Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Electric Catamaran Tour: Custom-built for local waters

Spot wildlife in a wetland built for quiet observation

An Elkhorn Slough wildlife tour by electric catamaran from Moss Landing carries up to 32 passengers on a 90-minute narrated cruise through a tidal wetland between Santa Cruz and Monterey. The vessel is custom-built and fully electric, designed specifically for these waters. A live guide in English narrates the route while you scan for otters, sea lions, birds and other wildlife in the slough's peaceful waters.

Step-by-step itinerary

Electric catamaran wildlife tour

• Board electric catamaran in Moss Landing
• Enjoy narrated cruise on Elkhorn Slough
• Spot otters, sea lions, and birds
• Return to dock after 60-minute tour

The Experience

Ninety minutes on the water starts with boarding the El Cat, a 37-foot electric catamaran built in Moss Landing and designed for the shallow, narrow channels of Elkhorn Slough itself. The boat holds 32 passengers and runs on electric power, which means no engine noise cutting through the wetland — the quiet is what lets you hear the guide and what keeps the wildlife from bolting at the sound of the hull. You leave from Moss Landing, on Highway 1 between Santa Cruz and Monterey, and head into one of California's largest tidal waterways.

The guide narrates as you cruise, pointing out what moves in the water and the marsh. Otters, sea lions, birds — the slough holds them all, and the pace of the boat gives you time to actually spot them instead of watching the guide point at something already gone. The route follows the tidal channels, so what you see shifts with the water level and the season, but the guide knows what is moving through on the day you go. The boat is Coast Guard-certified and wheelchair accessible, so the physical setup does not lock anyone out.

What’s included

Narrated cruise with a live guide in English; Coast Guard-certified electric catamaran seating up to 32 passengers.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Monterey Bay Eco Tours

Is this one for you?The electric hull is what makes the wildlife visible — no engine noise means otters and sea lions stay put long enough to spot, and the guide's voice carries across the water instead of competing with a motor.

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Top questions

What wildlife will I actually see on the Elkhorn Slough tour?

Otters, sea lions and birds are the main sightings the guide watches for during the cruise, though what appears depends on the season and the tidal conditions on the day you go. The guide narrates throughout and points out what moves in the water and marsh as the boat travels the slough's channels.

Why does the tour use an electric catamaran instead of a regular boat?

The El Cat is electric, so it runs without engine noise — the quiet is what keeps wildlife from fleeing and what lets you hear the guide's narration clearly. The boat was custom-built in Moss Landing specifically for Elkhorn Slough's shallow, narrow channels.

How long is the Elkhorn Slough wildlife tour?

The tour runs 90 minutes from start to finish, including the narrated cruise through the slough's tidal waterways.

Can I bring children or use a wheelchair on this tour?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, service animals are allowed, and the boat is wheelchair accessible. The tour suits all physical fitness levels.