Kayaking: Morro Bay Sunset Paddle
Itinerary Reserve Now $95 Per Person. Minimum age 13.
Itinerary Description
Kayaking Morro Bay at dusk is a different world. Slowly the human activity of the daylight hours fades away and the rhythms of the natural world reassert themselves. Wildlife can seem even more accessible as other recreational users of the bay leave the water. It's truly a magical time to be on 
Morro Bay. Located near Pismo Beach, our sunset guided kayak tour on Morro Bay begins about two and a half hours before sunset and finishes back at the kayak docks a bit after dusk, as the last of the natural light fades and the lights of the harbor and town start winking on. Our rather casual route meanders through Morro Bay and includes a visit to the dunes of the sandspit. Nestled into the sand dunes with a complimentary drink (wine, beer or soda) in hand along with cheese, crackers and fruit, you'll watch the last lingering rays of light as the day ends. Kayaking Morro Bay on foggy days, the sunset won't be as spectacular, but the sense of peace on the water as daylight fades is possibly even more dramatic. This kayak tour of Morro Bay is near Pismo Beach and is dependent on sunset times, so call or see below for sunset kayak tour times on specific dates. If you have kids younger than 13, please contact us to book a private Sunset Paddle. Note that different pricing applies to private tours.
Wind and Cancellations
If it's going to be a windy day, it's usually windier in the afternoon/early evening than in the morning. Sunset Paddles are sometimes (perhaps 10-15% of the time) cancelled due to wind. It is much rarer (almost never) for us to have to cancel morning tours due to winds.
LIMITED AVAILABILITY FOR SUNSET PADDLES: Note that there are often days (usually due to limited staff availability) when we don't offer the Sunset Paddle. Please see our Availability Page for details BEFORE you attempt to make a reservation. Thanks!
“Eileen and I had such a wonderful time on our kayaking excursion! Our guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, as well as charming. The trip was well planned with plenty of time on the water and walking on the beach... We will recommend this adventure to others visiting your area. Can't wait to come back!”
Deb Schock Wheatridge, CO
| Total Tour Time | Price | Avg. Time on Water | Avg. Time on Dunes | Meeting Time | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-3.5 hrs | $100 per person (min age 13) | 2-2.5 hours | 30-60 minutes | Varies - see table below | Guide, kayak, PFD (life jacket), paddle, waterproof fleece lined lap blanket, beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, light eats (including gluten free and vegan options) |
2024-25 - Sunset Paddle Meeting Times
Approx. 2.5 hours before sunset
| Date Range | Meeting Time |
|---|---|
| December 16-31, 2024 | 2:30 pm |
| January 1-15, 2025 | 2:30 pm |
| January 16-31, 2025 | 2:45 pm |
| February 1-15, 2025 | 3:00 pm |
| February 16-28, 2025 | 3:15 pm |
| March 1-8, 2025 | 3:30 pm |
| March 9-15, 2025 | 4:30 pm |
| March 16-31, 2025 | 4:45 pm |
| April 1-15, 2025 | 5:00 pm |
| April 16-30, 2025 | 5:15 pm |
| May 1-15, 2025 | 5:30 pm |
| May 16-31, 2025 | 5:30 pm |
| June 1-15, 2025 | 5:45 pm |
| June 16-30, 2025 | 5:45 pm |
| July 1-15, 2025 | 5:45 pm |
| July 16-31, 2025 | 5:45 pm |
| August 1-15, 2025 | 5:30 pm |
| August 16-31, 2025 | 5:15 pm |
| September 1-15, 2025 | 4:45 pm |
| September 16-30, 2025 | 4:30 pm |
| October 1-15, 2025 | 4:00 pm |
| October 16-31, 2025 | 3:45 pm |
| November 1, 2025 | 3:30 pm |
| November 2-15, 2025 | 2:30 pm |
| November 16-30, 2025 | 2:15 pm |
| December 1-15, 2025 | 2:15 pm |
| December 16-31, 2025 | 2:30 pm |
Full Moon Viewing on Sunset Paddles
On the date of the full moon and on the date one day prior to the full moon, one can often see a very dramatic moonrise toward the end of the sunset paddle tour. On the day prior to the actual full moon, the moon usually rises a short time before sunset and is often visible in the east as the sun is setting in the west. The tour is usually on the dunes at this point. On the actual date of the full moon, the moon usually rises around or a bit after sunset. On these days you might see the full moon rising as we kayak back to the docks or immediately after we get back to the docks. See below for relevant dates for the current year.
2025 - Full Moon Viewing Calendar
Dates of full moon and day prior
| Month | Day Before Full Moon | Full Moon Date |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | January 12 | January 13 |
| Feb 2025 | February 11 | February 12 |
| Mar 2025 | March 12 | March 13 |
| Apr 2025 | April 11 | April 12 |
| May 2025 | May 11 | May 12 |
| Jun 2025 | June 10 | June 11 |
| Jul 2025 | July 9 | July 10 |
| Aug 2025 | August 8 | August 9 |
| Sep 2025 | September 6 | September 7 |
| Oct 2025 | October 5 | October 6 |
| Nov 2025 | November 4 | November 5 |
| Dec 2025 | December 3 | December 4 |
Comparison to Other Tours
Our Sunset Paddle starts in the afternoon while our Kayaking: Morro Bay Short Paddle and Kayaking: Half Day Classic tours start in the morning.
Our Kayaking: Sunset Paddle covers much of the same territory on the water as the Half Day Classic and also includes a visit to the sand dunes. One main difference is that the Sunset Paddle also has beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages and light eats served on the sand dunes. The Sunset Paddle is more oriented toward adults (minimum age 13), but if you have younger kids, you can still book a private Sunset Paddle.
For an extra special experience, you can also add a California beach style grilled dinner served on the dunes to the Sunset Paddle. This is normally done as a private tour.
Nearby Towns
If you are looking for a Pismo Beach kayak tour, our Morro Bay guided kayak tours like the Sunset Paddle are a great option. Pismo Beach is only a 30-35 minute drive away from our kayak docks in Morro Bay. Our Morro Bay guided kayak tours are also close to San Luis Obispo (about 25-30 minute drive), Cambria (about 30 minute drive) and Cayucos (about 10-15 minute drive).