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EXPLORE ACTIVITIES

Kayak Connection is Monterey Bay’s favorite outfitter for sea kayaking and paddleboarding rentals, sales, lessons and tours.

single sit on top kayak

Rent a Kayak

Spend the day exploring with friends or relaxing on your own. From our private docks paddle the iconic Santa Cruz Harbor and Monterey Bay or explore the protected waters of the Elkhorn Slough with unparalleled wildlife encounters.

Elkhorn Slough
Santa Cruz
kayak tours in santa cruz and moss landing

Go on a Tour

Discover all the hidden wonders you might have paddled right by without our naturalist guides leading your adventure. Make the most of your experience by taking a guided tour customized for you and your group.

Elkhorn Slough
Santa Cruz
stand up paddle boarding

Rent a Paddleboard

This beginner friendly area has all the scenery to catch that Santa Cruz stoke, or provide a challenge for the experienced paddler who wants to venture out to sea. Views of the iconic yacht harbor will wow and re-energize you.

Santa Cruz

Take a Class

We offer quality sea kayaking instruction taught by highly trained ACA instructors. Let us prepare you for that multi-day kayak camping trip, or geek out on perfecting your forward stroke technique.

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As Seen On

Santa Cruz Harbor Location

Come to our Santa Cruz Harbor location to experience over a mile of calm protected waters – perfect for beginning kayakers or paddleboarding enthusiasts.

For the more adventurous, head out into the Monterey Bay for open ocean exploration. See the iconic Santa Cruz sights including the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Santa Cruz Wharf and experience the surf stoke at Steamer Lane.

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Elkhorn Slough LOCATION

Elkhorn Slough is one of the top ten wildlife viewing destinations in North America. The Elkhorn Slough at Moss Landing boasts the largest remaining raft of southern sea otters on the planet.

Come paddle with these amazing endangered creatures, as well as sea lions, harbor seals, beautiful floating jelllies and migrating sea birds.

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WHAT WILDLIFE WILL YOU SEE TODAY?

Sea Lions
Sea Lions
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales
California Southern Sea Otters
California Southern Sea Otters
Pacific Harbor Seals
Pacific Harbor Seals
Sea Anemones
Sea Anemones
Purple-Striped Jellyfish
Purple-Striped Jellyfish
Pacific White-Sided Dolphins
Pacific White-Sided Dolphins
Opalescent Nudibranchs
Opalescent Nudibranchs
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MEET YOUR TOUR GUIDES

Our team is our greatest asset. Kayak Connection is proud to introduce you to our extended family of kooky paddlers. We take no greater joy than kayaking together, and helping you discover the adventure and magic the ocean delivers.

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WHAT EVERYONE'S SAYING

Staff are very friendly and view is great! We see a lot of sea otters.
BQ X
BQ X
01:02 06 Jun 23
Jim Sunderland
Jim S.
04:51 01 Jun 23
Suelyn Yu
Suelyn Y.
22:02 30 May 23
Nice staff, clean equipment, would recommend.
RG P
RG P
21:29 29 May 23
Wonderful experience for my 6th grade class. I will come back with my family one day.
Luz G. Magdaleno
Luz G. M.
00:30 29 May 23
We had such an amazing kayaking trip! We had an amazing guide by the name of Sam, he was super personable, knowledgeable and clearly had a genuine love and passion for marine life. I was blown away by the amount of sea life we saw and I can not wait to go back!
Eric White
Eric W.
17:53 14 May 23
Cudtomer service went above and beyond!
Simon Mercille
Simon M.
02:21 12 May 23
Jovanna Andescavage
Jovanna A.
23:38 09 May 23
Knowledgeable tour guide — very accommodating for large groups and folks new to kayaking.
jen ghastin
jen G.
23:15 25 Apr 23
I’ve kayaked in the slough a few times and I always enjoy the time on the water and all the animals. Kayak connection provides rentals and tours. I was able to walk in and quickly rent a double covered kayak for myself and my 6 year old without a reservation. The staff is friendly and relaxed. The parking is away from the building, closer to the street, but it’s a short walk to the rentals. You start kayaking from behind the marina docks rather than from the beach with this outfit.
Andrew Hoefel
Andrew H.
19:12 17 Apr 23
Excellent in every way!
John Wichmann
John W.
01:36 13 Apr 23
Easy to find; I booked online (wish there was a discount); Check in was easy; thorough instructions; patient and relaxed staff. Two things I would do differently-ask them about the tide (which direction and how tough is it) and I would ask them about any hidden places to find sea life. I definitely recommend this place!
Kyle Windsor
Kyle W.
16:19 24 Dec 22
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GALLERY

WHAT ADVENTURE WILL YOU GO ON TODAY?

Fall in love with kayaking the Central Coast. Rent a kayak or paddleboard, take a class, or book a tour with our local guides to experience a magical outdoor adventure.
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Choose your Location

Elkhorn Slough Go There

Santa Cruz Harbor Go There

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