Only 24 Spots are Available. His books have sold more than 1 million copies. This phenomenon occurs in many oceans around the world but is best viewed in a place like Tomales Bay where low ambient light makes the effect much brighter. An active resort for all ages with onsite beaches, kayak rentals, boat launch, swimming pool, and restaurant. The inn and marina are located on the west side of the bay. The sand bar at the mouth of Tomales Bay is notoriously dangerous, with a long history of small-boat accidents. Ahoy Boaters & Kayakers! Option & Pricing: Select Package & Pricing Option. There are six locations at which kayaks or other watercraft may be launched onto Tomales Bay: Point Reyes Station Adjacent communities include Pt. Hearts Desire Beach is on the west side of Tomales Bay off Pierce Point Road. THERE IS ONLY BACKPACKING AND BOAT IN CAMPING AT POINT REYES- NO CAR OR RV CAMPING DON'T OVERBOOK Tomales Bay is a narrow, long channel between wooded ridges. Visit our Kayaking Around Point Reyes National Seashore page . Take only pictures; leave only footprints. Always check the weather and marine forecasts before kayaking, canoeing, boating, etc. Marshall Beach Trail is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to see wildlife located near Inverness, California. Got a question or message for Tomales Bay Expeditions? The bay is bounded largely on the west by the Point Reyes National Seashore. The paddle, Part 1: At Inverness, on the west side of Tomales Bay, you are largely sheltered from the prevailing spring winds out of the northwest. Kayaking is also permitted on Drakes Estero and Limantour Estero from July 1 through February 28. Kayak Tomales Bay for amazing views of the Point Reyes National Seashore. Recreational use of Tomales Bay has grown in recent years, especially for camping, boating, and wildlife watching. Prior to launching, each customer will be provided a tutorial including information about the equipment and the rules and regulations of kayaking on Tomales Bay. Tomales Bay Expeditions now offers rentals of high performance pedal-drive kayaks. 4.7. In the event you choose to cancel you will receive a full refund minus the 5% handling fee. It is usually seen as sparkles or a glow around anything which disturbs the water Paddle strokes, the wake of a kayak or even a fish will leave a beautiful trail of light. more, From oysters plucked fresh from Tomales Bay to local wine and cheese tastings, Point Reyes and the surrounding areas offer an unforgettable range of dining more, With so much beauty to see in the Point Reyes National Seashore why not cover some of it on horseback? We look forward to hearing from you. Tomales Bay, at 12 miles long, is the largest protected bay in Point Reyes National Seashore. ~If you are on a phone and having trouble viewing this map, click on the icon in the upper right hand corner of the map to view this map on Google Maps.~. Ocean kayaking is potentially very dangerous. How to get to Point Reyes Station: From the Golden Gate Bridge, take Highway 101 north 16.1 miles to Exit 456 for Lucas Valley Road. More Information Coming Soon! Although it only takes about an hour to complete the out-and-back, the vibe surrounding this area is just begging you to slow down and enjoy your natural surroundings. No Problem! If you decide to cancel, it can be difficult for us to book someone else on that trip, and in some cases may cause a trip to be cancelled due to the effect on minimum group size requirements. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will make sure you are confident from beginning to end. French influence has of course extended to the local cuisine, which is rich in seafood and delectable desserts. Unpaid credit card deposits will be charged. Kayaking is also permitted on Drakes Estero and Limantour Estero from July 1 through February 28. We pedaled to all the beach nearby. A unique way to experience Tomales Bay is to take a night tour! Please note that if you are calling between 4:30 pm and 10 am, park staff may not be available to answer your call. Contact Tomales Bay State Park for more information at 415-669-1140. It is the largest unspoiled coastal embayment on the coast of California. Tomales Bay is a hotspot for bioluminescence. Reservations may be made online at Recreation.gov. During this time, you will also have the opportunity to seek local knowledge of the area from our experienced staff. A pit toilet is available. Possession of a glass container within fifteen meters (fifty feet) of any riverbank, lakeshore, or beach, or on the water, or in a vessel is prohibited. Start from Petaluma: 20 Miles, 30 Minutes, Start From Napa: 45 Miles, 1Hr 15 Minutes. Visitor use of national parklands must always be weighed against the responsibility to maintain natural and cultural resources for succeeding generations. Tomales Bay Kayak Tour. Tomales Bay offers boat-in only campgrounds along the east side of the peninsula. Visit recreation.gov or call the Visitor Center at (415) 464-5100 for more information and availability. Use our quick contact form below and well get back to you a.s.a.p. Join once, enjoy forever. A portable toilet is available. Bring a cap or hoodie, a waterproof shell, and waterproof pants to avoid your feet and legs getting wet from the drips from the paddle. more information on current conditions Don't Move Firewood: Buy it where you burn it. Drain water from watercraft, sponges, bailers, and water-containing devices before leaving water access. We paddled across the bay, subject to scrutiny by . A vault toilet is available. If you are in the Bay Area, check out California Canoe \u0026 Kayak in Oakland. Chicken Ranch Beach is a three-acre natural area adjacent to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard 1.8 km (1.2 miles) north of Inverness. Kayak Beautiful Tomales bay and experience the bioluminescence ecology of the bay. Map of Hog Island closure (98 KB PDF). How to get to Inverness: At Point Reyes Station, turn left on Highway 1 and drive 0.8 of a mile (stay on Highway 1 at signed turns) to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Blue Waters Kayaking, Point Reyes California. We will use our decades of experience in this area to make sure you have a safe, enlightening and . It requires additional skills, experience, and equipment, and is not recommended for most kayakers. Tomales Bay is a 24-kilometer (15-mile) long, 2645-hectare (6780-acre) tidal water body located in rural west Marin County, California. A narrow inlet that's about 15 miles long, Tomales Bay separates Point Reyes and the Marin Coastline. Clavey Paddlesports, Petaluma, 707-766-8070. Movements from a swimming fish, the stroke of a paddle to displaced water from the hull of your kayak can excite the organisms causing a shimmering burst of fluorescent green-blue light. We look forward to hearing from you. We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938. Come visit our launch location at the northern end of the Tomales Bay Resort in Inverness. This area can get busy so reservations are strongly suggested. Map of Hog Island closure (98 KB PDF), Kayaking and canoeing are also permitted on Drakes Estero and Estero de Limantour from July 1 through February 28. (415) 798-2040. Boaters may land to the south of the orange floats. It is a day-use area (no overnight parking) and there is a day-use fee. Sea Trek Kayak & Stand Up Paddling Center, Sausalito, 415-332-8494. In seconds, you will change what you see and transform how you feel. No advanced paddling techniques are required to get maximum performance; just push the pedals harder to go faster! Located to the west of Ottawa, "the Valley" stretches along the Ottawa River from Arnprior up to Deep River and extends . Napa Valley Paddle's Bioluminescent kayak touring company offers nature's most illuminating light show in the waters of Tomales Bay on the darkest nights of July, August, September, and October, 2023. Map of Estero closures (299 KB PDF). The drive: The prettiest route avoids Sunday traffic and is only a few minutes longer than the main drag of Sir Francis Drake west of San Rafael. Tours leave from multiple locations on Tomales Bay based on tide and weather conditions. We look forward to hearing from you. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Located an hour outside of downtown San Francisco, Tomales Bay is ideal for beginners because of its calm waters. CA Rent top gear from your local REI Co-op. Come see some of Earth's finest creatures with cheery and adventurous new friends. Contact the National Seashore's camping desk at 415-464-5100 x2 x5 if you have any specific questions about overnight camping on Tomales Bay. T hose looking to go canoeing and kayaking near Ottawa are in luckone of the premier paddling destinations in the entire province is merely a one- or two-hour drive away, depending where in the region you decide to explore. Take that exit 0.3 of a mile to a stop sign, turn left on Lucas Valley Road and drive 10.4 miles to Nicasio Valley Road. As such, all of our tours (especially night tours) are subject to environmental conditions such as tide and weather. There is a fee and permit system for overnight camping on the west side beaches of Tomales Bay (within Point Reyes National Seashore). We are a small, locally owned company which prides ourselves in our experience, depth of knowledge and connection to our home. No camping, overnight parking, or beach fires. The Seashore faces the challenge of not only preserving the pristine shorelines of Tomales Bay and assisting in protecting clean water, but also providing recreational opportunities for the public. more, Perfect for couples or families who want privacy and the comforts of home this lovely two bedroom cottage is walking distance to the charming historic village center of Olema and nearby trails. When the weather forecast took a turn for the worse leading up to my outing, Cooper and his team were great about . ), or speak with a ranger. Millerton Point is on the east side of Tomales Bay, five kilometers (3 miles) north of Point Reyes Station. Adjacent communities include Point Reyes Station at the head of the bay, Inverness on the west, Marshall on the east, and Dillon Beach at the mouth of Tomales Bay. The Tomales Bay State Park General Plan. We searched for bioluminescent but it was hard to see that night even though there was no moon. The island is in the northern section of Tomales Bay across from Whites Gulch on the west side and Nicks Cove on the east side. Since the Titan comes with so much primary and secondary stability, I took the plunge last weekend. Except Saturdays can be very busy. The National Park Service at Point Reyes is concerned about the effects of the growth in recreational use. All of our night tours have some chance of seeing bioluminescense, however there are many factors which effect its density and brightness. And the next wave tipped me right over one more time. The best paddle here is the easy trip to the southern end of Tomales Bay, a wetlands area excellent for sighting shorebirds and waterfowl. (locations are listed in the order in which one would encounter them moving counter-clockwise around the bay from Tomales Point to Dillon Beach). Item #: WAT-SFR-0038. A vault toilet is available. , They had a demo boat that took all of an hour to convince me. Orange floats are placed in the water in summer to indicate the swimming area. It covers just north of Point Reyes Station up to the town of Tomales, California. We can (and often do) turn away others from that particular date (or trip). Call us today! It is the largest unspoiled coastal embayment on the coast of California. Bioluminescence in Tomales Bay is virtually impossible to capture on film, most of the white-blue fluorescent photos seen here where not taken in Tomales Bay. ), or speak with a ranger. As part of the Point Reyes National Seashore, Tomales Bay is a bit secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city. We set up camp while enjoying freshly shucked oysters and music from our waterproof speaker. MARSHALL, CA. Millerton Point is on the east side of Tomales Bay, three miles north of Point Reyes Station. Napa Valley Paddle(Inside) Sav Up Crossfit1075 Lakeville St. Petluma, CA 94952, The Bioluminescent Kayak Tour in Tomales Bay. So the camera was sitting too loose and thus was knocked over by the same waves that tipped me. TOMALES BAY RESORT (415) 669-1389The Resort and 62-boat marina are located on the west side of the bay. It is on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, one mile north of Inverness. Read A Guide to Low-Impact Boat Camping for more information about camping on the beaches of Tomales Bay and obtaining a permit to do so. Given that good weather often attracts a large volume of paddlers to our area, we recommend making reservations in advance whenever possible. Cancel completely. Use our quick contact form below and well get back to you a.s.a.p. Winter Kayaking & Birding Tours with David Wimpfheimer: Sundays December 29, 2013 and January 19, 2014. . It is very shallow and is best used at high tides. Parking is limited in the Point Reyes area. (, Let us drop them off for you at your waterside location if you are coming out midweek. Boaters may land to the south of the orange floats. While Tomales Bay separates the two, this post will focus on the Marin side of Tomales Bay. This trail is very well maintained and you are almost guaranteed to see tule elk along the way. We'll send you a few emails every week. : For a list of Kayaking Outfitters in the Point Reyes area, check our Outfitters and Tours page. Tomales Bay State Park: Heart's Desire Beach. Tours leave from various locations depending on tidal conditions. There is a day-use fee and overnight-use fee. The only marine Wilderness on the west coast of the continental United States, the esteros (Spanish for estuaries) offer relatively undisturbed habitat for harbor seals, bat rays, leopard sharks, and many species of birds and fish. No overnight parking for boat-in campers is allowed in Point Reyes National Seashore or Tomales Bay State Park. Turn right (still Point Reyes Petaluma Road) and drive 3.1 miles to Highway 1.