Monterey Bay Safari: Elkhorn Slough Otter Tours
4.7
9 Ratings
Moss Landing
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with Monterey Bay Safari's Elkhorn Slough Otter Tours. Discover the largest population of Sea Otters in California and over 300 species of birds. Book now!
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve - The world’s largest population of Southern Sea Otters and 340 bird species inhabit this spectacular wetland. Our expertly guided tours will show you all this, and more!
And, we offer complimentary use of binoculars to ensure that everybody gets a great look at the wildlife.
- Moss Landing Harbor - Moss Landing Harbor is not just a commercial fishing harbor. Overflowing with local character, and home to hundreds of endlessly entertaining Sea Lions, the harbor also hosts a number of Marine Research institutions, including the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Their research vessels and impressive technology is often in view as we make our way to the Elkhorn Slough. But before doing so, we always like to pause and linger at the mouth of Moss Landing Harbor, and discuss the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and it’s deep submarine canyon. The Elkhorn Slough is a tidal inlet fed directly by the Monterey Bay, so these bodies of water share a unique relationship and history. And we might even encounter Humpback Whales feeding close to shore!
What's Included
- Complimentary street parking on Moss Landing Road.
- Binoculars provided for tour use.
What's Not Included
- $12 fee to park in Moss Landing Harbor parking lot. Free with handicap placard.
Additional Information
Elkhorn Slough is home to the most significant sea otter population in California, and it’s also a habitat for over 300 bird species! For nearly three decades, we’ve conducted insightful boat tours through this wetland and we have a keen understanding of its terrain, history, and wildlife. Our expert Naturalist team are all graduates in Marine Science and we’re endorsing third party certified Wildlife Stewards, ensuring our practices towards the creatures are always ethical. Our boat provides a perfect platform for spotting wildlife without intrusions and has attracted notable wildlife photographers such as Frans Lanting and Suzi Eszterhas, among others. Our calm journey ensures no instances of seasickness and our safety record is impeccable. Alongside our tours, we run a large Gift Shop / Bookstore that celebrates the Monterey Bay with a nature and science theme. Offering over 600 books, many at a 30-50% discount, our stock also includes clothing, stuffed animals, and mementos.
- Tours typically last an hour and a half to two hours.
- Our minimum age fro passengers is 3 years old.
- Weather in the Monterey Bay can vary, so it’s always a good idea to bring layers of clothing.
- There is no restroom onboard, but restrooms are available at our Gift Shop and in the harbor.
- Do not enter “Elkhorn Slough” into your maps app. This will direct you away from our location, and we’ll be unable to delay our departure time if you are late.
- Please arrive 30 minutes before your tour time to check in, and walk over to departure point.
Location
7981 Moss Landing Rd ste e
Moss Landing Road
Check in for your Safari inside our Gift Shop, and then it's just a short walk across the street to the dock where the boat launches.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(9 Ratings)
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633melodyg
May 22, 2024
Excellent Operation. A Dazzling Experience. - I highly recommend this tour. Our captain and naturalist (Isabella, in our case, a young woman) were friendly and outgoing and answered all questions. They spotted and identified many birds and took us close, but not too close, to the otters and other critters. I had previously booked a trip with a company called "eco tours" because they ran electric boats but they cancelled the trip 3 hours before it was set to leave, saying they had too few passengers. I had already driven to Moss Landing. So I felt fortunate that I could get a last minute spot with Safari. They also have a terrific bookstore with fun (and tasteful, not tacky) souvenirs/gifts. Excellent operation all round.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marsha_s
May 17, 2024
Great - Great experience. Informative and helpful tour guides. Well worth the reasonable fee. Saw lots of wildlife. Boat goes slow so it doesn't get to cold.
Review provided by Viator
Shannonlv7808nu
Mar 31, 2024
While in Moss Landing you must do this excursion. - This is a wonderful excursion! We were able to see several momma otters with their pups, many different kinds of birds, sea lions and harbor seals. The naturalists are very knowledgeable and gave us so much fascinating information. Well worth it. I will do it again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annabi4606nm
Mar 20, 2024
Great trip out - We had a great time despite the grotty weather-the otters and birds were wonderful it was a really informative and interesting trip
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laura_j
Mar 4, 2024
Very friendly and... - Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Learned lots of information about the wildlife in the area and got tons of otter pictures.
Review provided by Viator
Svshutterfly
Sep 12, 2023
A great way to see the wildlife of the slough - If you want to see the slough wildlife, this is perfect. We originally planned to kayak, but the logistics and timing didn't seem favorable on the actual day, and we were able to snag spots on an 11:15 departure (which gave us mostly sunny skies). I'm so glad we did this instead. Not only was there no worry about tides, timing, or currents, but it was very easy to reach the wildlife and to take pictures--and we took lots. (With a 400mm lens, my son was able to take some pretty nice pictures of otters and birds. If you are a serious photographer, the last seat in the boat is the best, and we were grateful the captain, spotting his camera, seated him there.)
We saw more sea otters (well over 50) than I have ever seen at once, including two pups, lots of harbor seals, elegant terns, pelicans, cormorants, sea lions, a peregrine falcon, and much more. The naturalist and captain worked seamlessly together to make sure we saw everything while being respectful of distance, and hanging out long enough for everyone to spot the creatures, and the slight elevation of the boat made it easy to spot creatures across the water.
If you kayak, you would have to spend a lot more time to see what we saw and probably would have missed a lot, even though you would have the option to get closer to the shore and go deeper into the 6 mile slough (we went in about 2 miles). We might kayak another day, but in the time we had, I am thrilled we did this.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sidneycmar
Jan 5, 2024
Beautiful day, relaxing cruise - Enjoyed the beautiful day and views of the Elkhorn Slough. Naturalist Judy and Captain Joe gave good explanations of what we saw during an almost two-hour relaxing boat ride.
Review provided by Viator
Trail60717552489
Oct 26, 2023
Great experience, but I wish it was possible see the animals a little closer. - It was a very lovely experience and I learned some interesting things. The main thing I want to make people aware of is that the incredible pictures this company posts on social media are a little misleading as to how close you actually get to the animals (otters and seals) on the safari. Law prohibits getting very close to them. Those photos must be taken with a professional camera with a high quality zoom lens.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carl_l
Sep 27, 2023
Great time - Our guide gave us really good information and made it very entertaining. We saw sea otters, mamas, and babies couples. We saw see lions and seals. I learned the difference between the sea lion and a seal. We just had a wonderful time easy to do.
Review provided by Viator