Local Knowledge

A drive along the winding corridor of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard north of San Francisco will take you to the western shore of Tomales Bay in Marin County. More secluded than many of the waterways in the broader Bay Area, Tomales Bay is speckled with sailboats, kayaks, swimmers, and small fishing boats. It is the perfect hub for outdoor activities in the Point Reyes National Seashore and its surrounds. Along the western shore of the bay sits Tomales Bay Expeditions, a small kayaking and sailing outfitter in operation for the last five years.

With a combined 41 years working on the water, Tomales Bay Expeditions’ owners Brett Miller and Cooper Jolley grew up sailing together on Tomales Bay. Armed with a lifetime of firsthand experience and a reverence for the rare natural beauty of the seismically-created bay, Brett and Cooper founded their company in order to share their love for this watery wilderness. Starting out with a single truck and trailer, the duo now offer a fleet of kayak rentals and a range of tours along with local staff. The outfitters set everyone up with high-end kayaks and equipment and all of the instruction needed to enjoy your time on the water.

Tomales Bay Expeditions is the only kayak outfitter based in Inverness, on the western shore of Tomales Bay. The western side of the bay is an oasis, more secluded than the east. The east side waterfront is home to restaurants, oyster farms, and homes. The west side is far less populated and runs along the roadless expanse of Tomales Bay State Park. As Tomales Bay Expeditions staff will tell you, the western side of the bay is an ideal spot to find wildlife and the natural wonders of the area including a diverse range of bird species from surf scoters, mergansers, grebes, buffleheads, coots, herons, egrets, loons and cormorants, to sandpipers, willets, marbled godwits, kingfishers, osprey, and bald eagles. The operation offers a variety of guided tours tailored to clients’ interests. In addition to renting kayaks, staff can advise visitors on the best local beaches, provide suggestions about where to find bat rays and leopard sharks, and share the history and lore of Tomales Bay and coastal west Marin.

For a real adventure, talk to Tomales Bay Expeditions about an overnight trip. The west side of the bay offers boat-in, beach-front camping north of Indian Beach. Sites are available by permit up to three months to the day in advance. Night is a great time to get on the water as well. The psychedelic wonder of bioluminescent plankton reacting to a paddle stroke or a fish darting under your kayak makes for a one-of-a-kind experience, as does simply padding onto the bay on a dark, still night to stargaze without interference from city lights.

Tomales Bay Expeditions also offers private charters for up to six aboard a Maine Cat 22-foot sailing catamaran. The twin- hull catamaran offers generous deck space and shallow draft for beaching. For a convenient base right alongside your boating expedition, consider booking a night or two with Tomales Bay Resort and Marina. The resort offers beachfront rooms within walking distance of Tomales Bay Expeditions.