My husband and I took sailing lessons from Captain Dan Porter. The whole experience was fantastic, we had a great time and learned a lot, and will come back for more. The whole staff was very friendly and helpful.
The guy told great stories and overall had a great vibe to the experience
7/8/2017 - Dakota was our captain and was the highlight of our sailing experience. He let our daughter pilot the boat with very good instruction. We love young educated people who know what they want, know their job and aspire to better themselves and Dakota has all that. It's not really a guided tour but he could answer any question asked about the bay area and could surely answer anything about sailing. Oh, yeah, sailing was great too.
The only positive thing I can say about this experience is that the weather was great but that's California for you, it's mostly sunny here! Please exercise caution when you go sailing with these guys. They will try to rip you off as they did me! I went there today and the guy booked me for a two hour sailing experience which said: Two Hour Bay Cruise (13-14 mile cruise near shore & open water). I paid $69 for this package which is an extortionate price! Anyways, half-hour into my sailboat experience I was told that there was a mix-up and the cruise is only going to be 1 hour!!! All the other passengers paid for 1 hour except me. They paid $39 each. The boat was turned back and the cruise lasted just 1 hour in total. When I confronted the guy at the desk and demanded that he refund me the $20 he flatly refused saying the mix-up wasn't his fault. He didn't even apologise and instead offered me another 1 hour cruise at an inconvenient time knowing full well that I won't be able to make it! In any case, the 1 hour cruise does not go into open water and is only 5-6 miles compared to the 2 hour cruise which I originally paid for. I did not want to argue with this guy and ruin my weekend! He pocketed $20 extra dollars from me without providing any service. This company is a rip-off. Please avoid them.
My husband and I went sailing with two other couples. It was a terrible experience. We did not get any life jackets on this boat. The sea was very rough and the sailing boat became a rock and rolling boat. I was terrified. My husband cannot swim. I can but with 6-7 feet high waves and boat titling in the side several times, this was a horrible experience. This company should not be in operation. Risking six life's on a rough sea with no life jackets !! We are lucky to be alive. The one hour ride was the most scary of my life. Had we got thrown over into the water 250 feet deep, we would have not survived.
Excellent sailing! Sorry I cannot remember the captain name but he is an excellent story teller. I was even given the chance to sail the boat! Very involved with the folks he took on the tour. It was never a dull moment. I would definitely recommend Monterey Bay Sailing for those interested in sailing.