Bair Island - Paddling

Review

Intro

Part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, the waters surrounding Bair Island are a paddler’s paradise. There is a maze of interlinked channels that take you through a picturesque tidal marsh.

What Makes It Great

 Corkscrew Slough, south of the island, is open to kayakers, but the waterways north are closed off.   Due to a large collection of shorebirds that nest here, this park has been named a National Wildlife Refuge. Park naturalists have identified almost 300 species of birds.

Since bird watching can sometimes be a head-spinning activity, some paddlers choose to instead focus on spotting harbor seals and gray foxes dashing through the grasslands on shore. Watch out for seal haul-outs. Drift with the current and you will feel intimately connected to the marshland.

Who is Going to Love It

The wildlife is abundant here, so paddlers who love the natural world will feel right at home here. The paddling isn't difficult, so it's a good place for all levels. 

Directions, Parking, & Regulations

The Don Edwards San Francisco Bay is located at 2 Marshlands Rd, Fremont, CA 94555.