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: $55
Dates: Year round!

Trips are scheduled by appointment, morning trips recommended.


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 one hour before sunset 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: June 5, June 6 , June 13* fireworks!, July 4th fireworks!, July 5, August 5, 6, 30 …meet at 7 pm at the kayak rental office on the Santa Cruz Wharf

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    
Date;, year round!

Choose your own date for a private tour.

 

Summertime Humpback Whales at Moss Landing

and Sea otters of Elkhorn Slough.
-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 this summer morning we will 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 tour goes from 8 am to 2 pm and includes all kayaking equipment, single or double kayak, guides, lunch, an introductory lesson and natural interpretation, kayak sailing too! For its variety of wildlife, this trip cannot be beat.

 

Cost: $70

Dates, July 11, Aug 8

 Choose your own date for a private tour.

 

 

 


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


Cost: $70
Season: Summer

 

 



Kayak-Whale Watch

-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. This tour was featured on a TV travel show called Bay Area Backroads. Truly a peak experience! 

 

Cost: $70

Dates; March, April, May

 

Kayak-Whale Watch (Lite)
-In 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. Great for beginners! Morning and evening tours are available, private tours too.

 

Cost: $70
Dates:   March, April, May

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

Click here for the Kayak Whale Watch Movie!




Santa Cruz Sea Caves and Kayak Sailing

-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.

Cost; 70$

Dates ; Summertime

 

 


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 13- 17, 2009


 

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