Wildlife Viewing and Safety
Russian River Estuary "Marine Protected Area"
and "Managed Recreation Area"
Sharing the best ways to view since 1987
Welcome to the Wildlife Nursery!
The River Mouth Area and it's hazardous currents are easy to avoid.
We share the best ways, and best times, to enjoy the estuary and to view the wildlife.
"Know Before You Go"
Wildlife Nursery for One of the Most Biologically Dense and Diverse Coastal Habitats on our Planet.
" State, Federal, and United Nations Protections "
Wildlife are easy to view without disturbing their vital biological needs.
Sea Birds and Harbor Seals are particularly sensitive to human disturbance.
Most abandonment by mothers are caused by human or dog disturbance.
Many wildlife mothers need to leave their young each day to eat.
Most young wildlife that are alone, "are not abandoned".
This includes most sea birds and marine mammals.
Please do not disturb and help us report sick, dead, or abandoned wildlife.
Sharing photos of them and their location is the best way to help us report.
The "Park Rules" are "Mandatory" for all visitors to the nursery
We interpret during guided tours
and prior to rental launches.
Russian River Estuary
"Fishing and Feeding or Disturbing Wildlife Prohibited"
See Park Rules
Deadly River Mouth and Ocean Waves
Stay Back at least 300 feet from the River Mouth!
"Stay back at least 150 feet" from resting wildlife
Red Flag Limit : See Maps of Restricted Areas
June: Calm Periods Increase
Track NW Spring winds which blow out the estuary! Spring winds back down as wind directions shift. Fewer days blow out early. Some windy PMs still happen. Cold sea temps rise slightly. Hotter inland temps can pull in early AM overcast that clears mid to late morning. Jenner is much less affected by true fog than Bodega Bay or Fort Ross. Fog often hangs offshore here.
Upstream of the estuary: Can be windy. This river twists and turns. Any windy afternoon effects sections of this river and wind often blows upstream. Don't get stuck trying to make it downstream. Reverse your route. " Start Early" or plan to finish going upstream with the wind at your back.
Estuary Forecast: 06/12/25
Next 10 days: Cycles of Calm followed by Wind: Beginners and families with children should reserve to start early for calm mornings with afternoon breeze. Athletic paddlers may enjoy a breezy paddle. Heads Up! We are updating our forecasts often as most forecasts shift to periods of one to three days of early strong Northwest winds that close estuary paddling activities. Windy periods reduce as we move deeper into Summer.
Free dry bag use, and outerwear for early morning starts
Beginner Friendly Kayak Start Times
And Our Hours This Week
Thur: Breeze possible after 11AM, may become wind by 1PM: Start 9-11AM
Fri: Wind Watch: To high 60s. Clears faster. Early wind likely: Wind Closure Likely
Sat-Sun: Much calmer. Temps drop slightly. Breeze after 1PM: Start 10AM-Noon
If the afternoon forecast calms: Start until 3PM: Last off the water 5:30PM
Mon-Wed: Wind Watch: Early wind likely: Wind Closure Likely
Next Thur - Sun: Calm mornings likely with afternoon breeze: Start 9-11AM
If the afternoon forecast calms: Start until 3PM: Last off the water 5:30PM
Check back for updates: Forecast can and do change.
Ocean Tides: Bodega Bay Goat Rock Beach Time Offset:
(Hours and minutes) High Tide + 1:26, Low Tide + 0:46
Ocean Temps: Ocean: Estuary proper often warm, except around high tide.
See our safety page for apps to track local conditions.
We use 4 apps as none are fully correct.
NOAA (National Weather Service): Short staffed. Updating less often and long-term forecasts are more variable.
We are not responsible for forecast accuracy
Russian River Estuary
"Fishing and Feeding or Disturbing Wildlife Prohibited"
See Park Rules
Deadly River Mouth and Ocean Waves
Stay Back at least 300 feet from the River Mouth!
"Stay back at least 150 feet" from resting wildlife
Red Flag Limit : See Maps of Restricted Areas
June: Calm Periods Increase
Track NW Spring winds which blow out the estuary! Spring winds back down as wind directions shift. Fewer days blow out early. Some windy PMs still happen. Cold sea temps rise slightly. Hotter inland temps can pull in early AM overcast that clears mid to late morning. Jenner is much less affected by true fog than Bodega Bay or Fort Ross. Fog often hangs offshore here.
Upstream of the estuary: Can be windy. This river twists and turns. Any windy afternoon effects sections of this river and wind often blows upstream. Don't get stuck trying to make it downstream. Reverse your route. " Start Early" or plan to finish going upstream with the wind at your back.
Estuary Forecast: 06/12/25
Next 10 days: Cycles of Calm followed by Wind: Beginners and families with children should reserve to start early for calm mornings with afternoon breeze. Athletic paddlers may enjoy a breezy paddle. Heads Up! We are updating our forecasts often as most forecasts shift to periods of one to three days of early strong Northwest winds that close estuary paddling activities. Windy periods reduce as we move deeper into Summer.
Free dry bag use, and outerwear for early morning starts
Beginner Friendly Kayak Start Times
And Our Hours This Week
Thur: Breeze possible after 11AM, may become wind by 1PM: Start 9-11AM
Fri: Wind Watch: To high 60s. Clears faster. Early wind likely: Wind Closure Likely
Sat-Sun: Much calmer. Temps drop slightly. Breeze after 1PM: Start 10AM-Noon
If the afternoon forecast calms: Start until 3PM: Last off the water 5:30PM
Mon-Wed: Wind Watch: Early wind likely: Wind Closure Likely
Next Thur - Sun: Calm mornings likely with afternoon breeze: Start 9-11AM
If the afternoon forecast calms: Start until 3PM: Last off the water 5:30PM
Check back for updates: Forecast can and do change.
Ocean Tides: Bodega Bay Goat Rock Beach Time Offset:
(Hours and minutes) High Tide + 1:26, Low Tide + 0:46
Ocean Temps: Ocean: Estuary proper often warm, except around high tide.
See our safety page for apps to track local conditions.
We use 4 apps as none are fully correct.
NOAA (National Weather Service): Short staffed. Updating less often and long-term forecasts are more variable.
We are not responsible for forecast accuracy
Wildlife Viewing and Safety
Russian River Estuary Marine Protected Area
"Know Before You Go"
A State Park "Business Access by Permit Only" Location.
Our Lifeguard wages, insurance, and operational fees are included in our low rates.
"Fines or Rescue Fees" for violating park rules are not.
Client Monitoring For “State Marine Recreation Management Area”
"We value your safety and enjoyment, as well as the integrity of our education and research programs".
Please Respect the Recommendations of our Staff, Local Regulations, our Access Partners, and each other.
Failure to do so can result in injury, death, fines, or loss of participation.
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who does not play nice.
Play Nice and Have Fun!
"Park Wildlife and Safety Limitations"
We have fun sharing the basics in our safety reviews.
All Activities Remain At Your Own Risk
Applies to all visitors including Ocean Beach and Island Hikes and Paddle or Motorized Watercraft of Any Type
-
“No Go Zone” Rescue & Ticketing Fees: Pay Attention To Safety Reviews: Do Not Enter River Mouth Currents. Stay back at least 300 feet from the River Mouth. Private paddlers have been inured by entering the river mouth or ocean currents. Deadly results or being banned from rentals can happen if you enter this area. Most of the Estuary is Beginner Friendly "during good weather".
-
"Protected Harbor Seal and Sea Bird Resting Area". State or Federal fines for disturbing Wildlife. Do Not Approach Wildlife: Stay back 50 yards, (150 feet). Do not enter or proceed beyond roped off areas. Join us in modeling respectful and sustainable behavior here at the protected wildlife nursery. (See our Maps)
-
No Dogs: In areas with direct wildlife access. Fines for harassing or harming resting seals and sea birds can be up to $10,000. None of us wants you to be charged extra fees.There are dog beaches near by. Ask Us.
-
Leave No Trace: Benefit rather than harm the areas we visit. This area is a protected wildlife nursery. No littering including toxic items like cigarette butts! Leave only foot prints and take only photos and memories.
-
Boating under the influence (BUI) = fines. Being under the influence of mind altering substances is not allowed when operating any vehicle, which includes by paddling. Participants showing up under the influence will be cancelled. Becoming under the influence on the water may be subject to ticketing and being banned from renting in the park. Kayaking is great for working up an appetite, or thirst, for enjoying local cuisines, wine tasting or micro-brews "after your activity".
All Boating Is Within The Protected River and Estuary Waters
Knowing our "Micro-Climate Weather Forecast" can be vital
Help us Keep our Rates Reasonable
-
Cost Of Damages or Replacement Fees: To avoid damages...See Rental Page.
-
Excess Cleaning: + $20: Return as received: A little wet and sandy is fine.
-
Cancellation Policy: Details on our Rental Page
Seasonal Weather: Spring into Early Summer
Rain Reduces and Wind Increases: Plenty of calm days exist however "Early Extremely Windy Days" happen, more so Spring into Early Summer. Don't become stranded by ignoring wind forecasts. Plan to be off the water prior to winds picking up. Wind below 9 MPH is ideal. Rescue is "not" easy, especially on truly unsafe days when we are closed.
Most wind stations are located at higher elevations where winds are stronger. This makes interpreting local forecasts tricky. The estuary is protected from most wind directions except NW. Mishaps on the estuary are common for private paddlers, who do not check wind forecasts or believe warning signs at the boat launch prior to launching. As first responders, We care. If bringing your own paddle craft, "check our forecasts". "We track forecasts daily and post when we are closed do to unsafe conditions".
Tule Fog: A Winter into Spring "inland phenomena" that rarely affects the coast. Mornings, and often days, are warmer on the coast when true inland tule fog exists.
Morning Mist: Occasional and most common in early Summer. True fog often skips right past us, or burns off quickly to sun, and comes ashore closer to Bodega Bay and Point Reyes on its way up the San Francisco Bay. We have outerwear free to use for misty mornings.
