Your paddle today
Kayak Connection · Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing
Open this page in the yard or the office, before you walk down to the dock.
Check that it loads while a staff member is still with you.
How far you can go today
Checking today’s wind…
Experienced paddlers only. Paddling back from beyond Seal Bend is extremely difficult and not advised.
Before you launch
Leave on land
Lockers for rent in the office for these items.
Wear & bring
PFD, spray skirt and paddle are fitted for you in the yard.
Today
What time did your rental start?
Be back at the dock by
…
If you are not back by the listed return time, you may be charged a $50 late fee — and a $100 rescue fee if we have to come out looking for you.
Leaving the dock
Checking the tide…
Coming back in
Checking the tide…
Once you are in the slough
Checking the tide…
Water Trail Map
Drag to move around the map · + and − to zoom · Recenter puts the map back on the start of the route
Avoid the sailboats on both docks. Give them room.
Too close? Push off with your HAND, never your paddle.
On the way out
- Boats have right of way — and they cannot stop.Give them room. Never cut across the front of a moving boat.
- Stay out of the boat channel.Head south down the harbor staying on the beach side of the green markers — the boat channel is on the far side of them. When crossing the boat channel, cross straight, quickly, and look both ways first.
- Go under the middle of the Hwy 1 bridge.
- Normally: out down the middle, back along the south bank.The wind blows into the slough, so going out is easy and coming back is hard. The south bank is sheltered; the middle is not. On a strong outgoing tide this flips — go out along the south bank instead. This page tells you which one applies today; check it before you leave the dock.
Wildlife
- Stay 100 feet away from all wildlife.That is about six kayak lengths.
- If an animal looks at you, wakes up, or moves away — you are already too close.Paddle away quietly. Do not follow.
- Do not feed or touch wildlife.
Sea otters need extra room
- Never point your kayak at an otter.A kayak aimed straight at them looks like an act of aggression. Continue paddling parallel and away from the otter.
- Never paddle towards one to get a better look or a photo.
- Never get between a mother and her pup.
- A resting otter that lifts its head, stops grooming, or dives has been disturbed by you.
- Disturbing a sea otter is a federal offense.It counts as a “take” under federal law.
Harbor seals need to rest during the day
- Never land or rest where seals are hauled out.The beach north of our dock is a haul-out. Stay off it.
- Give seal moms and pups extra distance.
- A seal that lifts its head, looks at you or flushes into the water has been disturbed by you.
How far can you go today?
- Calm, very little windunder 10 kts · experienced paddlers onlyAs far as SEAL BEND
- Windy10 to 15 kts, or active paddlers looking for a challenging paddleAs far as the MILE BUOY
- Very windy15 to 17 kts, or beginner paddlers or groups with small childrenAs far as the OUTFLOW
- Too windy for the slough18 kts or greaterStay in the HARBOR — do not go under the Hwy 1 bridge
Paddling back from beyond Seal Bend is extremely difficult and not advised.
If something goes wrong
- Stay with your kayak.It floats, it is easier to see than you are, and it is what we will be looking for.
- Too tired from paddling in the wind? Get to the south bank and rest.Out of the wind, close to shore. Then work your way back along the bank.
- If you are in distress or not going to make it back in time, call us to let us know.If we have to come out looking for you, or to bring you and your equipment in, you could be charged a rescue fee of $100.