Pacific Yachting and Sailing

The ways we are nourished by the sea, the way our lives benefit from the sea materially as well as spiritually are nearly infinite.
Peter Benchley, Ocean Planet

Monterey Bay Expeditions


Our 1997 series of 3-day sailing adventures provides the very best way to discover the rich natural beauty of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Our program is directed by Dr. Kent Benedict, a US Coast Guard licensed captain with 17 years experience in leading sailing expeditions. Each trip will include an on-board marine naturalist. All trips are limited to small groups, no more than 6 guests per boat. Active exploration of the natural resources is encouraged. No previous sailing experience is required. We will carry with us inflatable rafts, Ocean Kayaks, snorkeling equipment, and wetsuits. All you need to bring is your curiosity and enthusiasm!

A SampleTrip

We meet on a Friday morning at Santa Cruz Harbor where guests join the boat, select their berths, stow their gear and become oriented to the vessel and each other. Soon we set sail northwest and cruise along the coast observing the inshore wildlife. This is usually our first chance get good views of sea otters, sea lions, Brandt's cormorants, Brown pelicans, terns, Surf Scoters, and shearwaters. A course change is made early in the afternoon to sail for either Stillwater Cove in Carmel Bay or the Elkhorn Slough. This deepwater crossing often gives us

an opportunity to observe offshore marine life including dolphins, sharks, sunfish and more seabirds. Saturday we rise early to kayak and/or raft the Elkhorn Slough or Stillwater Cove. Elkhorn is famous for birding. In Sillwater there is snorkeling and tidepooling as well. By afternoon we are on our way sailing to Monterey Harbor. After docking at Breakwater Cove we have a choice of activities such as further kayaking, beachcombing, rafting, snorkeling or just taking it easy. On Sunday morning we will continue with kayaking, tidepooling, snorkeling, or a visit to the

world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Around noon we will set sail for Santa Cruz, once again checking out the wildlife along the way. The trip will conclude in the late afternoon upon our arrival back in Santa Cruz.

Remember, this has only been a description of a sample trip. Weather and season may modifiy our itinerary.We encourage our guests to give us their suggestions for itineraries and destinations.

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