Boating on the Bay

by Ruth Ann Angus

Where is the most unique watercraft on the West Coast located? In Morro Bay of course. The Beatles made it popular with their hit song Yellow Submarine and it has reached the top of the charts here on the Central Coast too.

Dubbed the Sub-Sea Tours, this craft is owned and operated from the Marina Square dock by Kevin Winfield and Rose Marie Battaglia. The bright little boat takes folks to special spots where the hidden undersea life of Morro Bay is revealed.

The first part of a tour starts with everyone topside. From this vantage point it's easy to spot cavorting sea lions near the docks, sea otters wrapped in kelp—munching on shellfish, and a variety of birds, including pelicans, grebes, gulls, cormorants, herons, and egrets.

Once arriving at the kelp beds near the north end of the harbor, the captain has half the people descend into the depths of the submarine. Here expansive viewing windows reveal the underwater scene.

To attract fish, the captain throws special food into the water. Suddenly the windows are alive with a blizzard of Jack and topsmelt, the most abundant fish in the bay. These sleek, silvery fish swim in a frenzy gobbling up the handout. Captain Kevin says he knows the fish have his schedule down and they expect him at the same time every day.

After the first group spends time down below, the captain signals for them to come up topside and the rest of the group gets to go below.

"I'm pretty sure we're the only yellow submarine operating on the California coast," Winfield says, and he knows he has a very special niche market here in Morro Bay.

Humpback Whale's Tail and Sea Lions

But the yellow sub isn't all that Winfield offers. Come June and he takes out the 26 passenger, 32 foot Dos Osos catamaran for trips on the open ocean to hunt for Humpback whales.

During the summer months a population of Humpback Whales from the Monterey area swims to the waters off Morro Bay to feed. Lately Blue Whales have also been spotted. These are the largest animals that have ever lived on earth. Bring the camera for this two to three hour journey and you might catch a spectacular breaching whale. In winter trips to see the migrating grey whales also go out.

The catamaran is not used only for whale watching tours. Wildlife tours of Morro Bay are offered too. On this 75 minute tour of the back bay you are likely to see harbor seals, sea lions, sea otters, and a great variety of the more than 200 species of birds that frequent Morro Bay.

If you want to explore the estuary by yourself, Winfield has kayaks and canoes for rent. Single and double kayaks are available and canoes can accommodate two to five people. Paddles, lifejackets, and backrests are provided.

Another service Winfield offers are ash scatterings and memorials. Winfield is a United States Coast Guard certified captain and is also a registered cremated remains disposer.

Call 805-772-WIND(9463) for schedules, rates and reservations or see www.subseatours.com .

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