Humboats Kayaking operates the only dockside kayak and SUP rental facility on the redwood coast, right at Woodley Island Marina in Eureka. Walk out to Dock A and you’re stepping into a working waterfront operation that handles both recreational paddlers and families with kids in tow. Your dog can come along in the kayak or SUP—they’ve set up rentals specifically to make this work.

The variety in their fleet matters if you’re bringing a dog. Single kayaks are straightforward, but if you’re paddling with a partner and your dog, the tandem kayak gives you more stability and load-carrying capacity. They also have a double-kayak with a center hatch seat that works for younger paddlers or, honestly, a dog that’s comfortable sitting in a secure spot. Stand-up paddle boards are another option if your dog handles SUPs better than enclosed kayaks.

Humboldt Bay gives you real paddling variety depending on what you want to see. Head toward Tuluwat Island and you’ll hit the egret rookery—it’s an active nesting area, so you get to watch birds diving and feeding while you’re out on the water. The more sheltered route takes you along the water trails of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, where the paddling is calmer and the scenery shifts between salt marsh and open water.

Wetsuits are included with SUP rentals, which matters if you or your dog end up taking an unexpected swim in bay water that stays pretty cold year-round. They also include training, so if you’re new to SUPs or bringing a dog that’s never been on one, you get guided instruction before heading out.

The Eureka waterfront here feels genuinely working—fishing boats, commercial activity, real tides and currents—not a manicured recreation area. It’s the kind of place where you can rent gear and actually get out on the water in under an hour.