BIOLUMINESCENCE KAYAKING TOUR ON TOMALES BAY

A 3-hour kayaking tour to experience the famous bioluminescence on Tomales Bay.

Private tours available by contacting us.

We'll start the evening with 20–30 minutes of onshore preparation, including introductions, an overview of our route, and time to get comfortable with your kayak and paddling gear. 

Once everyone is ready, we'll paddle onto Tomales Bay around sunset and make our way to a beach along Point Reyes National Seashore.

When conditions allow, we'll stop for a small beach fire and hot chocolate or tea while we wait for darkness. Then we'll return to the water to explore the shoreline and experience the bioluminescence.

Miller Boat Launch

Marshall, CA

When is the best time to see bioluminescence on Tomales Bay?

Bioluminescence can be seen on Tomales Bay throughout much of the year, but darker nights generally provide the best viewing. We schedule our public tours around the darker part of the moon cycle, typically offering tours for about two weeks each month.

Public tours are offered February through November.

Private tours are available.

December and January tours are available by request. Bioluminescence tends to be less active during the winter, but these quieter nights can offer incredible stargazing and fewer people on the bay.

Tour times vary by date and sunset.

• Experienced Guides
• Small Beach Fire (when conditions allow)
• Hot Chocolate or Tea
• Tandem Sea Kayak
• Paddle
• PFD 
• Splash Jacket
• Splash Skirt
• 20L Dry Bag

3% of all trips directly support the Point Reyes National Seashore.

• Headlamp with red light
• Base Layer Tops and Bottoms (Lightweight, Synthetic or Wool)
• Fleece/Wool Gloves
• Fleece/Wool Hat
• Shoes you don't mind getting wet
• Hiking Pants (Quick-Dry, Lightweight)
• Hiking Socks (Synthetic or Wool)
• Insulated Jacket and/or Vest
• Long Sleeve Shirts (Synthetic, Lightweight)
• Water bottle
• Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)

2-12 (Public Tours)

Larger tours available for private groups.

What happens if the weather doesn't cooperate?

Calm conditions are important for both a safe nighttime paddle and a great bioluminescence experience. Tomales Bay can get windy, and bioluminescence tours may be rescheduled or canceled when conditions aren’t right.

We keep a close eye on the forecast leading up to every tour and try to give guests as much advance notice as possible if it looks like wind may be an issue. Conditions can change quickly, though, so occasionally a decision needs to be made closer to the tour.