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2/1: Bay Area Kayaking & Tidepooling: Harbor Seals, Aircraft Carrier, Low Tide, Sunset

from $0.00

Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, 1:30 p.m. — 5:45 p.m.

You and your family are in for such a treat! Join us for an epic double adventure — kayaking and tidepooling in one unforgettable afternoon!

Protected harbor kayaking around the historic USS Hornet aircraft carrier, followed by incredible low tide tidepooling at a terrific spot in the Bay Area!

NOTE: Early Bird pricing ends Sunday, Jan. 25, at 10 p.m. to hold our spots and to give the vendor an accurate headcount.

Part 1: Afternoon Kayaking Adventure (1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

🛶🌊 Family Kayaking Around a Historic Aircraft Carrier: Alameda's Encinal Boat Launch offers calm, protected waters perfect for beginners and experienced paddlers alike! We'll kayak around the USS Hornet Museum, a massive WWII aircraft carrier — an unforgettable experience seeing this historic ship from the water! Please note that the kayak rental fee is separate from the FAS fee.

🦭🦅🐚 Amazing Wildlife: Keep your eyes open for incredible marine life!

  • 🦭 Harbor seals basking along the shore

  • 🦭 Sea lions

  • 🦅 Pelicans, cormorants, and gulls

  • 🐚 Other shorebirds and coastal wildlife

🚢 Epic Views: Paddle past the USS Hornet and enjoy views of San Francisco and the Oakland-Alameda Estuary!

Transition & Quick Lunch (3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.)

🏖️🥪 Beach Picnic at Crab Cove: After kayaking, we'll drive to Crab Cove (about 5-10 minutes) and enjoy a quick picnic lunch on the beach. There are tables, bathrooms, and the Crab Cove Visitor Center nearby!

☕🐟 Optional Fish Feeding Program (3:00 p.m.): The Crab Cove Visitor Center hosts a fish feeding program at 3:00 p.m. This is NOT an official part of our program, but families can check it out if interested! More info: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ebparks/activity/search/detail/58096?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Part 2: Prime-Time Tidepooling Adventure (3:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.)

🏖️ Beach Setup: We'll set up on the beach and give kids time to play before diving into prime tidepooling time!

🦀🐠🦐🦪🪱 INCREDIBLE Tidepooling at Crab Cove: With an exceptional -1.25 foot low tide at 5:45 p.m., we'll have 2 FULL HOURS of optimal tidepooling starting around 3:45 p.m.! Crab Cove is one of the best tidepooling spots in the Bay Area, with a protected marine reserve! We'll explore tide pools teeming with life:

  • 🦀 Many types of shore crabs: Yellow shore crab, purple shore crab, striped shore crab, green crab, red rock crab, Dungeness crab

  • 🦐 Bay ghost shrimp (very common! - you'll see their burrows everywhere

  • 🐌 Snails and limpets: Checkered periwinkle, Eastern mudsnail, limpets

  • 🦪 Mussels, barnacles, and clams: Blue mussels, acorn barnacles, bent-nosed clams, Japanese littleneck, Olympia oysters, gem clams

  • 🐠 Small fish in tidal pools: Arrow gobies, topsmelt silverside, shiner surfperch, starry flounder, sculpin

  • 🐟 Bat rays and leopard sharks (at higher tides!)

  • 🐌 California sea hare (large sea slug - amazing!)

  • 🪱 Lugworms (sandworms)

🦅🐦 Birding: Keep your eyes to the sky! We'll look for shorebirds, brown pelicans, gulls, great blue herons, egrets, and cormorants along the shoreline!

📸🌊 Perfect Timing: We'll be tidepooling during the best window before sunset — bring your camera for stunning coastal shots!

🔍 Scavenger Hunt: Your kids will embark on a fun scavenger hunt and get a non-edible treat!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Meet Other Families: Connect with other adventurous families and enjoy the great outdoors together!

🏛️ Crab Cove Visitor Center: Families can explore the visitor center before or after tidepooling! Learn more: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/visitor-centers/crab-cove

Difficulty: Easy. Kayaking for about 1.5 hours in protected waters (age minimum, 3). Short walk to tidepools on sandy beach and rocky shores.

Don't miss this amazing February adventure: kayaking around a historic aircraft carrier and exploring incredible tide pools during an exceptional low tide!

We look forward to welcoming you + your family on the trail!

Pricing Types:

Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, 1:30 p.m. — 5:45 p.m.

You and your family are in for such a treat! Join us for an epic double adventure — kayaking and tidepooling in one unforgettable afternoon!

Protected harbor kayaking around the historic USS Hornet aircraft carrier, followed by incredible low tide tidepooling at a terrific spot in the Bay Area!

NOTE: Early Bird pricing ends Sunday, Jan. 25, at 10 p.m. to hold our spots and to give the vendor an accurate headcount.

Part 1: Afternoon Kayaking Adventure (1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

🛶🌊 Family Kayaking Around a Historic Aircraft Carrier: Alameda's Encinal Boat Launch offers calm, protected waters perfect for beginners and experienced paddlers alike! We'll kayak around the USS Hornet Museum, a massive WWII aircraft carrier — an unforgettable experience seeing this historic ship from the water! Please note that the kayak rental fee is separate from the FAS fee.

🦭🦅🐚 Amazing Wildlife: Keep your eyes open for incredible marine life!

  • 🦭 Harbor seals basking along the shore

  • 🦭 Sea lions

  • 🦅 Pelicans, cormorants, and gulls

  • 🐚 Other shorebirds and coastal wildlife

🚢 Epic Views: Paddle past the USS Hornet and enjoy views of San Francisco and the Oakland-Alameda Estuary!

Transition & Quick Lunch (3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.)

🏖️🥪 Beach Picnic at Crab Cove: After kayaking, we'll drive to Crab Cove (about 5-10 minutes) and enjoy a quick picnic lunch on the beach. There are tables, bathrooms, and the Crab Cove Visitor Center nearby!

☕🐟 Optional Fish Feeding Program (3:00 p.m.): The Crab Cove Visitor Center hosts a fish feeding program at 3:00 p.m. This is NOT an official part of our program, but families can check it out if interested! More info: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ebparks/activity/search/detail/58096?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Part 2: Prime-Time Tidepooling Adventure (3:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.)

🏖️ Beach Setup: We'll set up on the beach and give kids time to play before diving into prime tidepooling time!

🦀🐠🦐🦪🪱 INCREDIBLE Tidepooling at Crab Cove: With an exceptional -1.25 foot low tide at 5:45 p.m., we'll have 2 FULL HOURS of optimal tidepooling starting around 3:45 p.m.! Crab Cove is one of the best tidepooling spots in the Bay Area, with a protected marine reserve! We'll explore tide pools teeming with life:

  • 🦀 Many types of shore crabs: Yellow shore crab, purple shore crab, striped shore crab, green crab, red rock crab, Dungeness crab

  • 🦐 Bay ghost shrimp (very common! - you'll see their burrows everywhere

  • 🐌 Snails and limpets: Checkered periwinkle, Eastern mudsnail, limpets

  • 🦪 Mussels, barnacles, and clams: Blue mussels, acorn barnacles, bent-nosed clams, Japanese littleneck, Olympia oysters, gem clams

  • 🐠 Small fish in tidal pools: Arrow gobies, topsmelt silverside, shiner surfperch, starry flounder, sculpin

  • 🐟 Bat rays and leopard sharks (at higher tides!)

  • 🐌 California sea hare (large sea slug - amazing!)

  • 🪱 Lugworms (sandworms)

🦅🐦 Birding: Keep your eyes to the sky! We'll look for shorebirds, brown pelicans, gulls, great blue herons, egrets, and cormorants along the shoreline!

📸🌊 Perfect Timing: We'll be tidepooling during the best window before sunset — bring your camera for stunning coastal shots!

🔍 Scavenger Hunt: Your kids will embark on a fun scavenger hunt and get a non-edible treat!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Meet Other Families: Connect with other adventurous families and enjoy the great outdoors together!

🏛️ Crab Cove Visitor Center: Families can explore the visitor center before or after tidepooling! Learn more: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/visitor-centers/crab-cove

Difficulty: Easy. Kayaking for about 1.5 hours in protected waters (age minimum, 3). Short walk to tidepools on sandy beach and rocky shores.

Don't miss this amazing February adventure: kayaking around a historic aircraft carrier and exploring incredible tide pools during an exceptional low tide!

We look forward to welcoming you + your family on the trail!

  • EASY. We'll kayak in protected Alameda waters for about 1.5 hours around the USS Hornet; we will not be on open water.

    For beach + tidepooling, backpack/front-facing carriers are recommended for toddlers and infants on the tidepools, which can be slippery.

    The walk to the tidepools from the parking lot is very short — Crab Cove has easy beach access with a gentle sandy beach leading to rocky tidepool areas.

  • 1:15 — 1:30 p.m.: Arrival & Check-in Arrive at Encinal Boat Launch for check-in and kayak prep. Please be at the kayak vendor by 1:30 p.m. Note: Parking is generally easier here than Half Moon Bay, but plan to arrive a few minutes early.

    1:30 p.m. — 3:00 p.m.: Kayaking Block Get geared up and on the water by 1:45 p.m. for about 1.5 hours of kayaking through Alameda's protected waters. Paddle around the iconic USS Hornet aircraft carrier! Look for harbor seals, sea lions, pelicans, and shorebirds! After kayaking, time to change clothes, dry off and grab items from your car.

    3:00 p.m. — 3:15 p.m.: Drive to Crab Cove Short 5-10 minute drive from Encinal Boat Launch to Crab Cove.

    3:15 p.m. — 3:45 p.m.: Quick Lunch Beach picnic at Crab Cove (tables, bathrooms, visitor center available). Keep lunch simple — sandwiches, snacks that are easy for kids!

    OPTIONAL — 3:00 p.m. Fish Feeding: Families can check out the Crab Cove Visitor Center's fish feeding program (not an official FAS activity).

    3:45 p.m. — 5:45 p.m.: Prime Tidepooling! Two full hours of incredible tidepooling! Low tide at 5:45 p.m. (-1.25 feet) means good viewing!

    5:45 p.m. — Wrap Up: End around sunset. Bring headlamps just in case!

  • Kayaking: Encinal Boat Launch 1008 Ballena Blvd, Alameda, CA 94501

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZYoEhX1MxGVBD3pf8

  • 1. Add this adventure to your cart and check out

    2. Join the WhatsApp chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DGSzl4z2dxLIF9wYmFO1WN

    3. Complete loaner kit request form: https://bit.ly/loanerkit

  • FAS FEE

    Full Day Adventure (Kayaking + Tidepooling):

    • EARLY BIRD until Sunday, Jan. 25 🐦: $100 for single-income family

    • EARLY BIRD until Sunday, Jan. 25 🐦: $120 for dual-income family

    IMPORTANT DETAILS:

    • LATE FEE: Please sign up by Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, 10 p.m., or a $20 late fee will be charged. This is because the vendor needs an accurate headcount ASAP and for us to hold our spots

    • One pass covers a family, meaning parents and children (you can bring an extra person on your pass, but 2 extra people will need to buy their own pass).

    • After 2 kids, $10 charge for each additional child to cover treats + educational materials. The fee applies to your oldest child(ren) first.

    • This special outing is not refundable or transferrable to another outing with FAS

    • Full payment must be made to secure your spot (we don't take cash; only digital payment).

    • Spots are LIMITED — we have 20 double kayaks and 20 single kayaks available! The only way to hold your place is by adding this outing to your cart and checking out!

  • 🔔 UPDATE (as of Jan. 23, 2026, 1 p.m.):

    We've switched kayak vendors and updated pricing below. If you registered before Jan. 23 at 1 p.m., we're honoring the original pricing you signed up for.

    Rental is 1 hour. Vendor provides kayaks, paddles, PFDs, dry bags, splash pants and jackets. Please be on time!

    Pricing:

    • Double kayaks: $45 per kayak

    • Single kayaks: $27 per kayak

    Capacity: We have 20 double kayaks and 20 single kayaks available — LIMITED SPOTS!

    How many kayaks does your family need?

    • 1 adult = 1 single kayak ($27)

    • 1 adult + 1 child (any age) = 1 double kayak ($45)

    • 2 adults = 1 double kayak ($45)

    • 2 adults + 1 small child (age 3 or younger) = 1 double kayak ($45) - small kids sit between parent's legs

    • 2 adults + 1 older child = 1 double + 1 single ($72) OR 2 doubles ($90)

    • 2 adults + 2+ children = 2 double kayaks ($90+)

    Single parent with two older kids? Let us know! We can see if another adult can kayak with one of your children.

    Payment Instructions: Pay Miranda via Venmo or Zelle: 650-888-2765

    Label your payment: "KAYAKING ALAMEDA - [Your Name] - [Quantity]"

    Examples:

    • "KAYAKING ALAMEDA - Martinez Family - 1 double" + pay $45

    • "KAYAKING ALAMEDA - Chen Family - 2 doubles" + pay $90

    • "KAYAKING ALAMEDA - Johnson Family - 1 double + 1 single" + pay $72

    Please include your name if different from your social media handle on Venmo!

  • WHAT'S INCLUDED
    *Guided adventure, scavenger hunt and educational activities
    *Digital guide that will make this event EASY for you and your family! (Natural + cultural history, plus food + coffee stops + more)
    *In-person guided adventure
    *All logistics
    *Adventure checklist (what you need to bring)
    *Treat for the kids
    *Arts + crafts activity

    You’ll also get access to:
    *First-aid kit
    *Loaner kit of hiking gear (48-hour notice). Please inquire about what gear is available; I have items for kids and adults, like single/double jogging strollers, Baby Bjorn infant carrier, toddler backpack carrier, hiking poles, etc.

    • Kayak rental fee

    • Food

  • Every 10th: For every 10th family who signs up for this outing, we can welcome a family for free. This is geared toward low income families. We don't check income; this is an honor system.

    Note: Families joining under the Every 10th program must still pay for their kayak rental (please see kayak rental fee section on this page).

    If you want to join under the Every 10th program, please write Every 10th in the payment section. When deciding, we will give priority (among other factors) to those who have never joined an outing to ensure that everyone gets a chance to attend.