VentureQuest Kayak Tours-Santa Cruz

Venture Quest 
Kayaking Tours


Santa Cruz Paddling Experience
-Two Hour Kayak Nature Tour

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. Call for a reservation.

Cost: $50
Dates:  Weekends 10 am, 12 noon, 5 pm or anytime by appointment for groups of two or more



Moonlight Paddles
-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 at the Santa Cruz Wharf in the Summer and the SC Yacht Harbor in the Fall and Spring.  Beginners welcome. Bring food, warm clothes and a flashlight.

Cost: $55
Dates: Jan 19, April 12


Kayak Tour of Elkhorn Slough
-National Estuarine Reserve

Elkhorn slough is an estuary located at Moss Landing, in the heart of Monterey Bay. Birds, seals, otters, fish and other creatures inhabit the twisting channels of this inland sea. The calm water and relaxed atmosphere make this a fun trip for anyone. This full day tour includes all kayaking equipment, single or double kayak, guides, lunch, an introductory lesson and natural interpretation. For calm water paddling, seal, otter, and bird watching this is the place to go.

Cost: $70, $35 for kids under 16    
Dates: March 1, May 17, August 3*, August 20*, September 6*

*These are the dates we typically see Humpback whales off Moss Landing. If whales are spotted close to shore, we may paddle out to see them.

Choose your own date for a private tour.

 


 


Kayak Capitola
-Calm waters, sea otters, amazing kelp forest


Cost: $70
Season: Summer

 

 


 



Kayak-Whale Watching
-Spectacular sights
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 at Davenport. We can generally see whales without paddling more than a few hundred yards offshore. This tour was featured on a TV travel show called Bay Area Backroads. Truly a peak experience! 

Private tours are available.
Cost: $70
Dates:   mid-March thru May.  Mar 22, March 29, April 5, April 13

Summer Special; the Humpback Whales were close to shore near Moss Landing last summer.  August 2008, organize your own private trip with your group of four or more.

Call us to join in this amazing adventure. Call 831 427 2267.

Click here for the Kayak Whale Watch Movie!



Pillar Point Harbor- Halfmoon Bay
-Kayaking Tour

Pillar Point Harbor is located in El Granada at the north end of Halfmoon Bay , about 35 miles north of Santa Cruz .  We will explore the harbor and rocks of Pillar Point, looking for seals, sea lions, birds and other marine species. From the calm waters of the inner marina we will navigate through the fishing and sail boats on glassy water. We will then venture on to the open waters of the bay.  Single and double kayaks are available.  The tour lasts about two and a half hours.

Cost: $65
Season: Year-round. Groups only



Pescadero Marsh
-Kayaking Tour

Pescadero Marsh is an estuary of Pescadero and Butano Creeks located on the rugged Pacific Coast between Santa Cruz and Halfmoon Bay on Hwy One. The two creeks wind their way through forest and grassland, and come together to form a tidal wetland that is habitat for many species of birds, fish, and other aquatic and forest creatures. Fall and Winter are the seasons for great paddling and birdwatching in the estuary.  The calm, narrow waterways make this a great spot for beginners.

Cost: $70
Dates: Weekends Sept-Feb, call for dates and times.



Kayak Santa Cruz
- Monterey Bay Kayaking Tour

Get to know the inhabitants of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary by meeting them up close from a kayak. During this tour you will see sea lions, harbor seals, otters, and many other creatures that live in and around the Santa Cruz area. After a short lesson, we will paddle from Natural Bridges State Park , where we will experience the thrill of landing and launching through the surf. We will enjoy a wonderful lunch and relax before our journey back. We will be using safe and stable sea kayaks. Both single and double kayaks are available. Includes all equipment, a lesson, wetsuit (optional), guide and a lunch. Beginners are welcome, and times are from 9:00 until 3:00.

Cost: $70
Season: Summer



Sea Kayaking Wharf to Wharf
- 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.

Cost: $70
Season: Summer



Sea Kayaking Point Lobos
-National Marine Preserve

Just South of Carmel, Pt Lobos has been called the greatest meeting of land and sea. Granite cliffs and crystal clear waters provide the perfect setting for wildlife viewing and rock garden paddling.

Cost: $70
Season: Summer –by reservation for groups of 6 or more



5-Day Kayak Camp
-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.

Cost: $205
Dates: July 30 - August 3, 2007



 

Venture Quest Home Page