This is our second time kayaking with this place! Both times we did the family tour. Both tour guides were very nice and knowledgeable. You're most likely going to see multiple otters and sea lions on this excursion. We also saw whale spouts! Learned a lot about the local ecology and it was really fun. I'm extremely non-athletic but I could do it! Thanks for the good day. read more

Kayak Connection - Otter - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Moss Landing, California

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We had a large group of about 20+ people. Big thanks to Kale/Kayo and his team for being very flexible in accommodating our last minute (same week planning) request. Also, we were 1 hour late due to traffic coming from Southbay to Moss Landing. The team was very patient and quickly got us onto the water to catch the sunset. Everyone had a great time and got good photos/videos. 100% recommend going! The cute sea otters, birds and other wildlife are worth the drive :) read more

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Love this place!! My boyfriend and I went in the morning and it was beautiful. We were serviced by Lilly, coolest fucking person ever with great energy! We felt so welcome and she knew so many cool facts! We saw lots of otters and birds as well as amazing views. Definitely coming back, hopefully Lilly is still there! read more

Kayak Connection - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Moss Landing, California

It never occurred to me to rent a kayak here, but my bestie wanted to kayak for her birthday and it turned out great! We arrived around 10AM on memorial weekend. It was still gloomy so there weren't as many people as expected. They charge per person, so regardless of whether you get a single, double or triple person kayak, it seemed like the rate would be the same. We chose the 3 person kayak even though the employees warned us that it'd be difficult to steer. It turned out okay though! Definately wear their waterproof pants, because youe legs will get wet nomatter what. So will your arms and body, so bring layers! I brought a fleece jacket to put under a waterproof jacket, and it helped a lot! The nature preserve area had a lot of sea otters and harber seals. We paddled to the area and just let ourselves float, which seemed the most favorable option for the animals. They seemed curious and much more willing to come poke their heads around if we just sat still, so we did! We sat and ate our snacks! There were also some volunteers out there sharing information and education which was nice. We learned a bit from them and had fun. Overall, we'd do this again, but will try to pick a sunnier day. read more

Kayak Connection - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Moss Landing, California

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We rented Kayaks with a large group of friends for my birthday and we are so happy we did it with Kayak Connection. We were all able to book the same start time and pay separately, which was so convenient. Prior to arrival we filled out the waiver online. Day of we checked in, waited for the full group, got fitted with gear, and had a little tutorial then off we launched from their pier to the slough for some wild life spotting. Tips, stretch before so you don't get tight during kayaking, lots of sunscreen, bring a hat, sun glasses, snacks water, & don't think your back pack won't get wet... it will ... don't bring it leave it in the car. Everything was so easy and it made my birthday so special! Thanks Kayak Connection! read more

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We had the absolute best experience with Kayak Connection, thanks to our incredible guide, Emily. We booked a family tour with three kids (ages 7-9) and three adults (two of the kids and one adult had never kayaked before) plus another family joined our group. Emily made everyone feel comfortable right away, introducing herself, asking what animals we were most excited to see, and connecting with both the kids and adults. Emily's background as a marine biologist really set this tour apart. She was able to answer every question with so much knowledge and enthusiasm, and she kept the kids fully engaged the whole time. She checked in often on the kids' energy levels, set clear expectations about paddling with and against the tide, and offered lots of encouragement so everyone felt confident and supported. Her ability to connect with kids was outstanding, she treated their questions with real respect and excitement, which made them feel important and kept them stoked the entire trip. She even turned a simple moment of seaweed on a paddle into a mini science lesson, showing the kids a welk, and isopods on the feather boa kelp. We saw seals, sea lions, otters, pelicans flying in squadrons, and terns diving for fish, and lots of sea and shore birds. It was such a gift to explore the beautiful Elkhorn Slough. Our group felt so lucky to have Emily as our guide. She made the day fun, safe, educational, and unforgettable, truly helping us create core family memories. Thank you, Emily, for such a wonderful experience. We couldn't recommend her (and Kayak Connection) more highly! read more

Kayak Connection - A Sea Lion snoozin' in a kayak near the docks - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Moss Landing, California

I signed up for the nighttime kayak tour to see the bioluminescent plankton in Elkhorn Slough. The whole thing, from orientation to end was supposed to last 3 hours but we were delayed due to one person capsizing in their kayak on the way back. Overall it was a nice tour and it wasn't as physically challenging as I had thought. I had to put my back into it on some parts of the journey but it was manageable. The guides had some favorite spots where it was really easy to spot the bioluminescence. I was able to see some nice flashes of light and in the water. Those videos on Tiktok or Instagram you see where the entire surface lights up is digitally enhanced for marketing. The light is very suble and you need to be away from light pollution to really see a nice show. read more

I had an extremely disappointing and upsetting experience with Kayak Connection, and I would not recommend this company based on how our situation was handled. We paid for a 2.5-hour ocean kayak tour, but we only ended up getting about one hour of kayaking and never even made it to the ocean portion of the tour. When we first arrived, one employee told us we could not do the ocean tour and would have to do the harbor tour instead. After we asked whether the ocean tour was still possible, another employee checked the forecast and told us we could still go with a warning. However, the warning was vague and did not prepare us for what actually happened. Before going out, we asked multiple times whether the kayak was likely to flip. We were told it likely would not flip unless we paddled too aggressively, which we did not do. We were also only given very basic instructions on how to paddle and what route to take. We were not clearly told what to do in an emergency, what areas to avoid, how to handle being pushed toward rocks, or what to do if we flipped. During the tour, both my friend and I flipped multiple times before we even reached the ocean because waves kept pushing us toward the rocks. It was scary, stressful, and not at all the experience we paid for. My friend's phone was also lost in the ocean during the incident. To be clear, we did not ask the company to pay for the phone. We only asked for a refund or partial refund because we did not receive the 2.5-hour ocean kayak tour we paid for. What made the experience even worse was the customer service afterward. Instead of showing concern or trying to understand what happened, one employee spoke to us in a very dismissive and insensitive way. When I explained that we wanted a refund because we did not complete the tour, she questioned why we did not just keep kayaking after flipping. After being pushed into rocks, flipping multiple times, and losing a phone in the ocean, that response felt completely inappropriate. I understand that outdoor activities come with risks, but customers should be given clear and accurate safety information, especially when conditions are questionable. If the ocean tour was risky enough that we were first told we could not do it, then the company should have either kept us on the harbor tour, rescheduled us, or given a much more serious and specific safety briefing. Overall, this was not just a bad kayak tour. It was a poorly handled, unsafe, and extremely stressful experience. We paid for a 2.5-hour ocean tour and did not receive it. The company's response afterward made us feel blamed instead of helped. I would not book with Kayak Connection again. read more

We celebrated milestone birthdays with Nichole the guide! It was so superb. She is a genuinely good human who wants people to do well. She is incredibly knowledgeable and her demeanor was perfect for me and my son who are pretty neurodivergent we would recommend to anyone looking to see some marine life and bask in the glory of the estuary. read more

Simple sign up and prepay. They were helpful from the time we arrived to leaving. Equipment was all in great condition. There were three in my party, one 82yrs, one 73yrs and myself of 70yrs.We have over 100yrs of cumulative kayaking experience. We all enjoyed this fun paddle. Lots of birds and otters of which we counted over 30. But do bring binoculars so you can keep your distance and see their beady little eyes and teeth! read more

My partner and I have been here twice and the staff is always very friendly and informative!! They are really good at explaining basics for beginners. Saw lots of otters and birds. :--) Will be back! read more

Worth every penny! What an amazing experience and the staff is so awesome!! I would suggest this place for anything! read more

Kayak Connection - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Moss Landing, California

We did a 2.5 hour guided tour with Kayak Connections. I cannot say enough good things about this business! They are 5 stars all around. I did a tour with them back in 2018 and it was the highlight of our trip. This year in January I was back in the area with my extended family for a reunion. I almost didn't suggest this activity because we had some young kids in our group, several who had never kayaked before and a quadriplegic 14 year old who is non-verbal and can barely hold her own head up. I thought this might be too hard for our group, but several people in our group wanted to give it a try. Kayak Connection was awesome to work with right from the beginning. They were responsive to phone calls and were not afraid of the challenges our group brought to them, answering questions thoroughly and making changes to accommodate our wheelchair. Our whole group had a great time and especially my quadriplegic niece! Kayak Connection worked with us to find the best way to get her out on the water, propping her up in the kayak with life jackets and towels making sure she was comfortable and safe. One of our guides, Heather, kayaked with her so that we would all be able to watch her and gauge her reaction. All of our guides were so patient and knowledgeable and allowed our whole group to be at ease and just have a wonderful time. We saw tons of birds, Seals and Otters! This was the highlight of our week long vacation, and definitely one of the best experiences for my niece. If you are in the area, book a tour with Kayak Connection, you won't regret it. read more

Kayak Connection - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Moss Landing, California

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Friendly, efficient staff. Sit-in kayaks with spray skirts. Dock launch. Otter and seal pups! read more

Kayak Connection - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Moss Landing, California

We had a guided team event at this location and it was an outstanding experience. Suzy - our guide - was a real standout. Most folks had never kayaked before and I was amazed how well Suzy managed our large group and how much better everyone had gotten just after one session. Suzy was incredibly knowledgeable about all the animals, their habits and she had some great stories to share. Last but not least animal sightings. This location was recommended over Santa Cruz and they were right: we counted at least 10 otters, 20-30 seals and too many birds to count. There wasn't a moment of boredom here. read more

So much fun! This was my first time kayaking and I was a bit nervous, you know is the kayak going to tip over, what's lurking in the water etc... I came here with my friends for the bioluminescence kayak tour so we would be kayaking mainly in the dark time. Jake was our guide and he was super nice, patient and knowledgeable. He made us feel comfortable the whole time, especially for newbies to kayaking like myself. Throughout the tour we saw a lot of wildlife in and out of the water.Jake not only gave a tour but he provided a lot of educational information about moss landing and the wildlife there, very cool. I highly recommend their tours, especially if you're new to kayaking! read more

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We had a wonderful morning on Elkhorn Slough with Kayak Connection. We have never been kayaking before today and weren't sure what to expect, but now that we have been I definitely recommend it to everyone. Our 5 year old had a great time, the family tour is the perfect length for families with little ones. The water is very calm so if you're afraid of the possibility of capsizing like I was, save your anxiety. The boats are very large and stable, we barely even got wet. Our tour guide Cam was awesome. He had so much knowledge about the ecosystem and the animals that live in the slough, and he has a wonderful way of relaying that information to kids in a way they can understand and making it fun and engaging for them. When our son started getting "bored," Cam caught a kelp crab in a little tank so he could see it up close and then let him pour it back into the water to set it free. Attention was fully re-engaged after that. Bonus that he took a bunch of pictures for us and airdropped them to me once we were back on land. Definitely looking forward to our next kayaking trip. Thank you for the memories Kayak Connection and Cam! read more

Kayak Connection - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Moss Landing, California

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Friendly staff with great communication by email, phone and in person. Well organized - very clear where Kayak Connection customers should park. Clean and well maintained -- gear and the very sensible porta-a-potties (who wants to clean sand out of a bathroom after soggy tourists return)? Clear and helpful directions from the staff, and maps. The young women who work there are friendly and fun. The entire staff - including owner Dave - are approachable, helpful and very clear in their communication. Can't beat the price - $50 for 4 hours for a single though I might try for all day next time so I can head past Kirby Park to see more of the slough. I went out twice over Labor Day weekend, conditions and observations as follows: Friday, 12:30pm reservation - very windy blowing from the west, made it a bit difficult to control the single kayak and easier to float into the slough. There were dozens of seals parked on the shore just outside the Elkhorn Yacht club. Once into the slough, there were hundreds of sea otters and harbor seals that day, and easily thousands of pelicans and cormorants. Friday afternoon was a ebb-tide party. I went about 3 mi in and then turned back, paddling west into some stiff breezes. Sunday, 9:30am reservation - no wind and the water was flat as glass, with winds expected around mid-day and ebb starting around 11:30am -- I floated easily into the slough on the end of the flood stage. Fewer sea otters and seals, heaps of birds, with pelicans making especially noisy splashes into the water. I also saw two jellyfish - the first one was an Egg Yolk Jelly, the second was about the size and color of a basket ball -- with a mauve underside. I went pretty far up the slough (don't do the same if you have little experience, aren't a strong swimmer or have shoulder problems) and got to see more of the birds from Friday hanging out in the estuary reeds, likely waiting for the ebb to low tide so they could get brunch. There were a lot more paddlers out on Sunday -- both rentals and folks launching from Kirby Park (about 5 mi from the mouth of the slough). Folks - remember to keep your distance from the sea otters, seals and other animals. If they are looking at you - you are too close. If they pop up near you, try to gently move away and give them space. They are not an attraction that you are entitled to interact with - they are wild animals with their own needs and lives. read more

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Still don't like kayaking but this business is ! 1. You can reserve kayaks online. 2. They have triples which is great for nuclear families and it's very stable. 3. They respond very quickly via email. After I made my reservation I wanted to change the time, so I emailed at night and the next morning I got the reply and it's taken care of. 4. They give you pants and jackets so you don't get your clothes wet. 5. They have a dock such that when you get on and off the Kayak it's easy, safe and dry with staff there to help. 6. Staff are super friendly and helpful. read more

We saw tons of sea otters! Even a baby. Soooooo cute. All them, including the little one, were somersaulting and spinning around in joy. We went on a Monday, and even though we gave them space, they were practically popping up to say 'hi'! My closed kayak - which I recommend - kept the water out of the insides and kept me warm the whole time. We went on a little bit of a windy day, but as we've kayaked before it was no prob. Heard the guy say if you're a first-timer, best to book a trip before noon. We also saw 3-4 different kinds of birds, and sweet blubbery sea lions - maybe 10-15 - sunning on the sand. Nice reminder. Mark, in particular, was super-helpful. Highly recommend this spot for these times! read more

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Numerous options when Kayaking in Monterey, but these 5 stars go to the stellar service service of the staff on a record hot and crowded August day. Cat checked us in and treated the socially spaced afternoon crowd on a hot Saturday amiably and with patience. All of our oars were disinfected before they were handed to us and Lauren, got us into our kayaks and back out without rushing us at all. Fun Observation - Check-out the "Clean Pen Dispenser" which Lauren created out of a straw dispenser so that everyone using a pen gets a clean disinfected one every time. Patent pending? We visited the closing crew at the end of the day and were impressed that they were soaking and disinfecting the giant pile of life vests thoroughly. Overall, a good experience with friendly helpful staff and an incredible day to see otters, seals, and pelicans. read more

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My mom and I had a great time on the wildlife tour with Kayak Connections. We had an awesome instructor! They gave us tons of details on the wildlife and the history and even gave us information on how we can get into kayak ourselves. I highly recommend if you live here or are just visiting. It is a great way to get outdoors and see things up close plus learn something new! read more

Kayak Connection - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Moss Landing, California

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Rented a triple kayak. Probably a terrible decision to do a triple because it was almost impossible to maneuver but that's my fault not the rental. The day I went had an absurd amount of jellyfish in the water and it was amazing to kayak with them and get so close. I've been out to the slough many times in a boat and never seen as many jellyfish as I did with the kayak. Would recommend this as you can get pretty close and see so many animals. The rental place gives you life jackets and an educational video to watch on the slough before entering. read more

Kayak Connection - Jellyfish next to the kayak. - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Moss Landing, California

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A relatively simple paddle in a calm region filled with wildlife. Guide had lots of information to share but spoke too softly for all in the group to hear. Might be better to rent a kayak here and listen to one of the many audio tours available read more

I had the most wonderful Friday morning to kick off my birthday weekend, thanks to Kayak Connection. I have been wanting to kayak Elkhorn Slough for ages and have some kayak experience. However, when I go somewhere new, I like to go with a guided tour to get the gist of the area. I had booked a Family Adventure Tour for 10 am, which advertised a 2 hour excursion, including time on the land for the safety and gear instructions. In fact, we ended up being on the water for a solid 2 hours, which was plenty of time. The gentleman who checked my boyfriend and I in, questioned why I booked that one, having no kids. Simply, I wanted something laid back and shorter, as we had other stops in the area that day. The amount of time paddling and the pace were just perfect for us. We got to see plenty of sea otters, including babies, harbor seals with their pups and all manor of sea birds, it was truly an amazing experience to be on the water with those creatures. Our guides shared info about the Slough and the animals we saw, as well as insured participants stayed the proper distance from the wildlife. We lucked out with light winds, up until the very end as well as calm waters. We used an open top double kayak and life vests and paddles all included as well in the booking. There is dedicated (but limited) free parking for their customers and the check in process was a breeze. I'd definitely use them again and next time probably just rent a kayak rather than do a tour. Would still highly recommend a tour for those wanting to get acclimated to the area and/or are new to kayaking. 100% worth every penny. read more

been here a couple of times. I haven't been brave enough for the whale tours yet but maybe someday. I will say be prepared for the return trip, don't tire yourself out too much. read more

Who doesn't like Otters? This place is cheap! Only down fall is that the place isn't really organized. I feel like a headless chicken running around. The signage in the parking lot is terrible. I ended up walking over to Monterey Kayak which wasn't right. Secondly, I could have easily by pass the "waiver" and payment and went straight to get suited up. There's no system of cross checking whos who. They don't have regular bathrooms here, just porter potties. After signing your waivers, you'll get suited then instructions about the slough. Paddles and you're out. You're on your own for the next 4 hours doing whatever you want. They forsure make so much money here, as there were easily 50 kayakers out. It was awesome seeing the animals up close and to see them interact with one another and humans. I would totally do this again and/or bring other people to do this. read more

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Very professional and informative staff, especially Jake who told us about the tides and where the best route would be to Kayak into Elkhorn Slough. I would absolutely recommend this company to anyone who is trying to Kayak in Moss Landing! read more

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Amazing! We just had a great wildlife tour. We saw otters, baby seals, birds, even a jellyfish. Lauren was our tour guide and she is simply the best! She was great, informative, paced the tour right, and was so much fun. I highly recommend Kayak Connection and definitely ask for Lauren! read more

BOOK WITH KAYAK CONNECTION!!! I cannot recommend them enough. They went ABOVE and BEYOND. We were not sure which tour/rental we would be able to do. They were willing to move the time of a tour and wait for me to finish up with work in the area before coming out. That did not work out and they let us move to the next day. The equipment, staff, everything was top notch. Of course the water was stunning and so much wildlife. Again, BOOK WITH THEM! read more

I've kayaked Elkhorn Slough many times with this company pre- and post-pandemic. I have always found the staff to be very friendly and happy to answer questions. If you have questions, ASK THEM, don't be shy. They give you a nice idea of the currents, winds, timing, and of course respectful guidelines when observing sea otters, birds, seals, etc. I always have a good time and it's simple. I've always walked in without reservations. read more

Came here for a company excursion where we were split up into 4 groups to get a tour. I was under Tom and Emily. We got into double kayaks and were tossed into the water after a bit of explaining. I was in the back so I had to work out the rudder system that they got going on but I got used to it after a while. So basically, our entire tour was supposed to be from 2-5pm, but by the time we got into the water, it was 2:45-3 and we got out at 4:30. It was very underwhelming because we didn't even get to go into the slough as we were just going around the perimeter of the area before the slough. We kept stopping at random points and just had a lot of explanation of varied things, which half were interesting but half of it was easy to just doze off. When we finally got into the slough, we had to turn back right away because the guides thought we weren't going to make it back in time... but we were like the 2nd group to get back and we're the last group to go out. It was nice though, got to see harbor seals, an otter, sea lions, and some moon jellies. It would have been a lot nicer though if we had been able to paddle around the slough instead of just stopping every few hundred yards to "rest" for 20 mins at a time. I would come back again as I heard from my coworkers that they were able to go around the slough and see some nice stuff. Also wanna come for the bioluminescence too. But probably will not try to be under these two guides again. read more

My family and I just did the Family Kayak tour of Elkhorn Slough. Izzy was our tour guide and she did such a fantastic job making the tour fun and entertaining for my kids. We played games, saw many sea otters and cool birds, and just generally had a blast. I highly recommend this company and Izzy as a tour guide. read more

Took the family on Family Adventure Tour - Elkhorn Slough. Easy online booking. When I needed to change the date, I emailed them and received a quick and courteous response accommodating the change. Easy check in, great equipment. The PFDs were in great shape and did not smell mildewy the way they do in some places. Helped us get into our kayaks. Kylie our tour guide did a fantastic job talking to us about the animals, ecosystem and also navigating us through the tide. We had a super great time. Saw a ton of seals, otters, birds and a few crabs. Next time will go and rent the kayaks! read more

Kayak Connection - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Moss Landing, California

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The staff was very nice and their kayak yard is clean and organized with changing rooms and clean outhouses. But their equipment was a bit worn. The fall is a great time to kayak at Moss Landing. We saw sea lions, harbor seals, otters, pelicans, cormorants, seagulls and lots of other birds. Also, saw some dolphins on the ocean side. read more

Kayak Connection has very well-maintained equipment (including spray guards), gives clear orientation to the slough, provided useful information on the wind conditions so we could plan accordingly. I used a gift certificate they donated to a fundraiser for Moss Landing Marine Labs (thank you to Kayak Connection for supporting MLML!) for one double, and we rented an additional single closed kayak. The closed kayaks were easy to maneuver and move through the water. Elkhorn Slough is a very special place. The density of marine life and birds is unparalleled on the CA coast. I've kayaked in San Diego, Santa Barbara, Morro Bay, and SF Bay, and Elkhorn Slough tops them all. Kayak Connection is also one of the best rental companies in terms of quality and maintenance of equipment and knowledge of the staff. I highly recommend getting out on the water on the Slough - it is a wondrous experience. We went to celebrate my BD and all of us were filled with joy from the beauty and getting to see elegant terns diving, great blue herons, snowy egrets, cormorants, tons of brown pelicans, sea otters cleaning out shells very carefully as they ate, and harbor seals who popped up here and there. Don't miss this experience! read more

Came on Sunday and the hottest day in bayarea, but we still enjoy a lot. You will meet a lot of baby sea lions and sea otters. You have to come to experience. $80 for 2 person and you can pick the style of the boat. read more

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This is one of the best kayak rental outfits I've dealt with. Prices are very reasonable for a 4-hour rental, and they'll book you a closed deck with a spray skirt, not one of those sit on top bathtub toys that most places stick you with. Staff are not only friendly, filling us in about tides and weather to expect etc., but also knowledgeable about the environs and eager to connect about it. I appreciated that the staffer collecting our gear on return asked us about what we saw on our paddle and whether we had any questions about any of it. read more

One of the best experiences of my life. Suzy is magical and her team helps you respect the animals and slow down enough to truly experience their learnings. Go right away! read more

My husband, friend and I had the most FABULOUS time on our Kayak Connection wildlife tour at Elkhorn Slough; I cannot stop gushing to my family and friends! I had no idea how to kayak, but I felt safe the whole time and had no trouble. Through the calm, clear waters we could see beautiful beds of seagrass and kelp. We paddled right by sea otters (& pups!), harbor seals (& pups!), cute snapping crabs, seagulls and cormorants with their fluffy chicks...eeeeeee!! Our guide, Anya, was incredibly patient, kind and knowledgeable, with wonderful stories and information. The company is respectful of the environment, of wildlife, and are even partnering with local Native Americans to learn from their deep understanding of the area and give them complimentary rentals. Everything was super well-organized and easy, from parking to check-in to gear returns. I will take this tour over and over again and bring all my friends; I highly recommend this company! There is nothing not to love about them. read more