Bodega Bay: Boat Charters & Tours

Whether you want to hook a fish, pull up a pot of crabs, or get up close with whales and other sea life, several companies offer a variety of seagoing adventures out of peaceful Bodega Bay on Sonoma County's Pacific Ocean coastline, as well as several inland waterway options. There's nothing quite like standing on the deck of a boat, heading out for a day on the water. Here's a quick overview. 

Together, we can protect and preserve the beauty and natural resources of Sonoma County for generations to come. Check out our page on Sustainable Travel, and look over the Leave No Trace Seven Principles.

Bodega Bay Sport Fishing Center

For 35 years Capt. Rick Powers, owner of Bodega Bay Sport Fishing Center, has helped guide the direction of Northern California's saltwater fishing. He has been responsible for innovations such as crab/rockfish and rockfish/lingcod/salmon combo fishing, as well as hook-and-line giant squid fishing. Located in the Porto Bodega RV Park and Marina, the Bodega Bay Sport Fishing Center offers tackle, bait, and weather information, as well as food and beverages. It runs two boats, the 65-foot New Sea Angler and the 56-foot Surf Scooter, and sport-fishing charters are available almost daily. The center also offers trips for whale watching, marine mammal viewing, bird watching, ash scatterings, and custom charter cruises for weddings and other special events. Note: Powers also owns the nearby Boat House, which offers dishes like just-shucked oysters, fish and chips, local salmon burgers, calamari, and prawns, as well as hamburgers and sandwiches. You order at the counter, and seating is outdoors.

Bodega Bay Sailing

Take a three-hour sailing tour of Bodega Bay on a beautifully maintained 33' sailboat. Keep an eye out for whales, dolphins, sea lions, and harbor seals on this adventure for groups of two to six people. Kids are welcome and make the trip even more fun. Go during the daytime, at sunset, or with naturalist on board to explain everything you're seeing. The company also offers a three-day Extreme Sailing adventure from Bodega Bay to Point Reyes and Tomales Bay, and back to Bodega Bay. This educational and fun tour is for the most durable and adventurous customers, and requires quite a bit of hands-on effort. 

Fish On Charters

Capt. Les Fernandes loves sharing his passion for fishing with anglers of all skill levels, from beginning to highly experienced. His Fish On Charters company offers intimate made-to-order fishing experiences for up to six people. Go salt-water fishing on the Samantha Irene, a 28-foot Design Concepts boat powered by a 225 Honda equipped with a 15 HP kicker, or head inland for freshwater fishing on a 24-foot Orca. All charters are led by experienced Coast Guard licensed captains that will help you make the most of your fishing experience, and the boats are fast, modern, comfortable, and inspected, and carry life rafts, vests and all required safety as well as a full array of fishing hardware and tackle.

North Bay Charters

Go on a fun-filled ocean fishing adventure for salmon, rockfish, crab, halibut, tuna, and many other species on the Take Five, a beautiful 31-foot Grady-White, Express 305 that holds up to six passengers. Ocean fishing trips can visit Bodega Bay, Tomales Bay, Point Reyes National Seashore, Sausalito, Shelter Cove, along the Sonoma coast, along the Marin coast, or to offshore tuna grounds. Or go inland fishing in the 20-foot North River Seahawk with up to four passengers in San Francisco Bay, Port Sonoma, San Pablo Bay, Lake Sonoma, Sonoma Slough, and other locations. All necessary fishing gear is provided, although you are free to bring your own. Or, take a nature tour to visit wildlife habitats, from those of coastal fish and birds to the deep water domains of Gray Whales. The company also offers coastal exploration, harbor cruises, inland sightseeing on the San Francisco Bay, day-game cruises to McCovey Cove in San Francisco, and Fleet Week air show cruises. 

For More Ideas 

Check out Unique Parks for Fishing in Sonoma County, River Beaches and Fishing Spots in Sonoma County, and Whale Watching Along the Sonoma Coast. And when you're ready to eat, check out the Top Seafood Restaurants in Bodega Bay.