Great eBoat, nice guides, great weather, fun gift shop, lots of wildlife, safe boat ride, fun trip!!!!
Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour





At a glance
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Price from
- $45 / person
- Location
- Monterey and Carmel
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 489 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 32
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Monterey Bay Eco Tours
- Meeting point
- Monterey Bay Eco Tours is located at 10932 Clam Way with plenty of free parking available on site and easy to find. Check in at the booth in the parking lot.
Description
The El Cat, built right here in Moss Landing, is a fully electric, 32 passenger, Coast Guard-certified vessel. This is a custom 37’ catamaran built and designed especially for the waters of our very own Elkhorn Slough.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Join us on a one-of-a-kind, electric-powered catamaran ride for a wildlife tour along one of California's largest tidal waterways. Enjoy a narrated cruise along the Elkhorn Slough, a vibrant and lively wetland located on Highway 1 between Santa Cruz and Monterey in Moss Landing. Scan for otters, sea lions, birds and beyond during a cruise through these peaceful waters.
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour take?
Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour lasts about 1h 30min. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour cost?
Prices start at $45 per person for this Monterey and Carmel experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Monterey Bay Eco Tours is located at 10932 Clam Way with plenty of free parking available on site and easy to find. Check in at the booth in the parking lot. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 32 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible
Reviews(489)
What a beautiful day out on the Slough! We learned so much about the marine life and ongoing preservation projects, and we saw so many cute animals (yes so many otters!) We even got great local food recs at the end so it turned into a very chill, lovely day.
Great fun! Joey our tour guide was very knowledgeable. Saw many sea otters and several species of birds.
This was such a fun experience! The crew were knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely entertaining—it never felt scripted or monotone. We saw sea lions, seals, sea otters, seabirds, and even got to help some stranded paddle boarders along the way! If you’re someone who gets motion sickness, fear not! The boat moved at a slower pace, and the water was calm enough that I had no issues, even though I’m pretty sensitive to motion sickness. They also provided small throw blankets, which was a really nice touch since it can get windy and chilly on the water. One thing to note: check-in is at the Ship Store to the left of the parking lot. The store has a bathroom, souvenirs, and even a cute shop cat named Merlin! If you’re looking for something to eat afterward, there’s also a cute dockside restaurant nearby. I’d definitely recommend bringing binoculars if you have them, as most of the wildlife stayed a little farther away from the boat. The boat is also uncovered, so I’d recommend bringing a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and layers. Overall, it was an awesome scenic journey, and I’m so glad I got to experience it while supporting a small local company. Definitely recommend!
Very knowledgeable guide. Staff very efficient and friendly. Plesant and fun experience. Appreciate the quiet electric boat- so nice for wildlife. Would highly recommend it. Bring your binoculars for a more close up view.
As the name suggest, the tour was eco conscious with the smooth electric catamaran, offering a quiet low impact experience on the surrounding nature. With two naturalist on board they provided a personal experience that they describe as a conversation. The entire experience felt more like a private charter; completely relaxing with an immersive learning experience.
Great guides! E catamaran was stable and quiet making the experience more serene out on the slough. The otters were very adorable and entertaining. Great recommendations for fish tacos nearby!
As a birder, I expected a little more opportunity to see them, tho I did enjoy the otters and seals.
we highly recommend this trip to everyone, young and old. the boat for the trip was an electric vehicle, so it was super quiet and no diesel smoke blowing in your face. the quietness was great because it didn't scare away the wildlife. the guides were very informative. we saw tons of sea lion, otters and seals, and a myriad of birds, so really a good trip for birders. it was quiet and peaceful on the slough. and just the right amount of time. we'd probably do it again if back in the area.
We spent a cool and foggy morning on the slough in search of wildlife. The trip did not disappoint. Incredibly knowledgeable guide. He did not dumb down the information and kept it accessible and interesting. It was obvious that the guides were very familiar with the environment and loved all aspects of it. As a retired natural history educator, I give them gold stars for this trip. Highly recommend!
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