Mandeville Tip

It was a beautiful day on the Delta today although the hyacinth is taking over. We launched from Korths Pirates Lair at 12:20 and paddled with the incoming tide to Mandeville Tip.

It was a busy day on the San Joaquin River for ships. It's the first time I encountered more than one ship during an outing. We stayed clear of the shipping channel and paddled just outside the markers. After 4 miles we rafted up and ate lunch as we watched the Queen Asia pass in front of us.

We picked up our pace so we wouldn't have to paddle against the changing tide and we arrived at our destination at 2:00. We weren't able to explore the island like I would have liked but that gives me another reason to return. After a brief rest we began our return to the put - in.

We had a nice south easterly breeze at our backs and the tide was going out so we practically flew back to the marina. When we reached the channel to the ramp we were met with a thick mat of hyacinth about 100 yards long. Our passage was blocked and I worried we would be unable to make our way to the marina because it had been blocked earlier. Thankfully we were able to squeeze through and make it to the dock.

If you encounter hyacinth when paddling make sure and report it to the department of boating and waterways and try to include a picture. I was heartbroken to see miles of hyacinth blocking Brannan Island Time marina and Owl harbor. Please contact your representatives and let them know how the hyacinth is impacting the Delta.

Check our calendar for upcoming tours!

Georgiana Slough

It was great to get on the water today! Because of dense fog and the recent storms it has been nearly a week since I've paddled. It looks like we're between storms so I wanted to get out there while I could. My friends and I launched from Georgiana Fishing Access located on Andrus Island road. This is a nice little spot to put in and has a small launch for human powered craft. There is a porta potty but no other services nearby. High tide was predicted at 12:00 for New Hope bridge. We launched at 11:20 and headed north towards Walnut Grove.

The water level was the highest I've seen in awhile and the incoming tide had little effect on the moving water. Normally you can ride the incoming tide to Walnut Grove but today we paddled against the current to get to our destination. The current wasn't too strong when we started but progressively became faster as we paddled north. Usually we can paddle 3 miles in under an hour at a leisurely pace but today it took us nearly 2 hours to reach the Sacramento River but it was worth every stroke. We encountered one powerboat today as we were putting our boats in and met a fellow kayaker on our return. It was just us and the birds for the majority of our time on the water.

 The water was stained a muddy brown from the recent storms and the sheer volume of water was impressive. It's awesome we're getting much needed rain! We spotted several hawks, egrets and even some Sandhill cranes filled our ears with their noisy chatter. Blackbirds filled the sky and ducks startled us as they crashed through the brush to escape our intrusion. We passed under the Georgiana Slough bridge and continued a couple hundred yards to where the slough meets the Sacramento River. We didn't feel like battling the increasing current to get to the public dock in Walnut Grove so we turned around and found shelter from the current at a nearby private dock. We stayed in our boats as we ate a snack then had a speedy return with the current back to the put in. It only took us 50 minutes to paddle the 3 miles back to the put in and I can't say we paddled very much. We mostly floated with the current taking in the scenery and enjoying the ride.




A magnificent day on the Delta!

Sale on Gift Certificates!

Gift certificates are currently on sale for 25% off! Looking for unique gifts for the special people in your life? Gift certificates do not expire and can be used anytime of year and will provide lasting memories. The certificates are valued at $54 based on our local tour price but can be used towards any tour we offer.

Happy paddling!

Kathy

Shout Out

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This year has flown by unbelievably fast! The first of November marked our 2^nd year in business and we want to thank you all for your support!

Fall paddling has been incredible! Above average temperatures and virtually no wind has made paddling the Delta even better. The past month we’ve explored the Cosumnes River Preserve, Steamboat Slough and Old River in the southern reaches of the Delta. The warmer weather has exasperated the water hyacinth problem and unfortunately has shut down many marinas making it impossible to launch any type of boat. On the San Joaquin River it has forced ships to travel only in daylight because their sonar reads the hyacinth as dry land. Fortunately the majority of areas we paddle haven’t been significantly impacted. 

We have some great tours planned for the holiday season! We hope you can join us November 29^th at Lake Camanche as our family will be picnicking and paddling from 10:00-4:00. Bring your own boat and gear for free or we’ll have limited rentals, including fishing kayaks available for $45 for the entire day.  You are welcome to join us as we explore this great spot not far from home. Lake Camanche has recently planted Mt. Lassen trout and will be doing so every week so fishing should be great. You can sign up and reserve a boat directly form our website by clicking on the date or contact us if you plan on joining us with your own boat and gear.

We’ll be back at the Cosumnes River Preserve December 13^th to check out the Sandhill Cranes and other waterfowl visiting for the winter. We've had great feedback regarding our Moonlight paddles so mark your calendars for December 6^th and dress warm for a paddle under the moonlight!

We’re hoping to put together a lighted kayak parade and a Christmas celebration at Holland Riverside Marina if there is enough interest. If you’re interested in decorating your kayak or one of ours and participating in what will hopefully become an annual tradition, let us know by sending an email to deltakayakadventures@gmail.com. Stay tuned for more info via deltakayakadventures.com, our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DeltaKayakAdventures or Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeltaKayakADVs

Please support small businesses this Christmas season! Starting November 28th, gift certificates will be on sale for 25% off through December 20^th! Grab one for yourself or a few for friends and family! Kayaking the Delta is an experience they won’t forget!

Southern Delta Paddling Salmon Slough

Yesterday was another gorgeous fall day on the Delta. This weeks "wandering" took us south to explore the multitude of sloughs and islands that encompass the southern delta near Tracy. We launched from Tracy Oasis Marina at 12:30 pm with high tide predicted at 1:58 pm. The marina charged $13 to launch two kayaks and they had friendly service, ample parking, clean restrooms and a nice little store next to the ramp. After launching we headed west a couple hundred feet to a small opening leading to Grant Line Canal.

Once on Grant Line Canal we turned east and headed toward Salmon Slough and Old River. There is currently a barrier in place east of the Tracy Blvd. bridge that must be portaged but there is a state employee there to help. After crossing the rock barrier we encountered another one that has plagued the Delta, hyacinth.

The current helped us along our paddle towards Salmon Slough but we encountered an incredible amount of water hyacinth that nearly blocked our passage. While making our way through the weeded mess we came upon another small power boater trying to make his way in the opposite direction. He informed us that the water opened up at the entrance to Salmon slough and was mostly clear.

When we reached Salmon Slough we were treated to a beautiful scene. This area reminded me of both the Cosumnes River preserve and Steamboat Slough with the natural riparian habitat and each shore lined with an abundance of oak trees. As we paddled south we were surrounded by golden colors bursting from the shore and dozens of egrets resting in tree branches. Not long after entering the slough we spotted something in the distance that looked rather odd.

To our amazement, as we got closer we discovered  several sheep up to their chins in the water chowing down on the water hyacinth that lined the shore. We sat there for several minutes watching them as they ate the leaves of the plant when we noticed on the opposite side of the slough about a half dozen goats doing the same thing.

After our encounter with the farm animals, we continued south on our journey towards Old River. There are many small islands and sloughs to explore but we stayed river right as it seemed to have the least amount of hyacinth. We entered Old River and paddled another mile or so before taking a break for lunch. We couldn't find a safe landing spot so we parked ourselves under an old oak tree, rafted up and enjoyed our meal with the sound of woodpeckers knocking on trees nearby.

We soon left our shady spot and continued heading east on Old River for another mile before deciding to head back the way we came. We wanted to circumnavigate an island to the south of us but not knowing whether the slough would be navigable we didn't want to risk getting stuck. We made a wise decision because not long after turning around a Department of Boating and Waterways boat met us on the river and told us that the section of river we were thinking of paddling was choked by the hyacinth and that they were on their way to check to see if their spraying the day before had any effect on the relentless plant.

Meeting up with the DBW boat got me to thinking about the sheep and goats eating the hyacinth. If they were eating plants that had been sprayed, could the weed killer harm them? What about the herbicide in the water being used to irrigate our food supply and our drinking water? I was glad to see the DBW trying to do something to rid the horrific plant, but could there be a better way? What about aquatic weed harvesters? I'm sure it would be a huge investment but it could provide jobs and might keep us from poisoning ourselves.

Paddling back to the put in we encountered many more egrets, otters, heron and jumping salmon. The tide had turned and pushed even more hyacinth into Grant Line Canal, making our return difficult and a little nerve racking not knowing if we would be able to pass. We made it to the barrier where we portaged with help from the gentleman manning the station and continued back to the marina. This was a beautiful spot to kayak and it felt like we were a million miles from civilization. I look forward to returning soon!

Click here for our calendar of upcoming tours!

Destination Collinsville

Delta Kayak Adventures has begun offering "Wednesday Wanderings" again. It's a chance to explore and paddle areas in the Delta we don't normally offer. Today's destination was Collinsville which is located north of Pittsburg and Antioch across where the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers converge.

Scene upon arrival

We arrived at the Pittsburg Marina at 9:30 and the water looked like glass. High tide was predicted for 10:08 so we would have some help heading northeast. Wind was forecast below 10 mph the entire day. We were on the water by 9:40 and glided across New York slough with some foreboding clouds to the west of us. Within 10 minutes the water changed from flat to choppy 2 ft rollers with wind above 10 mph coming from the northwest.

Planned trip

 We paddled along the north shore of Brown's Island and made our way across Middle slough. Unfortunately the wind grabbed my map from my deck and I was surprised at how fast the laminated chart sank. The wind seemed to be picking up so we found shelter behind a small island where I pulled out a similar map from my cockpit and reevaluated our situation. While we were rafted up a nice bass fisherman pulled along side us and asked where we were headed. When we told him Collinsville, he strongly suggested we save that trip for another day. With the tide turning and the wind blowing against the current it would create 3-4 ft rollers and breaking wind waves. We heeded his warning and headed east towards Broad slough where we would paddle the lee of Winter Island.

Actual trip

The water was indeed much calmer on the east side of Winter Island so we paddled leisurely south taking in the beautiful scenery. We spotted a couple of otters, Blue Heron and lots of Egrets. We kept an eye open for potential landing spots but found none. After 20 minutes or so we were surprised when the wind suddenly changed direction. Now the wind was blowing from the Northeast and hitting us broadside again. Fortunately we were near New York Slough so we ducked into a cove for lunch and we rafted up near the Winter Island Duck Club.

After refueling, we headed west on New York Slough where the wind changed yet again and we found ourselves paddling into a fairly strong headwind. Soon after crossing Middle Slough the wind suddenly disappeared and we made our way safely back to the launch ramp.

Though we didn't reach our original destination it was quite the adventure and gives us another reason to plan another paddle to Collinsville!

Used Kayaks for Sale

If you happen to be looking for a new to you kayak to paddle the Delta be sure and check out our recently updated website. We currently have fishing kayaks, recreational kayaks and a couple sea kayaks available for purchase.

Delta Kayak Adventures also has access to many specialty kayaks including Point 65, Riot, Boreal, Tahe, Zegul and Seaward. If you have a boat in mind contact us to check availability. 

Antioch Rivertown Jamboree and 1st Annual Gary Agopian Memorial Delta Thunder Race

The weather conditions couldn't have been any better for this past weekends Jamboree and Delta Thunder races! With temperatures hovering in the mid 90's it felt great to be close to the water and even better to be on it. Flat calm water conditions made it perfect for racing although Saturday's races were cut short due to the amount of Hyacinth and other debris choking the race course but Sunday's races went off without a hitch and made for some exciting action on the San Joaquin!

Soon after Saturday's opening ceremony, it was wonderful to witness Cory Agopian accept a plaque on behalf of his family in recognition of his father, Gary Agopian's contribution to making Antioch a better place. Gary Agopian, for which these races were named after, served the city of Antioch tirelessly until he lost his battle with brain cancer in late July.

Over the weekend my kids and I manned the Delta Kayak Adventures booth and shared information about upcoming tours and kayaking the Delta. It was wonderful meeting people who have similar hopes and dreams for Antioch's waterfront. Antioch's historical waterfront provides an incredible backdrop to many water sports activities and also offers a multitude of dining opportunities.

Saturday we launched from a slip inside the marina and paddled across the river to watch the races with many other boats anchored just outside the channel. It was great to cool off and just enjoy the view. We actually spotted a jelly fish swimming between our kayaks. It was neat to see but probably not a good indicator of the health of our beautiful Delta.





Unfortunately no one signed up for our Sunday tour or took us up on our offer of kayak rentals but I didn't let that stop me from getting out there and taking advantage of the great weather. Hopefully, we'll be back next year and the event will get more exposure and advertising so that more people can discover what a great place Antioch truly is and meet the wonderful people who make it great.

Delta Coastal Cleanup

This year's Coastal Cleanup was held September 20th but many cities held multiple cleanup days. Delta Kayak Adventures took part in Antioch's 1st annual cleanup via kayak on the 19th and partnered with the Delta Protection Commission to clean up an area near Rio Vista on the 20th.

The Antioch cleanup had 18 paddlers who split into two groups. One to cover the Dow Wetlands Preserve and another to clean up the Antioch waterfront. In under 2 hours we collected 126 lbs. of garbage and just under 20 lbs. of recycling!



Saturday we headed to Rio Vista's Sandy Beach and 9 paddlers crossed the Sacramento River to an area hidden behind some tule that had become inundated with trash. We ended up collecting over 800 lbs. of trash including 6 tires!

We had great groups of volunteers! Make sure and mark your calendar for September 19th, 2015 and help us keep the Delta clean!

Fall Paddling Opportunities

Fall is probably my favorite time of year to paddle the Delta. The Delta breeze fades away, wildlife seems more abundant and the foliage bursts with color.

Delta Kayak Adventures will be resuming "Wednesday Wanderings" where we lead tours through parts of the Delta not paddled frequently. These tours are longer in distance and time and we use our high quality sea kayaks to explore the diverse regions of the Delta. We have our schedule in place through Thanksgiving and if you would like to join us you can book directly from our website.

           October 1st - Korths Pirates Lair to Mandeville Tip
           October 15th - Pittsburg to Collinsville
           October 29th - Southern Delta - Old River
           November 12th - Dutch Slough to Big Break


We also have custom tours available where you choose the date and location and we'll research the tides for the best possible experience. Contact us if you would like more information or are interested in booking a custom tour. Tours are being added often so be sure to keep an eye on our calendar to see other available excursions.

Tomales Bay

My daughter and I were able to escape the heat Friday and make our way to the coast where we explored Tomales Bay. We launched from Nicks Cove at 11:30 with the incoming tide and headed across the bay towards White Gulch. It was a beautiful day on the bay with winds blowing under 10 knots and temperatures hovering around 70 degrees.

There are many places to launch your kayak on Tomales Bay but we chose Nicks Cove because we wouldn't need to carry our boats very far, worry about tide height and availability of clean restrooms. The downside is there isn't a lot of parking available. I was actually surprised to find the lot for vehicles with trailers full when we arrived. There is parking available for vehicles without trailers up a hill behind the restrooms which I'm guessing fills quickly on weekends. It's also one of the few spots you can park overnight if camping on the bay. There is a $5 fee for day use and another $5 for overnight parking and there is a machine available that takes credit cards.

Our prime objective for this adventure was to explore the beaches which allow camping to aid us in our decision making for a future overnight adventure. I've heard much about the bio-luminescence activity on Tomales Bay and want to experience it for myself.

Hog Island

After launching, we made our way northwest and paddled between Hog and Duck Islands. Duck Island and the east side of Hog Island are closed to the public year round. We spent a little time paddling close to the west shore of Hog Island in search of sea life. We spotted a couple of bright orange sea stars and lots of little crabs. We left Hog Island and headed to the nearest beach directly in front of us which was just south of White Gulch. The incoming tide was moving at a pretty good clip and we needed to ferry across at a steep angle to hit our target beach.

Pelican Point

The beaches that line the shore on the bays' western side are absolutely beautiful. They make for great destinations to stop and stretch or even pack a picnic and stay for an afternoon. We continued our journey south staying close to shore and soaking in our surroundings. We passed Pelican Point which was occupied with both White Pelicans and Cormorants. Pelican Point is another restricted area so don't land here. Our next stop was Tomales Beach, one of three group campsites.

Tomales Beach

We landed on Tomales Beach where there were a couple of picnic tables and vault toilets. We noticed some large tracks in the sand and soon discovered a large amount of cow patties dotting the entire length of the beach. The beach itself was beautiful but the cow patties were a disappointment as the odor engulfed us and made for an unpleasant lunch spot. Hopefully it's an uncommon occurrence because it really is a pretty location.

Marshall Beach in the distance

We left Tomales Beach and continued south for about a mile to Marshall Beach where there are two group sites with vault toilets available. Both locations looked absolutely amazing and were already filling with campers for the weekend. We continued paddling another quarter mile to Lairds Landing where we discovered several deteriorating buildings and a rope swing hanging from a tree over the water. For more historical info about Lairds Landing click here.

Lairds Landing

The tide had become slack so we decided to begin making our way back to Nicks Cove. We paddled back toward Marshall beach and I made the decision to cross the bay from there at an angle. It probably would have been better to follow the shore and return the way we had come but once in the middle of the bay we were committed to make it to the other side. It really wasn't bad but it was a bit of a slog paddling against a 10-15 knot headwind. I know the wind can be much worse or change unexpectedly so for future paddles we'll be sticking close to the western shore for better protection.

It was an amazing day on the bay and can't wait to get back for an overnight excursion! The day was filled with sightings of jelly fish, seals, crabs, starfish and a multitude of waterfowl. Tomales Bay has a lot to offer kayakers but be sure and do your homework before paddling here and be safe.

Happy paddling!