Elkhorn Slough is over 45,000 acres of pristine wildlife near the ocean. While kayaking through this ecological treasure you can spot tons of wildlife in the water, on the shore, and in the air. The experience will make you feel as though you’re in a nature documentary and light up your soul!
Starting in Moss Landing in Monterey Bay and going 7 miles inland, this slough and estuary is a magical place to kayak.
Located in the town of Moss Landing, visitors can kayak through Elkhorn Slough. The ocean slough and estuary is a shelter for many birds, otters, and seals, in a bucolic landscape. Sometimes small leopard sharks and stingrays swim into the slough’s muddy waters.
There are only two places where you can legally launch your kayaks– Moss Landing Harbor District Launch Ramp and Kirby Park.
It’s wise to know the timing of the tides so you can have a safe and easy time in the slough. Ideally, you want to launch with the tides and wind in your favor to make your paddling easier. You can check the latest tides on the Elkhorn Slough website.
Elkhorn Slough is a kayaker’s paradise.
If you don’t have a kayak, there are several places in the Monterey Bay area, including Moss Landing, where you can rent a kayak and paddle for a day.
The water is calm and there are few large vessels. You can spend a day exploring the slough’s six miles of waterways.
Some local kayak rental shops also offer tours, so if you don’t want to explore alone or want a guide to point you in the right direction, check out the tours.
Monterey Bay weather is pleasant (although chilly) year-round, so anytime is a good time to visit.
However, if you’re eager to bird watch, the best time to visit is the spring and fall when migration patterns result in a wide variety of birds.
Elkhorn Slough is one of the largest estuaries in California and home to California’s largest concentration of sea otters.
Fishing is prohibited, so bring your binoculars, camera, and water bottle and just be prepared to paddle and take in the sights. There is a tour available via a large boat. But we prefer kayaking. It’s the best way to explore the slough since you can explore small off-shoots and areas the large boat cannot so easily access.
Have you explored Elkhorn Slough by kayak?
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