• Two Hour Kayak Nature Tour
• Kelp forest creatures; sea otters, seals and sea lions.

Join Venture Quest for a relaxing morning or evening paddle on the bay. As you leave the land, you will leave all the worries and stress of the city behind and enter the wilderness of Monterey Bay . It's easy, safe, and fun. We will begin near the wharf and pass by seals and otters as we glide through the waters near Lighthouse Point. Single and double kayaks are available. We will meet at the Kayak Rental Office, #2 Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf or, in the Winter, at the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor . We provide all the equipment, instruction, and guides. Beginners welcome. An easy intro to kayaking and the creatures of Monterey Bay!

• National Estuarine Reserve
• Bird watching with sea otters and seals in a calm estuary.

We meet in the North Hrbor of Moss Landing at 9 am, and finish by 1pm.  If conditions permit, we will first take a cruise outside of the harbor on the Monterey bay to look for dolphins or whales. Then, as the sea breeze picks up, we will put up our kayak sails and glide into the marsh, watching for seals, otters and interesting birds such as the Long-Billed Curlew and White Pelicans. This fun day tour includes all kayaking equipment, single or double kayak, guides, an introductory lesson and natural interpretation. For calm water paddling, seal, otter, and bird watching this is the place to go.

• California Grey Whales
• Open Water

Join us for a real adventure; kayaking with Grey Whales. In the Spring, the Grey Whales' migration brings them close to our coastline. At Davenport Landing, 10 miles north of Santa Cruz, kayaks can easily access the open ocean and encounter whales very close to shore. Our tour begins and ends early in the morning at Davenport Landing. We can generally see whales without paddling more than a few hundred yards offshore. During our Whale-Watch trips, we are in radio contact with a  spotter on the cliffs to maximize whale encounters and increase communication and safety. This tour was featured on a TV travel show called Bay Area Backroads. Truly a peak experience!

• California Grey Whales
• Inside the Bay

Not as many whales as the open water tour, but this tour features the calmer waters of the Monterey Bay off Santa Cruz Cove. The Grey Whales in the bay here are often younger whales that have stopped to rest or feed during their 6000 mile migration from Mexico to Alaska. Morning and evening tours are available, private tours too. This tour is great for beginners!

• Whale watching outside of the Harbor
• Plus bird watching with sea otters and seals in a calm estuary

Just off the coast of Moss Landing in lies the Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon, over a mile deep. The nutrient rich waters support a huge variety of fish, birds and marine mammals. Early on summer mornings we paddle out of Moss Landing Harbor in search of Bottle Nosed Dolphins and Humpback Whales. When the afternoon winds pick up, we seek the calm waters of Elkhorn slough for more wildlife viewing. This full day tour includes all kayaking equipment, single or double kayak, guides, lunch, an introductory lesson and natural interpretation. For its variety of wildlife, this trip cannot be beat.

• Sunset/Moonrise

What could be more romantic than to paddle off into the sunset then watch the moon rise as you glide through its sparkling reflection?  Meet one hour before sunset at the Santa Cruz Wharf in the Summer and the SC Yacht Harbor in the Fall and Spring.  Hang out with the sea otters while the sun sets and wait for the moon to rise. Bring food, warm clothes and a flashlight. Beginners welcome.

• The Sea Caves of Wilder Ranch
• Four miles of downwind Kayak Sailing

Our journey starts at Natural Bridges State Park where we will launch our kayaks from the beach and paddle up the coast to the sea caves and pocket coves of Wilder Ranch. After paddling through ‘Hole in the wall’ cave we will enjoy a nice lunch on a secluded beach. Then we will hoist the kayak sails for an exhilarating ride downwind, past Natural Bridges and Seal Rock to the Santa Cruz Wharf. We will take a shuttle back to the cars at the end of this adventurous day.

• Monterey Bay Kayaking Tour

Join us for a fun day on the Monterey Bay . We commonly see dolphins, sea lions, seals, and sea otters as we make the usually downwind journey from Santa Cruz to Capitola. There will be a stop for lunch along the way and a car pool back in the afternoon. All equipment and lunch are provided. We'll meet at the Venture Quest kayak rental office on the Santa Cruz Wharf at 9:00 a.m. and finish up around 3:00.

• For People 12-15 Years Old

Kayak campers will not only learn about kayaking, but also about the Monterey Bay and the creatures that live here. Each day we will meet at the kayak rental office on the Santa Cruz Wharf . We will paddle the waters of Elkhorn Slough (near Moss Landing), Capitola, and Santa Cruz . Venture Quest will provide the equipment.