CARNEROS WINE REGION

Self Guided Trips

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Carneros Estuary: Napa's Most Intimate Waterway

Paddle through a narrow, winding estuary on the edge of the 15,000-acre Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area, one of the most important wetland ecosystems on the Pacific Flyway.

Glide beneath towering tule reeds, explore hidden backwaters, and enjoy a rare, front-row view of the Carneros wine region.

Choose Your Adventure

Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide (Round Trip)

Geolocated navigation with optional stories about wildlife, ecology, and local history
Perfect for independent explorers
$137 per tandem kayak

Guided Tour (Round Trip)

Paddle with a knowledgeable local guide
$125 per person (2-person minimum)

Routes

Estuary Loop – BOOKABLE ONLINE

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3.25–4 miles starts/ends at same location
1.5–2 hours
Tide-assisted loop through the wetlands

Ride the River – One-Way Adventure

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6 miles
Approximately 2 hours
One-way journey through the Napa River corridor to the Napa Valley Yacht Club

The Ultimate Après-Paddle

Complete your day with a tasting at Saintsbury or MacKenzie-Mueller, where marine-influenced wines reflect the same cool breezes and estuarine landscape you experienced on the water.

🌿 Estuary Loop

Most Popular • Book Online

Self-Guided • Round Trip • 3.2 Miles • 1.5–2 Hours

A calm, tide-assisted paddle through Napa's hidden wetlands. Easy navigation, abundant wildlife, and a relaxed "lazy river" feel.

📍 Launch & Return
Cuttings Wharf • 12 minutes from Downtown Napa

Choose Your Vessel

Single Kayak or SUP — $89
Tandem Kayak (2 seats) — $137
Family Package — $247

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🌊 Ride the River

One-Way Adventure

Self-Guided • 6 Miles • ~2 Hours

Follow the Napa River through wetlands, vineyards, and wildlife habitat on a one-way journey.

📍 Launch: Cuttings Wharf
📍 Finish: Napa Valley Yacht Club

📅 2026 Launch Dates

Big Tide Weeks!
Scheduled around New Moon and Full Moon tidal cycles for best experience!

June 13 – 21
June 27 – July 5
July 11 – 18
July 30 – August 3
August 10 – 17

🚐 Transportation required

📞 CALL TO BOOK
707.200.5511

UPGRADE YOUR EXPERIENCE

PRIVATE KANAKA BOAT

Let your guide do the work! Relax aboard a hand-crafted wooden kanaka boat modeled after those carrying early settlers to Napa Valley from arriving ships in the San Francisco Bay. Perfect for couples, friends, and families.

CATERING & TRANSPORT

Treat your group to a wine tasting, cheese and charcuterie, or a fully-catered spread. Complete the experience with transportation to and from your hotel or meeting facility. You provide the wish list and we'll do the rest!

PRIVATE EVENT SPACE

• Private riverfront cottage & grounds
• Charcuterie & wine tasting on-site
• Guided tour of Fagan Preserve
• Central to hiking, biking & wineries
• Local oysters! (Nov - Dec)
• Custom catering options

MORE DETAILS

RENTAL INCLUDES
Kayak, tandem kayak or paddle board, life vest, paddle, pre-paddle orientation, and river overview

ACTIVITY LEVEL
Guests will paddle calm, tidal water on a tour that has been timed with the tides for a leisurely experience.

PARKING
Parking is limited when launching from the private dock. 4 car maximum. Larger groups or those desiring a longer paddle will launch from Cuttings Wharf with plenty of parking for cars or full-size bus.

WHAT TO WEAR
Water shoes are not essential but are preferred by many of our guests. Others prefer flip-flops or paddling barefoot. Dress in layers and synthetic clothing (it will dry faster than cotton).

WHAT TO BRING
Drinking water, sunscreen, light towel. Dry bags and boxes are available on-site and are highly recommended to protect cell phones, cameras and other valuables. Bring sporting binoculars for birding and iconic mountains in the distance.

LOGISTICS & SHUTTLE SERVICE
For one-way paddlers we advise leaving one car at the Napa Valley Yacht Club before your trip and Uber/Lyft to Carneros. Schedule 15 min commute time to Los Carneros. Text before embarking for "game day" launch location 707.200.5511.

NVP will handle all rental equipment on both ends.

CANCELLATION POLICY
This tour involves staging equipment and loading trailers before the paddle event. Cancellations must be made one week in advance for groups of 4 or more to receive a full refund and three days in advance for groups of less than 3 to receive a full refund. A $35 cancellation fee applies. Napa Valley Paddle may cancel the event due to weather-related issues, in which case a full refund will be issued.

REFUND POLICY
A full refund will be issued for cancellations up to 3 days before the event date for groups of 3 or less. Groups of 4 or more must cancel 1-week prior to the event to receive a full refund; cancellations between 3- 7 days will receive a 50% refund for groups of 4 or more. Refunds will only be issued for cancellations made three days before the event. ALL REFUND TRANSACTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO A $35 TRANSACTION FEE.

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