A Guide to Low Impact Boat Camping
 
IN EMERGENCY:
Contact US Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay on VHF CHANNEL 16 or PHONE 911 (Marin County Dispatch).

PREPARATION
Learn about the area and what to expect. Check local tidetables and maps. Bring adequate liquids and food. Check all equipment so that it is in good condition before you get on the water. Carry extra dry clothing. Know some first aid such as the signs and symptoms of hypothermia, sunstroke, heat exhaustion, etc. Check at park visitor centers and via the park web site for current weather and wildlife sightings. PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES. Personal water craft (PWC) such as a JetSki or Waverunner are not permitted on Tomales Bay.

SANITATION
Use outhouses where provided (Hearts Desire Beach, Indian Beach, Marshall Beach, Tomales Beach). On other beaches, pack out all human waste.

Caution:
NEVER pump boat holding tanks into the bay or outhouses. Lawson's Landing/Dillon Beach is the closest place to pump out your tanks-(707) 878-2443. (You cannot pump from the water but if you pull your boat out at this launch site, there is a dump station). A dump station is also available at Olema Ranch Campground, Highway 1 at Olema, (415) 663-8811.

ON THE WATER
Move gently through the water so that you do not disturb wildlife. For safety, paddle in groups if possible. Ensure that you are close enough to reach fellow paddlers quickly if trouble arises. Paddle close to shore or if an open-water crossing is necessary, choose the most direct route. Always wear your personal flotation device.


FIRES
Stoves are the preferred means for cooking. If you wish to build a fire, obtain a free fire permit at national park visitor centers. There is often no driftwood available on Tomales Bay. You may bring fir, pine, or almond wood for your campfire. Please do not bring oak, madrone, or tanoak unless it has been certified to be free of the organism that causes sudden oak death. Build the fire below the high tide line and not near any large driftwood logs or under overhanging limbs. Plastic and aluminum foil do not burn, so please do not leave them in your fire pit. No fires are permitted on state park beaches.

GARBAGE
Pack out all trash, food scraps, packaging. Food scraps tempt wildlife into camping areas and may endanger them and you.

WATER
Carry water with you, as there are few water sources emptying into the bay on the west side. Boil, treat, or filter any water obtained from the park. If you wash dishes, all soaps can adversely affect water. Use biodegradable soap when possible. Do not return wash water to the bay; dispose of all dirty water 100 feet at least from the source.

WILDLIFE
Respect the needs of wild animals and birds. Wildlife are sensitive to our presence and may change their behavior just by seeing us. Disturbing wildlife when they are resting or feeding may be life threatening to them.

On the water or beach, follow Marine Mammal Protection Act regulations - stay away (300 feet) from whales, seals, and sea lions. Harbor seals are most sensitive during their pupping season, which is approximately mid-March through the end of June, and as they molt in July and August. You may see single pups but do not disturb them. Usually, a parent is feeding nearby and has only left the pup for a brief period. The parent may abandon the pup if they sense humans nearby. If you are concerned about a marine mammal, contact the park dispatch office at (415) 464-5170 or park visitor centers and leave a message about the location and condition of the animal.

During summer and fall, brown pelicans, a federally listed endangered species, roost on islands and floats in the bay. Many other seabirds make their home on the bay as well. Keep at least 100 feet away.
Pets are not allowed on the west side state park beaches. Pets on leash are permitted on national park beaches south of the elk fence.



SAFETY
IN EMERGENCY: Contact US Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay on VHF CHANNEL 16 or PHONE 911 (Marin County Dispatch).

HYPOTHERMIA
Water temperatures in Tomales Bay vary from 55 to 60 degrees F. Symptoms include uncontrollable fits of shivering, slurred speech, frequent stumbling. Cold water can be more dangerous than cold air since body temperature can be drained away much more quickly. Wear a wet suit.

SHARKS
There were two white shark attacks at the mouth of Tomales Bay in 1996. In general, white sharks may be found near seal resting areas. The most likely place for a shark encounter in Tomales Bay is the area north of Tom's Point.

WIND
Weather can change rapidly at Point Reyes. Tomales Bay can act as a wind tunnel. Be aware of afternoon wind forecasts. Weather radio stations give the most useful information for boaters.

TIDES
The change between high and low tide can create strong currents, especially at the mouth of Tomales Bay. Check the tide charts. Low tides also expose mudflats at the lower end of Tomales Bay and you may become stuck at Millerton Point or White House Pool access points.

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