Russian River Estuary

 Marine Protected Area: Ocean and River Nursery

Sharing the best ways to view since 1987

Protected Wildlife Habitat

River Otter, Harbor Seals and Pups, Many Birds

River Mouth Open: Stay 300 ft back from  Deadly River Mouth Currents. Currents upstream of "estuary tidal influence" remain hazardous into May.

"Stay back at least 150 feet" from resting or feeding birds and wildlife by land and water.

Feeding and Disturbing Wildlife Prohibited

  

Estuary Forecast: 04/18/24: Soft Opening

Free dry bag use and thin outerwear if needed.

Guided Tours or Rentals with Lessons.

Rental Starts: Friendlier with incoming high tides. Start at least 3 hours prior to wind picking up.

Thur: Partly Sunny, Warm, Nice: Start 10AM-2PM

Fri: School Research 10-2 Start 9AM and 2PM only

Sat: Sunny, Start 8:30-11AM: Avoid Early Spring Wind

Sun-Mon: Partly Sunny, Warm: Start 10AM-2PM

Tue-Wed: Closed until fully staffed : Warm Nice

Next Thur-Sun: Early Spring Winds: Start 8:30-11AM

Popular weekends and  school breaks.

Reservations Required: No act of nature cancellation fees.

 

Spring:  A mix: Nice as Rain and Cold reduce. Tule fog starts inland. Coastal AMs start clearer and warmer than inland. Some windy PMs. Some high wind days. Estuary currents begin to return to tidal calm shortly after each light rain.

We re-open for temps above 55, during dry weather, and without noticeable currents in the main estuary.  

(See river levels below 9' at Guerneville)  

 

Ocean Tides: Goat Rock Beach    

See our safety page for  apps to track local conditions.

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.