Very enjoyable Mothers Day tour. Thanks Joe, Katie and Jeff. From the grandkids (12&13) all the way to Grandma in her upper 70's, we all had a great time. The weather in the parking lot scared away some, as the wind made it pretty chilly, but once in the kayaks and on the water, the wind was knocked down substantially and the paddling was easier than they described it to be. Water resistant clothing would certainly help, though I just wore shorts and a sweatshirt. It was nice that they were so careful and thoughtful, but none of us felt cold at all the entire time. We had a harbor seal join us for part of our tour and the views of the USS Hornet and SF in the background was pretty sweet. Great memories and pictures to take home. Thx to all! read more

I took the Intro to Kayaking class this morning and I am very impressed with their level of expertise and attention to safety. I learned a lot! My favorite part was the harbor seal that surfaced quite close to check us out. Many thanks for Katie - she's an excellent and patient instructor. read more

Joe and his staff are knowlegeable and kind. We enjoyed a great sunset tour with pelicans and other wildlife. I didn't know how to kayak but they made it easy and fun! read more

Great kayak tour on the Alameda/Oakland Estuary. We saw the sunset and the fool moon rising! It was magical ! The tour is very safe and well organized and Joe is a really nice guy, making sure everyone is doing well. The kayaks are good quality and very stable, good for all levels. read more

Joe and Katie were amazing! We did an Intro to Kayaking class and were fortunate enough to get one-on-one instruction. They taught us so much practical advice, and then we got a ton of practice time out on the water. They were thorough, friendly, knowledgeable, and patient. We will definitely be back! read more

Joe is amazing! He's so nice. We had so much fun. I got a double kayak just for me and my dog! The kayaks are very stable and comfortable compared to others I've tried. The seals are so cute! My dog and I would love to come back. There's ample parking, a nice beach, and restrooms and sinks and stuff. I forgot who else works there but the lady that helped us was nice too. Dogs are very much allowed, at least my small dog was! read more

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Best place ever! Joe took fantastic care of us. High-quality kayaks and a perfect day out in the water.

Joe does a good job and he's very generous with tips and passing on helpful information. I had a great time on one of his tours and came back for a class and individual lessons. I want to get all my friends to go out on a group tour. We are so close to all this wildlife and we miss it driving around in our cars. read more

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I just took a 2hr private lesson with Joe learning the L1/L2 kayak paddling techniques. He's a great, easy going and patient teacher. I learned a lot in those 2 hours and had a blast. I appreciated that he was very easy to communicate with from the beginning and made sure that I got what I wanted out of the lessons. I highly recommend him! read more

Fantastic kayaking tour, got to see the birds and got close to the aircraft carrier from the water looking up, learn about what's going on in the area, Joe was an excellent guide, not boring at all, grateful for his tips navigating around the currents and rapids, he's a competent kayak instructor. The tandem kayak we were on is super stable, despite my kayak partner didn't have much kayak experience, we manage without any incident. The only regret I had was getting too close to shore on our way back, and hit the lines of fishermen's who were fishing on the breakwaters. read more

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great. joe was knowledgeable and lead us on a kayaking adventure in alameda. it was fantastic. would do again.

We had a great time on the Seaplane tour! There were lots of great views and we learned some interesting facts about the wildlife and history of the bay! read more

Joe and Aidan led our kayak tour around the Sea Plane Lagoon. I originally booked a tour for Mother's Day which had to be cancelled due to bad weather/too much wind. Joe made it easy to reschedule through email and was super responsive. On our tour, Aidan got my mom and I set in our kayaks and gave the group safety tips and information. On the water, Joe shared so much history about the area, wildlife, military and USS Hornet. The weather was perfect, and the guides would check in on us throughout the trip. We had a blast! Can't wait to go back and rent kayaks through Joe! read more

We booked a Sunset Kayak Tour, and were thrilled with the tour. Joe met us right on time at the Marina, and got us settled in with instructions and all the gear we required. We set off feeling secure and amazed by the sights along Alameda and Oakland. We arrived to Jack London Square right as the sun set brilliantly over San Francisco and lingered to enjoy the sight. Perfect ride, great guides, and an experience I'd definitely do again! read more

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We loved it all -from the location to the great instructors Katie and Joe who were knowledgeable, friendly, patient and ready for us. The kayaks, life jackets and all equipment involved was clean and of excellent quality making us feel very safe. We went for the family kayaking adventure; you can bring two kids with you or be two adults with one kid. We did the latter and our girl felt very special. We definitely want to look into what else Stacked Adventure have in store for us. read more

This kayak adventure was over the top, not only did we catch the most beautiful weather, and calm waters but we had Joe all to ourselves as a private excursion. He was most helpful, informative, patient and made our evening memorable. read more

Friendly, knowledgeable, experienced, and well-equipped. They have something for all levels from beginners to those with expertise. Fun and safe: a great combination for water activities. read more

3 friends and I took the Intro to Kayaking class and we had so much fun. Joe and Katie went over a ton of safety information and kayaking knowledge. The whole class was 4 hours long with more than half of that being in the water. We learned how to get in the kayak, paddle strokes, how to stop and turn, and how to get out. It was a great workout and a lot of fun. This was the first kayaking experience for all of us and we will definitely be kayaking again. read more

Me and my son took a kayaking trip with Joe for 3+ hours, We cruised around the estuary and around the Coast Guard island, Joe also took few photos for us from time to time.wonderful trip. we both enjoy it very much. Nice guys, good and clean equipments. His fees are lower than many other out there, and he is local. He also organize kids / family kayaking tour, and Night Kayaking. Me and my son are looking forward to join his other kayaking trips. read more

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Wow! We had an AMAZING 3 hours with Katie Diamond today. So much good beginner and safety information then into the water for a beautiful morning! We practiced our paddling skills and saw sea lions. Or seals, actually. We cannot wait to get back out on the water and will be booking another session with Katie, for sure! THANK YOU! read more

Awesome service! It's a family owned business. They're very friendly and good at guiding and explaining how to navigate the kayaks.

Wow - how have we not done this before? Alameda is a fantastic place to kayak and Joe is a great guide to the area. Novices to kayaking in the bay, Joe made sure we had the right instruction and equipment; he even managed some fantastic weather. Lots of stuff to sea (pi). USS Hornet and other ships. Ocean project. Amazing views of San Francisco across the bay. And lots of wildlife. Seals, dolphins, and a pelican sanctuary with thousands of pelicans. Have lunch at one of the wineries/breweries on the old naval Base. Do other bay area residents know this is here? Go do it! read more

A friend introduced me to Stacked & I took a big risk planning my husband's Bday festivities around a kayaking outing- just praying that all the details would come together. Ultimately everyone had a GREAT time- gear was in great condition, guides were super friendly, lunch stop reservation was handled by Stacked- definitely would be happy to go on another Stacked Adventure! read more

Stacked Adventures - A great couples activity - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Alameda, California

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Joe is a very knowledgeable and extremely patient instructor. I had a great time with my 5-yr old daughter, we got to see some sea lions. We're new to kayaking, but we were able to get the hang of it w Joe's instructions, and it was a lot of fun! read more

Joe and Aiden led a kayaking outing for our Girl Scout troop of 8 girls (age 10-ish) and 2 adults, out of their Encinal Boat Launch location. Joe and Aiden were great instructors, and the equipment was well-maintained and in good shape. They provided great instruction on the shore, before we got into the boats, on how to paddle correctly, how to communicate on the water, and general boating safety. Some of the girls had never been on a boat before, and Joe's patient and clear instructions helped settle them down. Joe and Aiden led us on a paddle out past the seal docks, past the ferries, and around the tip of the USS Hornet, providing helpful guidance to the girls the whole way, and sharing information on the wildlife and on the local history of the naval base and of the USS Hornet. We all had an amazing trip, and are very appreciative of Joe and Aiden's efforts. Highly recommended. Thank you Stacked Kayaking! read more

Thanks to Joe for supporting my wild idea to kayak around Alameda Island with my two teenage boys. Joe had the type of kayak we requested, good paddles, necessary accessories and a wealth of knowledge about paddling in the area. He was concerned about our safety, but willing to let us give our adventure a try after discussing the plan and alternate haul outs if we didn't make it as far as hoped. Joe took the time to make sure my sons were comfortable with their kayaks and sent us on our way. A great day on the water made possible by Joe and his excellent rental business! read more

Stacked Adventures - One son just of the bow and the other just to my starboard (right). - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Alameda, California

Great trips. Always Fun and a perfect way to explore the area from the water's perspective. Joe & Katie are great guides- safe, secure, it's -learning all the time while having a blast! Can't say enough about how lucky we are to have the resource of Stacked Adventures. read more

We went out with a mixed age group of kids, teens and adults for a few hours on a Saturday morning. From the reservation process to the day of our kayaking adventure, Joe was so helpful, knowledgeable and responsive! It was an unforgettable day of beauty, nature and bonding with friends and family! read more

I enjoy kayaking but have limited experience and don't own the gear, so I'm thrilled to have discovered Stacked Adventures. I've rented kayaking gear from Stacked Adventures four times so far and will continue to do so. Thus far, I've joined them for a small group kayaking tour and several other group kayaking outings. First of all, they provide mobile services for kayaking (as well as camping and backpacking). It's great to just show up at the designated waterfront location, close to my house, and the kayak and gear is delivered right to me. Second the rental prices are the best that I've come across for great quality gear; Stacked Adventures is extremely affordable. Each time I've rented I've also had the chance to try different types of kayaks with varying rudder systems or a skeg. As a result I've become extremely comfortable with a range of kayaks from a fast, high-end kayak to a touring kayak. And finally, Stacked Adventures is a great outfit primarily because the owner Joe Stack makes the entire kayaking experience easy, fun and safe. Joe is professional, personable and an expert in outdoor recreation with several professional certifications. It's great to be in the ocean with someone who knows the waters and is excellent at assessing challenges caused by the tide, wind and individual skill level. On a recent small group kayaking outing with Stacked Adventures, I accidentally steered my boat too close to the rocky shore. Joe quickly paddled between me and the treacherous rocks just as a wave smashed me into the shoreline. In essence, Joe saved me from a dangerous and painful encounter with the rocks by acting as a physical buffer. He allowed the waves to smash him into the rocks thus enabling me to correct my course and paddle away unscathed. In my book that's far above and beyond what I'd expect from the business owner who rents me kayaks! I highly recommend Stacked Adventures and look forward to trying out their concierge camping services for a customized kayaking/camping adventure with friends. read more

A friend recommended Stacked Adventures to me once I got a house on the water, and was eager to get a boat out from my new dock. I picked up two really inexpensive kayaks for me and my nine-year-old daughter to use. I had kayaked a few times on lakes, but never in moving current. My daughter, on the other hand, had never been on a kayak, a canoe, or anything of the sort! I scheduled our first session, and Joe, the owner, joined my daughter in one of his tandem kayaks, while I cruised alongside in my single. He taught her the basic strokes, gave me some useful pointers on my stroke style, and talked about safety and other general info on things to be aware of while kayaking. It was a 90 minute session, but the way that he taught and the route that he chose made it feel like a nice, leisurely boat ride! My daughter was instantly comfortable with him, and with being in the water, even though she's not super-skilled at swimming. It was a total success, and made me even more eager to schedule for my girl to get into her solo kayak near our home. Yesterday, we did that solo kayak session for my daughter, and she was so open to Joe's instruction that she really got the hang of controlling her boat within the first half hour. I was so nervous for her, but she made me SO proud with how easily she adapted to the balancing, steering, and reacting to the tidal pull. I think we'll be out on the water again this week, thanks to Stacked Adventures! I'm also really interested in the group kayaking tours he runs. He's a great, really genuine guide, has tons and tons of knowledge, as well as reasonable prices! I highly recommend Stacked Adventures for both adults and kids to tighten up their paddling skills! read more

I wanted to arrange something really special for my husband and I to celebrate our 5th anniversary. (We take turns planning each year.) Joe made it easy and fun to plan an epic, romantic date! We met him at the marina around 7pm for some quick paddle talk, instruction and to review our plan. He helped us get settled into a really nice double kayak and off we went to Jack London Square! Joe had the perfect balance of being available and present if needed, while still giving us space to enjoy each other and our date. At our destination, he helped us off the water and watched the equipment while we enjoyed a nice dinner together (after a quick costume change). The real treat came after the restaurant--paddling back to Alameda in the dark! The calm water with zero traffic, fireworks after the baseball game, and general twilight romance was so special! It was wonderful enjoying a local adventure in a low-key, relaxed and safe way...with zero stress! Joe is such a gem! He communicates effectively and our outing definitely exceeded expectations! read more

A great adventure to do that is covid-friendly! Easy to distance and have a great time in the single or double kayaks. Our family of four (including two surly teens) had a great time rowing past the sea lions and big ships in the protected cove. The owner Joe was friendly and knowledgable. read more

Wonderful time, saw dolphins, brown pelicans, and marine mammals. Our guide is an expert and I recommend Stacked Adventures to all who want to get out on the water in Alameda and the area. read more

Bumped into Stacked Adventures a couple of weekends ago at the end of one of their trips as a small group of smiling kayakers were unloadingat the Grand Marina boat ramp. I was very interested to see that they had a guide, Joe Stack. I am just getting back into kayaking and have been trying to find a way to get back on the water with other people. Joe was very easy to talk with. When I told him that I was having difficulty figuring out how to get my kayak on an off my car without assistance, he offered to come by my place. He was incredibly patient and came up with some great solutions.. and didn't charge me a fee. My immediate impression is that Stacked Adventures really is about helping people experience the outdoors in a safe and affordable environment. Joe put me in touch with a local MeetUp kayaking group. Stacked fees seem very reasonable and I hope to take part in one of their future Day Outings... hm, "Kayak Crabbing", "Kayak and Dine", or maybe "Kayaking for Fitness"? read more

Took our Girl Scout troop out kayaking with Stacked this past weekend, and our instructor Katie made the experience wonderful! Being very nervous myself, she guided the girls and I on a tour around the USS Hornet, seals, pelicans, and more. She was a great instructor, but so very kind and patient. Joe made sure we had all we needed for the trip. An excellent company to kayak with, and I might actually do it again! read more

Booked a kayak tour with Stacked Adventures as an company outing (~20 ppl). We had an amazing time and Joe was very knowledgeable easy to work with, customizing a tour to work with the variety of experience levels and at a convenient location for us! It was great to get out on the water and explore our area from a new perspective. Would highly recommend if you're looking for a fun kayaking adventure in the Bay Area! read more

My husband and I went on a Stacked Adventures kayaking tour of the Oakland Estuary on a Sunday morning in July. Joe and Randy set us up in a double kayak and were excellent guides. We loved the interesting scenery with lots of yachts and sailboats, some floating homes, water birds, and waterside restaurants. Particularly fun was being taken under a pier and navigating between the wooden pillars, which Joe explained showed us that kayaks can go where other boats can't. It was surprisingly peaceful out on the estuary, and Joe and Randy made sure our tour group was safe and prepared at all times. We paddled almost 5 miles. You need no kayaking skills to go on a tour--Joe and Randy will teach you what you need to know. A great experience! Highly recommended! read more

Had a great time taking the family out on the bay--we even saw dolphins! Joe was great about suggesting a route and helping us time it with the tides. Great equipment, great service. Thanks! read more

I looked at numerous kayak tours through meetup.com around the area and randomly chose Stacked Adventures and am very glad I did? Joe had the patience of a saint with the instructions and was able to provide pointers to keep everyone's interest. I plan on taking as many of their tours as possible! read more

Had a fantastic time Kayaking from Alameda to Oakland (lunch at Brotzeit Lokal)! Joe was a terrific guide, and as someone who has only kayaked 2 other times, and the last trip was 3 years ago, I felt very comfortable with his guiding us! He knows the area, lots of info about the best time of day to go (wind picks up in the afternoon), etc... Highly recommend! read more