Blue Waters Kayaking

As a part of SF Climate Week, ProgramEarth arranged a kayaking tour to spread awareness about Coast Miwok people and Tamal Liwa. This tour was well organized and we got a heads up for the all the things we need to bring and forms we need to sign days ahead by Blue Water Kayaking including directions. The guides were amazing and worked pro bono for this event. (Please don’t forget to tip your amazing guides). We were fitted with wind breakers, skirts and PFDs. We kayaked out from hearts desire beach until Felix cove, broke for lunch and returned back. Tomales Bay is gorgeous and the day was a little windy. Thankfully, the sea kayaks had a rudder that was crucial in keeping us from getting swept by the wind. It’s a bit of a learning curve tbh. The guides made sure we all didn’t stray too far away from the coast. Made a bunch of stops to spot birds and mussels. Lots of sea grass and kelp under us. Highly recommend!

We rented a tandem kayak from Blue Waters Kayaking last weekend for the overnight (24-hour) slot and had an amazing experience. We paddled at night with friends to see the bioluminescence—absolutely magical. Everyone at Blue Waters was super helpful and friendly. We reserved in advance and, when we arrived, all the gear was ready to go. The rental included the kayak, dry bags, life vests, rain jackets, and even laminated maps of the bay. They also provided pads and straps to secure the kayak to the roof of our car and helped us load it safely. Overall, a fantastic experience—highly recommend this place!

Reflections from Guide Training at Blue Waters Kayaking I’ve spent years in and around water—teaching, guiding, founding water sports programs across the world—but nothing quite compares to the experience I had during Blue Waters Kayaking’s recent guide training at Heart’s Desire Beach. Even with all my background, I’ll admit I felt a flutter of nerves heading into the capsize training. But the level of professionalism, care, and empathy from the trainers quickly dissolved that fear. They guided us through each moment with such skill and support that I left feeling not only more confident but deeply connected to the group. It was a rare kind of camaraderie—one that comes from challenge, trust, and shared respect for the water. And the wildlife! From the rustle of birds along the shore to the gentle pulse of the Bay itself, it was like paddling through poetry. What struck me most was the Blue Waters team’s deep sensitivity to the environment—teaching and modeling “Leave No Trace” principles with sincerity and heart. They remind us that the best kind of adventurer leaves only kindness in their wake. I’m excited to keep growing on this path. My gratitude runs deep.

Everyone at blue waters was incredibly helpful in helping us plan our camping trip and coordinate details. They were very friendly, and went above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience! The kayaking in the bay was wonderful, we saw lots of wildlife including bat rays and a large pink jellyfish! Highly recommend blue waters

Highly Recommend! When my wife and I visited the office for information about the tour, we were greeted with very friendly and knowledgable staff/guides to answer our questions talk about details about the tour. They were also super helpful with other great info on beaches and things to do in the area. It all sounded amazing and we booked. The morning of the tour, the guides were taking precausions about a Tsunami Warning that was in effect, and to be safe wound up cancelling. We wished we had more time around PT Reyes to reschedule to experience the paddle. We appreciated the full refund that hit our acount the next day. Thanks Blue Waters Kayaking!

We didn't do a tour but rented boats and had a great experience with Blue Waters Kayaking. They told me everything I needed to know but even though I was completely disorganized and forgot to do the waivers, forgot to get my gear before leaving Point Reyes Station, they did everything perfectly. We picked up our boats at Heart's Desire Beach and they were in great shape. Far better than they typical kayak rental with good deck lines and not beat up. Will rent from them again when we return to Tomales Bay.

Would definitely recommend. A little pricey but that's the bay area and they make it so easy. We rented from the hearts desire location on a busy day and they came and picked us up from a nearby parking lot when the lot at the park was full. Friendly staff. Gave us some info on the area and wildlife to look out for before we set out. Nice kayaks. Feels like a professional operation while still being very chill. Will definitely be back.

Have you ever seen a more beautiful coastline then the coastline in Tomales Bay!? Simply the best location for kayak rentals, tours and more! We spent a day kayaking the Tomales bay and we were blown away by the beautiful landscape, calm waters and wildlife! If you are in the San Francisco area, you must make a visit to Blue Waters Kayaking!

We (3 adults) did the Drake's Estero Half Day tour with Jeff and Kari in mid-October and had a fantastic experience. We got very lucky and had great conditions: overcast but not cold and no wind. The water was completely still and we could easily see into it, so we were able to see leopard sharks and a moon snail. These conditions also made for easy paddling. Though we were experienced kayakers, most of the people in our group had little to no experience. Hence, Jeff and Kari were very thorough at the beginning; they demonstrated basic paddling techniques and positions and made sure everyone's gear and kayak were setup correctly. During the tour, they managed the group well, helping out as needed and including a short break on a shore so people could stretch their legs and relieve themselves. Jeff was very knowledgeable and shared lots of interesting information about the history of the area and local flora and fauna. Both tandem and single kayaks were available. They also provided waterproof jackets, kayak spray skirts, and dry bags. Bring your own water and snacks.

Stunning landscape in the Tomales Bay area and impressive first experience co-kayaking at night with a friend when all is pitch black and we are just guides for the dim lights of the kayaks! My friend Stefanka had 2 tickets and her son could not go. Needless to say I am your perfect friend for last minute invites, a freebie like this I could not miss it, I am so thankful for the gift because we not only had a blast during our more than 2 hour trip from San Jose to the departure point of the kayaking bioluminescent tour, but also this was new for both of us. We feel like having a mini Thelma&Louise adventure, with tons of life-coaching each other on the way! Tour specialists were top-notch, very friendly, polite, patient and good vibes only type. We enjoyed their guidance, even if we found the prep time was a bit too long (we had an issue with our first kayak so they needed to change for another one and then there were some other solo kayakers not allowing us to launch on time). I was kayaking in the back, so the one that has to pedal on top of paddling...well, total loss of direction all the time, getting out of the line and having tons of laughs in the process while making sure we did not fall in the water (which actually was pretty warm, we overpacked in winter clothes but honestly not needed and you will exercise a lot, so no need). As per the bioluminescent fish, yes there were sparkles in the water, tons of them, but do not expect a fake idyllic image of fish coming to say hi like mini lanterns in the night. In fact for a while we did not see anything and then there were pockets of this phenomenon that was amazing but was not continuously happening. Overall, will recommend, it was a very well spent Friday afternoon-night even though the way back to San Jose was tiring with those many curves and yes, traffic!

Went on the Bioluminescence tour of Tamales Bay. While the Guides were great, the equipment was not. Our first Kayak had the foot pedal break and so they had to get another Kayak. The tour was supposed to start at 7:00, but we only got onto the water at 8:30 with this delay and with waiting for the other tours to get out. Our second Kayak had the rudder keep sticking making our Kayak go off in every direction. I had to paddle like I have never done before to get it going straight. My back and arms are in pain as I write this. Never going to go out in group kayaks again unless it is a none rudder style. If rudder is not turning as it should it makes for a crappy experience. Our guides did not have much sympathy for us and kept blaming us for not using it right. I did not enjoy the trip at all.

We made a last-minute decision to do some self-guided kayaking around Tomales bay, and rented a 2 person kayak from Blue Waters. It was a great experience -- they were super-helpful and thorough, including teaching us how to strap the kayak to the roof of our car with the equipment they provided, as well as giving us maps of the bay and wildlife guides. Very friendly outfit, would recommend to anyone wanting to kayak in the area!

We took advantage of their kayak rental service directly from Heart's Desire beach. We had two small children and the two staff members were incredibly helpful and just really nice. It made the day that much better. The kayaks and equipment were in great shape and our reservation time was flexible (I booked for two hours but they let us change it to four hours before we took off). Highly recommended!

We had a fantastic tour of Tomales Bay, provided by Jeff and Laurie. This was my 3rd time in a kayak, and for a few people in the group it was their first. The bay is dynamic, we experienced both calm as a lake waters, and bumpy (about 6" wave height). Completely manageable for an inexperienced kayaker. They provide waterproof jacket (I was fine without it), life jacket/pfd, and spray skirt. There are porta-potties at the boat launch. You take a half-hour break at one of the beaches, be sure to bring a lunch. Tip your guides!

I highly recommend Blue Waters Kayaking for their bioluminescence tour. Reservations are definitely needed as this experience books up quickly even during Covid times, it seems. This activity was booked when I checked in October, so I put myself on the waitlist in case someone cancelled their reservation. I later received an e-mail the next month in November for more dates in December! Score! I think it was Dallas who helped me book my reservation over the phone and he was super friendly! Confirmation e-mails were sent immediately and continued to be sent until the day of the reservation. Note that there is a 15% gratuity fee added into the total cost of the booking. The correct parking spot is on top of a hill overlooking the boat launch, $5 cash only. You have to walk down the hill to the restroom area and there, you will find the envelopes to pay for parking. Bring your own pen! Sophia and Oz were our tour guides that evening and they were excellent! Sophia led the group of 6 kayaks (2 people per kayak) and Oz stayed in the back. We suited up in a lot of kayaking gear, which was great. It was a clear and calm night with perfect conditions. We even saw Starlink satellites in the sky which looked like a string of pearls moving through the night sky! It was amazing! Even more amazing was seeing the bioluminescence! With each stroke of my oar, it looked like glitter in the water. We could even put our hand in the water and see all the glittery looking bioluminescent! I had a really great time night kayaking and seeing the bioluminescence. Dress warmly. I also wore a beanie. FYI, if you wear glasses, they could potentially fog up and water can also splash onto your lenses. Night kayaking is a perfect natural social distancing activity. I highly recommend it! I didn't even know I could see bioluminescence in NorCal. I thought I had to go to Belize or somewhere out of the country.

We did the nighttime bioluminescence tour and it was excellent. The guides were knowledgeable and helpful. The equipment was in good shape. It's a bit expensive, but it's in a national park at night, so it's a unique experience that you're not going to do often. We did get lucky with the weather and the bioluminescence on our particular night; other nights you might not see as much.

Amazing experience from Go! My partner and I enjoyed the bioluminescence tour under the Milky Way. Sabrina and Diego got us all started with a round of intros and the sharing of a fave stretch or dance move. Nice icebreaker! Tomales Bay is truly a magnificent wonder! Every time I go there, I enjoy the plethora of wildlife that live in the area. So to begin with, you cannot go wrong here, unless you are a city slicker and you don't prepare for wet and cold. It helps when the weather cooperates and it is smooth sailing with no fog and little wind during our trip last night. It was absolutely gorgeous, a great night to paddle beneath skies that offered up shooting stars several times! Great bonus! Sabrina is a local. She's a fantastic Naturalist who really shows her passion for the area with her deep knowledge and her obvious reverence to Tomales Bay and beyond. She used the word, "magical," to describe the landscape, and I appreciated how that was in no way over the top. She showed tremendous respect to the wildlife in the bay, taking great care to lead us with grace through Hog and Piglet islands. She stopped to ensure we were not spooking harbor seals, and she was amazingly adept at pointing out animals by sound. She found a pack of coyotes whining in the distance that I don't think we would have been aware of were it not for her. She identified birds by sound and has extensive knowledge of all the creatures that live on, below, and above Tomales Bay, as well as the tectonic features upon which the bay is perched. She had great historical stories, and she also provided a treasure trove of great paddling tips that I had not heard before during paddling excursions elsewhere. Truly a pleasure paddling with her as our guide! Signing up was quick and efficient, and the person I spoke to was super helpful. At trip time I got email notifications and calls to ensure we were coming. These guys know how to round up cats! Though the bioluminescence was not super strong, Sabrina helped us to find as much of it as we could. So many other features superceded the light show though, I would recommend this tour 100% and whether you do or do not see the little critters, you will have an extraordinary time! If you can, book a trip with Sabrina. You will not be disappointed.

Woohoooooo, activities are opening again!!! Kayaking in a gorgeous spot like Tomales Bay is a phenomenal weekend activity. The scenery is stunning and there's a ton of wildlife - birds, jellyfish, sharks, elk, starfish. Trips like this are worth it every time, although the unpredictable Tomales Bay weather can be a dealbreaker. Make sure to bring LOTS of layers - hat, jackets, long underwear, shorts, t-shirt - so that you're prepared whether the microclimate is hot or cold. They have the usual kayaking gear (waterproof jackets, spray skirts, life preservers, etc.) that provide extra warmth + protection. Bring tons of sunblock, snacks, and more water than you think you'll need. Before you go, be careful which company you pick and the guide you get. Things to know about Blue Waters: - Morning trips are supposed to start at 9:30am. - HOWEVER, they have everyone stand around in a circle, say their names, and perform a stretch or yoga pose for the group. It eats up half an hour and is basically my WORST.NIGHTMARE.EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. If I'd wanted to pay for a performative yoga class, I would've done that. I do not CARE if Bob from Sacramento enjoys downward-facing-dog. Please get me into a kayak and onto the water, thank yoooou!!! - The guides vary in their style and knowledge. We had Seamus, a bellower who scared all wildlife away because he YELLED. Once on the water, every single living thing scurried away or dove headlong into the water, including me, as soon as he started bellowing. (Note: We ALMOST saw a few otters.) It would've been simple to round up the guests: there were 3 guides and all had walkie-talkies. All they needed to do was communicate to each other, then us, that we were gathering for a lesson-slash-mansplaining session. Please, train your guides to respect the local wildlife and the guest's ears :( - As many of the guides do, ours fashioned himself to be a naturalist. However, he couldn't get his facts straight, which was frustrating for our group of *actual* naturalists. He misindentified 4 different bird species in the first hour, then plucked a starfish off a rock where it was feeding to hold up for display. Dude -- leave the wildlife alone, please, and go brush up on your birds. (FYI: that wasn't a Great Blue, it was a Black-Crowned Night heron. That was a flock of snowy egrets, not terns. And while bears have claws, osprey do not - they have TALONS. You're welcome.) We appreciated the attempted education, but maybe make sure your guides know a bit more before you sic them on the public...? TL/DR: Tomales Bay is an epic kayaking location, but vet the kayak company you choose carefully. Bring layers, water & sunblock. Ditch guides who scream/mansplain and leave them on the shore. Enjoy!!

I had previously tried to rent kayaks from this outfit a couple of years ago and they basically blew me off and were colossally unhelpful. I went back this past weekend and...I wish I hadn't. You go into Point Reyes Station, load the kayak(s) onto your car yourself, drive to a launch spot (they recommend Hearts Desire Beach, which costs an extra fee), then unload and reload everything on your own. All that shuttling and loading with no help from staff means that a half-day reservation realistically translates to less than 3 hours on the water. At the very least, Blue Waters should have a staff person stationed at the recommended put-in spot to give customers a hand if needed. I had rented two single kayaks so my boyfriend and I had to move them one by one to and from the beach - which took a fair amount of time - and we would have been unable to reload safely without the help of some very kind strangers who saw how much trouble we were having. Plus strapping the kayaks down tight enough to stay secure in the wind dented the roof of my car. If I wanted to do literally all the heavy lifting myself, I would buy my own kayak instead of paying an outfitter to not help at all.

We attended the bioluminescence tour held by blue water kayaking and it was amazing! They provided us windproof jacket and spray skirt so we did not feel cold our entire ride. Our guides explained everything well and was quite helpful in guiding us during the trip. The bioluminescence was really cool, we could see it while paddling and under the kayak while moving. Highly recommend it! Tip: You can have dinner and park your car at Nick's Cove next door, good view and good food and free parking. It's walking distance to the kayak place.

We rented kayaks for the weekend and the people at this shop were super friendly and very helpful. They took their time to explain details and carefully mounted our kayak to the roof of our Mazda Miata mx-5. I wasn't sure if it could work but because the car was hard top, it worked. Super pumped to come back and rent more kayaks in the future. Rent your kayaks here if you want to go a cross the bay to beach camping.

Anee, Diego and Sabrina were knowledgeable and awesome! We learned so much about the bay, the animals and sea life that live there, and the surrounding landscape. It was all so cool to see that sometimes I would even forget to paddle! Which at one point put us pretty far behind but Anee came to the rescue and there were multiple meeting points so we never felt too far behind. I'm normally not the outdoorsy type but I have to say it was a lot of fun and I'd totally do it again. Good times!

My boyfriend and I had a great experience with Blue Waters Kayaking. It was a fun way to get outside and away from the city. A couple things to know: 1. Make reservations prior to going. (Especially if you're going on a weekend). I had called the day before for a Sunday reservation. 2. The shop is behind a gas station. You'll need to strap the kayak to your car and drive a couple miles to Hearts Desire Beach at Tomales Bay State Park. 3. Pack some light snacks to enjoy on your Kayak and then head to the Marshall Store for some oysters!

Great friendly and efficient service. We picked up our kayaks at nicks cove for a half day rental, which is more than enough time to enjoy the area ... now to go get some oysters

I can't recommend these guys enough. I recently rented a single, sit-on-top kayak from them for a two day solo camping trip in Tomales Bay. Everyone was extremely helpful in helping me prepare for the trip, over the phone, by email and in -person. Piro (not sure if that's how you spell her name) was especially helpful in teaching me how to load and unload my kayak from the car as a solo female traveler. They all gave me the skills, equipment and encouragement I needed to have a great time out on the water. It was a great trip, thanks to them! I would definitely rent from them again. Thank you guys!

Friendly, helpful staff and solid equipment - partner and I rented a two person kayak for a half day. Kayaking in Tomales Bay is beautiful! Will definitely come back soon

"We had a great experience with blue water kayaks. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. We rented sit on top sea kayaks and paddled around Tomales Bay and had such an amazing day. The equipment was in good condition and they run a safe and fun operation."

The wife and I had resolved to do at least one sea kayak outing during our time in the Point Reyes area. I had previously studied the Blue Waters website, and so on our next-to-last morning here, I called up the nearby Inverness location. Me: "I'd like to reserve a 2-hour kayak tour for this afternoon please" BWK person: "Uhm, it's getting a little late to start today" [It was 11:30 am] Me: "We only want it for 2 hours; and w're very close. We can be there in 15 minutes." BWK person: "Yes, but the wind comes up this time of day, so it's going to be pretty rough out there. We don't usually let people go out much later than this. It's that way almost every day in the summer." Me: "Oh...OK" [and thinking: why isn't that simple explanation on their website?] So I proceeded to make a reservations for early the following morning, even though the timing was tight. (We needed time to eat, pack, check out, etc..) I would have preferred to sleep in and relax more, but goals are goals. After our arrival the next morning, it was all good. Parking was easy, the staff were friendly and upbeat, our paperwork was quick, and they even had light wetsuits and shells that fit us for the foggy, chilly morning weather. After a brief paddling refresher, we pushed off the beach (and were also successfully clear from a large, loud group that had just arrived - big yay). Our paddle up the shore was wonderful. We headed north (upwind); we explored coves, watched eagles fly over us and cormorants dive next to us; and we passed the occasional forested inlet and beach (including some tiny ones that were accessible only by boat). Around each turn was another surprise and a brand new view. The morning grew warmer and the fog began to lift a little. Though our idea had been to make it to Hearts Desire Beach in the local state park, we turned around after an hour and began the trip back; this time with the wind at our backs. (Looking at a map later, I see our turnaround point was only about 400 yards short of HD beach) Unsurprisingly, the paddle back was a little quicker, and we passed the large kayaking group we had seen earlier, going the other direction. They appeared to be heading out for a longer camping tour. Sounded kinda fun, though I prefer more peace and quiet when kayaking. Five stars for the wonderful morning on the water; a star loss for the poor information up front. Tips and tricks: -- Call at least a day ahead for reservations -- Parking for several cars at this location -- One port-a-potty available next to parking

Good honest people run this business! I'm not even a customer, but received help after stopping by to inquire if they had an air pump I could borrow (since mine appeared to be broken). Dallas disassembled part of my pump and diagnosed a blown fuse. It was located in an unexpected part of the pump! We though the whole unit was broken, but due to his help we were up and running quickly. So thanks again, Dallas!

The bioluminescence tour was fantastic -- cannot recommend it highly enough. I grew up in the Bay Area but had never heard about these glow-in-the-dark plankton. Amazing!! Our guides were great -- very professional. They explained the sights and kept us together but weren't overbearing. Truly a unique experience. Also this is a perfect activity during the pandemic (our tour was in August 2020). It's an outdoor activity with natural social distancing. Everyone wore masks on shore, and the guides made a point of keeping everyone spaced appropriately. Excellent.

I went on their bioluminescence kayak trip and it was wonderful. It's very well organized and the team leading it know what their doing. They'll make you comfortable regardless of you kayaking experience. They provide the kayak, a paddle, spray jackets, a spray skirt, and a life vest. Everything you need for a fun and informative paddle on the water. I had Liz, Tom, and Zack running my trip and they were friendly and helpful. I really enjoyed it and I'll gladly go again. Be sure to dress comfortably with nothing cotton. Make sure you're dressed warmly enough for your trip, because there's nothing worse than being cold and miserable while you're out on the water. If you're not sure what to bring they have information on their website or you can always give them a call. I wore a pair of rain pants, hiking boots, a long sleeve base layer shirt, a short sleeve synthetic shirt, and a synthetic fleece vest. I also brought along a pair of gloves and a thin hat, which I ended up putting on later in the trip. This along with the spray jacket, spray skirt, and life jacket were comfortable to me for a night with a little wind and temps in the low 50s and high 40s. They're very easy to deal with and are good at what they do. I can't recommend Blue Water enough.

This was our first time kayaking and we could not have asked for better guides. We appreciated the explanations on kayaking how to, and the patience and direction of the skillful guides. We loved learning about the geology, native (and non native) plants, ecology and history of the area. Perfect pacing to rest, take photos, and take in the beautiful bay. Thank you for a safe, and outstanding first adventure!

I recently did a kayak trip to Tomales Bay. Prior to the trip I called John at Blue Waters Kayaking to get a feel of what I might be getting myself into. John was very helpful, answered a lot of my question, and put me at ease. The trip went great thanks to John and BWK. Would recommend this to anyone looking for some Tomales bay adventure.

Amazing Private Kayaking Tour! The bioluminescent kayaking & camping trip I took last year was so amazing that this year I decided to host a private trip for my friends and family. We had 17 people on our trip, including folks who had kayaked, a couple of people who had never kayaked, and one person who had never slept in a tent before. Amanda and Kelly were awesome guides. They gave us a great tour of Tomales Bay during the day and a magical tour of the bioluminescent bloom after dark. They were both very knowledgeable, supportive, and fun! I would highly recommend Blue Waters Kayaking for your next adventure!

Our family did the bioluminescence trip last night and it was an unbelievable and unforgettable experience. Kayaking at night was wild and would have made for a great trip alone. The bioluminescence was the icing on the cake. The guides were well prepared, responsible and knowledgeable. Looking forward to exploring other trips by Blue Water Kayaking.

We were all set for an evening kayak trip. Unfortunately due to the weather, they cancelled. I get it, due to safety. However, when I booked reservation, I paid a 5% processing fee which I knew about. However, they cancelled the trip and refunded me but got charged the 5% again. It's not my fault the trip was cancelled and I understand you can't predict the weather but think it's a pretty s******* thing to do to charge me another processing fee because I want a refund. I was visiting from out of town and could not rebook another trip. I should have said something right away on the phone, but didn't think about it till later and the woman on the phone wasn't to pleasant. I have a high tolerance of patience, but feel they could handle these cancellations better.

We had a great day on Tomaleas Bay. The team was not responsible for the smooth water, the huge bat ray, the seals or the birds.... but they were clearly loving their job. And pointed out lots of wildlife out: the sea creatures, birds, sea stars, jellies, different kinds of seaweed. We got some history thrown in as well. We were lucky with the weather, and I'm sure that added a lot. But we 4 loved the trip.

Went on the night bioluminescent tour. It was surreal. The water was dark fog rolled in which made the bay mysterious. As you are paddling the oars light up as you scoop the water. The guides Lori, Amanda CalmYar were fantastic and very informative. This is a must do tour.

We had a great experience on the bioluminescence tour. Only in the Bay Area, unique and otherworldly. Our tour leader was very good and his and the front "office's" judgement about the wind and whether to go out, when to cancel, was excellent as was the tour route. Also they were quite good with training and assisting. We crossed Tomales Bay to Hog Island, rafted up with the other kayaks, crossed to Wall beach, worked our way up to other coves and crossed back over to the launch site. Three legs of a triangle probably just under 3 miles total distance. The bioluminescence manifests as sparkles in the water in any turbulence such as from your kayak paddle or if a fish or sea creature swims thru vigorously. Really neat, really cool. You do need black dark night and your best nighttime vision to see this. Any nearby light pollution such as from a flashlight or camera lcd ruins it. Our equipment, however was worn out and should have been retired or repaired: broken handles and straps on the kayak, poorly operating rudder pedals with schlocky nylon strap type cables to the rudder; old junk which affected my ability to keep my feet on the pedals and keep the rudder operating and steer. We were supplied much better gear kayaking the Channel Islands, for example. Fortunately with little wind our night, no waves, all went well. So a 5 star rating for the experience and tour and a 1 star for lousy equipment. There was another outfitter leaving our night and they seemed more regimented with better equipment. I personally would not have liked the extra regimentation but would have preferred the better gear. Also we went out with some 12 kayaks total, 9 client boats, tandem seating, and 3 guide boats; that seemed quite a large group, we clonked into one another regularly as we rafted up and derafted and it affected my enjoyment of the experience. Better would have been a group of no more than 4 kayaks and you maybe could have had a quiet moment to observe the phenomena.

One of the most amazing experiences in my life was being able to see the bioluminescence. The team is amazing and they are super friendly, kind and knowledgeable. I highly recommend.

Great place to launch off their kayaks. Please make a reservation, especially if you want a single. You will wait a bit for one with no reservation. Lovely setting and easy 2 hour rental, no guide. The kayaks are ok, no rudder so steering can be a little tiresome and the open seated style was a little slow. Oars are a bit damaged but pretty useable. Warning: you will get wet. Prepare for it with proper clothing and you'll enjoy the heck out of the journey.

I am sure this company is wonderful and all, but they need to train their staff not to harrass people for the parking space..was out at tomales bay this past weekend and this lady from blue water kayaking come up to us telling us we can not park there. It's only for cars with trailers and that we can get a ticket. SO WE need to move ASAP so she can park her company trailer. we told her we are not aware of it as there is no sign by the boat launch or on the website..she than came back telling us to move our car so she can park there..we ignore her and later spoke with the park ranger and the main office rep and per the parker ranger and the office rep there is no such thing. All cars can park down by the boat launch..not sure what the name of lady from blue kayaking is but she need to be professional on her job..if you want parking space need to come early like everyone else..need to stop harassing people..

Great morning kayaking with Shamus. He knows alot about the Flora and fauna. There were only the two of us with him so it was nice to have a private tour. They could have cancelled but didn't. He was very careful to make sure we were safe and comfortable.

The team running blue water kayaks are knowledgable and effective. We rented kayaks overnight for a camping trip and despite weather hiccups, things went pretty well.

They are amazing! Knowledgeable, humble and caring. Had the vibes of a small mom and pop shop. My husband and I set off for a two night kayak camping trip last week while I am 7 months pregnant. Chris helped us out, looking at the forecast hour by hour to make sure everything was safe for us and texted us while we were in the backcountry giving us a report as well. 10 stars all the way and definitely will be back once my little one is born.

Wonderful experience. Never think of kayaking at night time.... But it was amazing. Water was calm, enough light to paddling, slow enough speed for no athletic person. Can't wait for the next trip...

We went out for the bioluminescence tour. Super excited, pictures looked amazing, read all the information and showed up on time. The experience was pretty amazing. Great weather, lots of birds, a few seals and the bioluminescence Incredible!!! My experience with the company was not so great. A group who showed up late got into the kayaks 1st and went on their way. Our group ( much larger) was left with Kayaks having lots of problems meaning it was almost 7 before we got into the water. On the water a kayak had a rudder problem which only seemed to concern the novice kayaker. At the end of the tour I was ridiculed by one of the guides ( William) while getting out of the kayak. Something about a dunce cap??? Needless to say I responded with a not so generous tip. Will go again, but not with this company.

We rented kayaks from here on our own without guide and it was fairly affordable. $70 for double kayaks, $50 for single kayak. There is a $5 cash discount per boat if payment is made fully in cash. We were expecting to rent closed top kayaks, and were definitely disappointed to know that they only allow open top kayaks :( Thankfully, they rental came with wet suit which helped to keep us warm. They also provided life jackets to keep you safe in case you capsize. It turns out that capsizing on the open top kayaks were extremely difficult. My friends on single kayaks tried and it definitely took them some effort to intentionally capsize ;) The nice lady gave us a quick orientation on paddling and getting on/off the kayak before sending us off. It was a beautiful day and we had a nice time paddling to a nearby beach for a quick picnic. It wasnt too sunny, but sunblock would still be good. Also I like that they provided dry bags for our belongings so we could stuff our food in there for the picnic. The water was relatively calm and it was a pretty easy paddle. Unfortunately, we didnt get to see any wild life :( Overall, it was a good experience :)

Quick and efficient service which is a plus since we've gone kayaking a few times before. We actually ended up here because there was no one at the first place we went to at 920 when they should've opened at 9.

We had a permit to do a boat-in campsite in Point Reyes and I am SO glad we chose to rent with BWK!!! First off, it's super convenient because they are the only company that launches right into the bay. The customer service is amazing and they helped us plan our trip too. They even had firewood for sale and bungee cords to take with us. The guys helped us with the tide and a map too. BWK is the place to use. 100% recommend I recommend leaving early in the morning since its normally less windy!

I've been dying to check this place out!!! Couldn't wait to go!! We went to celebrate my friend's birthday in early July by a spending the morning paddle boarding on the water. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. We made a reservation and were able to get our equipment quickly and get out on the water. We had a great little picnic and returned exhausted from our workout. The water was a little choppy, due to wind, but we'd love to return for another, soon!

Staff have a very laissez-faire attitude. We had to keep going up to the counter to ask questions and get the gear we needed. There should have been one person to guide us through the entire process, considering they knew we had never done kayaking before. They all just seemed like guys who wanted to hang out rather than provide helpful service. If I hadn't asked questions about where we should camp and how to recognize the beach we were aiming for, they never would have told us. I couldn't believe they asked for a 15-20% tip on their confirmation email. The rental itself was already really expensive. I wouldn't rent from them again, and if you have to, be willing to be responsible for yourself.

Amazing experience with Blue Waters Kayaking! I just wanted to learn how to SUP while in Inverness in December and boy did they deliver! Great wonderful instructor! Perfect gear! Awesome class! I'm a SUPer now!

My family had an awesome half day tour of Tomales Bay. It exceeded our expectations and our guide Jeff was an expert about the ecosystem and fun to hang out with. Highly recommended!

Our family of four (boys 9 and 11) did the overnight group camping trip. 1. Two open top kayaks and felt that the email prep list was great. This includes wearing swim suits or appropriate clothes for the wet suit. 2. Group camp was fantastic. Our guides, Molly and Jeff, were incredible. Had a fire going, coffee when I woke up on Sunday, knew the area and were just fun to hang out with for two days. Their knowledge of the area and wildlife was outstanding. 3. Saw bat rays, tons of birds, including a blue heron fishing and an osprey with a fish. But the best part of the trip was the night kayak with the bio-luminescence, which was incredible. 4. Wish they had some more detail on the group camp and would just do a couple minor things differently. Will recommend to friends and would plan on doing it again. Finished the weekend off with lunch at Marshall store, so location is a bonus too. Right from camping to oysters, clam chowder and beer. +1 again to Molly and Jeff

Had a great time on the 3-hour bioluminescent kayaking trip! My husband and I went with my sister, brother, and parents. We were in a group with 6 other kayakers and 2 guides. The guides did a great job making sure everyone felt comfortable. It was about 2.5 hours on the water - the kayaking itself was actually very easy - low wind and the double kayaks cut through the water like butter. We kayaked across the Bay and enjoyed the magical water in the coves along Point Reyes. The bioluminescence was incredible!! It was absolutely surreal and dreamlike. Highly recommend!

Tomales Bay is my favorite place to visit when I travel to California from my home in Vermont. Blue Waters Kayaking makes it easy for me to spend time paddling in this paradise. The equipment is in top shape and the folks who work there are most accommodating to the personal needs of each paddler. Thanks for making it possible to have a great water experience in a special place!

I've rented kayaks from Blue Waters Kayaking (aka BWK) on two different occasions. The first time, I took my entire team of 40 people up to Tomales Bay for a group tour. The team at BWK were friendly, helpful and got us all out on the water within 20 minutes. The second time my wife and I drove up to Inverness without a reservation on Labor Day weekend and secured two single kayaks. Once again, they were friendly and helpful and managed to get us out on the water in less than 5 minutes which was great because it was 104 degrees outside, one of the hottest days on record in Nor Cal. Once we were on the water however, we immediately cooled down and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon kayaking around the bay.