This outfit and Elkhorn Slough did not disappoint! The set otters were plentiful, playful, and so…read morecute. Getting in and out of the slough can be tough due to the current and wind. This was especially true since I was on double kayak and my partner had "issues". All the necessary gear is provided, along with a good amount of training. Getting cleaned up afterwards is a breeze as well. What is also great is that there is a good place to eat (Sea Harvest) in the same area. That restaurant is at the mouth of the slough which gives you the ability to see fellow kayakers coming and going.

We had a super easy rental experience as a walk in midweek in March. My family of four had a great…read moretime in two double kayaks. We saw otters, seals, sea lions, and tons of different sea birds in Elkhorn Slough. Minimum age to go out is five.

Brian and Ariella are an amazing team! I cannot say enough about the personal care they take in…read moreoperating snorkel & scuba tours, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Well worth it! As this was my first visit to Monterey, I wanted to ensure I had a knowledgeable guide to see all the local sites. I am an experienced diver, primarily in warm waters over the past decade. To prepare for this trip, I obtained my drysuit certification, but finding actual cold water diving opportunities in Florida is challenging. I was referred to Monterey Expeditions by another diver, and I was fortunate to arrange two dives on Sunday morning. We had the pleasure of diving with Ariella, an exceptionally patient and attentive dive leader and instructor. Given that this was my first experience diving in cold water with a drysuit, it was incredibly reassuring to have her oversight to ensure my safety. She was patient with my slow preparation (any drysuit divers know it's awkward the first few times), and she was over prepared (because sure enough I needed more weight) . Additionally, we connected over our shared passion for marine conservation, as she also has a background in marine biology. If you are looking for a dive or snorkel expedition, you are in the best hands with Monterey Expeditions! I can't wait to go back!

I booked a snorkeling adventure for my family. Brian was extremely knowledgeable, very patient, and…read morethorough. My daughter had never snorkeled in the ocean before and was very hesitant about getting into the water but Brian made it a very pleasant experience for her. He was a great guide for all of us. He really included my daughter in the entire experience which was super awesome. I was worried about having to go onto a boat but you basically just walk out from the beach and snorkel from the beach. We got very fortunate and were able to go out on a day where there was a very little movement and the sun was shining. It was pretty clear and we got to see quite a bit of sea life. I would highly recommend Brian and Monterey expeditions.

So much fun! Abraham was fun, patient, and so helpful! This was the kids first time surfing and…read morethey had a blast! They both were able to have a great time and enjoy the waves! I highly recommend booking with them! Thanks, Abraham!

Fantastic to work with! We rented boards and wet suits from them two days in a row and they were…read morefriendly, made the process really easy and efficient and were all around nice dudes. They even went above and beyond and offered us cookies, water, and Gatorade after we finished surfing. They operate out of the back of a van and had enough equipment for 15 of us to rent suits, surf boards, and boogie boards. Highly recommend!

I just want to say what an amazing experience I had with purchasing my Starboard paddle board from…read moreCovewater Paddle Surf. Olivier was extraordinarily helpful in finding me a board and working on getting it delivered to the East coast. He carefully wrapped the board and it arrived here in perfect shape. I am now on my board almost everyday and I am in heaven every time I step on this board..aka Stella Bella Starboard. I would recommend Covewater Paddle surf to everyone and a special thanks to Olivier!!

I booked a private SUP surf lesson with Olivier and had a great experience. Olivier is incredibly…read moreknowledgable and an excellent instructor. He tailored the equipment and location to my skill level and we had an epic session where I learned more in 2 hours than I had in years of paddle surfing. Olivier uses headset technology that allows him to communicate with you throughout the session - it was amazing. Book a lesson with Oliver and you will level up immediately. Plus you'll have a ton of fun!

SO MUCH FUN! I am a…read morebig guy and was scared out of my mind BUT the nice little lady...Natalie I think...was very helpful and calmed all my fears. She showed me pro techniques that helped me in the calm water and the baby surf that was out there. I was doing hand stands by the end of the day! We got out early, it was calm and a little foggy but then the fog burned off and it was amazing! So peaceful. We got to see dolphins, sea lions and an otter with its baby! And schools of fish under your board...pretty cool! Can't wait to take my 9 year old out there! Thanks again!

1st. Class Service. This is a paddle surf shop. and I am a longboard surfer. I needed a special…read more"Waist Leash". Olivier Guincetre the owner said not problem. He took the time to show me how to take apart my ankle leash and install the waist leash and even gave me the little allen wrench.

Dishonest and Unprofessional - Avoid This Place…read more I rented kayaks here with my girlfriend using a Groupon that vaguely said "kayak rental for two" with no clear time limit. It was our first time kayaking and we were just trying to have a good time, but when we got back (about 90 minutes later), the owner, Trudie and her aggressive employee ambushed us with an extra $50 charge for supposedly going over their "one-hour limit," which was never clearly communicated. I should've known this place was shady when Trudie asked for a tip before the service, holding the POS iPad and waiting for me to say an amount she could enter herself. It was awkward and pushy--I reluctantly said $5 because what was I supposed to do, tell her no while she stared at me? Their employee originally told us, "You have about an hour or so," which was super casual and vague--nothing about a strict time limit. When we returned, suddenly he was claiming it was "one hour, give or take 10 minutes," which makes absolutely no sense; what does that even mean, 50, 60 or 70 minutes!?!?! Nobody talks like that unless they're scrambling to save face in front of their boss. It was obvious he made it up on the spot to cover himself. What made it even more infuriating was hearing the employee lie to my face while condescendingly saying, "Hey buddy, I said one hour, give or take 10 minutes". The attitude, the dishonesty, and the fake "policy" were a perfect storm of unprofessionalism. On top of that, Trudie knows most people don't bring their phones or watches out on the water, especially first-timers like us. We had no way to accurately tell time out there, and it feels like she counts on that to trap people into being "late" so she can tack on extra charges. When I pushed back, Trudie, her employee, and a random bystander--who seemed to be her personal friend--ganged up on me, trying to intimidate me into paying the surprise fee. The whole situation felt like a setup. I even saw Trudie earlier trying to overcharge tourists for paddleboard training they didn't need. On top of all this, the harbor was packed with over 100 boats constantly coming in and out to park, causing delays and creating a chaotic situation that made it genuinely hard to get back on time--especially as we battled the wind and current on the way back. Trudie didn't care about any of that; she was just focused on squeezing out more money. It really feels like Trudie targets tourists and Groupon users to tack on hidden fees. She clearly resents people using Groupons and will find any excuse to charge you more. I mean, if you don't like giving deals through Groupon, then don't even offer them! Even if you're just a minute over, they'll round it up to the next full hour and hit you with a $50 charge--with ZERO upfront warning. There are much better options nearby like Monterey Bay Kayaks or Kayak Connection--they offer clear expectations, honest pricing, and actually know how to run a customer-centered business. Oh ya, almost forgot to mention that there weren't any kind of demonstration or instructions offered like there were when I recently visited Monterey Bay Kayaks so they obviously don't care about your experience or your safety. Avoid The SUP Shack at all costs. I've been in customer service management for over 10 years, and this was honestly one of the worst, most unprofessional experiences I've ever had.

I had a Friday "wellness day" from work and decided to head up to Santa Cruz for the day. Went to…read morethe SUP Shack on Friday, which was great because it was super quiet, but I had a great time. Saw a Sea Lion just hanging and couple harbor seals deep in the harbor. Local business run by Trudie, she's so helpful and kind. Will definitely be back!

This Saturday Portside Paddle hosted lessons for Single parents.... this is something my son and I…read morehave wanted to try, this opportunity allowed us this great adventure. I showed up and Burleigh was super enthusiastic to have my son and I @ Portside. Short pump up orientation were safety was outlined and understood prior to decking up. I have to admit that this big momma wasn't to sure about how successful my body was gonna allow this experience to unfold, but I not only surprised Burleigh but myself too! Ofcourse my athletic little guy was all over the place and had to be reigned in several times. This is a family business and I had the pleasure of meeting the whole family: Helen, Burleigh and Lil Mia. Helen and their little were at the dock when we got back. Enjoyed a nice debrief family to family. Great experience. I would defiently recomend to all. ALL ages & body types.

Fantastic family activity on spring break! They made sure we were comfortable and confident on the…read morepaddles. Great bonding experience and a lot of fun!

Maverick's Surf Shop has a deep history in the Half Moon Bay community, or so I was told, by a…read morefriend who grew up in the area.... This shop and the nearby popular beach with which it shares a name and is known for their huge wave surfing is a must-see if you're in the area. So, for that reason, and because I have a son named Maverick, we decided to swing by this surf shop and check it out... We weren't in the market for any surf gear, but they have everything you need here if you are. We enjoyed perusing their store and I ended up purchasing a t-shirt and hat. The other stores in the area were closed for renovation, but if you end up here, eat at nearby Sam's and make an afternoon of it. That's what we did. Enjoy!

Listen I am not a surfer but I am a scuba diver. I have been to mavericks when the waves have been…read more60 foot high. The movie Chasing Mavericks is spectacular. Why are the waves so Big here? The National Marine Sanctuaries states, "Due to the steep topography of the bedrock reef at Mavericks, the wave energy rapidly converges and the wave height rapidly increases, creating a huge wave compared to the adjacent areas." I had to see this surf shop and it is an incredible place. The staff is very friendly and they assist you in whatever you are looking for. They have a great selection of footwear for both men and women as well as eye glasses. The sorts were really great with selections for men that are with a collar and lots os T's and sweat shirts. The prices are really good and they do have sales racks in the front on clothing that is in some cases 50% off. You have a great view of the Harbor and Mavericks and the customer service is fantastic. By the way, I purchased a T-Shirt there with their brand and I am wearing it right now as I type this review. I highly recommend this shop.

Boardsports California is awesome! They rent out all kinds of water fun -- paddleboards,…read morewindsurfing gear, kayaks, and more. Met the really nice folks here who works here, super friendly and helpful. The shop is located right on the beachfront, which makes it super convenient to get out on the water right away. Very dog friendly. Highly recommend!

Wide selection of activities that you can try! Kayaking,…read morewind surfing or even parasailing, they got the right equiptment. They even offer you free lesson if you buy the equiptment to them. For a price, they have a selections of lesson for the enthusiasts., my one note, you go online and get the best deal. They go up and beyond when it comes to service and have an impeccable knowledge focused on safety. Go to the journey and enjoy this state beach in Alameda with Boardsport.