Resuming Evening
Sunset
Full Moon
and
Night Bioluminescent
Tours
As soon as we are again
fully staffed.
CPR, First Aid, Water Rescue
Renew your certifications
to be part of a fun community education and recreational safety team.
Fees Covered with Seasonal or Annual Employment Agreement.
Competitive Pay
We Reward Your Experience!
Wildlife Adventure
Guided Kayak Tours
Reserve a private date
4 to 30 seats
We specialize in
Schools, Scouts and Other Large Groups
(Schools and Scouts to match class or troop size)
or
Join our Discounted Education Tours: Mixed Group Events
No Act of Nature Cancellation Fees: We track the conditions and call you to cancel.
All participants must have some swimming skills.
Viral Spread Precautions: Our staff may wear masks during viral surges.
Please be courteous to at risk mask wearers.
Call to cancel if you become ill.
Schools, youth, work or family groups are considered a household.
Private tours are recommended for "at risk households"
Spring: Soft Opening: With best tides and weather.
This is a good time to join a safety rescue class
or to upgrade or refresh your lifeguard or guide certs
on the Russian River.
Reservation Line: 9AM-5PM
707-865-2249
Jenner's Russian River Estuary
Tour Within Our Sonoma Coast State Park Marine Protected Area
And Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.
View both river and ocean wildlife at our nursery by the sea.
All kayaking stays within the protected tidal Russian River Estuary.
Includes island and estuary side landings on coastal beaches
to view both river and ocean wildlife.
Learn about the diverse wildlife and habitats of both river and coastal environments,
and the history of the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast.
Wildlife, Plants and Animal Track Identification.
Video: River Otter: Note Harbor Seals Basking in the Estuary Background.
Evening Tours: Available on warmer calm evenings. Some Return In The Dark.
See our Sunset, Full Moon and Glowing Plankton Tours Below
Fully Outfitted: A Dry Bag for your Belongings and Water Resistant Outerwear if needed.
We help enhance your personal kayaking and outdoor adventures.
Basic Kayak Skills and Body Dynamics: Paddle for a Lifetime
"Leave No Trace" and "Know Before You Go": Principles
Island walk: Native Plants and Native American Culture. Russian vs Spanish Influence. History: Local redwood, fishing, farming and tourism economy.
Goat Rock Beach Walk: View ocean wildlife, explore marine ecology,
and spot Arched Rock as seen in the movie Goonies!
Possible Wildlife: Harbor Seals, Blue Heron, Osprey, Sea Lions, Whales, Red Fox, Bob Cat, River Otter, Mink, Muskrat, Night Heron, King Fisher, Pelicans, Bald Eagle, Nesting Osprey, and much more...
Whales and Dophins: How to spot and identify
Harbor Seal Float: Colony Restrictions: We know where the pups pop up to say hi!
Re-Creation Tours: Can be included with any tour.
Choose your outdoor activity and include.... Nature Based Mediation: Suitable for any format or faith. We'll flow with the Moment!
Community Education "Discount Dates"
"Join our scheduled groups" for a great price.
Private Rates: Listed at the bottom of this page.
Reserve Early to Ensure a Seat
"Bring 5 or more for an extra discount"
Rates are per adult seat : Ask for child pricing ages 8-11
Rentals are also available.
Plan Ahead! Reservations Required to Ensure Staff.
24 hour advanced reservation required. for weekends.
72 hour advanced reservation required for midweek dates.
Schools, Scouts,Youth and Veteran Groups: Call for our partially funded prices.
It's best for partially funded groups to reserve at least a month or two in advance.
Every Tour Views Wildlife
Morning, Sunset, Full Moon, or Night Bioluminescent Plankton Experiences.
Descriptions of each tour type are located below this discount section
School break community education for kids: Wildlife by Kayak:
Partially funded for low income households. Adult participation required: 2 child maximum per parent or legal guardian. Waivers required. Call to submit funding application. Application Deadline: 1 week prior to activity. We would like to offer sliding scale discounts and scholarships on all guided tours and rentals but more funding is needed. Low income 3 hour tour rates: $60 per adult seat, $35 per child under 12. "Join our Group" Discount Rates:
3 Hour: Adult $100 / Child $60
4 Hour: Adult $110 / Child $65
Private Rates: Discounts for bringing your own larger groups are at the bottom of this page.
3 Hour: Adult $120 / Child $70
4 Hour: Adult $130 / Child $75
Discount Tour Events: Weekly and More...
Minimum to avoid cancellation of any event: 4 adults in combined reservations.
Dates subject to change to meet weather and water conditions.
No act of nature cancellation fees. We call you to cancel per weather or water.
Clients must cancel 48 hours in advance to avoid last minute cancellation fees.
Weekly
Wildlife & Marine Ecology: Every Other Monday: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $100
Includes: Plankton sampling for algal blooms including bio-luminescence.
Exploring Wildlife Nurseries: Most Fridays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $100
Native And Natural Cycles: Every Other Monday: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $ 90
Join us to survey local plants and animals. Discuss nature's balance and fluctuations.
April
Wildlife & Marine Ecology: Most Mondays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $100
Exploring Wildlife Nurseries: Most Fridays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $100
Native And Natural Cycles: Most Mondays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $ 90
Very Special Rates to kick start this season.
Earth Day Estuary by Kayak: Saturday April 20th: 10AM -1PM: 10 seats: $90
Reservations Required by April 18th. All staff are on a guided tour on April 19th.
Earth Day Estuary by Kayak: Sunday: 04/21: 9AM - 12PM: 10 seats: $ 90
Earth Day: Wildlife Viewing: Monday: 04/22: 9AM - 12PM: 10 seats: $ 90
if we reach 15 seats: $ 80
May
Wildlife & Marine Ecology: Most Mondays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $100
Exploring Wildlife Nurseries: Most Fridays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $100
Native And Natural Cycles: Most Mondays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $ 90
Mother's Day Wildlife: Sunday: 05/12: 9AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $120
Full Moon Sunset: Tuesday: 05/21: 6PM - 9PM: 10 seats: $100
Memorial Weekend Wildlife: Saturday: 05/25: 9AM - 12PM: 20 seats: $110
Memorial Weekend Wildlife: Sunday: 05/26: 9AM - 12PM: 20 seats: $110
Memorial Day Wildlife: Monday: 05/27: 9AM - 12PM: 10 seats: $110
if we reach 15 seats: $100
June
Wildlife & Marine Ecology: Most Mondays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $100
Exploring Wildlife Nurseries: Most Fridays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $100
Native And Natural Cycles: Most Mondays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $ 90
Father's Day Wildlife: Sunday: 06/16: 9AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $120
Summer Solstice / Full Moon: Thursday: 06/20: 6PM - 9PM: 10 seats: $100
if we reach 15 seats: $ 90
July
Wildlife & Marine Ecology: Most Mondays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $100
Exploring Wildlife Nurseries: Most Fridays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $100
Native And Natural Cycles: Most Mondays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $ 90
Independence Day Wildlife: Thursday: 07/04: 9AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $110
Glow Watchers: (Possible Bioluminescent Plankton Night Tour):
Friday: 07/06: 8PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $100 / if we reach 15 seats: $ 90 Saturday: 07/06: 8PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $110 / if we reach 15 seats: $100
Friday: 07/26: 8PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $100 / if we reach 15 seats: $ 90 Saturday: 07/27: 7:30PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $120 / if we reach 15 seats: $110
Sunday: 07/28: 8PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $110 / if we reach 15 seats: $100
Full Moon Sunset:
Friday: 07/19: 6:30PM - 9:30PM: 10 seats: $110 / if we reach 15 seats: $100
Saturday: 07/20: 6:30PM - 9:30PM: 10 seats: $120 / if we reach 15 seats: $110
August
Wildlife & Marine Ecology: Most Mondays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $100
Exploring Wildlife Nurseries: Most Fridays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $100
Native And Natural Cycles: Most Mondays: 10AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $ 90
Perseid & Plankton: (Meteor Shower and Possible Bioluminescent Plankton Night Tour):
Friday: 08/09: 8PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $100 / if we reach 15 seats: $ 90 Saturday: 08/10: 7:30PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $110 / if we reach 15 seats: $100
Sunday: 08/11: 8PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $100 / if we reach 15 seats: $ 90
Monday: 08/12: 8PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $100 / if we reach 15 seats: $ 90
Full Moon Sunset: Saturday: 08/17: 5:30PM - 9:30PM: 10 seats: $110
Full Moon Sunset: Sunday: 08/18: 6:30PM - 9:30PM: 10 seats: $100
Glowing Plankton Night Tours: (Probable Bioluminescent Plankton)
Friday: 08/23: 7:30 PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $110 / if we reach 15 seats: $100 Saturday: 08/24: 7:30PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $120 / if we reach 15 seats: $110
Sunday: 08/25: 8PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $100 / if we reach 15 seats: $ 90
Thursday: 08/29: 7:30PM - 10:30PM: 10 seats: $100 / if we reach 15 seats: $ 90
Friday: 08/30: 7:30 PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $110 / if we reach 15 seats: $100 Saturday: 08/31: 7:30PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $120 / if we reach 15 seats: $110
Labor Day Weekend: Exploring Protected Wildlife Nurseries: Friday: 08/30: 9AM - 12PM: 10 seats: $110 / if we reach 15 seats: $100
Saturday: 08/31: 9AM - 12PM: 10 seats: $120 / if we reach 15 seats: $110
September
Wildlife & Marine Ecology: Most Thursdays: 9AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $110
Exploring Wildlife Nurseries: Most Fridays: 9AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $110
Native And Natural Cycles: Most Mondays: 9AM - 12PM: 10 seats: $ 90
Labor Day Weekend: Exploring Protected Wildlife Nurseries:
Sunday: 09/01: 9AM - 12PM: 10 seats: $120 / if we reach 15 seats: $110
Monday: 09/02: 9AM - 12PM: 10 seats: $110 / if we reach 15 seats: $100
Glowing Plankton Night Tours: (Probable Bioluminescent Plankton)
Sunday: 09/01: 7:30PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $120 / if we reach 15 seats: $110
Monday: 09/02: 7:30PM - 10:30PM: 10 seats: $110 / if we reach 15 seats: $100
Thursday: 09/05: 7:30PM - 10:30PM: 10 seats: $100 / if we reach 15 seats: $ 90
Friday: 09/06: 7:30 PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $110 / if we reach 15 seats: $100 Saturday: 09/07: 7:30PM - 11PM: 10 seats: $120 / if we reach 15 seats: $110
Sunday: 09/08: 7:30PM - 10:30PM: 10 seats: $110 / if we reach 15 seats: $100
Friday: 09/27: 6:30 PM - 10PM: 10 seats: $110 / if we reach 15 seats: $100 Saturday: 09/28: 6:30PM - 10PM: 10 seats: $120 / if we reach 15 seats: $110
Full Moon Sunset:
Monday: 09/16: 6PM - 9:PM: 10 seats: $100 / if we reach 15 seats: $ 90
Tuesday: 09/17: 6PM - 9:PM: 10 seats: $100 / if we reach 15 seats: $ 90
Wildlife Sunset:
Friday: 09/20: 5 PM - 9PM: 10 seats: $110 / if we reach 15 seats: $100 Saturday: 09/21: 5 PM - 9PM: 10 seats: $120 / if we reach 15 seats: $110
Sunset Plankton: Sunday: 09/22: 6 PM - 9PM: 10 seats: $100
October
Wildlife & Marine Ecology: Most Thursdays: 9AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $110
Exploring Wildlife Nurseries: Most Fridays: 9AM - 1PM: 10 seats: $110
Native And Natural Cycles: Most Mondays: 9AM - 12PM: 10 seats: $ 90
Help us survey local plants and animals. Discuss nature's balance and fluctuations.
Glow Watchers: (Possible Bioluminescent Plankton Night Tours):
Friday: 10/04: 6:30 PM - 9:30PM: 10 seats: $110 / if we reach 15 seats: $100
Saturday: 10/05: 6:30PM - 10PM: 10 seats: $120 / if we reach 15 seats: $110 Sunday: 10/06: 6:30PM - 10PM: 10 seats: $110 / if we reach 15 seats: $100
Full Moon Sunset: Tuesday: 05/21: 6PM - 9PM: 10 seats: $90
We expect tour dates almost every month of the year.
Discount Plankton Sample Morning Tours
Our Wildlife Adventure Day Tour: With a stop to take our Plankton Samples for the California Department of Health Services. We help them track ocean algal blooms and also look for seasonal glowing plankton in the samples. Learn about seasonal mussel harvesting closures, red tides, and bioluminescent (glowing) plankton. You're welcome to look at our magnified samples after the tour. .
Reserve Early to Ensure a Seat
Discount Rate $110 per adult seat / Children 10-12 years of age $65
Minimum Total Clients To Avoid Cancellation: 4 Adults
Bring Your Own Munchies and Water
Enjoy an extra discount of $10 per adult and $5 per child
when reserving 5 or more seats.
Families or groups with younger children must reserve their own private tour dates.
Our current dates are listed in discount tours above
October / November: Samples taken with our "Living Classrooms" Science School Groups.
We take samples December through May when there are unusually high ocean temperature events.
Keep an eye out for last minute announcements. We enjoy sharing the experience.
Evening Events:
Sunset and Full Moon Tours
Starts 3 hours prior to Sunset: 4 Hours
Same format as day tour:
Starts later to enjoy the sunset or sunset with paddling back under the full moon.
Full Moon : Best Dates To View
Reserve Early to Ensure a Seat
Discount Rate $110 per adult seat / Children 10-12 years of age $65
Reserve Early to Ensure a Seat
Minimum Total Clients To Avoid Cancellation: 4 Adults
Bring Your Own Munchies and Water
Enjoy an extra discount of $10 per adult and $5 per child
when reserving 5 or more seats.
Families or groups with younger children must reserve their own private tour dates.
Our Current dates are listed in our Discount Tours above.
Unless there are unusually warm evenings,
we don't resume Full Moon Tours until May or June.
Keep an eye out for Special Events though. It has happened in December.
Bioluminescent Night Tours
(Glowing) Plankton
Starts to build in July. Peaks August into beginning of October
We meet just before sunset and the tours last 3-3.5 Hours:
On the most intense nights you can see the trails of fish, harbor seals and other estuary life moving in the water as well as glowing trails everywhere you touch.
Tour contact List
These dates are tentative. Groups are formed from our contact list, almost at the last minute, based on confirmation of the glowing blooms.
The Glowing Plankton does not bloom all Summer or Fall months. They show up in periodic waves associated with peaks in warmer ocean temperatures. We don't want to guess and have clients pay for barely a sparkle.
Instead, we forecast for the best moon and tide dates, and test the water to confirm when the blooms are strong and amazing. Then we call our client list to quickly form larger discounted groups to share enjoying the glowing event together.
Please Call: Get on our "Contact List" Early to Ensure a Seat
We will note your best dates and expected number of participants from your group,
and will contact you when we confirm they are blooming.
Best Plankton Dates To View: Per The Moon
Water samples required to confirm the blooms.
Minimum Total Clients To Avoid Cancellation: 4 Adults
Bring Your Own Munchies and Water
Enjoy an extra discount of $10 per seat, age 12 and above, and $5 off under 12
when reserving 5 or more seats.
* Our Discount Plankton Tour Age Limit: 10 years of age and over unless scheduling your own private group.
Evening tours can feel cooler for younger children who are not paddling the kayak.
Young children can also become frightened by the glowing wildlife and we can't turn it off like an entertainment screen. This ended one of our initial discount group tours. Please do not bring your child or youth if they become frightened or excessively loud after sunset. If you have a community or larger family with curious children, ages 8 and above, we'd be happy to put together a shorter private experience at a great price.
We have several dates planned in our Discount Tours at the top of this page.
Other Discount or Private Tours may be available within the following date ranges.
July (2024 dates coming soon): Possible Plankton: 8:15-11:15 PM
Adults $100 / Youth ages 10-12 $60
Discount Tour Dates Will Appear Here
August (2024 dates coming soon): Perseids and Probable Plankton
8-11 PM: 3 Hours: Adults $100 / Youth ages 10-12 $60
August 11th-13th: Perseids and Plankton: Peak Night is Saturday the 12th:
7:45-11:15 PM: We added an extra half hour for the best nights.
Adults $110 / Youth ages 10-12 $65
These dates are likely to fully book. Reserve Early!
The Perseid meteor shower is rich and steady, from early August through the peak and are colorful and frequently leave persistent trains. This makes the Perseid shower perhaps the most beloved meteor shower for the Northern Hemisphere. Skywatchers frequently report 90 meteors per hour, or more. In 2023, the moon will not interfere with viewing the meteor shower or glowing ocean plankton. Yea!
Enjoy an extra $10 off per seat when reserving 5 or more.
Other Probable Dates
August (2024 dates coming soon): Probable Plankton: 7:45 PM
Adults $110 / Youth ages 10-12 $65
These dates are likely to fully book. Get on our list!
Discount Tour Dates Will Appear Here
September (2024 dates coming soon): Probable Plankton: 7 PM
Adults $110 / Youth ages 10-12 $65
These dates are likely to fully book. Get on our list!
Discount Tour Dates Will Appear Here
October (2024 dates coming soon): Possible Plankton: 7 PM
Adults $110 / Youth ages 10-12 $65
Private Tour Rates:
Listed below
Non-Profit and Veteran Military Group Discounts: $10 per person
Call for Youth, Education, Research and Volunteer Group Pricing
Plan ahead: We are still short staffed and may need to close our rentals on dates
we accommodate large scout, youth, and school groups, which are our main priority.
Our main times for youth and scouts are midweek during Summer months and school breaks
and on Spring or Fall weekends.
Our main months for middle school through college field research groups
are midweek Mid-September through the first week of November.
“Living Classrooms Project” / “Sonoma Coast Watch”
Call for partially funded education, youth and rehabilitation group pricing.
Also See: Educational Tours and Skills Instruction
Ask Your Lodging Provider For Our Discount Code!
or
Join Us On Our Advertised Discounted Group Dates
Guided / Outfitted : Great Discounts by joining our groups.
Useful Items To Bring:
Small day pack
Water and Walking Appropriate shoes
Sunscreen and Sunglasses
A Cap or Wide Brimmed Hat
Water & snacks
Waterproof camera
Waterproof binoculars
GPS (Handy for Geocaching)
Clothing layering: Thin Water Resistant Outerwear for temps below 65 degrees.
Our Private Rates:
By Reservation Only
All participants must have swimming skills.
Give us a call! 707-865-2249
5-6 Hours: Our Full Estuary Gourmet Lunch Tour:
Sky Watcher Rock, Estuary Loop, Goat Rock Beach and Drift Wood Beach Harbor Seal Float. Can start at 9AM or start later to enjoy the Sunset or paddling back under the Full Moon.
Group Size: Adult Child Guides
2 - 4 $170 pp $100 1
5 - 10 $160 pp $95 1-2
11 -15 $150 pp $90 2
16 - 20 $140 pp $85 2-3
21 - 30 $130 pp $80 3
4 Hours: Our most common day or evening tour:
Estuary Loop / Hike South Beach or Sky Watcher or Full Moon / Sunset. Munchie snack included. Discount $5 When Bringing Own Snack
Group Size: Adult Child Guides
2 - 4 $140 pp $85 1
5 - 10 $130 pp $80 1-2
11 -15 $120 pp $75 2
16 - 20 $110 pp $70 2-3
21 - 30 $100 pp $65 3
3.5 hours: Day or Evening: Sunset, Full Moon: 2-4 Person Private: Munchie snack included. Discount $5 When Bringing Own Snack
Group Size: Adult Child Guides
2 - 4 $130 pp $80 1
5 - 10 $120 pp $75 1-2
11 -15 $110 pp $70 2
16 - 20 $100 pp $65 2-3
3.5 hours: Glowing Plankton: Extra guide at night.
No Snack on Plankton Tours.
Group Size: Adult Child Guides
Group Size: Adult Child Guides
2 - 4 $130 pp $80 1
5 - 10 $120 pp $75 2
11 -15 $110 pp $70 2-3
16 - 20 $100 pp $65 3-4
Night Child Restrictions:*
3 hours: 2-10 person Evening Or 2-4 Person Private Day:
Glowing Plankton: Extra guide at night. No Snack on Plankton Tours.
Group Size: Adult Child Guides
2 - 4 $ 120 pp $75 1
5 - 10 $ 110 pp $70 1-2
Night Child Restrictions:*
*Under 10 restriction on advertised “Join Our Group Plankton Night Tours”. Younger children may find the intensity of the glow unsettling which can impact the overall group experience. You’re welcome to schedule a private family group tour for your family and friends with younger children. All participants must have swimming skills.
Private 5 Hour: Lesson and Rental Package:
Reservation Request Required: 48 hours in advance.
2.5 Hour Kayak Lesson Shuttled to Willow Creek
and
2.5 Hour Estuary Loop Rental with Recreation Map Review. Clients can break for lunch in between lesson and rental. Lesson in singles. Rental can be double.
1 person $ 150 pp 1 Guide
2-3 persons $ 120 pp 1 Guide
Groups of 4-6 $ 110 pp 1-2 Guides
Schools, Scouts, Education, Research, Wounded Warriors, etc.
These tours are deeply discounted because sustainability and community education is the base of why we created our tourism infrastructure. .These tours are "partially funded by our standard tourism activities" specifically to “match curriculum for schools “ and “provide youth or rehabilitation activities for non-profit entities" that otherwise would not be able to afford to match their needs in the outdoors.
Matching School Curriculum: 4-4.5 Hours
Costs vary slightly based on daily participants,
for a single day, or an average of multiple classes over several days.
We support Small Middle School Classes with Multiple Grades and our Larger Schools are bringing 5 classes over 5 days averaging 28 students for each class. Maximum each day is 35 including staff or parent chaperones. Multiple classes can be spread out over 2 to three weeks. Example: Tuesday and Thursday one week and Monday, Wednesday and Friday the next.
These low partially funded rates are not online: Call for pricing.
Ready to Reserve?
Give us a call: 707-865-2249