Frequently Asked Questions
Is sea kayaking safe for my family?
Sea kayaking with a professional and experienced guide is very safe. We use double kayaks that accommodate two people and are very stable. It is extremely rare for one to tip over. If it does, you end up in the water next to the boat, and your guides will help you back inside. Your guides are always at hand. They have in-depth experience and knowledge in group management and risk assessment. They are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.
Do we have to know how to sea kayak or swim?
No. It is not necessary to know how to sea kayak or swim to enjoy your time and to be safe during our Family Camp. Your professional and experienced guides will provide you with basic lessons before we launch our kayaks. All participants are required to wear a PFD (life jacket) which will keep you afloat if you happen to enter the water. PFDs are also perfect to wear during an afternoon swim in the bay.
What do we need to bring with us?
PRO will provide you with your boats, guides, kayaking gear, and delicious meals, beginning with lunch on Tuesday through breakfast on Thursday. Your family will provide your own tent, sleeping bags, pads, and personal items, although PRO can provide you with camping gear for an extra fee. You will receive a “Recommended Gear List ” when you call to make your reservation. You will also be given instructions on how to pack efficiently. Justfor more information.
Will we paddle and camp in foul weather?
Kayaking is still incredibly fun even on overcast and foggy days, with light wind or sprinkles. Mother Nature always has some wonderful surprises in store for us. But if weather conditions make the trip unsafe, PRO will reschedule the trip for another location or time. If rescheduling or relocating the trip is not possible, PRO will cancel the trip and you will receive a full refund.
Are there bathroom facilities?
Yes, there are bathrooms at the launch site and at the camping area.
What about the food?
PRO makes all the arrangements so that you can enjoy delicious, locally-grown and prepared, organic food whenever possible. On camping trips, the kitchen, water, and food is carried in our kayaks for low- to no-impact on our natural environment. Our guides prepare wonderful meals and snacks on the beach, and we can accommodate any food restrictions or special dietary requirements. If you have a favorite food or snack that you just can’t live without, you may want to bring an extra stash - just in case.
What kind of wildlife will we see in the bay?
Tomales Bay and the Point Reyes National Seashore is a fantastic habitat for harbor seals, moon jellies, egrets, osprey, leopard sharks, bat rays, pelicans, barnacles, and sea stars which all live in and around the bay. Your naturalist guides will teach your family all about this unique natural landscape. Your adventure will include the thrill of floating and discovery of all the living creatures that share our watery home.
Isn’t Tomales Bay a breeding ground for great white sharks?
Great white sharks are found along the California coast, especially near the Farallon Islands and the outer coast. This area is highly populated by marine mammals - elephant seals and harbor seals. But great white sharks like deep cold clear water that is teaming with life, and that is why there are no great white sharks inside of Tomales Bay. Tomales Bay is very shallow (on average between 10-12 feet), far too warm, and does not have enough of their favorite food to make it worth the trouble. So they stay out on the coast where they can fish to their hearts’ content.
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