About Elkhorn Slough Safari
Elkhorn Slough Safari operates nature boat tours aboard a stable, US Coast Guard-inspected 27-foot pontoon boat in Elkhorn Slough, one of the largest remaining tidal wetlands on the California coast. Departing from the South Harbor in Moss Landing, their tours provide a relaxed, narrated wildlife viewing experience accessible to all ages and mobility levels.
Each tour is led by a naturalist captain who navigates the slough's tidal channels while pointing out playful sea otters, curious harbour seals hauled out on mudflats, dozens of shorebird species, and the occasional bat ray gliding through the shallows. The pontoon boat's flat deck and bench seating make it easy for older guests, young children, and anyone who might not be comfortable in a kayak to enjoy the slough's extraordinary wildlife up close.
Running year-round with multiple daily departures, Elkhorn Slough Safari has introduced thousands of visitors to this hidden gem of the Central Coast. The pontoon format means no paddling skill is required, no getting wet, and no physical exertion — just relaxed wildlife viewing with expert narration. It is consistently one of the highest-rated activities in Moss Landing, with guests often remarking on the sheer number of otters visible on a single trip.
