Blue Waters Kayaking - The Best Tomales Bay Kayaking

Welcome to Blue Waters Kayaking on Drake's Estero!

We welcome experienced and first time kayakers alike to join us on this beautiful paddle. Surrounded by acres of verdant coastal farmland, a day paddle in this inspiring wilderness estuary gives us the chance to see harbor seals, abundant shorebirds, waterfowl and a variety of hawks including Northern Harriers, Osprey, and Red Tails. We'll stop for a potluck lunch on a beach near the mouth and walk over dunes to view the Pacific Ocean.

Itinerary:

We meet at the parking lot of Johnson's Oyster Farm. After unloading gear and going over basic kayaking instructions and safety procedures, we launch our boats. We paddle along Schooner Bay and into Home Bay or out to the mouth to find a good spot to have our potluck lunch. After lunch, we can take a hike or just rest and then retrace our course to the launch site. We go paddling rain, fog or shine.

Equipment:	Our double kayaks track well, are difficult to capsize, and are easy to maneuver. All the necessary gear such as life jackets, paddles and spray skirts is provided.
What to Bring:	Come prepared for variable weather. Bring clothes that reflect your degree of sensitivity to heat or cold. * Sun screen & lip balm * Hat with sun visor * Wool or fleexe hat (for cold days) * Sunglasses * 1 liter (minimum) water bottle * Shorts or baggy pants that can be rolled up to your knees are best for paddling * Shoes you don't mind getting wet. Teva type river sandals, wetsuite booties, or aqua socks. Tennis shoes with wool socks or rubber boots are good in cool weather. * Waterproof jacket * Wool, capilene, poly pro, or some other synthetic long sleeve, long underwear shirt that will keep you warm when it is wet. (Cotton or cotton blend clothing retains water and will keep you cold if it becomes wet.) * Pile or fleece pullover or a wool sweater * Change of clothese, including dry shoes * Potluck lunch - please bring picnic items that you can share with other people
Release Form:	Please print out, read, sign, and BRING the release of liability and assumption of risk form with you on our trip.
Directions:	From Marin/San Francisco: Take Hwy. 101 North to Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Head west on SFDB to Hwy 1 in Olema. Turn right and travel 1/4 mile to Bear Valley Road. Turn left and follow Bear Valley Road until it dead ends back into Sir Francis Drake. Turn left and follow through the town of Inverness heading for the Pt. Reyes Lighthouse. About 4 miles past Inverness you will see Johnson's Oyster Farm on yoru left (clearly marked with a sign). If you see a sign that says "Drakes Beach" you have gone too far. Turn left at the oyster farm road and proceed 1/2 mile to the Johnson's parking lot. It takes about an hour and a half from Hwy. 101 at Larkspur. From Points North: Drive to Pt. Reyes Station via the Point Reyes/Petaluma road or Hwy. 1. Just past Point Reyes Station, turn right on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. through the town of Inverness heading for the Pt. Reyes Lighthouse. Follow above directions from . Please arrive 15 minutes before the tour begins!