THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Turn your car into a launch platform and paddle Tomales Bay at your pace. This flexible load-and-go SUP rental out of Inverness makes remote launches, wildlife encounters, and day trips easy for experienced paddlers and confident beginners.
Turn your car into a launch platform and paddle Tomales Bay at your pace. This flexible load-and-go SUP rental out of Inverness makes remote launches, wildlife encounters, and day trips easy for experienced paddlers and confident beginners.
Book with Blue Waters Kayaking
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Blue Waters Kayaking · Inverness, California
At Tomales Bay’s calm, oyster-rich waters just north of Point Reyes, the Load and go stand up paddleboard option turns a vehicle into a launchpad for daylong exploration. Meet at 1100 Pierce Point Road, in Inverness, CA 94937 and the crew shows you how to strap a board to your car, then walk you through basic safety and loading so you can set out on your own. With rental windows from one to eight hours, this is built for people who want independence on the water without the hassle of permanent roof racks or complicated logistics.
The bay’s long tidal channels, sandstone cliffs and sheltered coves reward patient paddlers: scan eelgrass flats for foraging shorebirds, spot harbor seals hauled on low ledges, and glide by undisturbed mudflats that feed migrating birds. Launch choices such as Miller Boat Launch, White House Pool and Chicken Ranch Beach open different experiences—big, reflective dawn crossings, shaded paddles close to shore, or short family-friendly loops toward the western shore and its pocket beaches.
This service is geared to experienced explorers and confident beginners who can manage basic strokes and self-rescue; staff provide straps, pads, and all other necessary gear plus a clear walkthrough at the headquarters so loading is simple. Need a wetsuit? Request one at least 24 hours ahead by calling 415-669-2600. Note that rentals are restricted: OUR RENTALS ARE ONLY FOR TOMALES BAY. WE DO NOT ALLOW OUR RENTALS TO GO TO THE OCEAN OR DRAKES ESTERO FOR SAFETY REASONS.
Practical tips matter here: watch tide charts and wind forecasts before you go, start early for glassy mornings, and pack layers—conditions shift fast on exposed water. If you plan an overnight, Marshall and Tomales Beaches are reachable by boat and offer designated campsites with basic facilities, but follow leave-no-trace rules and check permits before landing.
Why this operator stands out is simple: they remove the awkward gear steps so you can focus on route planning and wildlife. The company’s local knowledge helps renters pick the right launch and timing for birding, seal viewing, or a brisk fitness paddle. For visitors staying in nearby Point Reyes Station or Inverness, this is the clearest way to turn a car into a capable watercraft and spend a day exploring Tomales Bay on your own terms.
Rentals include straps and pads for vehicles without roof racks and a hands-on loading session at headquarters; take time to practice getting on and off your board in shallow water before heading out. The company recommends ages 13 and up, and minors must be accompanied by an adult. Because weather can turn, bring a full water bottle and snacks, and tell someone your planned route and return time before you launch.
moderate.
1–8 hours.
Should be comfortable paddling for sustained periods, able to stand and recover from a fall, and tolerate variable coastal conditions.
Check-in is at 1100 Pierce Point Road, in Inverness, CA 94937 where staff demonstrate loading and gear use.
There are options from 1 to 8 hours so you can choose a short outing or a full day on Tomales Bay.
No—rentals are restricted to Tomales Bay for safety. Operators explicitly prohibit trips to the ocean or Drakes Estero.
Yes, wetsuits are available by request with at least 24 hours’ notice—call 415-669-2600 to arrange one.
Minimum age is 13; children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Staff provide straps and pads for vehicles without roof racks and will walk you through how to load the board.
Tomales Bay sits along the shoreline near Point Reyes and has long supported fishing, oystering, and coastal recreation for local communities.
Respect eelgrass beds and birding zones, pack out all waste, and avoid approaching hauled-out seals to minimize disturbance.
Blue Waters Kayaking is a Petaluma, California-based outfitter specializing in guided sea kayak tours, rentals, and drop-off services around Tomales Bay and Point Reyes National Seashore. The company operates a variety of experiences including day and half-day tours, full-day excursions, moonlit and bioluminescence paddles, and equipment rental options that deliver kayaks and gear to launch sites. Guides lead paddlers through environments such as Drakes Estero, Hog Island, Heart's Desire Beach, and the rugged shoreline of Point Reyes, providing interpretation of coastal ecosystems and wildlife behavior. Guests can expect opportunities to see harbor seals, river otters, sea lions, bat rays, leopard sharks, osprey, and tule elk from the water. Trips range from family-friendly, beginner-focused outings at Heart's Desire Beach to more exploratory paddles to Tomales Point and secluded coves. Blue Waters Kayaking also offers Load & Go options for independent paddlers and Drop Off Kayak Rentals that include gear delivery for self-guided adventures. Safety and a low-impact approach to wilderness areas are emphasized on every trip through guided instruction, stable recreational kayaks, and attention to local tidal and weather conditions. All offerings are based out of Petaluma with access to Tomales Bay and nearby coastal reserves. Featured on The Adventure Collective, Blue Waters Kayaking provides accessible ways for visitors and locals to experience coastal wildlife, scenic shorelines, and quiet paddling routes throughout the Point Reyes and Tomales Bay area. Custom group bookings, photography-focused trips, and seasonal wildlife briefings are offered to accommodate varied interests and small-group experiences.
Book with Blue Waters Kayaking