Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
We started with the popular Monterey Bay kayak tour, and in this video, I share a key safety tip for beginners about handling the waves near the rock walls to avoid flipping.
But the main event was our deep-sea fishing trip. I'll be honest—it was an amazing experience, but also one of the toughest! It was extremely windy, and as soon as the boat stopped, I got serious seasickness and could barely stand up. My wife, on the other hand, is a lot stronger than I am; she was a total champ, fishing and getting great results while I was just trying to hang on!
This video shares the real, unfiltered experience of these popular Monterey activities—the incredible moments and the not-so-great ones. Thanks for watching, and I hope our adventure helps you plan your own!"
Frequently Asked questions
Questions About Activities in My Video:
Q: What do I need to bring for the Monterey Bay kayak tour? A: I brought my own waterproof bag, surfing shoes, and life jacket, but I found out those are all optional. They provide everything you need except water shoes, so you'll have to bring or buy your own. My advice is to definitely borrow one of their green vinyl windbreakers, as it can get very windy out on the bay.
Q: Do I need to be an expert to join the kayak tour? A: You don't need to be an expert, no. The guides do a good job of making sure everyone is following along. However, I would say having basic kayaking skills is helpful. If you can't control the kayak, you might get stressed trying to keep up, and the waves can be rough, so you need to be able to stay calm.
Q: What was that deep-sea fishing trip like? Did you get seasick? A: It was an amazing experience, but it was tough. It was extremely windy, and when the boat stopped, we got serious seasickness. I could barely even stand up! My wife is much stronger than I am; she was fishing right away and got good results while I was just trying to hang on.
General Monterey Travel Questions:
Q: When is the best time to visit Monterey? A: I've learned that the "best" time is often in the spring (April-June) or, surprisingly, the fall (September-October). Spring has fewer crowds than summer and everything is in bloom. Fall is known for having some of the warmest, clearest, and calmest weather of the year, which is perfect for being on the water.
Q: How many days should I plan for a Monterey trip? A: I'd recommend at least two full days, but three is ideal. This gives you one day for the Aquarium and Cannery Row, a second day for an activity like whale watching or kayaking, and a third day to explore Point Lobos, drive the 17-Mile Drive, or visit nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Q: What is there to do besides the Aquarium and Fisherman's Wharf? A: There is so much! I'd highly recommend the 17-Mile Drive for incredible coastal views (there's a small fee per vehicle, but it's worth it). For a great free activity, I love visiting Point Lobos State Natural Reserve just south of Carmel; the hiking trails are easy and the views are unbelievable. We also really enjoy just walking through the historic adobes in Old Monterey or visiting the charming town of Pacific Grove next door.
Q: Do I need to rent a car to get around? A: You can definitely get by without one if you stay in the main tourist area. The major spots like Cannery Row, the Aquarium, and Fisherman's Wharf are all walkable. Plus, Monterey has a free MST Trolley that connects all those areas. However, if you want to explore places like Point Lobos, Big Sur, or Carmel Valley, I'd recommend having a car.
Video Chapter:
0:00 - Intro: Monterey Adventures 0:10 - Monterey Bay Kayak Tour 0:17 - Kayaking: What to Bring vs. What's Provided 0:41 - Kayaking Skills: Do You Need to Be an Expert? 1:28 - Kayaking Safety Tip: Avoiding the Rocks 2:27 - Fishing at the Pier 2:58 - Deep-Sea Fishing Charter 3:38 - Getting Seasick! 3:57 - My Wife's Fishing Success 4:28 - Final Thoughts on Fishing 4:54 - Outro
We started with the popular Monterey Bay kayak tour, and in this video, I share a key safety tip for beginners about handling the waves near the rock walls to avoid flipping.
But the main event was our deep-sea fishing trip. I'll be honest—it was an amazing experience, but also one of the toughest! It was extremely windy, and as soon as the boat stopped, I got serious seasickness and could barely stand up. My wife, on the other hand, is a lot stronger than I am; she was a total champ, fishing and getting great results while I was just trying to hang on!
This video shares the real, unfiltered experience of these popular Monterey activities—the incredible moments and the not-so-great ones. Thanks for watching, and I hope our adventure helps you plan your own!"
Frequently Asked questions
Questions About Activities in My Video:
Q: What do I need to bring for the Monterey Bay kayak tour? A: I brought my own waterproof bag, surfing shoes, and life jacket, but I found out those are all optional. They provide everything you need except water shoes, so you'll have to bring or buy your own. My advice is to definitely borrow one of their green vinyl windbreakers, as it can get very windy out on the bay.
Q: Do I need to be an expert to join the kayak tour? A: You don't need to be an expert, no. The guides do a good job of making sure everyone is following along. However, I would say having basic kayaking skills is helpful. If you can't control the kayak, you might get stressed trying to keep up, and the waves can be rough, so you need to be able to stay calm.
Q: What was that deep-sea fishing trip like? Did you get seasick? A: It was an amazing experience, but it was tough. It was extremely windy, and when the boat stopped, we got serious seasickness. I could barely even stand up! My wife is much stronger than I am; she was fishing right away and got good results while I was just trying to hang on.
General Monterey Travel Questions:
Q: When is the best time to visit Monterey? A: I've learned that the "best" time is often in the spring (April-June) or, surprisingly, the fall (September-October). Spring has fewer crowds than summer and everything is in bloom. Fall is known for having some of the warmest, clearest, and calmest weather of the year, which is perfect for being on the water.
Q: How many days should I plan for a Monterey trip? A: I'd recommend at least two full days, but three is ideal. This gives you one day for the Aquarium and Cannery Row, a second day for an activity like whale watching or kayaking, and a third day to explore Point Lobos, drive the 17-Mile Drive, or visit nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Q: What is there to do besides the Aquarium and Fisherman's Wharf? A: There is so much! I'd highly recommend the 17-Mile Drive for incredible coastal views (there's a small fee per vehicle, but it's worth it). For a great free activity, I love visiting Point Lobos State Natural Reserve just south of Carmel; the hiking trails are easy and the views are unbelievable. We also really enjoy just walking through the historic adobes in Old Monterey or visiting the charming town of Pacific Grove next door.
Q: Do I need to rent a car to get around? A: You can definitely get by without one if you stay in the main tourist area. The major spots like Cannery Row, the Aquarium, and Fisherman's Wharf are all walkable. Plus, Monterey has a free MST Trolley that connects all those areas. However, if you want to explore places like Point Lobos, Big Sur, or Carmel Valley, I'd recommend having a car.
Video Chapter:
0:00 - Intro: Monterey Adventures 0:10 - Monterey Bay Kayak Tour 0:17 - Kayaking: What to Bring vs. What's Provided 0:41 - Kayaking Skills: Do You Need to Be an Expert? 1:28 - Kayaking Safety Tip: Avoiding the Rocks 2:27 - Fishing at the Pier 2:58 - Deep-Sea Fishing Charter 3:38 - Getting Seasick! 3:57 - My Wife's Fishing Success 4:28 - Final Thoughts on Fishing 4:54 - Outro
