Bioluminescence Kayak Tours on Tomales Bay

• If you find it necessary to change the date of your trip or tour, a $10.00 fee will be charged. Your space is not confirmed until we have received payment in full.  

• Sorry, there are no refunds or credits for no shows, late arrivals or cancellations made within 2 weeks of the tour or class. If you cannot participate we encourage you to find a friend or family member to take your place, and please advise us of this change.

• You will be asked to sign an assumption of risk and liability release prior to participating in any class or tour. This is a requirement for our insurance carrier; participants may not join a class or tour without a signed form. 

• We reserve the right to cancel or curtail a trip due to weather conditions or other conditions out of our control. In this case, we do our best to provide you with another suitable date, issue a credit or refund. 

• Note: Pre-registration is required for all classes/tours. We can take a reservation up to 4:00 PM the day before the class/tour if space is available. Unfortunately, we usually cannot accommodate reservations the morning of the class/tour. If you would like to make a reservation the day before the class/tour after 4pm please call us at 707-766-8070 to check if space is available.

Great fun
From susan cohen of Petaluma, California on 10/4/2021.

If you are looking for something a little different, the bioluminescence kayaking tour is great fun. I am a seasoned kayaker, but you really don't need much experience at all to enjoy the evening. Kayaking in the dark is really a unique experience. Give it a try.

highly recommended
From Anonymous of San Rafael, California on 1/31/2021.

Funa nd educational. Friendly people.

Great experience
From Marco Keller of Santa Rosa, California on 1/24/2019.

A must do for all outdoor enthusiasts.

Go kayaking
From Anonymous of Napa, California on 7/22/2018.

We had a great time, learned some things and recomended to others.

Great Experience!!!
From Joyce Eldering-Barnard of Pacheco, California on 7/17/2018.

What a wonderful, exciting trip!! My son and I felt immediately comfortable and taken care of by our competent, informative guides. We had a 2-person kayak.
The guides are well seasoned with plenty of stories for this Tomales Bay night tour making for an entertaining evening overall. Even though Bioluminescence is not a given on any tour night, we were very fortunate to have picked a pleasant mild evening with ALOT of blue sparkling lights in the water! I was SO fascinated with each paddle and ripple of the kayak, and sea animal or two. Even though it goes until 11pm I found I didn't want it to end! I HIGHLY recommend Clavey Paddle Sports for this tour :-)

Great fun
From D of Berkeley, California on 7/7/2018.

Great trip, good equipment and information. Stayed warm enough--recommend not overdressing because of exertion involved. Very novel seeing the biolumenescence and the Cormorants on their spooky and desolate island, like something out of hitchcock when the guide illuminated them, briefly, with his black hole penetrating light!

Biolluminescent Tour
From Tricia Doughty of Napa, California on 7/31/2017.

This was absolutely amazing! The staff was very well organized, The entire experience felt relaxed and exciting. Thorough instruction prior to taking the tour as most of us in the class did not have much kayaking experience. I would (and have)recommend everyone to take this tour. Thank you Clavey for a wonderful experience!

Bioluminescence Kayak Tour on Tomales
From Cathy Ernst of Windsor, California on 7/26/2017.

Wonderful evening with three guides to learn from. Equipment was great and helped us to not feel cold at all. Beautiful sunset and we were very lucky it was not windy. We did see bioluminescence at the algea beds. We saw stars by the trillions. We felt very safe and well cared for by the guides. Over all a very special memory. I would highly recommend this tour.

biolum July 3 2016
From thaddeus hunt of sacramento, California on 7/8/2016.

great trip. guides were very professional and appropriately attending to our safety without us knowing. I believe we had pretty good conditions for the trip and were able to really enjoy the plankton. I dont know if it was the best plankton show ever but it was good for us.

Illuminated!
From Patrick McDowell of Santa Rosa, California on 7/4/2016.

Very Cool! Guides were the best! Professional, courteous, accommodating! Scott's explanation of the biology of bioluminescence in dinoflagellates was spot on (I am a marine biology instructor)... If you get the chance, go on this tour!

excellent!
From Laura of San Francisco, California on 10/12/2015.

Amazing kayaking tour! The guides were wonderful - very helpful and kind. We lucked out on a great night so the bioluminescence was absolutely beautiful. Such a fun trip! Would definitely recommend!

Amazing Guides
From Jan Ogren of Rohnert Park, California on 9/15/2015.

Experience of a life time - first half calm and saw Rays breaking the surface of the bay. Then an unexpected wind came up fast! Guides were safe, competent and calming as we kayaked back. Not what anyone expected but highest marks to the experience and competence of the guides. Was very glad I did the tour with Clavey. Maybe next time the weather will agree more and we will get to see the lights.

Bioluminescence Tour
From Anonymous of Chicago, Illinois on 9/14/2015.

I loved it!! The guides were great and the experience was amazing! I would love to have everyone I know be able to see this at least once in their lifetime.

Loved everything about it!
From Maureen of Dillon Beach, California on 8/25/2015.

This tour starts at my favorite time of day - the golden hour just before sunset. And it just gets better and better from there. I was very impressed with the talent and attitude of the guides. They provided the perfect amount of gear and instructions. I brought some towels to put on my lap under the paddle skirt and for extra lumbar support. And I was glad to have that extra protection. Although the night we went out was uniquely warm and calm for Tomales Bay, I was prepared for getting wet and cold. So with the extra towels I was able to stay perfectly dry and warm. Therefore, the wildlife both in and out of the water got my full attention and did not disappoint! Truly magical night. Can't wait to do it again. Worth every penny.

Great kayak tour
From Anna of San Francisco, California on 7/26/2015.

My husband and I had a fantastic time on the kayak tour. Guides were entertaining and very knowledgable. Scenery was spectacular. Can't wait to go up another time soon! Thanks Scott and Ryan for a special birthday event!

EPIC!
From Nicole & Dave of Ft Bragg, California on 11/15/2014.

This was probably one of the coolest adventures I've ever been on. The variety of wildlife and sea life we were able to see and the bioluminescence after dark was truly magical. I'm so glad that I partook on this tour and look forward to doing it again next year!

Awesome experience
From Anonymous of Sunnyvale, California on 10/23/2014.

Loved it! Read about my trip http://newbieinsunnyvale.blogspot.com/2014/10/bioluminescence-kayaking-at-tomales-bay.html

Worth it!
From Anonymous of Santa Rosa, California on 8/25/2014.

Great guide and amazing bioluminescence experience. Highly recommended for those interested in nature or the ocean.

Wowwww!!!
From Sunny Clark of Santa Rosa, California on 7/21/2014.

What an awesome experience! Having limited kayaking experience, I was a little nervous about how I would hold up (and keep up) but the guides were great. I felt safe, well-instructed, and well informed. The bioluminescence was beautiful and fun. Four hours was a good amount of time- although I definitely could have splashed around for longer- at 11pm it was time to call it a night! Recommending this to coworkers and friends :)

Simply amazing!
From Stephen of San Francisco, California on 8/23/2012.

Such an incredible experience. Nothing else like it. It's like Contact meets Avatar, but it's real. :)

Another world
From Andriana of San Francisco, California on 8/19/2012.

Wow!! I've done a lot of things at night, but paddling on the water to an island full of birds and other creatures was a first. The sounds of Jurassic Park and the uber cool visions of my paddle exciting the living organisms beneath was exhillerating. A whole new kind of high. I highly recommend Clavey Paddlesports! Low key guys who know their stuff. I felt completely safe and well cared for. GO DO IT!! <3

Unbelievably fabulous
From Anonymous of Santa Rosa, California on 7/23/2012.

First time to see this phenomenon for me. What a fun tour! Everyone had a great time, the conditions were perfect, and the light show was outstanding! A great tour for anyone.