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    Blue Waters Kayaking

    4.2 (121 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    C. Henry G.

    We did the night time bioluminescence tour and it was amazing. We had a night with no moon and it was unusually warm so pretty lucky experience. Our guides were Jeff and Bud and they were great. Learned lots while being awed by the beauty of nature.

    Pelican
    Joyce C.

    This was a good beginner's trip, but don't be duped by their tipping recommendations of 15-20% of the trip. I paid $550 for a half day paddling instruction for 2 with a guide. The guide Brian Westrick was knowledgeable. However, at the end of our excursion, he *voluntarily offered* to provide me with additional advice to further my paddling abilities in preparation for a future kayak tour abroad. When you volunteer this and even give your cell phone number to a client, you should mean what you say. Otherwise, don't say it! He ghosted me on the advice category. I won't use him again as a guide for the reason of his lacking integrity. I regret tipping him $50. Tipping 15-20% is way out of line; that would have been $82.50-110 tip, added to the $550 base cost. You have got to be kidding. BWK should just pay their guides enough! Furthermore, during the 3-hour tour that Brian was our guide, we prepped our gear before entering the water. During that time, he was MIA for about 10 minutes due to socializing with a couple of other guides from a different outfit. Professional? Not! I've moved on. I rented kayaks from BWK's competitors Pt Reyes Adventure Company, and these folks rock! It's a small outfit, owner-operated, and these folks are truly professionals. They respond to all texts in a timely and helpful manner. They also provide coffee and tea, along with pastries from Bovine Bakery, as part of their rental services. Furthermore, I booked a bioluminescence trip with Pt Reyes Adventure Company. Owners Dallas and Liz really know how to treat their customers.

    Getting on the water in our kayak!

    The Bioluminescence kayak tour was amazing. You can't believe it unless you see it yourself! Luke and Ginger were great tour guides, sprinkling in facts throughout the 2.5 hours we spent on the bay. The first 30-45 minutes are spent on safety and getting properly geared up, and even as first time kayakers, we felt comfortable and safe the whole time. 10/10 would recommend. This is totally a hidden gem - about an hour from the East Bay.

    Carmen V.

    Stunning landscape in the Tomales Bay area and impressive first experience co-kayaking at night with a friend when all is pitch black and we are just guides for the dim lights of the kayaks! My friend Stefanka had 2 tickets and her son could not go. Needless to say I am your perfect friend for last minute invites, a freebie like this I could not miss it, I am so thankful for the gift because we not only had a blast during our more than 2 hour trip from San Jose to the departure point of the kayaking bioluminescent tour, but also this was new for both of us. We feel like having a mini Thelma&Louise adventure, with tons of life-coaching each other on the way! Tour specialists were top-notch, very friendly, polite, patient and good vibes only type. We enjoyed their guidance, even if we found the prep time was a bit too long (we had an issue with our first kayak so they needed to change for another one and then there were some other solo kayakers not allowing us to launch on time). I was kayaking in the back, so the one that has to pedal on top of paddling...well, total loss of direction all the time, getting out of the line and having tons of laughs in the process while making sure we did not fall in the water (which actually was pretty warm, we overpacked in winter clothes but honestly not needed and you will exercise a lot, so no need). As per the bioluminescent fish, yes there were sparkles in the water, tons of them, but do not expect a fake idyllic image of fish coming to say hi like mini lanterns in the night. In fact for a while we did not see anything and then there were pockets of this phenomenon that was amazing but was not continuously happening. Overall, will recommend, it was a very well spent Friday afternoon-night even though the way back to San Jose was tiring with those many curves and yes, traffic!

    At the dock next to the boat launch
    Lisa H.

    Amazing experience from Go! My partner and I enjoyed the bioluminescence tour under the Milky Way. Sabrina and Diego got us all started with a round of intros and the sharing of a fave stretch or dance move. Nice icebreaker! Tomales Bay is truly a magnificent wonder! Every time I go there, I enjoy the plethora of wildlife that live in the area. So to begin with, you cannot go wrong here, unless you are a city slicker and you don't prepare for wet and cold. It helps when the weather cooperates and it is smooth sailing with no fog and little wind during our trip last night. It was absolutely gorgeous, a great night to paddle beneath skies that offered up shooting stars several times! Great bonus! Sabrina is a local. She's a fantastic Naturalist who really shows her passion for the area with her deep knowledge and her obvious reverence to Tomales Bay and beyond. She used the word, "magical," to describe the landscape, and I appreciated how that was in no way over the top. She showed tremendous respect to the wildlife in the bay, taking great care to lead us with grace through Hog and Piglet islands. She stopped to ensure we were not spooking harbor seals, and she was amazingly adept at pointing out animals by sound. She found a pack of coyotes whining in the distance that I don't think we would have been aware of were it not for her. She identified birds by sound and has extensive knowledge of all the creatures that live on, below, and above Tomales Bay, as well as the tectonic features upon which the bay is perched. She had great historical stories, and she also provided a treasure trove of great paddling tips that I had not heard before during paddling excursions elsewhere. Truly a pleasure paddling with her as our guide! Signing up was quick and efficient, and the person I spoke to was super helpful. At trip time I got email notifications and calls to ensure we were coming. These guys know how to round up cats! Though the bioluminescence was not super strong, Sabrina helped us to find as much of it as we could. So many other features superceded the light show though, I would recommend this tour 100% and whether you do or do not see the little critters, you will have an extraordinary time! If you can, book a trip with Sabrina. You will not be disappointed.

    Lin S.

    I highly recommend Blue Waters Kayaking for their bioluminescence tour. Reservations are definitely needed as this experience books up quickly even during Covid times, it seems. This activity was booked when I checked in October, so I put myself on the waitlist in case someone cancelled their reservation. I later received an e-mail the next month in November for more dates in December! Score! I think it was Dallas who helped me book my reservation over the phone and he was super friendly! Confirmation e-mails were sent immediately and continued to be sent until the day of the reservation. Note that there is a 15% gratuity fee added into the total cost of the booking. The correct parking spot is on top of a hill overlooking the boat launch, $5 cash only. You have to walk down the hill to the restroom area and there, you will find the envelopes to pay for parking. Bring your own pen! Sophia and Oz were our tour guides that evening and they were excellent! Sophia led the group of 6 kayaks (2 people per kayak) and Oz stayed in the back. We suited up in a lot of kayaking gear, which was great. It was a clear and calm night with perfect conditions. We even saw Starlink satellites in the sky which looked like a string of pearls moving through the night sky! It was amazing! Even more amazing was seeing the bioluminescence! With each stroke of my oar, it looked like glitter in the water. We could even put our hand in the water and see all the glittery looking bioluminescent! I had a really great time night kayaking and seeing the bioluminescence. Dress warmly. I also wore a beanie. FYI, if you wear glasses, they could potentially fog up and water can also splash onto your lenses. Night kayaking is a perfect natural social distancing activity. I highly recommend it! I didn't even know I could see bioluminescence in NorCal. I thought I had to go to Belize or somewhere out of the country.

    We attended the bioluminescence tour held by blue water kayaking and it was amazing! They provided us windproof jacket and spray skirt so we did not feel cold our entire ride. Our guides explained everything well and was quite helpful in guiding us during the trip. The bioluminescence was really cool, we could see it while paddling and under the kayak while moving. Highly recommend it! Tip: You can have dinner and park your car at Nick's Cove next door, good view and good food and free parking. It's walking distance to the kayak place.

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    Ask the Community - Blue Waters Kayaking

    Have any of you done the bioluminescence tour in December? We want to go but would love to hear of your experience and if you could see the bioluminescence well. Thanks!

    Hey there! We actually have Bioluminescence Tours scheduled for this December, and the Bioluminescence has been amazing so far this year. We personally love paddling at night in the winter since there can be a lot of fish action in the water.

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    Review Highlights - Blue Waters Kayaking

    Though the bioluminescence was not super strong, Sabrina helped us to find as much of it as we could.

    Mentioned in 18 reviews

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    Food & Farm Tours - Playing with goats at Toluma Farms

    Food & Farm Tours

    4.9(64 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    We went on the cheese lover's tour, and it was amazing!…read more I thought it would be like wine tasting, trying a wide selection of cheeses, and it was so much more than that. We got to see an active dairy farm, saw the calves being fed, and saw where the cows get milked. We also went to see a goat farm and saw a baby goat being born right in front of us. Alex, the guide, was lovely and super accommodating. My husband had hurt his ankle just the night before and couldn't walk much, and she made last-minute arrangements for him to be taken around by a golf cart-like vehicle on the farms. Would 100% recommend!

    Our family took the "Flavors of West Marin" tour with Alex and had a wonderful time. Alex is such…read morea warm and friendly person with a wealth of knowledge about the sustainable food industry and local business practices. Our tour began at Cowgirl Creamery where we had an excellent assortment of pastries from local bakeries and local cheeses. We learned quite a bit about different types of cheese and how they're made. We visited Hog Island Oyster company and enjoyed fresh and barbecued oysters while learning about how oysters reproduce and are harvested. We then stopped off at The Marshall Store for lunch. The food was outstanding and abundant and the scenery looking out on Tomales Bay was breathtaking. We then visited the Heidrun Meadery (another stop with a breathtaking view and setting) and learned about bee keeping and how meade is produced from honey. And we enjoyed sampling a nice variety of meade wines. Our last stop was Little Wing Farm where we learned about organic, sustainable farming and saw a nice variety of vegetables and beautiful flowers. One of the highlights was visiting the expansive quail pen, watching the quails freely roam around and seeing how they spray a dye on their eggs to help camouflage them. This tour was a treat for our eyes and stomaches and filled our heads with fascinating information. It was a day so well spent and truly memorable for our family.

    Photos
    Food & Farm Tours - Sample a variety of pastries from the Bovine Bakery

    Sample a variety of pastries from the Bovine Bakery

    Food & Farm Tours - Heidrun Tasting Room guide Carly, owner Gordon, and Elizabeth

    Heidrun Tasting Room guide Carly, owner Gordon, and Elizabeth

    Food & Farm Tours

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    Tomales Bay Expeditions - Bioluminescence night tour was amazing!

    Tomales Bay Expeditions

    5.0(30 reviews)
    4.0 mi

    We had an amazing and meaningful experience paddling out on Tomales Bay. We rented a double kayak…read morefor my college buddies 20 year reunion. Cooper initially said the rentals were closed, but opened it up for us so we could explore the bay. He gave us some tips about where to see the best wildlife and told us to keep an eye out for rays since it's there breeding season. We ended up seeing SO MANY rays, they were even swimming under the boat. We sat and enjoyed the sound of waves lapping against the shore, the wind ruffling through the trees and rays splashing all around us. We ended up getting swept up by the experience for too long and my watch died, so we retuned the kayak late, but Cooper was really understanding. Next time I need to rent a kayak, I'll be coming back here. You should too.

    Bioluminescence Night Tour review…read more Location: right alongside an inn, with plenty parking. You paddle through multiple coves and cover about 5miles, loop. Our guide said the tours are tailored to increase likeness and visibility for the group. Guide: Cooper was amazing! A local with knowledge and experience that makes paddling with strangers fun. He was right there when others needed kayaking help and always gave us tips to see more of the glowing microorganisms. Bioluminescence: activated by movement and can be easy to overlook without guidance, once you see it- you can't undo the fascination their sparkle brings. Our arms were wet from leaning over to make direct contact and splash around, well worth it. Cloudy nights make for better viewing, less ambient light means more to see! Tip: stay at Cottages at Point Reyes, 1 minute drive away, for an easy commute to follow!

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    Tomales Bay Expeditions
    Tomales Bay Expeditions
    Tomales Bay Expeditions - Perfect paddling conditions!

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    Perfect paddling conditions!

    Point Reyes National Seashore - Tomales Point Trail - Tule Elk Preserve, Point Reyes National Seashore

    Point Reyes National Seashore

    4.7(405 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    How fortunate we are to have Point Reyes National Seashore. The headquarters is fantastic- maps,…read morerecommendations, nice restrooms & plenty of free parking. Today we chose the Bear Valley hike trail. The path is wide and mostly flat and even includes a bathroom midway. As you walk you are able to hear the beautiful sounds of the babbling brook along the route. Being late Spring we were able to spot a good amount of wildflowers- buttercups, poppies, bleeding heart, foxglove and more. We encountered several equestrian's throughout our hike.

    Sea How You Are A…read more71,000-acre park that was founded in 1962 and whose eastern boundary consists of a little thing called the San Andreas Fault. It's also home to over 900 plant species (50 of which are endangered), over 40 species of mammals, and over 400 different birds. Point Reyes is unlike any other park we've ever been to in that it's such a unique area that includes a small town, farmlands, estuaries, beaches, headlands, and so much more. If this is your first time or you're planning your first time, I'd try to allow for at least two full days to really get a feel for this place, and the best part is it's all 100% free to visit! Here's a quick guide to the best of the best things to do here (Pro Tip: There are multiple other Yelp pages with lots of more specific reviews for each of these locations). * The PR lighthouse is a must-see, and with the 308 stairs you'll need to get there, you'll definitely get your steps in! * There are multiple Visitors Centers, but if you only want to visit one, I'd recommend going to the one at Drake's Beach where you might get a glimpse of elephant seals during their breeding period (Dec - March). * Tomales Point Trail at the Tule Elk Preserve is my mostest favoritetest trail on Earth. It's relatively flat with very little uphill, but it is over nine miles if you want to get to the point and get back. And, yes, you'll want to get to the point. Otherwise, what's the point? ;) Just be sure to bring water and some snacks to cover you for those 9+ miles. This will also be your best chance to come face-to-face with the infamous Tule Elk. * Drake's Estero if you want to do some kayaking (check website for rules and dates). * McClures Beach if you want to hang and picnic. Great for tidepooling but not so much for swimming. Seriously. Don't do it. * Chimney Rock Trail is a relatively low effort for high reward spot for some spectacular views. There's plenty of other places to check out, but this should help get you started. Enjoy!

    Photos
    Point Reyes National Seashore - Tomales Point Trail - Tule Elk Preserve, Point Reyes National Seashore

    Tomales Point Trail - Tule Elk Preserve, Point Reyes National Seashore

    Point Reyes National Seashore - Tomales Point Trail - Tule Elk Preserve, Point Reyes National Seashore

    Tomales Point Trail - Tule Elk Preserve, Point Reyes National Seashore

    Point Reyes National Seashore - Tomales Point Trail - Tule Elk Preserve, Point Reyes National Seashore

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    Tomales Point Trail - Tule Elk Preserve, Point Reyes National Seashore

    Trattore Farms and Winery - Wine and views.

    Trattore Farms and Winery

    4.6(112 reviews)
    45.1 mi
    $$

    Had a GREAT time here a few weeks ago. We got together a group of 10 of us for an afternoon trip…read morewith both wine and olive oil tasting. I don't normally drink wine but came for the olive oil and the experience and it did not disappoint! I also eventually changed my mind that red wine can be good:) We were seated indoors and Edd gave us the rundown of what we'd be tasting for the afternoon complete with stories and lots of fun facts. (I now look at any bottles that say "cold pressed" with some light skepticism since it's clearly only written there for marketing purposes!) We ordered a selection of the panini sandwiches, the burrata and butternut squash salad, and the charcuterie board. The fire cheese was delicious and the spread was perfect. Throughout lunch, Edd brought us different wines to taste and by the end we were most definitely sold on the Stone Soup (the red version). The olive oil tasting was so much fun. First of all the bread was so delicious. And then we tasted about 15 (?) different olive oils or vinegars. The raspberry, lemon, and garlic ones were clear favorites. My personal favorites were the garlic and sage. Even though it was a bit of a rainy & cloudy day, the views from the patio were beautiful. We finished our wine out by the fire pit outside, and now I really need to come back during the summertime when the skies are more clear for the full experience. I left with lots of olive oil and great Christmas gifts for the family. The four piece olive oil sets are perfect for that and I brought one home for my family and we did our own inspired mini taste testing (I still miss Trattore's bread tho). 10/10 recommend and yes I definitely want to come back for the summer views and this pizza oven I keep reading in all the other reviews:))

    what a wonderful place on so many levels. went there yesterday with a large private group and it…read morewas fabulous. thanks so much to Ed. who was our host. he had a myriad of information. he was fun and funny, charming and delightful. their wines were unique and different and flavorful. we were also blessed to have a very large olive oil and vinegar tasting with wonderful crusty bread. The views are fabulous as was the experience. highly recommended

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    Trattore Farms and Winery - In the tasting room

    In the tasting room

    Trattore Farms and Winery - Big ol' tractor

    Big ol' tractor

    Trattore Farms and Winery - Mourvèdre and a view

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    Mourvèdre and a view

    Blue Waters Kayaking - rafting - Updated June 2026

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