Morro Bay Kayak Tours

Your Questions, Answered:

• How is my Morro Bay kayak tour with Wildheart Coastal Adventures different from the other kayak companies? Wildheart offers a unique kayak experience that includes a short hike to a popular viewpoint to have a panoramic view of the estuary and to get insight into the estuary as a unique and abundant ecosystem. This opportunity enables you to get a feel for the features and extensiveness of the estuary. All of our guides have the educational background and experience to point out the varied flora and fauna both on land and in the estuarine environment…a true and informative eco-tour. Of coarse the land portion of the trip is optional if you prefer to just get out on the water.

• Are all of the tours guided? Yes they are, by one of our well informed and experienced guides (see our “About” page)

• Are all of the trips private? Yes they are. This enables us to really focus on YOUR interests and needs as individuals.

• What do you mean by calling the trips “custom”? Custom means that you have control over when you start, and what you want to focus on. Sometimes those changes can be literally made on the fly during your trip. Its your trip and we aim to please!

• Where do the Morro Bay kayak tours meet? We always meet at the docks at 501 Embarcadero…a private and uncrowded dock situated in the best part of the estuary: a location that is optimal for access to both the back bay and the harbor.

• How long do the tours last? Our standard time for a tour is 3 hours but can be adjusted to any period of time you choose. Starting times vary according to your schedule and which tour you want to take.

• What does the trip include? All paddlers are equipped with paddles, life vests and of coarse a sit on top kayak for the tour. We do not provide weather appropriate clothing and instruct all paddlers to wear layers for changing conditions, comfortable walking shoes and to bring drinking water even on the foggy days.

• What kind of kayaks will we paddle? We offer Perception sit-on-top kayaks in both tandem and single models. These are very stable, easy to enter and exit and keep you relatively dry.

• Do I need to know how to swim? No. Many of our clients are not swimmers. Because of this, we have highly buoyant PFD’s, have the most stable kayaks on the market, and give an extensive dry land lesson before heading out on the water. In the very unlikely event that you should fall out or capsize our guides are there to help you back into the kayak and to keep you safe.

• Do I need previous kayak experience? No. We offer a very extensive dry land lesson before going out on the water. By the time you end your tour, you’ll feel like a pro!

• Are your tours kid and family friendly? Of coarse! We welcome kids of all ages as long as they are able to sit on their own in the front of a tandem kayak and can walk the short land portion of the trip.

• Are the tours dog friendly? Yes, with the provision that they can sit calmly in the kayak with you and preferably if they have been in a floating vessel in the past. We do have a few dog PFDs but if you have your own, bringing it is advised.

• What should I bring to the tour? Our motto is to “keep it simple”. A phone for pictures and a bottle of water is all you should really need. Big backpacks with towels and various items are usually not needed and just get in the way. If you have kids and are diabetic then by all means bring some snacks!

• Are there any dangerous fish (sharks) or animals in the estuary? That’s a complicated question…here’s the simple answer: there are no dangerous predatory species that visit or live in the estuary such as pelagic sharks. That being said, any wild animal can be dangerous if provoked or threatened. So just as long as we keep to a comfortable viewing distance with all of the animals, we all will be happy and safe.

• Are there waves in Morro Bay? No. This is one reason it is so safe and pleasant to paddle on the Morro Bay estuary. Because it is an estuary, it is protected from the open ocean. We do occasionally experience wind chop, but rarely enough to make the kayak trip unpleasant or dangerous.

• What’s the best tide to go out on? It depends on what your goals are. If you want to view critters and otters, the best tides are the low ones. If you want to cover lots of distance with optimum area access then you would want to go out on the high tides. Some king tides are not safe to go out on because of extreme tidal flow.

• Does fog cancel a trip? No. Our guides know the estuary intimately and can still guide you and navigate safely in the fog. We know where to find the otters no matter what the weather conditions are.

• How big of a group can we bring on a tour? We can accommodate up to 30 people at a time. We do not accommodate solo travelers.

• Are there restrooms at the landing? Yes there are.

• Are we guaranteed to see otters? Because of our landing location and our guide’s extensive knowledge on where the otters can be located, we can all but guarantee otter sightings… and usually in more than one location.

• Do I stay dry on my kayak tour? Kayaking is defined as a water sport, so yes, you can get a little wet. Since we generally do not get out of the kayak once we’ve launched, you will most likely just get a little damp.

• Can I get a refund if I cancel my tour? A detailed description of cancellation policies is on the FAQ page.

• Are the tours appropriate for disabled persons? Yes. there are ramps leading to the dock and landing and our guides are available to help with kayak entry and exit.