Top California Kayaking Tours

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.

Enjoy sublime coastal scenery as you spot marine life during this kayaking trip to La Jolla’s sea caves and ecological reserve. Paddle alongside your expert naturalist guide as you observe the numerous species of birds, dolphins, sea lions, and even orcas of the area. Kayak among the lush kelp beds that grow in the reserve and, if conditions permit, explore inside the sea caves that dot the rocky coastline.

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.

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.

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

The activity includes an expert local guide that connects adventurers with nature and the local culture, history and unique geographical sites of the location. In a friendly and chill setting, adventurers are able to experience a stress free and reflective activity in a beautiful setting complete with wildlife viewing and healthy activity.

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.

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.

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.

Kayak La Jolla and the 7 Caves!  This 90 minute guided tour in La Jolla is a favorite of both locals and San Diego visitors. Explore beautiful sea cliffs and caves as you glide through the La Jolla Ecological Reserve filled with marine life. Paddle to Sunny Jim’s Cave, the Arch Cave, the Clams’ Cave and other sea caves for amazing close-ups of sandstone formations. Witness sea lions, garibaldi, leopard sharks, shovelnose guitarfish (rock on, man) and even the occasional dolphin on this sought-after La Jolla kayak tour. Ages 5 and up.

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.

Look for whales as they migrate through the waters of the Pacific Ocean off of California on this whale-watching cruise from Monterey. Your naturalist guide shares commentary about the whales and their habitat as you search for gray whales (most common), humpback and blue whales, and other marine life such as dolphins and sea lions during your cruise.

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.

Visit Northern California wine country and Muir Woods for a truly fabulous day out. This Super Saver provides two popular tours at one discounted price: Begin with a walk through Muir Woods National Monument, then tour three wineries in Napa and Sonoma Valleys, with tastings included. You’ll also cross the Golden Gate Bridge, with a stop for a photo opportunity. Guests can buy lunch if you haven't upgraded to the gourmet lunch option.

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.

Guests get to kayak out into the La Jolla Ecological Reserve with trained professional guides to take them to various snorkel sports in the La Jolla Ecological Reserve (spot depends on safety and may change depending on the day.) Once the group arrivals at chosen snorkel spot, the guides will till all of the kayaks together with rope and drop a sea anchor, so the kayaks are stationary, and the guests get to hop out and snorkel in the majestic waters of the La Jolla Ecological Reserve. After the snorkeling portion, guests kayak back to the launching point. Entire duration last two hours. No snorkel experience necessary but preferred. Must be a comfortable swimmer in the ocean to participate.

Experience the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe at night on a unique nocturnal adventure. Paddle in clear kayaks with glow lights to see the local flora and fauna in and around the lake at night. Join a small group for a more personal experience under the stars. Your clear kayak will begin to glow with special lights as the sun finishes setting and the stars come out.

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.

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.

Explore one of California's most iconic settings from the beauty of San Francisco Bay. This narrated Golden Gate Bay cruise journeys alongside Alcatraz and Angel Island State Park, past the shores of Sausalito and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. You can choose to view the sights from inside your boat or out on deck.

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. Our 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. **Please note the cost of the tour is $85.00 per person with a 2 person minimum

Grab a paddle and voyage along the scenic west shore of Lake Tahoe on a guided morning kayak tour, perfect for anyone wanting to kayak while hearing insider tales of the area. Glide through the pristine water and learn about local history and legends such as the early settlers, the ill-fated Donner Party, and life on the lake before the advent of ski resorts and casinos.