The 5 Best Kayaking Destinations In Morro Bay California
Kayaking in Morro Bay is a great way to see the Bay from a different perspective and get a workout at the same time. There are many kayaking options available in Morro Bay, including long kayak tours, short kayak tours, and paddle board rentals.
If you are looking for a leisurely kayak tour that will take you around the Bay, try the Morro Bay Kayaks Easy Tour. This tour is rated as one of the easiest kayaking tours in California, and it only takes about two hours to complete.
If you are interested in exploring more of Morro Bays coastline, consider taking one of the more extended kayak tours. The longest tour takes approximately four hours to complete, and it includes stops at some of the Bays most iconic spots.
Here are 5 of the best kayaking destinations in Morro Bay:
Santa Barbara Kayak Rentals
At our kayak and paddle board rental stand you can choose between single and double kayaks. The double kayaks can fit a smaller child in the middle as a third person. Our West Beach stand has plenty of availability so you can just cruise on down when you feel like kayaking. Its open from mid-April to mid-October 7 days a week. Other times of the year were open on nice weekends, holidays, and by reservation so book online or call us. If you have a larger group you may want to make a reservation so we have everything lined up for you or can bring in more kayaks if we need to. Weve strategically chosen our Santa Barbara kayak rental location as it is one of the best spots in town to kayak from. The ability to swim is required for all water sports rentals.
If youd like to rent kayaks for the day or multiple days you can do so at our stand. We can also drop kayaks off at your rental property/ house in Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Summerland, Montecito, and Goleta.
*Note: Delivery to Refugio and El Capitan is currently unavailable. We are waiting for permission from the parks to deliver here as we have in the past.
Santa Barbara Location:
The Best Time To Go Kayaking In Morro Bay
Morro Bay is known for its beautiful scenery, and kayaking is one of the best ways to take in all of the sights and sounds. Moreover, the weather in Morro Bay is mild year-round, which makes it a great place to kayak. In the summer, the temperatures are usually mild, and theres plenty of sunshine.
In the fall and winter, the temperatures are typically mild too, but theres usually a little more rain than the sun. And in the spring and fall, theres generally less rain but more wind.
Furthermore, the best time to go kayaking in Morro Bay is typical during the morning or early evening when the water is calm. You can also kayak around Morro Rock or explore the coves and inlets along The Strand.
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Morro Bay Wildlife Tour
The Morro Bay wildlife tour is a great flat water paddling experience. Great for families and folks who enjoy to do more
The Morro Bay wildlife tour is a great flatwater paddling experience for ages 7+ with an adult in a tandem. Great for families and folks who enjoy to do more sightseeing than adventuring. Often we see harbor seals, California sea lions, sea otters and many different types of birds that use Morro Bay as a stop over on the Pacific Flyway migration route. Let our trained naturalists share the beauty of this recognized National Estuary, abundant wildlife and the Gibralter of the pacific, Morro Rock.
Duration
- Minimum age is 7yrs old with an adult in a tandem
- Each person must be able to swim but not required
Reservation & Cancellation Policy
Reservations are required for all Tours and Classes. Full payment is required at the time of booking. If you need to cancel we will issue a full refund up to 7 days before your scheduled reservation. There are NO REFUNDS for cancellations LESS THAN 7 DAYS before your booking or for no shows. Central Coast Kayaks reserves the right to cancel a Tour or Class based on poor/unsafe weather conditions. In this event, Central Coast Kayaks will contact you as soon as possible and issue a FULL REFUND or offer to RESCHEDULE your booking.
Light rain or heavy fog will not always cancel your booking, as long as conditions remain calm and safe.
West Beach Kayak Rental Stand

Open 7 days a week May-Oct 1st. Spring and Fall open on weekends. Winter by reservation
West Beach is located between Santa Barbaras historic Stearns Wharf and Santa Barbara Harbor. From this beach youll have quick access to touring the harbor, viewing the sea lions at the quarter-mile buoy and taking a closer look under the wharf! West Beach is a definite fan favorite with so much to see and its tranquil waters make for a great experience. If interested in a Santa Barbara kayak rental this is the easiest spot to kayak with the most to see in town. When finished kayaking this location has the added convenience of being right downtown for food and shopping.
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Can I Do A Morro Bay Kayak Tour
Absolutely! If youre looking for a kayak tour in Morro Bay, look no further than Central Coast Outdoors. Their kayak tours are the perfect way to explore the beautiful coastline of Morro Bay and the surrounding area. They offer a variety of kayak tours, including a sunset paddle, starting from $60-$70 per adult.
The tours suit all levels of ability, from beginner to expert. They can even accommodate children as young as two on the tours. In addition, their knowledgeable and experienced guides will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable kayaking experience.
Ideal Trip Duration: Half
- A half-day tour of Morro Bay gives paddlers a chance to learn a little bit about kayaking and explore the surrounding wildlife without overdoing it, especially if they are not experienced.
- There are many shorter tours available that last only a couple of hours and give families with younger kids a chance to see some sights as well.
- It is possible to take a self-guided full-day or multi-day tour of Morro Bay. However, finding campsites can be challenging, so do your research ahead of time to make this work out well for you.
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Where Can I Launch A Kayak In Morro Bay
There are a few options if youre looking for a place to launch a kayak in Morro Bay.
Faqs When Booking A Vacation Rental In Morro Bay
How much is a vacation rental in Morro Bay?
KAYAK users have found vacation rentals in Morro Bay for as cheap as $401 in the last 3 days. The average price is $510.
How much is a vacation rental in Morro Bay for tonight?
In the last 72 hours, users have found Morro Bay vacation rentals for tonight for as low as $306.
How can I find vacation rentals near me in Morro Bay?
Take a look at our vacation rentals map to find the best vacation rental homes near you.
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Kayaking: Morro Bay Private Tours
Kayak tours with a gourmet lunch or grilled dinner served on the dunes, dog friendly tours, bird watching tours, tours to match your timing and tours if you want exclusive use of our guides and equipment. Large group tours welcome!Group Discounts are also offered. LEARN MORE…
Private tours are also great for families who don’t have any kayaking experience and have younger kids . We can tailor the pace of the tour to meet your needs and it doesn’t cost much more than a regular tour. For example, a private two hour tour for a family of 4 costs just a little more than the regular Half Day Classic tour. Call us for more details!
Kayaking: Large Group Tours
We can accommodate groups of up to 32 on virtually any of our kayak tours. LEARN MORE…
Kayaking: Private Two Hour Tour
Most closely matches our Short Paddle. Does not typically include a stop at the dunes. You pick the time. LEARN MORE…
Kayaking: Private Three Hour Tour
Most closely matches our Half Day Classic, including a visit to the sand dunes. You pick the time. LEARN MORE…
Kayaking: Half Day Classic with Lunch
Add a gourmet picnic lunch to our most popular tour. LEARN MORE…
Kayaking: Dinner on the Dunes
Watch sunset from the dunes while your guide cooks a grilled California style dinner for you! Group size limited to 16 people. LEARN MORE…
Kayaking: Birdwatching
Slow down the pace and focus on identifiying the numerous bird species see on the bay. Best in late fall through early spring. LEARN MORE…
Where Can I Rent A Kayak In Morro Bay
Are you looking to rent a kayak? Then, youre in luck there are several businesses offering kayak rentals in Morro Bay. One of the most popular is A Kayak Shack, located right on the water at the Morro Bay Marina.
They offer single and double kayaks for rent and stand-up paddleboards and canoes. They have hourly rental rates that start at $16 for a single kayak or canoe, $24 for a tandem kayak, and $32 for a Paddle Board.
Additional hours on the kayaks cost 50% of the initial hourly. All rentals include life jackets and paddles on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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A Favorite Spot For Locals & Tourist Alike
“We are Morro Bay residents and absolutely love the kayak shack for their friendly staff! Its our favorite place for kayaking in Morro Bay! And we always end it with lunch at Bayside! Its a beautiful way to remember why we call this place home! Thanks for always being so welcoming, professional, and taking good care of us!”
“We had such a great time thanks to the Kayak Shack. The staff were so helpful and supportive of us newbies. They made sure we had a wonderful time. And their kayaks as we saw later in the bay really are the best value too! Definitely make the short drive over to check them out.”
“Great spot to launch kayaks, away from the other more tourist-filled kayak locations in downtown. Credit cards accepted. Masks are enforced on the dock.”
How To Get To This Location:

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Top Kayak Rentals Near Morro Bay California
A kayak rental in Morro Bay will allow you to get up close and personal with the local wildlife. Sea lions and harbor seals are frequent visitors of the Bay, and kayakers can get up close and personal while paddling near a sand bar or floating dock. Harbor seals are smaller and less vocal than sea lions, and you may even spot one poking its whiskers out of the water for a quick hello!
If you want to explore the water in style, a Morro Bay kayak rental may be a perfect choice. The citys beaches are a popular destination for paddleboarding, kayaking, and surfing. While the water is cold in Morro Bay, you can rent wetsuits from Wavelengths Surf Shop. Jeremy paddled past dolphins for the first time. The best way to learn how to paddle? Check out this video.
Focus On Pure Fun Rent Equipment Take Lessons Take A Tour Enjoy
In our hectic, modern lives, many people focus so heavily on work and commitments they never seem to have time for pure fun until they take some time off and get away. So while you are staying at the Green Cottage you might be interested in some outdoor adventures that require renting or borrowing equipment. If so, this is the right page to get some ideas. Here, youll find multiple options, it just depends on what you want to add to your visit.
For aquatic adventures, do you want to go solo or take a tour? Do you want to fish, kayak, SUP or learn to surf? Do you want to bike along the waterfront? Do you want an aerial or ranch tour, a round of golf or a set of tennis? Check out the resources below, they may help you decide. Most of all, plan to have fun and get some sand between your toes!
Morro Bay Sea to SkyThis lovely video is a day in the life of Morro Bay and will inspire you to want to go outside and play, all day:
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Kayak Morro Bay With Us
Kayaking Morro Bay with an expert nature guide from Central Coast Outdoors ensures you will see the wonders of this extraordinary National Estuary. You can kayak Morro Bay in all its moods, sharing it with wildlife like harbor seals, sea lions and sea otters, as well as literally hundreds of species of birds, including several rare and endangered species. Please click on any of the individual kayak tour links on this page to find the best Morro Bay kayak tour for you.
The waters of Morro Bay are protected from the open ocean by a scenic four mile long sandspit and the weather is moderate year round, creating an ideal place for beginners, families and experts to kayak. Our kayak trips in Morro Bay California are also well suited for youth groups and business or corporate groups. Our experienced and knowledgeable guides enhance any excursion you’ll have on the water with us. We normally have a low client to guide ratio , so you’ll never feel like you are lost in a crowd. Join us on one of our kayak trips on Morro Bay and experience one of the best kayak trips in California.
Morro Bay Sandspit Picnic Adventure
One of the most serene areas of Morro Bay is the Morro Bay sand spit, a secluded six-mile stretch of sand located right across from the SubSea dock. The sand spit is perfect for hiking or even picnicking, and the beach is usually empty, so pack a lunch and cruise on over in your kayak from Morro Bay! This unique barrier of sand dunes separates Morro Bay from the Pacific Ocean, and theres nothing better than gaining some perspective while standing on a remote stretch of sand between the bay and ocean.
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Thanks Slo County For Voting Us Best Water Sport Rental Business
MORNINGS: 9 AM TO 12 NOON Walk-up/first come basis
AFTERNOONS: 12:30 TO 3 PM BY RESERVATION
AFTERNOON HOURS VARY SO PLEASE CALL BEFORE COMING OUT!
REGARDING THE WITCHES PADDLE ON 10/22 AT 4 PM:
WE ARE NOT RENTING EQUIPMENT FOR THIS EVENT
NOR ARE WE TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR THAT AFTERNOON.
SORRY!
Other Adventures In Morro Bay California
Morro Bay is an amazing destination for adventure lovers. From fishing to kayaking to hiking, there is something for everyone in this coastal community. With miles of trails and coastline to explore, visitors can find plenty of fun things to do without ever leaving town.
For those who want a little bit more challenge, there are plenty of hiking trails in and around Morro Bay. Some are easygoing strolls, while others lead through densely wooded areas with steep inclines and drops.
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Top Tips For Finding The Perfect Morro Bay Vacation Rental
- Vacation rentals in Morro Bay are around 58% more expensive than hotels on average. Search here to compare prices for all accommodation types in Morro Bay.
- The best vacation rental properties in Morro Bay are Captain Java’s Cottage in Morro Bay! , La Roche 1 Bayfront Condo, Amazing Views! Pet Friendly. , and Fog & Stars Cottage – Just steps to Embarcadero, water & downtown! , based on ratings and reviews from real travelers.
A Kayak Shack Morro Bay

Imagine a place where the sun always shines the waves are crashing and the smell of salt water fills the air. This is Morro Bay a coastal town in California. And nestled in this little town is a kayak shack a place where people come to paddle and play in the water.
The kayak shack is situated right on the water so you can step right from the beach into your kayak. They have all sorts of kayaks from single person to tandem and they even have a few SUPs if you want to try something new. They also have all the gear you need to go kayaking from paddles and life jackets to dry bags and maps.
If youre not sure how to get started they offer kayak lessons for beginners. They also have a variety of kayak tours that you can take to explore the area. And if youre feeling really adventurous you can even overnight in one of their remote campsites.
So whether youre a seasoned kayaker or a first timer the kayak shack is the perfect place to enjoy the water.
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