Had a wonderful experience kayaking around the Fagan marsh with friends on a warm summer weekend. Booking was straightforward, Drew was very pleasant to coordinate with and had everything we needed to enjoy our hour and a half on the water. Looking forward to coming back to NVP for the bioluminescent tour. read more

We met Tanya downtown at the river walk and she set us up with a Fagan Marsh kayak trip the next day. Loved talking with Drew beforehand, learning about wetland restoration efforts and how quickly nature can rebound. The slough was peaceful and sparkling on this sunny October afternoon. We observed cranes and fish nibbling at surface snacks. In the distance, you can see Mount Tam and a bit closer--the Brazos railroad bridge. While there is much to see and do in Napa, this experience at the end of our trip was a definite highlight. read more

Napa Valley Paddle - Fagan Marsh - Paddleboarding Near Me - Napa, California

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It has always been an item on my bucket list to see bioluminescent plankton. However I held very little hope of ever seeing it because it was my understanding that you never know when or where it'll ever appear. So when my wife mentioned that Napa Valley Paddle was doing a guided kayak tour though bioluminescent waters in Tomales Bay I had no choice but to book a trip. I've been kayaking exactly twice before and both times on lakes in broad daylight. So I was a little nervous about kayaking in a salt water bay in the dark. Hopefully the water is smooth and it doesn't get too choppy for my wife and I. Also, I had low expectations, maybe the plankton won't be there that night, and if it is, it's probably a very subtle glow that you almost have to use your imagination to see. When we arrived we found ourselves in a parking lot at the Miller Boat Launch in Marshall. We got some basic instructions on kayaking, given life vests and whistles and headlamps set to red light to wear backwards. It was all pretty laid back and chill. As the sun went away and the fog came in we paddled out to Hog Island and by the time we were close to it, it was dark enough that some people were beginning to see the water light up. Fortunately the water was very calm and it was comforting to see all the red headlamps on the water to guide us on our way. We paddked clear across the bay to the other side where there were cliffs making the water especially dark there. This is where we turned off all of our lights. There was no subtlety at all, it was nothing less than magical. The water lit up with every paddle and every splash. It was a smooth blue glow in the dark with occasional spatks mixed in. We spent a good while paddling around and splashing and generally bring awed by the trippy water. Then it was time to start heading back, the goal was to paddle around the other side of Hog Island where the water is also very fun to look at. However the water glowed the whole way there even. Unfortunately this is also when conditions changed. We had a nasty headwind and the water got choppy. We were seriously worried we might capsize as we paddled like crazy to get to the island again. When we finally got there, we were done. We just wanted was to get back to the car and go home and drink hot coacoa. So we kept on paddling as hard as we could while we struggled to keep the kayak heading in the right direction. People were starting to scatter and soon the only lights to follow were at the boat launch we came from. Whether that actually was the boat launch was debatable but it was the only indication of civilization so we kept heading in that direction. Maybe it was because we were heavier than anyone else or perhaps we just couldn't paddle very well but we lagged behind in the dark. To make things even more interesting the conditions continued to worsen. We had to fight the wind and the choppy water harder as we made that last leg of the paddle back to shore. Fortunately the lights we were aiming for did happen to be where we needed to land and although we missed the dock we did get to shore soaked but not dreched and we managed to actually make it without going into the drink. Needless to say, it became an adventure however no one could have predicted conditions would change like they did. Apparently under typical conditions we would have had a tail wind and that part of the trip should have been the easy part. A professional paddle boarder who was with our group told us those conditions were "insane" and it was not something she would have willingly attempted unless it was over a short distance in daylight. So we feel better about ourselves having a hard time making it back. I'm very glad we did this, it's a beautiful memory, and a great story to tell, and I highly recommend going. read more

Our group of eight people absolutely loved this service right down town Napa! The customer service that Chad provided was the best, friendly, knowledgeable, and great advise on how to go about the Napa River. We paddled from downtown to the Butler bridge and back for a total of 3.5hrs and the equipment worked great, the tandem kayaks offered great flexibility for those who wanted to pedal and those who wanted to paddle. I would absolutely do it again, highly recommended!! read more

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Effortless, expert, and incredibly warm service. Upon our early arrival, we found our tandem kayak prepared and waiting for us, a delightful surprise. Although my 6-year-old son was initially apprehensive about the journey, the reassuring and supportive words from the team quickly eased his nerves, leading us to a fantastic river escapade. We will certainly return for another expedition in search of pirates, alligators, river dolphins, and colossal underwater spiders. :) read more

Easy perfect outing for anyone at any age. Checkout the tides before you go out - this will allow for an easier paddle if that matters. The staff is super helpful and will help with everything you need. read more

My first time in kayak was with Napa Valley Paddle. Comfortable and beautiful setting. Very happy with staff and experience! Definitely going back and bringing friends. read more

We arrived here to paddle board for our first time, Julie was very helpful in instructing by jumping on her own paddle board and showing us how to paddle and get on and off the board. Thank you Julie for making our first experience a great one! The employees were all very helpful! read more

Napa Valley Paddle - It was a beautiful day to paddle board! - Paddleboarding Near Me - Napa, California

Incredible day on the Napa river with family & friends. Thanks Drew & Napa valley Paddle for making this experience so fun & easy. We could drive up, park & step on the river really quickly. Boards were ready to go! Very kind staff who were ready to help as we came back at the end of the day also. Would highly recommend this day adventure when you visit Napa. ~ Dyer & Chris read more

I am now obsessed with kayaking and paddle boarding thanks to Napa Valley Paddle. Easy to book, quality equipment. Knowledge staff and love the location. Highly recommend! read more

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What a wonderful way to start our day. Our guide was very informative about some of Napa's history as we paddled along the Napa Valley River. He let us out on our own exploration for a bit to enjoy the beauty. Staff was pleasant, informative and friendly. Would definitely recommend. read more

Napa Valley Paddle - Paddleboarding Near Me - Napa, California

Did a board demo day on the Napa River and a bioluminescence tour in Tamales bay. Both fun experiences and great personnel!

Wonderful location downtown at the dock. If you're experienced you can just sign a waiver, grab your PFD and paddle, put on the leash, and go. Winds are worse south of the launch ramp, but also bad under bridges, which act as wind tunnels. Water is warm and shallow in the summer, so don't worry about falling in. In fact, it's so shallow that you may have to walk your board on a sandbar to get past very shallow areas, or downed trees. I would REALLY recommend Croakies and a waterproof phone case though. And if it's been awhile since you paddleboarded (or have never done it on a river) take time to ask questions. Paddleboarding on a river is a little tougher IMO, especially when the current and wind are against you. read more

Was emailed to pickup kayaks at 100 Riverside Dr. but was informed the "computers went down" and was told to wait for someone who never showed up. Was offered to go fishing instead for $200 extra in which we turned down. Ended up going to the original location on 680 Main St. and paddle boarded instead. The lady was so nice and helpful. She really made it up to us! One other thing: It wouldn't been nice to know to stay away from the left side of the river at first, as our boards got stuck to the ground and it took some time to get going into the deeper parts of the river. read more

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Do not book with them. Due to weather they understandably cancelled our tour however said no refunds are available. Many other business offer a refund minus a minor fee. read more

My daughter and I went this past Saturday and it was a great experience. I had called the day before and was told by Drew, the owner, that there was 2 spots left and I took them. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to send payment via the site, so he graciously sent me a square payment request. When that link didn't work, I ended up going to our appointment, unpaid, did the tour, and Drew let me pay afterwards, which was very nice. Our tour guide Emily was a sweetheart. Very patient, interactive and fun to be around. At the end of the excursion, Drew gave everyone a bottle of wine from his own label! Thanks again Drew and Emily! read more

Napa Valley Paddle - 7/19/2014 - fun group and a great day! - Paddleboarding Near Me - Napa, California

Overall, we had a negative experience at Napa Valley Paddle. It started out fine with me and my wife on a tandem kayak and each of my two kids on paddle boards. We had paid for 2 hours. The wind picked up after the first hour and the kids found themselves close to the shallow waters. Drew started yelling and told us to come in. He terminated our session about an hour early. He was rude to our family repeatedly. And it was a poor experience. The staff were friendly and were feeling bad for Drew's behavior. Not going to do business with Drew ever again. read more

We rented a 3 person kayak for an hour. My wife, daughter, and I had the best time. Thank you!

great, relaxing place to paddle. loved our experience and appreciated the wildlife tips. would come back and recommend it to others.

Worth spending a weekend morning kayaking on the napa river. Very nice scenery and many wildlife (otters!) to be observed. The high tide and slow flowing water makes it very friendly for beginners. read more

Had a SUPer fun afternoon on the Napa River with NVP. Well run group and we had a great warm-but-not-too-warm day on the river. Paddleboard novices my friend and I had no problems. A bit tired at the end but nothing some local Mexican food didn't fix ;) Would love to do some hourly rentals in Petaluma as well. Two great places to cruise along the river! read more

Drew was very helpful to give me good insights on how to plan a trip on his turf :) He did not try to push his services, just told me what I need to know so that we can have a great trip. He was very kind & helpful! Drew came recommended by others the knew the area. I had several people tell me he was the person to speak with. read more

The good: site easy to use to book, employees reasonably nice, water is really quite calm. Went on a Thursday and only saw a few other paddlers and one small boat. You get some nice views. Equipment was in good condition and employees seemed knowledgeable about getting me the right type/size board and holding it steady so I could get on. The bad: The pictures are extremely well taken-- I wouldn't expect it to look that way in real life. They have a 2hr minimum rental which at the price per hour is a pretty lofty ask, not to mention that paddling for 2 hrs is a hell of a workout. The water is calm but it felt much harder to push through than other water, I don't know if that makes sense but it's what I felt--I've been paddle boarding and kayaking in San Rafael, Avila beach, and Lake Tahoe and this was the hardest I paddled to make the board go. ( maybe something with tide /water level?) Employee told me to go down the river in one direction so it would be easier coming back. Great advice in theory but I think he kind of oversold how easy it would be to come back honestly-- or maybe I misunderstood/ miscalculated? I went down river in the instructed direction leisurely for about an hour and 15 min. I got back in about 45 min but only cuz I was absolutely hustling. Woke up at night with pain in my arms, thankfully it faded to a typical muscle soreness by morning. I'm 29 and I'm pretty good ( but not great) shape for reference. What you really need to know about this place is that google maps is accurate taking you there, but there's no sign. There's a little booth for their competitor company by the dock, which made me think I had the wrong place. The situation, I guess, is that the businesses share the dock and these guys don't have any kind of signage. Not an a-frame, not a flag, not an 8.5x11 piece of paper with crayon that says " Napa valley paddle." So just follow the gps and ask the guys on the dock when you get there. There is a parking garage and some public parking lots in the area, but the business does not have their own parking as it is in a downtown area. Also there are no lockers or anything like that for your stuff, they don't sell water or anything so I'd bring some for yourself. They were kind enough to stow my flip flops on the dock. Also I'd ask exactly what is down the particular direction you're going to. I'm seeing reviews on here about otters, dolphins and birds. All I saw were a few ducks/cranes, along with some makeshift structures that appeared to be shelter made by the homeless, a few freeway overpasses, an in shape gym, some construction site toward the end. So I'm assuming I should have had a bit more of a discussion before departing. V read more

Amazing experience! My boyfriend and I booked a date with NVP during the Bottlerock weekend through groupon. It was a beautiful and relaxing tour of the Napa River. The weather was perfect (end of May) and we were still able to hear the music from Bottlerock during parts of our tour! This was my first time SUP-ing, so I was a little nervous about falling into the water. However with the help and guidance of the awesome instructors, you can get the hang of it pretty quickly. Its a great workout for your entire body! I was a little bummed because our tour was supposed to end with an oyster and wine pairing. That part was cancelled because of the Bottlerock event, but instead they sent us home with a bottle of wine :) I would highly recommend NVP to all of my friends and family! read more

Drew, the owner is a complete ass. Our reservation was for 10 am. Pre-payed for, a week in advance for my husband's birthday. He shows up late, has no idea what he is doing. There are 3 families waiting, 2 have paid prior 1 just showed up. He is LOST. He thought we were the unpaid customers, didn't want to give us our kayaks, I tried to show him the Venmo payment & our text convos but he wasn't halving it, like I said complete ass. Please don't spend your hard earned money here. I wish I would never have pre paid. What an ass. read more

I've paddled with NVP twice now and I have to say that I will only go with this company! The first time I went with a friend using a groupon for a guided tour. The tour guide was fantastic, knowledgeable and went at a reasonable pace for the group. This was my first time trying SUP so I was worried we'd have a speedy tour guide but that was definitely not the case! The trip was the perfect length and at the end we met up at a little deli/bodega for oysters and wine. The owner also owns a winery! The fresh oysters and wine were great and they drove us back to our cars so we didn't have to paddle back. Because of the fantastic experience I booked SUP rentals (not guided) for my husband and I one weekend. The rental rates are great and we booked same day without any issues. We paddled around for a few hours (1/2 day rental) and came back and Drew, the owner, picked up our boards. Drew was very responsive, arranging to meet us for drop off and pick up and made the experience really great. I would definitely recommend booking a tour or if you are experienced just booking a 1/2 day rental. I had also reached out to Drew about donating a tour to a charity auction that I am working on and he was very responsive and obliged! read more

Great way to see the inner valley of Napa, from the River. This guide gives you all your looking for in an adventure right here! Going with the tide makes it easy for beginners and children. You really don't get wet, but make sure you have sun screen on! Have fun read more

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Just finished paddle boarding on the Napa River and had a great time! I would recommend making a reservation ahead of time--we thought there was a physical shop and we could just drop in but it was not the case. Fortunately, the owner Drew was very accommodating. He quickly sent someone out to us after our phone call and gave great tips over the phone for payment and where to paddle to, etc. They also offer SUP tours in Petaluma. Definitely would return again. Thanks Drew & Chase! read more

We had a wonderful day doing the tour. From the moment we arrived to check in until we left. Our guide Patrick was absolutely wonderful and the young man help, I forgot his name were helpful and great to spend the early afternoon with. I would recommend them to anyone wanting to try it for the first time or just to have them guide you through Napa. Thank you the fantastic day! read more

Unfortunately I can't write a review about the experience; this is purely from a customer service experience. I booked an outing online about a month in advance. Everything was confirmed, and I paid for the lesson with a groupon voucher. Two weeks before the session, I got an email from the company booking system saying that I now owed an additional $60. I called NVP, and they said that this was simply a mistake with the system. A few days before my trip, I get another email that still shows the $60 charge. I still went ahead with the trip, but unfortunately no one was there to take my husband and I paddling. We called the company, and said that they didn't have anyone down for the 2pm time. They did however have a "no show" earlier that day, but they weren't able to see who booked the appointment. (really you don't know who has an appointment?) They went on to say that if missed our appointment, they wouldn't be able to honor the voucher. After looking over the emails, I saw not only did the emails from the company indicate that I owed erroneous charges, but they also changed the time of the appointment TWICE!. As a customer, I expect businesses to get a verbal confirmation that any new times will work out. Not only that, I did call the company, and they didn't bother to mention the new times to me. Luckily I got my money back from groupon. The business owner was less than gracious, and wouldn't take responsibility for this sloppy business service. Apparently he operates from the customers always wrong perspective. Not someone I want to do business with. Also, he requested that we not ask groupon for a refund. He said that he would send us a check instead. Totally shady considering we didn't buy directly from him. Needless to say, I'm sure the paddling experiences are fun, but be careful! read more

I wish there was an option for 0 stars. My ultimate gripe with this company is that I had booked a paddle tour a month in advance after talking to the owner, Drew, over the phone but was literally STOOD UP. My friend and I were at the launch site on time and were greeted by someone wearing a Napa Valley Paddle shirt. However, they had only one board and immediately took off on their lesson/tour with someone else. It was clear that we weren't on the schedule. To make matters worse, we attempted to contact this company several times. Our appointment was at 10:30 and we didn't receive a call back until 6:30. When we told Drew what happened, he said he did not have us on his schedule yet remembered my name? He also tried to say that "Well, there was someone there" from the company. Yes, there was. She had one board and SOMEONE ELSE was on it. After talking to several people in this industry, I learned that this is NOT the first time this has happened with this company. We really lucked out because a paddle boarding instructor from another company happened to be coming back from her lesson and she said she would take us out! Bailie from High Water Paddle saved the day! read more

Drew and Napa Valley Paddle are awesome! I was celebrating my birthday week in Napa and wanted to go kayaking on the Napa River. A friend of ours at Napa Native Tours recommended Drew and Napa Paddle. Drew was incredible and our trip on the Napa River was amazing--so relaxing and beautiful. The kayaks were brand new and very comfortable. My husband and I had never been before, so we were a bit nervous, but Drew provided the best instruction, was patient, and kind, and work with us the entire time helping us develop our technique--I loved it. He is also incredibly knowledgeable about the Napa River and the river's reclamation project as well as the wildlife in the area. It was simply amazing and one of the best days I have spent in Napa--it's not all about the wine; there is so much more to do and see, so call up Drew and have a fabulous day on the river! read more

The Napa Valley experience is not only about food and wine anymore but also Stand up Paddleboarding! It was my first time SU paddleboarding and it is definitely harder than I thought. Bailie was a great instructor - very professional, safety oriented, and fun! She went through: safety guidelines; paddleboard basics; how to fall off your board without injuring yourself, etc. Bailie was very patient with everyone in our group. Each of us was able to learn at our own pace. There was no pressure to try to catch up with the people who picked it up quicker. It was such a fun and enjoyable experience that we have another outing set up. If you want to learn how to paddleboard, High Water SUP is the way to go. Bailie's enthusiasm and instruction will definitely get you hooked! read more

I was really excited about trying this on our visit, but didn't even get past the booking stage. I needed to simply reschedule my tour for a different day, but Drew made it impossible to do so and was downright rude blaming other people for his confusion and lack of customer service skills. Even after cancelling my tour since apparently it was too difficult to make the appointment, I was still receiving text messages and phone calls. Please hire someone to work on your customer service. read more

This wasn't our first kayak rental for the Napa River....but it was the best. On a whim, we called to check availability for 2 kayaks. Drew was helpful & accomodating to our last minute plans. The river doesn't get alot of traffic, which is awesome for a relaxing river trip. When we were finished, Drew was ready to pick up the eqpt, promptly and swiftly. This is a great way to adventure through Napa apart from the vineyards. read more

I wish I could give 10 stars!!... Best experience ever! Napa itself of course is awesome but what better way to start your day than with something active. My dad surprised me for a Father's Day/ bday gift with paddle boarding in napa! Didn't expect the oysters and local wine tasting directly after! Our guide Emily was a gem! Drew, the ower wow'd us! I recommend using NVP 120%!! I can't wait to go again!!!! read more

Thank you so much. Bailly and staff are amazing. Easy, just show up and everything will be taken care of. From the friendly smile to the welcoming instruction, not to mention the location, everything you could want and need at taken care of. I will be bringing my family back. Thank you. read more

As a SUP/PaddleFit coach and personal trainer, I've had the luxury and priviledge of travelling around the globe paddling and meeting other folks along the way with a love for the water and paddling. As the fastest growing water sport, it has, unfortunately, spawned all the entrepreneurial sharks looking to cash in, who focus on the profit agenda versus the customer's safety, need and overall experience; this what I look for in credible SUP instruction. Bailie with High Water Stand Up Paddle in Napa Valley has exceeded the bar with credentials, knowledge, safety, philosophy ('passion' being a huge plus) and equipment, compared to other SUP service businesses we've checked out in that area. Her safety guidelines go beyond legal requirements, following the most stringent current practices for certified SUP instructors; oftentimes painfully absent with many SUP outfitters/tour providers we come across. Almost anybody can show someone how to stand up on a paddleboard and a lot of people make a business out of doing just that (and most customers will enjoy the experience regardless, having no point of reference on what to expect). But learning PROPER stroke, techniques and skills (which you get to carry away with you afterwards) from a certified instructor heavily involved and well respected within the SUP community, is sometimes hard to come by and priceless. It may make the difference between trying something just for fun, and finding a new passion that can change your life. High Water Stand Up Paddle is definitely our choice for SUP training in the Napa Valley region! read more

My boyfriend took me here for our anniversary and we had a great time. We are both adventurous people and love being outdoors, so this was perfect for us. Drew took us on a great tour of the Napa river and we had an amazing bento box lunch. We had a blast and will definitely come back. read more

I was put into contact with Bailie after deciding to learn how to paddle board for the Morro Bay Triathlon Sprint. She was generous with her time and knowledge. She developed and shared a rigorous training schedule across all three sports. She helped me with technique that helped me feel more secure and effective on the board. She is very passionate about SUP, which makes working with her and Highwater SUP even cooler. read more