Bay Kayaks have a changing area and free hot chocolate right after you come back from your trip!

Don't let any of the hints scare you from trying ocean kayaking in Monterey Bay. It is relaxing, adventurous, and fun all mixed into one activity!

From journal One Day Monterey Bay Getaway

Moonlight Tour of Elkhorn Slough

  • July 29, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by mountainlake from Tampa, Florida
Fantastic experience - your guide goes thoroughly over the basics, and you and another person get into the tandem kayak. You explore the mouth of the bay, and the harbor seals are splashing all around. A baby harbor seal followed us as we started paddling into the slough. We enjoyed the birds, the scenery, and the night air. We stopped about 2 miles back into the slough, and our guide surprised us with hot chocolate. Mmm. Then it was time for the real work, paddling against the tide to make our way back. We got tired, and our guide just hooked us onto her kayak and towed us in. Wow, so much fun for such little money!

From journal 10 Glorious Days in Monterey

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