Lily was a fantastic guide. It's amazing how skilled she is at keeping everyone safe, giving instructions, protecting the sea life, sharing knowledge, helping a kayak in our group that needed support with navigation and still making light hearted jokes, smiling and taking pictures for everyone. You can tell she knows what she's doing and wants to make sure everyone feels confident while kayaking. I also want to mention the two phone encounters I had were so helpful and kind (unfortunately I did not catch their names) and the person who checked us in was also so pleasant. read more

We had a blast kayaking with the otters and seals! Parking was easy as was check in at the store. They gave an informational overview of where to paddle to see wildlife as well as other recommendations and safety tips. They provide life jackets, waterproof jackets and pants which were great too keep water off your clothes. There are porto potties available if you need to use the facilities. The staff were well very nice and helpful. The main con of our trip was the two person top sitting kayak we were on seemed to have problems with steering. No matter how hard we tried to turn right, the kayak always tended to veer the other direction which was frustrating. We got another kayak to check if they saw anything wrong visually on the water, but they couldn't see anything so maybe there was something going on with the underside of the kayak. Besides that, we had a nice time on the water and were able to enjoy seeing all the birds and cute otters and seals out and about. Later in the morning and early afternoon we even got to see the otters get more active and go diving for mud worms that looked like bright orange cigars. It was super cute seeing the otters sleeping nested in the kelp too. Try not to disturb them though since they need to conserve energy to stay warm! We unfortunately saw one tour group led by a guide that went right next to a sleeping pod of otters and woke them all up. Overall, fun place to go kayaking with wildlife! Glad we went on this trip here! read more

Monterey Bay Kayaks - Beach side - Boating Near Me - Monterey, California

See all

Service: 5/5 Selection: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Honestly I didn't realize what I signed up for when I book these reservations. I thought it would be a cute little excursion to learn about the marine life in the slough but no LOL. It was a lot. It was very cold and windy the day we went kayaking. They let us borrow jackets and pants, I wore a cute bikini and wanted to get a tan in but no! LOL Honestly it was definitely a memorable experience but I wouldn't say I would want to kayak near the sea ever again. It's a little scary but great for those adrenaline junkies. read more

See all

I rented a double kayak from Monterey Bay Kayaks today. It was $70 for a double and $45 for a single rider, which I thought was fair considering you have upwards of 4 hours to paddle around. I spent 2 hours paddling from our launch spot to Monterey Bay Aquarium and back. We had a fun time despite the headwind and current going against us when getting there, but it was a smoother journey heading back since we were no longer fighting against the elements. We saw lots of seals, birds, and one otter! It was interesting and a bit spooky paddling over the kelp forest. Overall, I'd recommend using Monterey Bay Kayaks. Our rental included wetsuits, splash jackets, and life jackets; splash jackets and wetsuits were optional. We received good service, the employees were very nice and helpful. I've gone kayaking before but I'm not super experienced, so I appreciated the thorough instructions. read more

Monterey Bay Kayaks - Launching spot - Boating Near Me - Monterey, California

Highly recommend doing a tour with MBK! They are so friendly and accommodating. Danny our guide was so informative and patient. He took such good care of us by suggesting we gear up with the gear that was included in our tour so we stayed nice and warm out on the water. The beach where the tour starts is beautiful and clean. We saw, otters, sea lions and sea stars AND a kelp a crab in the kelp forest! Thank you Danny for the great experience and for the sandwich spot suggestion, they were fire! (3 mundos sandwich shop) read more

Monterey Bay Kayaks - Family Kayaking Adventure - Boating Near Me - Monterey, California

Janice did such a great job on our tour! So knowledgeable and fun! The otters were the best part

My friend Hayes and I went on a tor with LB and had the best time. She was an expert guide and had the best jokes!

Kayaking is always a must when visiting Monterey, and I always choose Monterey Bay Kayaks. They consistently provide excellent service, with a knowledgeable staff that clearly loves what they do! I've kayaked the Monterey and Elkhorn Slough locations; both are great. They take safety seriously during orientation and provide optional wet suits and splash jackets for your convenience. Of course, mandatory life vests are also provided. There is a shop where you can purchase other items, such as hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, clothing, waterproof phone pouches, etc. They thought of it all. Per their website, At Elkhorn Slough: Sit-on-top DOUBLE KAYAKS - $38 PER PERSON Sit on-top SINGLE KAYAKS -$48 PER PERSON Sit-inside Single kayak - $65 PER PERSON Sit-inside Double kayak - $55 PER PERSON At Monterey: Sit-on-top DOUBLE KAYAKS - $35 PER PERSON Sit on-top SINGLE KAYAKS -$40 PER PERSON They also have paddle boards to rent. Both locations are walk-in; no reservation is needed. Rentals are for up to 4 hours and must return before closing (5 pm). I highly recommend renting kayaks with them and spending a few hours watching all the wildlife! It's a truly unforgettable experience. read more

Monterey Bay Kayaks - Boating Near Me - Monterey, California

See all

Absolutely had a blast although I was scared out of my mind. I wanted to give a shout out to LB and Dagny (I hope I spelled her name right). LB was an absolute blast and hilarious and super helpful and reassuring for my first time on a kayak. Highly recommend! read more

You made use wait too long for the orientation- it should have been done in two groups, but the staff member was too lazy to do two orientations. So he made one group wait for 20 minutes. We will try the other kayaking company next time. read more

My partner and I rented a double kayak for $70 total, which feels like a great price. Staff were friendly and helpful. We were lucky to go on a warm, calm, sunny morning with little wind. We had minimal kayaking experience but navigating and paddling around was quite easy! We saw lots of sea lions, harbor seals, cormorants, pelicans, and even otters! We only kayaked for a bit over an hour because the seats were not the most comfy but we could have stayed for up to 4 hours. Despite our short run, we really enjoyed our experience and would say it was highly worthwhile! read more

Monterey Bay Kayaks - Sea otter with pup on her belly - Boating Near Me - Monterey, California

See all

Trip was worst time due to other kayak bumping over and over into kayak I was in t boning it . I didn't sign up for bumper cars . The kayak I was on couldn't move out of way as I was in kayak with tour leader . I had to duck three times so they would not hit my head with their paddle:( when I asked manager next day about it he said " that can happen " every tour different. He made a bad situation worse. I'm surprised as I've taken several trips over years that were amazing. First complaint ever made is this one on social media!! it's been along time since going out with Monterey Bay Kayak perhaps they do enough business my experience didn't matter to them ! read more

Janice was our tour guide and she was absolutely amazing! Very positive and full of energy! She was also very knowledgeable! I learned so much! I came home with a new love and perspective in this area of life! Great experience overall! Highly recommend! read more

My family (myself, wife, 18 yr old, 15 yr old) did the 2 hour tour that launched from Monterey. Alexis (Alex) was our guide. It was honestly everything I had hoped it would be! Our guide took us to the exact places he knew there would be the wildlife we wanted to see (seals, sea lions, otters) The scenery was beautiful and he set a pace that was easy to follow and allowed us to take it in and enjoy the experience. This was our first time kayaking like this so if you have little to no experience that's ok. They also provide extra items like wet suites, and jackets at no extra cost if you need or want them. I'd recommend bringing a waterproof phone bag to use for pictures and videos. They have some there at the shop if you forget. Again, better than I had hoped. Great family experience. And a great guide!! read more

This was my first time kayaking with my mom and nephew. We selected the guided tour. Our guide Alexis was absolutely amazing and made us all feel safe. He was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. Will definitely be back! read more

I did take some time to look into different options before deciding which (of the two) kayak companies to choose but had assumed they were all pretty much the same. I hadn't really thought about what a captive audience we would be and how much control and power a 22 year old might try wield over us. The check in process was fine and they had lots of gear for use. We got a thorough safety briefing and were headed out on a beautiful, clear and calm morning with almost no one on the water. Our guide took the 5-boat-lengths-from-wildlife rule EXTREMELY seriously and whenever we saw an animal of any kind had to start paddling away from it. She half joked that the animals were trying to get her fired by continuing to show up nearby. The joke was the animals' intention, the not-joke was that the "tour" was spent actively moving in any direction that was away from any animal we saw. Between spending the first 1/3 of the tour in the harbor listening to her talk about harbor seals, avoiding the birds and animals, maintaining our boats within 7 feet of her boat the entire time, and her telling stories of animal poop or confabulating misinformation, the 1.5 hours went by very quickly and consisted of about 100 yards of the slough. She described the animals on the slough as "ferocious", "dangerous", "predatory", "apex predator", and "smelly". Having been to the African Savannah, Amazon Rainforest, and Alaskan wilderness, I have never heard of a place being described as dangerous as Elkhorn Slough was on this tour. She described the otters as being an "apex predator" when what she really meant was keystone species, going so far as to describe their "razor sharp" teeth needed to "rip through flesh" . Having taken several photos of an otter eating a crab the day before, I questioned this, to which she confidently confirmed that there was soft flesh inside for them to "tear through", leaving me wondering if she had ever looked at an otter closely or eaten a crab. This kind of active disinformation continued through the "tour", including the mating "death spiral of locked talons" in relation to the pelicans. The tone and speech was intended for a an elementary school level outing, making me worry for the impressionable minds this tour was meant for. Much of the tour was spent in the harbor, between the seals on one side, and the "smelly" rookery, "filled with puke and poop" on the other. She seemed genuinely amazed that scientists would be in her small town, doing whatever scientists do (things she could not seem to even vaguely guess at) that have to do with the dangerous and smelly animals. The tour ended with "one last thing", a version of the Hokey Pokey, where we needed one foot in, one foot out, paddle in hand, feet in the water, touching and being touched by the strangers beside us. Given what a special place this is I would not recommend a tour for anyone that basically knows what they are doing and is willing to risk life and limb in this untamed wilderness. read more

Love this place. Every time we go, we have a blast and the staff are amazing! Having the opportunity to see ocean life up close and personal, (but not too up close), is a magical experience. read more

Ever since I did my first tour in October I've been addicted to kayaking here. I go to both the Slough and the bay and they're both awesome spots. I've taken so many of my friends here and they always love it and have such a great time. Staff is so so friendly and helpful. They really make sure you understand boat traffic laws and are really keen on keeping the wildlife safe. Janice gives awesome tours and took time to answer all the questions I rattled off. And Adam was also awesome and helpful! read more

I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to Jeff, Jaydee, and Nathan for the exceptional care and attention you provided during our recent kayaking trip. Your team's dedication, kindness, and inclusivity went above and beyond. We are a school group and we have a student in a wheelchair who had never been kayaking before. The team at Monterey Bay Kayaks made it possible for him to enjoy this amazing experience with his class. We are incredibly grateful for the extra steps taken to ensure that our entire group, regardless of physical abilities, could enjoy the beauty of Monterey Bay. This level of care and dedication speaks volumes about your team's character and commitment to providing an outstanding experience for everyone. I highly recommend Monterey Bay Kayaks, this is not the first time we have used this company and we will continue to use them in the future, their staff is extremely dedicated and knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile. read more

It was my first kayaking. They have a lot of kayaks. It is well organized. For me, it is a little bit less kind of information.

What a great experience. Can't recommend it enough. It is a work out, so be prepared for that, but if you're up to it, it's definitely worth the soreness. We did an early-morning reservation. We got a double. With the price, they included all the necessary gear, wet suit, splash jacket and life jacket. Wear clothes (shoes especially) that you don't mind getting a little wet. The safety brief was...quick and easy. Then they just send you on your way. 4 hours is PLENTY of time. We were done in a little under 2, even with us just poking around the bay. Saw all sorts of wildlife including a dozen or two otters. Would absolutely recommend. read more

See all

We did a family guided kayaking tour of the Monterey shoreline. The staff were friendly and courteous and took great care of us. We made reservations and arrive early as recommended. Please keep in mind that parking is not free. We liked that a wetsuit and light jacket rental are included in the price. Our guide was great, but it was hard to hear her once on the water unless we were very close to her (suggestion: an amplified speaker would really help!). We enjoyed the beautiful day on the bay and were treated to sight of many sea lions and sea otters. It was a magical time for all of us. We would definitely return. read more

My boyfriend and I had such a great time kayaking! The whole process of renting a kayak, getting geared up, and orientation was easy. We made a reservation online for a double-deck kayak along the Monterey Bay ($70). The day of our reservation, we checked-in at the front desk and was then sent outside to get our gear and wait for orientation. Once everybody showed up, staff gave us some general information about where to kayak to and the do's and don'ts. After that, we followed staff onto the beach and staff showed us how to get in and get out of the kayak. From there, my boyfriend and I were on our own to start kayaking along the route. It was a great experience! Would totally recommend MBK. Staff were friendly and were all wearing masks. read more

A couple weeks ago my family drove from Stockton to have an incredible experience on Elkhorn Slough. Unfortunately, I lost my kayak hatch cover on the drive down. As we were unloading the boats to launch to the slough, I noticed a guy unlocking the gate to enter your store. I hated to bug him before his day started, but did not want to chance paddling without a cover. I asked him if he had any he could sell, and he did not. He said he'd look in the shed for a used one I could borrow. We got one to fit, and he said "just bring it back when you're done". (no deposit/copy of my DL...) I brought it back, and we went again on the following day, and ran into the same employee who brought out the cover for me to use again. His name is Scott; and he really deserves a shout out for his kindness, patience, and customer service above and beyond what I expected. We have been coming to your shop over 20 years, and we have always had great experiences, but this one topped them all! Thanks again Scott, you're a life saver! read more

We came here on a Thursday without a reservation. The staff were helpful and friendly. We paid $70 for a double (it came with choices of wetsuit, lifevest (required) and wind jacket (highly recommend you get this since it can get a bit chilly and wet). After you pay and donned gears, they will go over routes and kayaking techniques then you are on your own ;) The weather was a bit glooming but we loved it. We were able to see sea otters chilling on kelp bed, seals were everywhere. We made it to the aquarium and back. Be aware that there will be big boats coming through so just be on the lookout for them. We brought plenty of water and snacks and that was the best decision since you can just park somewhere and enjoy them. Its an all-day activities so take advantage of that. read more

Monterey Bay Kayaks - Boating Near Me - Monterey, California

We came early on a Monday and it was perfect! We were out in the slough around 10 AM and we were able to see tons of otters and sea lions. We loved floating past the pelicans and other birds hang out spots and watching them fly just past us as they skimmed the surface of the water. We were able to let the current slowly pull us back out before the next high tide at 130. The company offers windbreakers and other water clothes to keep you warm and its all included in the price. Wearing their windbreakers definitely helped keep us warm out there! It was nice to see them be cleaned right after we dropped them back off. They have a good sanitizing system down which made us feel safe and comfortable especially during covid. It made for such a relaxing morning. We absolutely loved it! read more

Monterey Bay Kayaks - This little otter popped up right next to our kayak. We did our best to stay away. - Boating Near Me - Monterey, California

A couple of my friends and I were spending some time in the Monterey area and spontaneously decided to go kayaking! Monterey Bay Kayak was in the area and we rented a double kayak (sit-on-top kayak) for $30 per person per use (they close at 6:00pm). Reservations are not necessary--we dropped in and were able to get a rental right away. Each rental includes the kayak, paddles, life vests, and optional wetsuit/waterproof splash jacket (yay for not charging extra for the wetsuit rental!!). I would highly recommend the wetsuit because the water can be quite cold out there and you're pretty much bound to get wet while getting your kayak out of the shore and also coming back in. They have changing rooms but no lockers so I would suggest leaving your valuables in your car. After you're all suited up, a staff member will give you a safety orientation and go over the basics of paddling. Since we did not book a tour, we were given an overview about landmarks in the area, cool things to check out, and which boundaries to watch out for. Once we got our kayaks off the shore and into the water, we were on our own. We spent almost 3 hours on the water and saw lots of kelp forests, some seals, pelicans, and lots of other wildlife! The waves got a bit choppy at certain points and the wind was working against us when we were heading back towards the shore but overall it was a smooth ride! I will definitely be bringing more friends with me the next time I'm in the area! read more

Monterey Bay Kayaks - Boating Near Me - Monterey, California

See all

Kayaking is one of my favorite hobbies. My youngest son said he wanted to go kayaking instead of going to the aquarium so that is what we did. My boyfriend and his son had never been kayaking before, and my son and I had never been kayaking in the ocean. So, it was to be an adventure for all of us. We booked a tour with Monterey Bay Kayaks but planned to do it at Elkhorn Slough. Unfortunately, we misread the email and turned up at the wrong location. Fortunately, they were able to accommodate us for the Monterey Bay tour. Our tour guide that day was Rob and he was awesome. We all got suited up (wet suits, windbreakers, life jackets are all included) and headed to the beach. We got a quick lesson and we were off. Our tour was pretty incredible. We saw a starfish, a jellyfish, Harbor seals, sea otters, Loons, cormorants and California seals. The Harbor seals were so curious about us that they tried to climb onto our kayaks! Everything was so close to us--it was an incredible experience. I highly recommend taking a kayaking tour with Monterey Bay Kayaks. We all had at an amazing time and even the 7 year old was able to join us with no problem. We'd love to do it again sometime and make more memories for our family. :) read more

See all

I went to this place with my daughters for a guided kayak tour around the Monterey bay. The tour was about 2.5 hrs, we arrived half hour early to get checked in. The staffs were very friendly and helpful. We were worried it would be too cold to be out on the ocean because the highest temp of the day was 67 degree but we all had fun kayaking, sightseeing seals, sea lions, crab, sea otters, and learned about kelp forest. They provided fishermen wetsuit, jacket, and life vest which definitely help keep body warm in a cool day. Parking are right in front of the shop but it is public so paying parking fee are required. I think I paid close to $7 for 3.5 hrs. Only thing I regret is to bring/buy the waterproof bag for my phone so I could take some pictures of my kids. The overall experience was great, price were very reasonable, and tour guides were knowledgeable. read more

So fun!!! What an experience. We drove 2 hours each way to come and and though it was very cold and windy, we had a blast. We saw seals and see otters and got a good workout in. Will be back when the weather is nicer! Price is decent and service was great. Everyone was nice and it was a great experience overall. read more

We had a great time on Monterey Bay with McKenna on a 2.5-hour tour. I'm not sure if it's a quiet time of year, but our group booking ended up being just 2 parties of 2. When the other party tipped over and couldn't continue early on, McKenna towed them back and had other staff meet at the beach to help so she could turn around and take us out. We ended up with a surprise private tour (with a humble attitude and our wits about us to avoid the same fate!). If I went again, I'd take advantage of the included wetsuit option. I rate my experience "intermediate beginner" level in the SF Bay which is also cold and prone to chop, so we thought it would be fine. But these kayaks seem quite easy to tip (we were warned not to look over the edge) and get much wetter on a breezy morning than other styles we've paddled in. The swells hit like a water rollercoaster ride up front and you sit in whatever splashes you. I wasn't too cold in the sun but it could've been much worse weather or if we'd capsized. That said, conditions can change quickly and once we reached the kelp forest, the water and wind calmed down a bit. We fully relaxed once inside the harbor. If you're nervous about your experience level or conditions, I'd recommend either the much more protected 1.5hr harbor tour or Elkhorn Slough instead. read more

Our two guides were magnificent and very knowledgeable. Both making sure we were safe but also ensuring we had all our questions answered and that we were having a blast. It was an absolute dream to be able to night kayak with our favorite mammal, Sea Otters, and see Bioluminescence from plankton. They had all the gear you would possibly need to keep warm and even greeted us with a warm shed and hot cocoa upon return. Such awesome service and lovely feels. read more

Monterey Bay Kayaks was the conduit for one of my son's favorite experiences during our vacation. We were at Old Fisherman's Wharf where my son saw kayakers and asked if we could do it as well. A completely last-minute decision and without reservations, we made our way over to rent a double kayak. (Under 14 must be with an adult.) Before I knew it, we had life vests, oars and a safety talk. We walked over to the kayak on the shore where they helped us get set and off we went. The next couple hours were such fun! We went exploring the bay, harbor, coves, encountering sea lions, being visited by a cheeky otter, and "surfing" the wakes of passerby boats. It was a mild white caps day so we had to work a bit when rowing against the wind. Back to the otter... clearly they are used to people and it's not the most surprising experience ever but it thrilled my son (and freaked me little)! We had a hitchhiker make his way onto our kayak and kept checking out my son. Once decided Josh was neither a threat nor food, he swam away but it was about 15 solid minutes of interaction. My brain kept saying "it's still a wild creature with who knows what "disease" but the smile on my son's face told me to just go with it. Side Note: So glad I bought the dry bag but I sure fumbled with my phone trying to keep balance, row AND video the experience. LOL Monterey Bay Kayaks has everything you need for a fun experience! read more

First time using this place. Went on a tour, our guide's name was Nick (cool dude). It was a lovely experience. Our guide is a local, has positive energy, is knowledgable and patient. We got to see all kinds of beautiful wildlife, even saw a jellyfish drift right by our kayak! Everything was nicely organized and clean, one grumpy guy but the staff was friendly Excellent place if you're just starting out or an expert. Will be returning Thanks guys! read more

We took the 2 hour guided tour and it was fantastic! The guide was knowledgeable and friendly and took the time to readjust kayak seats mid tour to make them more comfortable. He knew the marine mammals personally and we saw sea lions; otters, and even seals. Highly recommend! read more

Amazing service. Some of the kindest people you will meet. We had a great experience for our first time - thank you!

I just finished a private really fun kayak tour with Cambell Walker, who works for Monterey Bay Kayaks. Got great directions, learned a lot. Glorious day. Looking forward to coming back with friends to kayak again and hope to get her again as a guide. read more

See all

Awesome launching spot for kayaking or stand up paddle boarding. Friendly staff in the shop as well. We met Adam, Carla, and Bryan on our last visit, and they were really friendly and helpful getting us set up with our SUP rentals. It's $35/person which I find really reasonable because you don't have to stress about costs racking up by the hour. Other places I've rented from charged $20-30+ per hour. This place is right at the beach so no need to carry the board too far either. We paddle boarded to behind the aquarium and saw sea lions, seals, sea otters, and snails on kelp! The store sells those plastic waterproof cases you can wear around your neck, which I highly recommend if you don't have something already to capture photos while you're out there. Just be sure to use your camera zoom instead of getting physically close to respect the animals' space! They do have a storefront parking lot that costs $1.50 and is enforced everyday 9 AM - 8 PM. read more

See all

No reservation is needed on weekdays. Just walk in, talk to the worker at the cashier, she will make you sign a paper, make payments, and now you will be on to the shed room to get your kayak, paddles and life jacket. Wet suit is not needed when it's 65-70 degrees out in late October. They don't limit your hours, which is great. But you likely won't stay in the kayak for over 3 hours anyway since it's about a 4-5 miles round trip and you will be tired towards the end. The workers will give thorough instructions on how tos and things to know. Friendly and professional. There are a lot of seals and sea otters out there at the Moss Landing location, the otters pop their heads out next to you once in a while, which makes it a very special experience. read more

Tried calling several times to make a reservation. No answer, no return call. Finally just drove to the rental spot. We were told we needed a reservation and funny enough right then I got a return call, after 3 days of trying to get through, saying reservation were booked for the day. Not happy at all with the customer service. Went to adventures by the sea, down the street, had no problem renting 3 kayaks and had a great experience with them. read more