Top California Kayaking Tours

Explore the wild and beautiful coastline of Laguna Beach from the water on one of Laguna's most affordable and yet best-rated kayak tours. Top-of-the line gear is included for your voyage gliding above giant kelp forests and coral reefs in the open ocean. An experienced guide ensures your safety and know the best places to look for marine animals like dolphins and harbor seals.

See Lake Tahoe from a whole new perspective on a small-group guided tour in clear kayaks. Follow your lifeguard-certified guide and paddle around Lake Tahoe's scenic East Shore from Sand Harbor to hidden coves and highlights such as Bonsai Rock. On hot days, you can even take a dip in the waters to cool off while you soak up the scenery.

Embark on a thrilling adventure to La Jolla’s mystical sea caves and be at one with the ocean on board a single kayak during this small-group excursion. Soak up remarkable scenery and discover wildlife species unique to San Diego in the ecological reserve with an expert naturalist/biologist guide leading the way.

Get another perspective on the southern California coast during this leisurely kayak tour in Santa Barbara. Learn the basics of kayaking from your guide, and hear about Santa Barbara’s natural history and marine life during your tour. You won't have to worry about equipment rentals since kayaking gear is included.

Our Santa Barbara Kayak Tour can be a private tour or group tour experience. You choose your adventure! If you're looking for a more intimate Santa Barbara kayaking experience then our private kayak tour will be a perfect fit. If you're hoping to kayak Santa Barbara with other travelers and enjoy the sights with new friends then the group kayak tour is the way to go! Whichever kayaking tour you choose you'll be in the very capable hands of our friendly and experienced tour guides. Your local kayaking guide will show you the stunning boats in our harbor as well as introduce you to some cute and cuddly sea lions and seals! Prepare to take in views of Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Mountains, and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins! Your expert guide will share information about Santa Barbara's top attractions and customize the speed of the ride to suit your needs. Our goal is that kayaking Santa Barbara will be the highlight of your trip!

The seven beautiful sea caves along La Jolla Ecological Reserve can be difficult to explore, even for experienced kayakers. This small-group kayaking tour offers a guide to help small groups glide through the water and take the best routes to the caves. Paddle to all seven caves while keeping an eye out for sea lions, leopard sharks, and the occasional dolphin.

Explore La Jolla Ecological Reserve's sea caves during a 90-minute kayaking tour. Follow your experienced guide through several diverse ecological habitats, home to one of the highest concentrations of sea life in California. Paddle toward the Seven Sea Caves, where you can get stunning views from inside Emerald Cave, the only north-facing cave in the state (conditions permitting). Explore a giant kelp forest inhabited by wildlife like harbor seals and sea lions. Use of all kayaking equipment is included; no kayaking experience is necessary.

On this small-group kayaking or paddleboard tour, you’ll hit the scenic coastlines of Marina del Ray for a hands-on nature immersion. Learn kayaking or paddleboard techniques from your guide, and get a chance to spot local wildlife like sea lions, dolphins, and different varieties of seabird. Tours are capped at only seven participants for a personalized experience.

Kayaking the lake at dusk is always a magical experience. Imagine yourself gliding across the clear waters of Lake Tahoe as they change from emerald blue to pink and purple. As you look up into the sky, you will see the sun slowly sinking behind the majestic peaks of Lake Tahoe’s West Shore. This is one unforgettable experience you will not want to miss.

See the Pacific from a whole new perspective on this kayak tour on the Sonoma Coast. Adventure on the water and make memories with your closest friends. Mingle with local wildlife including birds and seals. Paddle alongside a whale, if you're lucky. Admire the rugged coastline from an oceanic vantage point.

Experience the Napa Valley’s natural beauty and rich history on a small-group kayaking tour of the Napa River. With your guide leading the way, hop in a comfortable and beginner-friendly kayak, and paddle down the valley’s waterways. Identify birds, see rare animal species, learn about the first people to settle the area, and see historic buildings damaged in the 2014 earthquake.

This activity is for everyone of all skill levels. You don't need any experience. You don’t even have to know how to swim. It's very welcoming for Beginners and Advanced. We can also pull the little ones behind us or put them in the kayak with us. We can pull the elderly or handicapped. I can even teach you to snorkel if you feel brave. I can share some stories from the TV show I'm on. This tour is very educational and informative as well.

Enjoy the majesty of Lake Tahoe while kayaking in one of our tandem (2-person) kayaks. Our shallow water launch spot is the perfect place for beginners and experts, alike. You can access some of the best views in Lake Tahoe, including the Upper Truckee River, Secret Beach, Mount Tallac, and Cave Rock. Your tandem (double) kayak will keep you afloat among the gentle waves and light wind that cross the lake in the early morning and afternoon as you float by the granite boulders and massive sugar pines that ring the lake. The time will pass quickly as you work your muscles and push yourself throughout the three hours until you return to disembark for your next adventure - unless you decide to upgrade to a full day rental!

Embark on an unforgettable adventure as you explore the clear, vibrant waters of Lake Tahoe in a fully transparent kayak. Glide over colorful rock formations, schools of fish, and shimmering sandbars, all visible through your kayak's crystal-clear base. Choose from morning, midday, or sunset tours for a completely different vibe each time. Our experienced guides lead you along the most scenic parts of the lake, sharing fun facts about Tahoe’s history, ecology, and hidden gems along the shoreline. This one-of-a-kind experience is perfect for families, couples, solo travelers, and photographers looking for an epic and unique view of Lake Tahoe’s natural beauty. No previous kayaking experience needed — we’ll provide all the training and safety gear you need for a fun, worry-free day on the water! Please be advised that weight limits on a single kayak are 250 lbs and a tandem is 375 lbs.

Kayaking the lake at dusk is always a magical experience. Imagine yourself gliding across the clear waters of Lake Tahoe as they change from emerald blue to pink and purple. As you look up into the sky, you will see the sun slowly sinking behind the majestic peaks of Lake Tahoe’s West Shore. This is one unforgettable experience you will not want to miss.

Our tours are as unique as the individuals booking them! They are all custom designed to meet your interests, ability levels and time constraints. Once you book the tour, the guide is yours for the day. The trip is sure to be the highlight of your visit to the Central Coast

Explore the shoreline of beautiful South Lake Tahoe on this 2 1/2 hour guided tour. Paddle out on crystal clear, snow-fed water while hearing colorful stories of Tahoe's most prominent landmarks and important personalities. This is the perfect tour for families and visitors looking to learn more about this treasured landscape on an easy paddle near Tahoe City. Your launch spot next to the Lakeview Commons boat ramp is one of the closest access points to paddle past the wildlife preserve near Secret Beach, the Upper Truckee River mouth (with lots of wildlife viewing opportunities), and the sweeping views of peaks above Emerald Bay. This tour is appropriate for beginner paddlers and experts, alike.

One of the deepest lakes in North America, Tahoe famously has very blue and clear waters, but it can be tricky to get a good view of them on most boat tours. This small-group kayak tour from Sand Harbor State Park takes you out onto the water in completely transparent kayaks so that you can enjoy a fuller perspective. Paddle along the lake while seeing up to 65 feet (20 meters) below the water's surface.

Lakeview Commons/El Dorado Beach is our launch point, and this location is very easy to park and access. It's centrally located in South Lake Tahoe, CA. It's also a fantastic launch point for some of the best views in Lake Tahoe. Just a 10 minute paddle from our beach, you'll access a wildlife preserve, secret beach, and the mouth of the Upper Truckee River. You'll also have sweeping views of some of Tahoe's tallest mountains. Lake Tahoe is a year-round playground offering incredible hiking, boating, and kayaking through most of the summer and some of the best skiing in North America in the winter. Ringed by massive mountains and beautiful pine forest, the lake is the largest alpine lake in North America and one of the deepest in the United States. Every year, thousand of visitors and residents alike flock to the lake to escape the searing heat of the California Central Valley and to enjoy the abundance of incredible water sports and outdoor activities the area offers.

Paddle into the sunset along the Southern California coast during this beginner-friendly, small-group kayaking trip from Santa Barbara. Watch the last rays of the day melt into the Pacific as you travel through the glassy waters of Santa Barbara Harbor. Pass by the historic wharf, keeping an eye out for marine life; a guide and all necessary kayaking gear are included to make logistics easy.

SDBK is the top ranked kayak operator by the City of San Diego for kayak operations. This ranking is based on meaningful criteria including the extensiveness and quality of our training programs, our proprietary guide certification process and stringent guidelines, our operating procedures, the quality and content of our opperations, our Water Safety Plan and Emergency Response Plan. Additionally, we are the closest operator to the beach in La Jolla and we also have the most available tours as the top ranked largest operator. Cave entry is not permitted on a rental; however, you can book one of our guided tours. If conditions do permit entry into the largest sea cave we access on our guided tours. Our priority is guest safety and we are unable to enter the Clam's Cave is ocean conditions do not permit.

San Diego’s La Jolla Ecological Reserve is one of the best spots on the West Coast to kayak and snorkel. On this two-activity tour—all gear provided—you and your crew will take turns between floating above water and snorkeling in it, hanging out with garibaldi, leopard sharks, rays, sea lions, and tons of other fascinating marine life.

Paddle into the night on this bucket list experience! Explore nature along the shoreline as you paddle out onto Lake Tahoe with the moonlight on the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Relax and enjoy the bright stars up above with the illumination of colorful LED lights below!