Russian River Estuary
Sharing the best ways to view since 1987
Protected Wildlife Habitat : Birthing Season
"Feeding and Disturbing Wildlife Prohibited"
Marine Protected Area: Ocean and River Nursery
Bald Eagle, Seal Pups, Otter, Whale, Many Birds
Deadly River Mouth and Ocean Waves: Stay Back from ocean water!
"Stay back at least 150 feet" from resting or feeding wildlife. Red Flag Limit
Spring: Estuary currents calm with incoming tide. Currents upstream can be swift, especially after rain. Coastal AMs can start sunnier and warmer than inland. Track windy PMs!
Estuary Forecast: 03/20/25
Reservations Required: Call at least a day prior
Open for "advanced reservations"
during good weather and water conditions.
Beginner Friendly "Rental Start Times"
Free dry bag and outerwear use.
Dropping river currents, but outgoing tides can keep currents hazardous until the afternoons when winds are expected.
As of this Sunday, this should improve into next weekend.
Fri-Sat: High temps to high 50s. Wind starts 1-2PM.
Sun-Tue: Temps to high 60s. Calm Days: Start 10AM-2PM
Wed-Thur: Wind starts Wed PM, Quite strong Thur.
Next Fri-Sun: Rain forecast improves: Start 10AM-2PM
Check back for updates.
Ocean Tides: Bodega Bay Goat Rock Beach Time Offset:
(Hours and minutes) High tide + 1.26, Low tide + .46
See our safety page for conditions apps.
We use 4 apps. No Forecast correctly covers all aspects.
Forecasts can and do change. Therefore, nobody can be held responsible for full forecast accuracy.
Russian River Estuary
Sharing the best ways to view since 1987
Protected Wildlife Habitat : Birthing Season
"Feeding and Disturbing Wildlife Prohibited"
Marine Protected Area: Ocean and River Nursery
Bald Eagle, Seal Pups, Otter, Whale, Many Birds
Deadly River Mouth and Ocean Waves: Stay Back from ocean water!
"Stay back at least 150 feet" from resting or feeding wildlife. Red Flag Limit
Spring: Estuary currents calm with incoming tide. Currents upstream can be swift, especially after rain. Coastal AMs can start sunnier and warmer than inland. Track windy PMs!
Estuary Forecast: 03/20/25
Reservations Required: Call at least a day prior
Open for "advanced reservations"
during good weather and water conditions.
Beginner Friendly "Rental Start Times"
Free dry bag and outerwear use.
Dropping river currents, but outgoing tides can keep currents hazardous until the afternoons when winds are expected.
As of this Sunday, this should improve into next weekend.
Fri-Sat: High temps to high 50s. Wind starts 1-2PM.
Sun-Tue: Temps to high 60s. Calm Days: Start 10AM-2PM
Wed-Thur: Wind starts Wed PM, Quite strong Thur.
Next Fri-Sun: Rain forecast improves: Start 10AM-2PM
Check back for updates.
Ocean Tides: Bodega Bay Goat Rock Beach Time Offset:
(Hours and minutes) High tide + 1.26, Low tide + .46
See our safety page for conditions apps.
We use 4 apps. No Forecast correctly covers all aspects.
Forecasts can and do change. Therefore, nobody can be held responsible for full forecast accuracy.
Periodic weather and water limitations.
Wildlife Viewing and Safety
Russian River Estuary "Marine Protected Area"
and "Managed Recreation Area"
Sharing the best ways to view since 1987
Welcome to the Wildlife Nursery!
The River Mouth Area and it's hazardous currents are easy to avoid. We share the best ways, and best times, to enjoy the estuary and to view the wildlife.
"Know Before You Go"
Wildlife Nursery for...
One of the Most Biologically Dense and Diverse
Coastal Habitats on our Planet.
State, Federal, and United Nations
Protected Status
The wildlife are easy to view without disturbing their vital biological needs. We show you where and how to view them.
Please do not disturb and help us report sick or dying wildlife. Sea Birds and Harbor Seals are particularly sensitive to human disturbance at this time. Sharing photos of them and their location is the best way to help us report.
The Following information is "Mandatory" for all visitors to the nursery.
We interpret during guided tours
and prior to rental launches.
Wildlife Viewing and Safety
Russian River Estuary Marine Protected Area
"Know Before You Go"
A State Park "Business Access by Permit Only" Location.
Additional insurance and operational fees.
All operational and lifeguard fees are included in our reasonable prices.
Client Monitoring For “State Marine Recreation Management Area”
"We value your safety and enjoyment, as well as
the integrity of our education and research programs".
Please Respect the Recommendations of our Staff,
Local Regulations, our Access Partners, and Respect other Visitors..
Failure to do so can result in injury, death, fines, or loss of participation.
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who does not play nice.
Play Nice and Have Fun!
"Park Wildlife and Safety Limitations"
We have fun sharing the basics in our safety reviews.
All Activities Remain At Your Own Risk
Applies to all visitors including Ocean Beach and Island Hikes
and Paddle or Motorized Watercraft of Any Type
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“No Go Zone” Rescue & Ticketing Fees: Pay Attention To Safety Reviews: Stay back at least 300 feet from the River Mouth. Do Not Enter River Mouth Currents. Private paddlers have been inured by entering the river mouth or ocean currents. Deadly results or being banned from rentals can happen if you enter this area. Most of the Estuary is Beginner Friendly during good weather.
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"Protected Harbor Seal and Sea Bird Resting Area". Do not enter or proceed beyond roped off areas. Do Not Approach Wildlife: Stay back 50 yards, (150 feet). State or Federal fines for disturbing Wildlife. Join us in modeling respectful and sustainable behavior here at the protected wildlife nursery.
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No Dogs: In areas with direct wildlife access. Fines for harassing or harming resting seals and sea birds can be up to $10,000. None of us wants you to be charged extra fees.There are dog beaches. Ask Us.
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Leave No Trace: Benefit rather than harm the areas we visit. This area is a protected wildlife nursery. No littering including toxic items like cigarette butts! Leave only foot prints and take only photos and memories.
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Boating under the influence (BUI) = fines. Being under the influence of mind altering substances is not allowed. Participants showing up under the influence will be cancelled. Becoming under the influence on the water may be subject to ticketing and being banned from renting in the park. Kayaking is great for working up an appetite, or thirst, for enjoying local cuisines, wine tasting or micro-brews "after your activity".
All Boating Is Within The Protected River and Estuary Waters.
Help us Keep our Rates Reasonable
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Cost Of Damages or Replacement Fees: To avoid damages... Details in Rates Box
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Excess Cleaning: + $20: Return as received: A little wet and sandy is fine.
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Cancellation Policy: Details in Rates Box
Seasonal Weather: Spring into Early Summer
Rain Reduces and Wind Increases: Plenty of calm days exist however "Early Extremely Windy Days" happen, more so Spring into Early Summer. Don't become stranded by ignoring wind forecasts. Plan to be off the water prior to winds picking up. Wind below 9 MPH is ideal. Rescue is "not" easy, especially on truly unsafe days when we are closed.
Most wind stations are located at higher elevations where winds are stronger. This makes interpreting local forecasts tricky. The estuary is protected from most wind directions except NW. Mishaps on the estuary are common for private paddlers, who do not check wind forecasts or believe warning signs at the boat launch prior to launching. As first responders, We care. If bringing your own paddle craft, "check our forecasts". "We track forecasts daily and post when we are closed do to unsafe conditions".
Tule Fog: A Winter into Spring "inland phenomena" that rarely affects the coast. Mornings, and often days, are warmer on the coast when true inland tule fog exists.
Morning Mist: Occasional and most common in early Summer. True fog often skips right past us, or burns off quickly to sun, and comes ashore closer to Bodega Bay and Point Reyes on its way up the San Francisco Bay. We have outerwear free to use for misty mornings.
