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Our 37 foot, fully electric catamaran was custom built in 2019 to create an entirely immersive experience where you not only see but hear the surrounding wildlife without fossil-fueled powered engines!
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Monterey Bay Eco Tours offers a stress-free, 24-hour cancellation policy for all of our public tours. Customers have the option to receive a full refund or a credit to rebook for another tour with 24 hours’ notice of their regularly scheduled tour. Please contact us by phone to cancel, or to inquire about a cancellation. Customers will receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation on the day of their scheduled tour due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No-shows are not eligible for a refund. You may rebook on a standby basis for another tour, but space is not guaranteed when rebooking as a standby passenger. Please remember to give yourself ample time to arrive, at least 20 minutes before the boat is scheduled to depart, as our tours leave promptly at departure time. We have a minimum of eight total passengers required for public tours. If we don’t meet that requirement, you will be contacted by phone or email and either rescheduled or given a full refund.
*This policy does not apply to private tours. For private tour cancellations, please call us at (831) 200-3454
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Anytime is a great time to book! The Elkhorn Slough is a dynamic ecosystem that is always brimming with wildlife. Below are some guidelines to help you pick the best time for you and your group, but keep in mind that there is no “bad time” to book.
- Mornings are generally the best weather, as you avoid afternoon wind that frequently builds in Moss Landing throughout the day through out the Spring months. Morning tours also have the best lighting for photography.
- Afternoon trips provide the best chance of a sunny ride down the slough, but bring a jacket as it often gets windy in the afternoon.
- Sunset tours of the slough provide excellent lighting for photographers, and there is less human activity taking place.
- Low tides are a very active time on the slough. Low tide is the best time to see large rafts of sea otters. The otters will raft up for a nap when they can roll themselves up in the eelgrass that is exposed on a low tide. Birds are very active during a low tide, as mud flat exposes new feeding areas. Click here for a link to NOAA’s tide predictions for Moss Landing.
- High tides often bring pelagic species from the ocean up into the slough. This is the best time to see jellyfish! We also see active otters feeding through out the slough during a high tide. cu
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Yes! We have a ramp that can be set up on request for a stepless entry onto the boat. Our open-concept design is comfortable for passengers of all ages and abilities.
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Yes, there is plenty of cushioned seating with high backrests on the El Cat. We have rows of bench seating that can easily seat 32 passengers.
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There is a small marine style “head” or restroom on board the El Cat but we recommend using the bathrooms we have available at the dock before setting off on the tour.
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Please arrive at least 20 minutes before the boat is scheduled to leave. This will give you ample time to check in and use the restroom if needed before boarding the vessel.
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Yes, food and drinks of all kinds are allowed on board for the comfort of the passengers. We have a BYOB policy on all of our scheduled tours. The boat was custom-made for the tour and is easily cleaned and sanitized.
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Please dress warmly and in layers. Sun hats and sunglasses are highly recommended as there is no roof on the vessel. The weather in Monterey Bay can be unpredictable. There is plenty of space aboard the El Cat to store extra jackets and gear.
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Yes, children are allowed on board. The El Cat is an extremely stable enclosed platform certified by the US Coast Guard and built to their safety guidelines at sea. Therefore, it is safe for children of all ages to enjoy the surrounding wildlife comfortably and securely. Every person, no matter the age, is classified by the Coast Guard as a passenger and is required to have a ticket to board the boat.
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Yes! Monterey Bay Eco Tours is located at 10932 Clam Way. Please park for free out on the street, outside of the metal gates. The gravel parking lot is reserved for restaurant customers only.
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While service animals are allowed on all trips, please leave all other pets at home. Pets are welcome on private charters.
