Bodega Bay: Private Sailing Tour with Licensed Captain

Sail Bodega Bay’s open waters in a small group boat trip

You’ll step aboard in Bodega Bay with a small group and licensed captain guiding your way. Feel free to steer or just relax as you sail past seals and open ocean views, wearing comfy life jackets and sharing stories along the way. Bring your own snacks—this tour is more about salty air, quiet moments, and feeling part of something real.

What’s included

Your day includes use of comfortable inflatable life jackets for everyone onboard (even kids in strollers), drinking water throughout your three-hour journey, plus guidance from a licensed local captain who’ll let you help sail or simply relax as you travel about ten miles from Bodega Bay harbor out into open ocean before returning ashore together.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private sailing tour of Bodega Bay

• Board 33' boat with licensed captain
• Sail from harbor to outer bay
• Continue sailing to open ocean
• Travel about 10 miles over 3 hours
• Customize trip to passenger needs

The Experience

We met Captain Dave right at the docks in Bodega Bay — he was already fiddling with ropes and humming something I couldn’t quite place. The boat’s not huge, but it feels solid, like it’s seen some stories. He handed us these inflatable life jackets (way comfier than the old-school orange ones) and gave us the “you can help or just chill” speech. I tried to look brave but honestly had no idea what I was doing. My partner took the wheel for a bit — I mostly watched the gulls circling overhead and tried not to drop my phone overboard.

Once we left the harbor, everything got quieter except for that deep creak of wood underfoot and the slap of water against the hull. There’s this smell out there, salty but also kind of grassy? Hard to explain unless you’ve been on the Pacific coast. Dave pointed out seals bobbing near the buoys and told us about crabbers who work these waters before sunrise. At one point, he asked if anyone wanted to steer — I said yes before thinking it through, hands sweating on the wheel while everyone cheered me on (and yeah, I zigzagged a little). It felt good though, being part of it.

We sailed maybe ten miles all told — not far as the crow flies but enough that land started looking soft around the edges. The wind picked up halfway through; my hair went wild and I could taste salt on my lips. There’s no lunch or snacks included (just water), so we’d packed our own sandwiches which we ate sitting side by side, legs dangling over the edge while Dave told us about storms he’d weathered last winter. He laughed when someone asked if dolphins ever showed up (“Not today,” he shrugged). Sometimes I think about that view back toward shore — all foggy blue and green, nothing between us and open ocean except time.

Top questions

How many people can join this Bodega Bay sailing tour?

This private sailing tour allows up to six passengers at a time.

Is food or drink provided during the sailing trip?

Only drinking water is provided; guests should bring their own snacks or lunch.

Can children join this private sailing experience?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

How long does the sailing tour last?

The sailing trip covers about 10 miles over approximately 3 hours.

Do I need previous sailing experience?

No experience is needed; you can participate as much or as little as you want.

Are life jackets included on this Bodega Bay boat trip?

Yes, everyone wears inflatable life jackets provided by the captain.

Is this tour suitable for people with back or heart issues?

This tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.