PRICING INCLUDES A $20 NON-REFUNDABLE BOOKING FEE. If you plan to make this an overnight trip, check out Kayak Camping in Pt. Drain water from watercraft, sponges, bailers, and water-containing devices before leaving water access. The whaleboat is built to allow light to reflect through the translucent hull. They are optional based on your comfort. Kayaking Day Tours Tomales Bay Expeditions offers guided kayaking tours of Tomales Bay, usually starting in the morning for the best paddling conditions. (415) 798-2040. Indian BeachThis beach is north of Hearts Desire and has a redwood kotca, a traditional Coast Miwok sleeping shelter on it. Microscopic, single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates produce and emit light through a chemical reaction process. Kayak camping is a unique way to extend your stay on the water and experience the natural beauty of Tomales Bay by night. Call us today! Visit our Kayaking Around Point Reyes National Seashore page . Having frequently the most desirable kayaking conditions in the area, this site also provides boat-in access to many public beaches without crossing the bay. Weve chosen the best dates for July, August, September, and October based on the moons position to ensure the darkest nights. (. Tour length is normally 3 hours (longer tours available by request) and includes paddling instruction. Blue Waters Kayaking is now offering Kayak & SUP Rentals from the shore of Heart's Desire Beach in the Tomales Bay State Park EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY! Blue Gum BeachThere will be seasonal closures on this beach to protect harbor seal pupping. How to get to Marshall: At Point Reyes Station, turn right on Highway 1 and drive 8.4 miles to Marshall and Blue Waters Kayaking at 19225 Shoreline Highway. PFDs and paddles are included with each rental. Tandem Kayak - A kayak with two paddlers paddling the same boat. Napa Valley Paddles Bioluminescent kayak touring company offers natures most illuminating light show in the waters of Tomales Bay on the darkest nights of July, August, September, and October, 2023. Napa Valley Paddles blue water kayaking starts just before nightfall so that you can enjoy the rich colors of the sun setting on the horizon. Choose from rooms with fireplaces, kitchenettes, and water views. The island is open on the west side only for day use. Off-site rentals, $75 all day on weekdays, $115 on weekends. Miller Boat Launch is located on the east side of Tomales Bay along Highway 1 just north of Nick's Cove, which is ~6.5 km (~4 mi) north of the town of Marshall. Tomales Bay is a 24-kilometer (15-mile) long, 2645-hectare (6780-acre) tidal water body located in rural west Marin County, California. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement. The General Plan establishes the long-range vision for the park and recommends how to protect and improve the park's natural, cultural, and recreational values . 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. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will make sure you are confident from beginning to end. Earn a $100 REI gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days from account opening. A vault toilet is available at the kayak launch site at the south end of the Drakes Estero Access Road. The whole hike is beautiful. At Tomales Bay Expeditions our goal is to ensure that your experience on the water is both safe and satisfying. 7 days prior to the event: Your reservation is considered final, and all fees are due and payable. Turn left on Point Reyes Petaluma Road and drive 3 miles (past Nicasio Reservoir) to a stop sign and junction (Platform Bridge Road on left). And again, I did not go under.I love this boat already, after the very first afternoon! Customers get to experience the epic scenery, abundant wildlife and favorable kayaking conditions which make Tomales Bay a world class place to paddle. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your more, Vaulted ceilings, in-room fireplaces, private balconies perched over a lush garden courtyard with views of Black Mountain Point Reyes Station Inn bed & breakfast is a peaceful, romantic retreat just minutes from the heart of the village. No overnight use or beach fires. Raise your voice in the movement to protect and share life outdoors. Rent top gear from your local REI Co-op. Parking is limited in the Point Reyes area. To protect harbor seals from disturbance during the most crucial part of the pupping season, from March 1 through June 30, the National Park Service closes Drakes Estero and Estero de Limantour to boating. Nestled along the west shore of Tomales Bay, Chicken Ranch Beach County Park is a three-acre natural area adjacent to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard 1.8 km (1.2 miles) north of Inverness. Sea Trek Kayak & Stand Up Paddling Center, Sausalito, 415-332-8494. Cement boat ramp available. (37 Reviews ) Experience one of nature's most spectacular light shows as you paddle through the glowing waters of Tomales Bay during this Bioluminescent Kayak Adventure! Hobie pedal-drive kayaks are available in single or double for 4 hours or all-day. The bay is largely bounded on the west by Point Reyes National Seashore. Clean off visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from your watercraft, gear, paddles, floats, ropes, anchors, dip nets, and trailer before leaving water access. The inn and marina are located on the west side of the bay. In the morning, we saw hammer sharks, rays swimming in the water while enjoying our breakfast. Along with our normal rental orientation, Hobie rentals include an additional few minutes of instruction on how to operate the pedal-drive and rudder system. After this time no money will be refunded, Within 7 days (including the day of the event): all cancellations and no shows will be charged in full with no refunds or reschedules unless due to inclement weather. Go to our Camping page if youre interested in boat-in camping. 3 hours total: 30 minutes for on-shore instruction, overview, and life vests and paddle fitting. Visit recreation.gov or call the Visitor Center at (415) 464-5100 for more information and availability. All of our tours are led by guides with years of experience on Tomales Bay. . Boaters may land to the south of the orange floats. REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. Want to get away for an invigorating outdoorsy vacation? We'll send you a few emails every week. Unpaid credit card deposits will be charged. This post covers things to do in Tomales Bay along Highway 1, excluding Point Reyes. Outback Adventures, Larkspur, 415-461-2222. Here you will find the parks Ranger Station, Heart's Desire Beach, Vista Point Picnic Area, and hiking trails to Indian Beach, Pebble Beach, and Shell Beach. Chicken Ranch Beach is a three-acre natural area adjacent to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard 1.8 km (1.2 miles) north of Inverness. 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. The very first outing with my new kayak, a Current Designs Solstice GT Titan, took me to the mouth of Tomales Bay. Join once, enjoy forever. Tomales Bay State Park provides two sites at which one may launch kayaks onto Tomales Bay: Millerton Point and Hearts Desire Beach. We will use our decades of experience in this area to make sure you have a safe, enlightening and . The night can get cold, so dress in layers. 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. Kayak rentals: Full-day single kayaks, $70; full-day double kayaks, $110; available for two, four, 24, 36 and 48 hours. We look forward to hearing from you. Contact Tomales Bay State Park for more information at 415-669-1140. It is very shallow and is best used at high tides. Contact Lawson's Landing for more information at 707-878-2443. The directions are set for Miller Boat Launch in Marshall, but if you choose an outfitter to with they'll select a launch site for you. Tomales Bay is a 15-mile long, 6780-acre tidal water body located in rural west Marin County, California. No overnight use or beach fires. The best paddle here is the easy trip to the southern end of Tomales Bay, a wetlands area excellent for sighting shorebirds and waterfowl. Walk, boat, or bike to explore Point Reyes National Seashore from your front door. Beach fires are prohibited on state park beaches. Since Drakes Estero and Estero de Limantour are designated as Wilderness, motorized watercraft are prohibited year-round. Take only pictures; leave only footprints. 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. From the quiet calm of a kayak gliding along the bay. Reyes Station, Inverness, Tomales, Marshall, and Dillon Beach in the north where Tomales Bay meets Bodega Bay. Camping on the beaches on the westside of Tomales Bay north of Tomales Bay State Park's northern boundary, if you have reserved a boat-in camping permit. Always check the weather and marine forecasts before kayaking, canoeing, boating, etc. A vault toilet is available. Tomales Bay, at 12 miles long, is the largest protected bay in Point Reyes National Seashore. 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. We also rent closed deck kayaks if you have taken a recovery course with us or another kayak outfitter. He is America's first Back Country Sportsman of the Year and the only two-time National Outdoor Writer of the year. Tomales Bay Expeditions are available year around and our schedules fill quickly, so why not register today? About. We schedule these trips during the most ideal viewing conditions. Except Saturdays can be very busy. If you observe drone use in Point Reyes National Seashore, please call park dispatch at 415-464-5170 or contact staff at the nearest Visitor Center as soon as possible. Benefits include great gear offers, special pricing on events and an annual Co-op Member Rewardfor life. more, oysters at station house cafe point reyes, horseback riding point reyes national seashore, living room with couch, table, fireplace and musical instruments, Point Reyes Station Inn Bed and Breakfast, Groom's Quarters Point Reyes Lodging Horse Stables. From here we offer kayak rentals for walk-ins and by reservation. Overnight beach camping is not permitted anywhere else on Tomales Bay or within Point Reyes National Seashore. It is the largest unspoiled coastal embayment on the coast of California. Call us today! As such, it is important to minimize our impacts and Leave No Trace of our visits to Tomales Bay and Point Reyes National Seashore. Visitor use of national parklands must always be weighed against the responsibility to maintain natural and cultural resources for succeeding generations. Tomales Bay has become well known recently as a great place to see planktonic bioluminescense at night. 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. more, A peaceful, stylish retreat set in four private acres of orchards and open space, Point Reyes Country Inn welcomes guests to spacious, beautifully furnished rooms, gourmet breakfasts and the tranquility of the West Marin countryside. They provided everything we needed and included some basic how-to-kayak instruction. A crazy sand bar, which almost closes the entrance, causes random surf and pretty chaotic, unpredictable conditions there. Shane C. said: I truly can't say enough about this place! Please wait until you are in West Marin before purchasing fire wood. As you make your way down the trail towards the beach, youll meander al Like camping in remote locations? To protect harbor seals from disturbance during the most crucial part of the pupping season, from March 1 through June 30 the National Park Service closes Drakes Estero and Limantour Estero to boating. Tours leave from various locations depending on tidal conditions. 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. Under the ocean of infinite stars, on the darkest night of Tomales Bay, discover magic in the oceans garden. . When these organisms are moved by waves or by the paddle of a kayak or canoe, the light becomes visible, especially on dark nights. Campers on Tomales Bay beaches must arrive by boat and may not hike, bike, or ride horses to the beaches. Disposing of human waste in the bay or onto park beaches is prohibited. , Lawson's Landing's campground and boat launch are located in Dillon Beach with direct access to the north end of Tomales Bay. The very first outing with my new kayak, a Current Designs Solstice GT Titan, took me to the mouth of Tomales Bay. (One person per kayak must have taken the course call 415.669.2600 for availability). The most popular area for kayaking at Point Reyes National Seashore is on Tomales Bay. During this time, you will also have the opportunity to seek local knowledge of the area from our experienced staff. It covers just north of Point Reyes Station up to the town of Tomales, California. Timed during the lowest crescent of the moon, and starting around sunset, you will paddle into . Get there faster with a Hobie pedal-driven kayak! Included in the rental fee is a short introductory kayak lesson, directions on where to go and what to see, as well as your paddling equipment such as paddle, life vest, and a wet suit. The park is more, A secluded Mediterranean-style bed and breakfast in a quiet pastoral setting looking out on the Inverness Ridge and West Marins beautiful rolling hills youll love the vineyard views, serene koi pond and wine tasting room. Kayak rentals: Full-day single kayaks, $70; full-day double kayaks, $110; available for two, four, 24, 36 and 48 hours. Plenty of car parking is available for guests. Boaters may land to the south of the orange floats. Visitor use of national parklands must always be weighed against the responsibility to maintain natural and cultural resources for succeeding generations. (, Load your boat or board on to a set of wheels and walk them 5 to 10 minutes to Lagunitas Creek, Available by Request w/ $800 minimum per day, We also rent closed deck kayaks if you have taken a recovery course with us or another kayak outfitter. Moderate. Crescent Tandem Kayak, sit-on-top with elevated, framed single seats. ~~Where tour is cancelled after we already launched the kayaks and must return to shore within the first-hour patrons can: ~~Where tour is cancelled before we have launched the kayaks patrons can: To Reserve Overnight Kayak Rentals, Please Check Out Our, Every Saturday & Sunday you can pick up a board or boat from us right on the shore of Hearts Desire Beach (Monday through Friday reservations available by ADVANCED RESERVATION $800 Minimum), 7 Days a week, you can load them on to your vehicle from our headquarters in downtown Point Reyes Station and take them to one of the beautiful local launch locations on Tomales Bay (, Load your boat or board on to a set of wheels and take them on a 7-10 minute walk to Lagunitas Creek from our Point Reyes Headquarters. Please read A Guide to Low-Impact Boat Camping. Got a question or message for Tomales Bay Expeditions? This is a guided, night time paddle often in pitch black darkness. What you'll see: A fast, easy way to change your reality is to get into a kayak. LAWSONS LANDING (707) 878-2443The campground and boat launch are located in Dillon Beach with direct access to Tomales Bay. 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. Kayak Tomales Bay for amazing views of the Point Reyes National Seashore. It is the largest unspoiled coastal embayment on the coast of California. 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. No Problem! Promptly was tipped over by a wave, and -- believe it or not -- managed the first successful high brace. Tomales Bay has rental stations at Inverness and Marshall, each ideal launch points for a morning flat-water paddle in Tomales Bay. Need something for your next adventure? Download the official NPS app before your next visit. It is a critical wildlife habitat, a favorite haul-out for seals and roosting place for brown pelicans. Boil, treat, or filter any water obtained from streams, creeks, springs, etc.. The group of twelve doubled up into tandem kayaks and set out from Nick's Cove, across the bay, around Hog Island and Duck Island and back, a four hour trip. Water and restrooms are available at the beach. Restrooms and water available. Motorized vessels are prohibited within 30 meters (100 feet) of the swim area markers. Follow the trail for roughly three miles. Contact Tomales Bay Resort for more information at 415-669-1389. No overnight parking is permitted. The Tomales Bay State Park General Plan. Wittenberg, Olema Valley, Inverness Ridge and Tomales Bay. Visit our Your Safety While Boating page for information on preparing for and remaining safe while boating in the Point Reyes area. Millerton Point is on the east side of Tomales Bay, five kilometers (3 miles) north of Point Reyes Station. Reservations may also be made by phone by calling toll free 877-444-6777 (TDD: 877-833-6777). 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. If you need to rent a kayak, Blue Waters has you covered! That year he was also awarded as Far West Ski Writer of the Year. It's home to harbor seals, bat rays, leopard sharks, and the majestic tule elk. Hog IslandThe island is in the northern section of Tomales Bay across from Whites Gulch on the west side and Nicks Cove on the east side. It is off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) north of Inverness. The best way to witness these amazing animals? We are a small, locally owned company which prides ourselves in our experience, depth of knowledge and connection to our home. This beach is really easy to get to. If you plan to have a. Winter Kayaking & Birding Tours with David Wimpfheimer: Sundays December 29, 2013 and January 19, 2014. . (see below), Reschedule the same trip for a future date (at no cost). Since the Titan comes with so much primary and secondary stability, I took the plunge last weekend. Other temporary or seasonal closures may be in effect at different times due to breeding populations of marine mammals, shorebirds, or seabirds.