kayak connection

My husband wanted to go sea kayaking and I wanted to go whale watching, so what better combo than this amazing tour lead by Riley? It was beautiful and the perfect activity for a Sunday morning!

While visiting family over Christmas, five of us took a half day guided kayak tour of Elkhorn Slough. Our guide, Charlie, was very helpful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. He helped us get settled into the right equipment, launched and underway easily and comfortably. He guided us to spots where we saw sea lions, otters, and more kinds of birds than I can remember. All in all it was a great time. Kayak Connection would be a great place for a first timer or an experienced kayaker.

What a great day! We rented a kayak for two people. The people of the kayak connection were very friendly and helpfull. If needed, you can use a wetsuit, dry pants and dry jacket.The kayak trip was beautiful! We saw otters, seals and many birds. It was so great. The seals followed us in our kayak on our way back. We had a really good time on the water.Mind the current on the way back, it can be quite strong

The people at Kayak Connection are super helpful and friendly. We rented two double kayaks on Elkhorn Slough with our young kids (ages 6 and 7) for a four-hour rental. We all wore the waterproof pants because it was easier to deal with (with kids and small backpacks) than the spray skirt. It was about 80 degrees out, however, if it were any cooler or windier, I would have put on a jacket because the ocean water will splash you and ocean water is cold. Anyway, Elkhorn Slough is very manageable kayaking with kids - like kayaking on a lake except you get to see all sorts of sea lions, otters, seals, birds, and jellyfish. There is also a bit of a current, so you will have to put some muscle into it, but the rudders on the kayak help a lot. Because this is easy kayaking, be warned that there will be a lot of first-time kayakers and self-absorbed hipsters who don't know that when they are in your lane, about to hit you head-on, everyone is supposed to steer to their own right. But I digress.For sure, we will return for another family adventure!

* This company gave us kayak skirt, to cover the kayak so we dont get wet. Saw other kayaks in the slough dont have that.* There are so many wild life out there. We saw many sea lions, seals, otters. Its a beautiful kayak route.

A quick note to say that the 3hr guided tour of the Elkhorn Slough was excellent. Taren's knowledge of the slough, it's denizens and history, made the 3hrs go by so quickly. The kayaking itself was easy, no sweat for beginners. Definitely recommend calling ahead for the tour as they will tell you when is the best time to take advantage of the tide and wind conditions.

This was hands down one of my favorite activities from vacation. Our local host referred us this company, and I am so glad she did. We opted for the starlight bioluminescence tour. I was expecting to see the sea lions, seals, and otters, but I knew the bioluminescence was a maybe. Our tour guide, David, was so friendly and informative, giving us information and history on almost everything we saw. We stopped at the halfway point to have some hot chocolate, and that's when the mgic happened. You could run your hand or paddle through the water and watch it sparkle. It was one of the most amazing things I have seen, and I would recommend this trip to all- no kayak experience is needed.

Such a memorable experience at Kayak Connection at Elkhorn Slough. We rented a 3 person kayak so we could stay together as a family. I made a reservation a few weeks before, rates were very reasonable. They have you watch a video before you get your gear about where to go and how to observe the wildlife without disturbing them. Then you use the port-a-potty and they outfit you with gear to keep you from getting wet and paddles. A quick walk to the dock and they get you set in your kayak and wave goodbye! We immediately saw otters, seals, sea lions, fish and huge jellyfish. It was a fantastic experience and highly recommended!

Our 3 hour experience included seeing numerous seals, otters, sea lions, and other unique wildlife in the Elkhorn Slouth. Our guide Taryn was extremely knowledgeable and helpful in getting us accustomed to riding and using a kayak and in making the trip a memorable one.

Three of us rented kayaks on the slough. The folks at Kayak connection got us geared up, dressed, prepped and then explained in perfect detail where to go, what to look for, how to respond to and respect the animals. They were tops.We saw rafts and rafts of otters! Seals, SEa lions, pelicans, oh, it was wonderful. Paddling along and up pops a head! We had so many close views that way, and just loved the whole experience.

We had a wonderful experience on a kayak tour. Our guide, Matt, was incredibly helpful and knowledgable about the birds, seals, sea lions, otters, and marine life. Included in the fee was a life vest, and a kayak skirt to help keep us dry. Before getting on the kayak he showed us how to paddle. He was patient with us picture takers, and conscientious about safety for us as well as highly respectful of the creatures we were visiting. I can't wait to go back!

Previously I went on an excellent guided kayak trip with this company at Elkhorn Slough. This weekend we went back with a group and rented kayaks to explore the slough further ourselves. The employees of this company are all very help ful and explained how to kayak safely and where to go in the slough. They were also excellent at helping our 80 year old relatives into and out of their kayaks so that they could also enjoy this experience. They were very kind and patient with everybody.The slough is the most amazing place to see wildlife. There are many seals and otters as well as nesting pelicans and other birds in this area. It is possible to see the animals up very close in great numbers. Much better than other areas such as Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. (Which are still fun kayaking places.) Also the area is protected so it is easy and safe and not too tiring. You won't believe what you will see if you go here!

The business offers equipment rental, tours and classes for kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. We decided to try stand up paddleboarding for the first time. The 4 hour rental included a wetsuit and PFD. If you stay in the harbor, you don't have to wear a wetsuit, but it is required if you venture out to the ocean. Bring your own dry sack or small backpack if you want to take anything out with you (water & sunscreen would be helpful). Before you start your adventure, you watch a safety video & then walk from the shop to a dock in the harbor. The kayaks & boards are on the dock so you don't have to move them far. If this is your first time paddleboarding, make sure they don't give you a flat paddle. A curved one is much better when fighting the waves. The location is perfect for beginners since you can stay in the calm harbor waters until you feel comfortable. Watch out for boats leaving the harbor & get used to waves by going over their wake. The harbor is also a great place to see sea lions swimming by. One sea lion surfaced near us & when he saw us, he got scared & did a huge sideways flip away from us. If you paddle out of the harbor to the ocean, be prepared to fight the waves. The mornings are generally smoother & less fog. When we were leaving in the late afternoon, the thick fog was rolling in and the waves were rough. When you return, there is a bathtub to wash your wetsuit & PFD. You can pick up anything you left in the shop & use their restroom. You can find free street parking near the shop on weekdays; probably harder to find parking on weekends.

This was a really wonderful experience. The time slot we wanted was booked well in advance so we booked a private tour which was only $15 more each and well worth it. Our guide Franco was incredible! His passion for the wildlife on the slough was contagious! Right out the gate we had an up close visit by resident otter "Olivia" who swam right up to us and literally played and groomed right at our kayak for more than 5 minutes before swimming away - adorable and amazing! Lots to see with seals, otters and birds of all kinds. Franco showed us all kinds of things and was very informative and respectful. Although many otters came right to us, he never let us get too close to them (its the law) when they were out resting and storing energy. This is a great tour for all ages. Do it as early in the morning as you can to avoid too many people in big groups disrupting you (and/or the animals)...dress warm. One big note...even their website map (google) takes you to the wrong place. It's right on Hwy 1. Park out front and walk towards the back. Enjoy!

This was our first trip on the slough, decided to go with KC. They have sit inside kayaks rather than sit on top which are way more comfortable. Took the group guided tour with the lovely Sarah. Saw lots of birds and otters. Many subtle details of the slough pointed out by our guide so first time out, worth it to go with a guide. Next time, we will ride the slough with the tide and get picked up!