The Bay Area is one of the most beautiful areas in the world to explore in a kayak. From the beauty of the open ocean and the excitement of the currents below the Golden Gate Bridge, to the expansive bays and quiet wetlands, over 400 square miles awaits the paddler. Fresh water meets salt water via the Golden Gate, the only sea-level breach in the coastal mountains. Add moon induced currents and rip-roaring winds and you have some of the most challenging conditions that a kayaker can face. Even if you are an advanced kayaker, there are a number of important considerations to take into account before launching anywhere in the Bay Area. If you are a beginning kayaker, there are many local outfitters that rent boats and all the necessary equipment.
They can provide lessons from beginning sea kayaking to playing in rock gardens and the surf zone.
Equipment
Prepare appropriately for your adventure. Know what equipment you'll need, especially safety equipment, and make sure everything is in working order prior to launching. The U.S. Coast Guard requires all boaters to carry PFDs. Get a comfortable one and wear it!Hypothermia
Cold water quickly sucks the heat out of a warm body. Water in the San Francisco Bay area varies from 45°F to 60°F. Someone who's been floating in the Bay without thermal protective clothing for more than 20 minutes should be treated as if they are severly hypothermic. Kayaking is a water sport. Dress for the water temperature - not the air temperature. Wear a wet suit year round!
Tides and currents
The San Francisco Bay currents are generated by the tides. At several locations in the Bay, currents can be as high as 6 knots. As a recreational paddler, you paddle about 3 knots - 4 if racing or terrified. Use caution when paddling in a strong current; you could loose control of your boat and capsize or get swept out the Golden Gate. Learn to read tide tables and find out about local conditions and you'll have a better time on the water.Paddle signals
A few basic paddle signals will allow you to communicate with other paddlers. For a more detailed lexicon of hand signals refer back to our home page.
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| Stop |
Are you OK? Yes I'm OK. |
Come here. Raft up |
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| That way | Help! | |
Wind and weather
Our San Francisco Bay area weather is famous for changing quickly. Some areas within the bay have gusty winds when the rest of the bay is blessed with moderate breezes. Wind funnelling through the Golden Gate opposing an ebbtide can create steep, chaotic standing waves that require advanced paddling skills. In the summer, fog banks roar through the Golden Gate spreading over large areas fast - faster than you can paddle. To understand Bay Area weather use local knowledge to determine the probable conditions in the areas you plan to kayak, and refer to the list of weather web sites on our home page. Conditions vary around the bay and can change suddenly, so be prepared.
Ship traffic
San Francisco Bay is one of the busiest waterways in the world. Oil tankers, container ships and freighters arrive daily. These vessels cannot maneuver easily and have no chance to avoid you, even if they can see you. The average paddler moving at about 3 knots, has no chance of outrunning a ship travelling at up to 15 knots. Prior to launching, find out where the shipping lanes are and stay out of them. If you must cross a shipping lane use extreme caution and cross at right angles if possible. Watch out for ferry boats too, some of these travel at speeds up to 30 knots. Motor boats and even sailboats can be a hazard, especially during races. Stay alert and maintain an all around watch.