Kayaking the Delta in January

It's hard to believe it's winter! I've been paddling as much as possible taking advantage of the unbelievable weather we've been experiencing. This may be the driest January on record for the San Francisco Bay Area. I sure hope next month brings lots of rain and snow in the mountains!

The past couple of weeks I've been leading tours, teaching intro to kayaking classes and doing some kayak fishing. Our Wednesday Wandering took us to Miner Slough and Arrowhead Marina. We paddled up Sutter Slough then headed west on Miner slough and encountered a log jam blocking passage under the Miner Slough bridge. Tons of logs had become snagged and entangled under the bridge making it a collection spot for all kinds of garbage including a peddle boat! We did find safe passage under the north section of the bridge and continued our journey. I look forward to returning this spring to do some more exploring.

This past weekend we paddled Dutch Slough on Bethel Island and Sherman Lake from Sherman Island. The weather was great for both paddles and we observed lots of waterfowl. Earlier in the week I was fortunate to lead and teach an intro to kayaking class. I enjoy teaching clients the basics of the sport so they can get the most out of their kayaking. What I enjoy most is seeing clients get fired up about the sport and the Delta!

Winter is always tough for me when it comes to fishing. It seems I get skunked more often than not but nothing beats a day on the water. I did some fishing yesterday and actually got a bite right next to the boat. Actually seeing a fish makes such a difference and encourages me not to give up!









I am looking forward to the many events and paddles we have planned and hope you'll join us! Mark your calendars for Presidents Day, February 16th as we'll be paddling and fishing Lake Camanche. We'll have kayaks available to rent for the day or bring your own and join us for a great day on the water. There is an $8 per vehicle entry fee and kayaks need to be clean and dry for inspection. Check out our Meetup for more info.

Check our calendar for upcoming tours!

Delta Kayak Adventures offers custom tours tailored to your groups wishes. Contact us for more information!

Kayak the Delta this Weekend!

Record temperatures are predicted for this upcoming weekend. Join Delta Kayak Adventures as we paddle Dutch Slough in Bethel Island Saturday and Sherman Lake Sunday! Book your tour by Thursday January 22 and save $14 on Saturday's tour by using promo code BETHEL12415 or save $15 on Sunday's tour using promo code SHERMAN12515.

Click logo below to go to calendar and reserve your spots.

Click to go to calendar and reserve.

Elkhorn Slough

If you haven't paddled Elkhorn Slough, this is a paddle you must add to your bucket list. This past Friday my daughter and I headed down to Moss Landing for a great paddle on a gorgeous day.

 High tide was predicted at 4.5 ft. at 12:08 at Moss Landing and we were on the water by 11:00 to ride the tide to Kirby Park. There are a couple of launch options if you want to paddle Elkhorn Slough. We launched at the public boat ramp located in front of Monterey Bay Kayaks where there is a $6 parking fee and a $5 launch fee and there are restrooms available. If you don't have your own boat and gear, Monterey Bay Kayaks and Kayak Connection have rentals available and also offer guided tours along with many other outfitters. Make sure to check tide charts and plan your paddle accordingly. You can also launch from Kirby Park and paddle with the outgoing tide to Moss Landing and return with the incoming tide.

High clouds hung above us and barely a breeze could be felt as we paddled past a jetty occupied by hundreds of Pelicans. As we glided past the Pelicans on our right we soon came upon a dock on our left stacked 3 or 4 seals and sea lions high. They were fun to watch because if one seal moved the entire group would become boisterous as if they were being bothered. As we passed under the bridge we spotted the first sea otter, then another and another and so on. I was amazed at the number of sea otters and they were definitely the highlight of the trip. We kept our distance as we watched them float on their backs and eat. Every once in a while one would notice us and stretch its' head high above the water and stare at us.

We continued paddling at a leisurely pace observing harbor seals and sea lions hauled out on the mud flats, otters floating about, and grebes, gulls and loons soaring, diving and darting all around us. The scenery was spectacular and the paddle refreshing.

We returned to the put-in after paddling a little over 8 miles and spending nearly 4 hours on the water. If you would like to explore this area with Delta Kayak Adventures, we'll be adding this special adventure to our calendar once or twice a year.

Kayaking the Delta Under a Full Moon

Delta Kayak Adventures' first tour of 2015 was amazing. On a windless evening we launched as the sun set behind us. We had to work our way through the hyacinth that continues to plague the Delta but once we reached open water it was well worth the effort!

Thousands of birds including Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese, could be heard conversing in the distance. We made our way around Beaver Island and paddled quietly south on Old River. We watched a spectacular sunset and waited patiently for the moon to rise over the Delta. We didn't have to wait long before the huge glowing ball of light made its' appearance. As the moon rose, coyotes joined the chorus of sounds surrounding us.

The peace and tranquility of a Delta moonlight paddle is something everyone should experience!

We have some exciting events planned for 2015 and we hope you'll join us! To see what we are planning be sure and sign up for our newsletter!