Paddle and View Incredible Wildlife!

Rates

Kayaker $119

Duration

1.5 Hours

About

The Siletz Bay Wildlife Refuge is one of six National Wildlife Refuges comprising the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This Refuge consists of some of the most scenic estuarine habitat along the Oregon Coast National Scenic Byway. Visitors often see a variety of wildlife, shorebirds, eagles and other raptors. Kayaking up the refuge does offer some natural wind protection from the summer’s northwest winds. Kayaking the wildlife refuge is also tide depended so it’s best to go with a guide who knows the area and how to navigate the tides. All Siletz Bay tour times are scheduled with the tides.

The Siletz Bay Refuge has an active land acquisition program and now totals over 500 acres, with several acquisitions still pending. The refuge protects high quality coastal wetlands and uplands next to Siletz Bay from encroaching development, and enhances habitat for a variety of birds and mammals. The Siletz Bay and River system supports large runs of anadromous fish including Chinook and Coho salmon, cutthroat trout, and steelhead. Juvenile salmonids will benefit from several planned tidal marsh restoration. Wildlife using the refuge include brown pelicans (endangered species), bald eagles (threatened species), peregrine falcons, Aleutian and dusky Canada geese, waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds. Please respect this wildlife refuge by packing all your trash and following the leave no trace motto!

The Siletz Bay Wildlife Refuge has limited parking so we recommend booking our Salmon River kayak tour on weekends and holidays. Please carpool when possible to help with the limited parking.

What's Included

• Kayak rental
• Wetsuit rental
• Paddle rental
• Life jacket rental
• Invasive species permit
• Kayak tour guide
• Kayak and equipment transport delivery and return

What to Bring

Weather conditions can change quickly on the Oregon coast, so we recommend being prepared for everything. We recommend synthetic materials like polyester and polypropylene that will help keep you warm even when wet. Avoid cotton as it holds water and will make you colder when wet. Participants will get their feet wet, so bring sandals, water shoes, or wetsuit booties for walking in the water and on rough terrain. We also recommend quick drying shorts, a moisture wicking fleece (polyester or polypropylene) top, a windbreaker, and a stocking cap to keep your ears warm.

We also offer rental neoprene gloves, and booties available upon request. We recommend everyone bring a water bottle and a light snack.

Our kayak tours operate rain or shine (we do cancel for unsafe, or extreme weather conditions), so it's best to bring a dry set of clothes to change into once your tour is finished. Our guides are very good at navigating to the calmer areas, but they can’t control the rain, wind, and chop, so there is always a possibility you may get wet.

If you’re worried about getting wet just ask for a shorty wetsuit and that will help you keep warm even if you get wet. If you bring a camera or cell phone make sure to have a water proof case, or small dry bag to keep it dry and protected. We also recommend a good quality reef safe sunscreen as the sun reflects off the water.

What to Know

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Kids 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult
• Kids ages 5 and up welcome with an adult.
• Please let us know if any kids are under 90lbs
• Please let us know if you exceed 270lbs. We can often put heavier participants in a single kayak or match them with a lighter participant.
• All guests paddle in tandem kayaks unless other arrangements have been made