Kayaks, Sea Lions, and Seals, Oh My!

One of the first things we wanted to do as a family was learn how to kayak. We found Bodega Bay Kayak provided everything needed for beginners: kayak rentals, lifejackets and a hysterically entertaining onshore clinic by owner/comedian Bob Miller. Bob is a seasoned pro and his humor helps ease the fears of anyone who might feel a little apprehensive. We went out in Bodega Harbor which, compared to the Bay, has calm waters, isn’t as cold, and is quite shallow in some areas depending on the tide.

My husband and Daughter #2 are very sporty so we knew it would be a piece of cake for them. Daughter #1 and I are definitely not athletic so I wasn’t sure how we’d do. But guess what, kayaking is awesome! You simply glide effortlessly across the smooth water and you feel weightless. It can be silent, still and serene, or you can row like crazy for a major cardio-workout. We loved it all, we were hooked!


Last summer we had a wonderful multi-generational family reunion out here and we all went kayaking in the harbor together. We saw tons of gorgeous shore birds, pelicans, cormorants, seagulls, coots, ducks, and some others I couldn’t identify.


We also saw up to half a dozen harbor seals. They were all around and often swam up close to our kayaks. Legally I think we’re supposed to keep 50 yards away from marine mammals, but nobody told THEM that. They were gentle and friendly, and would swim quietly along looking at us for a while, then pop back under the water only to reappear someplace else a few moments later. They had smooth, sleek coats of gray or brown with dark spots.

There are also some big sea lions that hang out by the piers along The Tides Restaurant and Lucas Wharf. You can tell seals and sea lions apart because seals have little slits for ears and sea lions have ears that stick out. From what we’ve seen, the sea lions are also about twice the size of seals. And sea lions bark but seals don’t.

On one kayak outing, we saw some commercial fishermen throwing batches of leftover fish parts into the water near a group of sea lions. You would not believe the feeding frenzy that ensued right before our eyes. The sea lions were leaping out of the water grabbing for the meat in mid-air, thrashing, crashing into each other, and splashing all over the place. Seagulls appeared out of nowhere, swooping down to catch little pieces that were flying out of the sea lions’ mouths, while still maintaining a safe distance from the gnashing teeth. At the end of this spectacle, one fisherman leaned way out over the water to hold out a big slab of fish and a sea lion jumped clear up out of the water to grab it, just like at Marine World or something. I tell ya, you never know what you’re going to encounter on a kayaking adventure in Bodega Harbor.