About Avila Beach Ocean Safaris.
Avila Beach Ocean Safaris was founded in 2024 by Avila Beach, California residents, Vincent and Emily Shay. They have created and operated multiple successful business endeavors in Avila Beach & Port San Luis Harbor since 2009. They love the community and are passionate about sharing the beautiful area and amazing wildlife here with others.
Emily Shay is not only an accomplished water-woman, but is a professional educator at The Grizzly Academy where she mentors students to live their best life and pursue excellence.
Vincent Shay is an award winning photographer living in Avila Beach, California. He has over 35 years of experience documenting different scenes around the world and currently concentrates taking images of the ocean and the life that surrounds him everyday.
He has been a professional guide for over 25 years on the Central Coast successful leading thousands of folks to enjoy what our area has to offer! His knowledge of the local area and his love for Avila Beach and the sea otters and whales here is second to none. He has spend countless hours on the waters here.
In 2009, he founded with his wife, Emily, Avila Beach Paddlesports which was an adventure tour, lesson and rental operation servicing over 15,000 patrons per year on average. They both operated this company until 2022 when they sold the business and concentrated on their little gift market, Mermaid Market, located in Port San Luis Harbor. Avila Beach Ocean Safaris is a labor of love and allows Vince to get on the water and do what he loves the most!
Since 2015, Vincent has become well known in the Central Coast and Avila Beach area for his photographs of whales, sea otters and other ocean scenes. It was his love of the ocean that he decided to embark on this motorized vessel adventure.
He has spent many hours and years in the waters on the Central Coast especially from Point Sal to Morro Bay, California.
Please feel free to read more about Vincent Shay here:
About our vessel , ‘Small Kine’.
The vessel we are currently using for our Harbor Safaris and the Whale Watching & Wildlife Viewing Safaris is a 20 foot Rigid Inflatable Boat. It is not a full ‘rubber’ boat and the ‘rigid’ part of the what makes these boats so special is a full fiberglass hull with the tubes made from extremely durable material called ‘Hypalon’.
Our boat is powered by a Suzuki 140 HP motor and has been meticulously serviced every 50 hours. The motor is ‘big’ and that makes the ride fast and fun! It is also very stable and does exceptionally well in large seas and winds. We do try and avoid heavy winds over 15mph and swells over 10 foot but this boat is truly amazing even in these conditions.
‘Small Kine’ (means NO BIG DEAL!) is an open deck boat meaning there is no enclosed cabin. This is nice because when we see whales and other sea life the encounters can become very intimate if and when the animals come close to us. Also, because we are lower to the water the ride is super exciting! It just a really neat, immersive experience and people love it.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT ABOARD
According to the United State Coast Guard Regulations for small commercial vessels we are required to have Type 1 Commercial rated PFDs (Personal Floatation Device) and light source attached on board. We also carry Type 3 PFDs. I require these Type 3 PFDs to be worn on our Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours at all times. If you are under the age of 13, you must wear your PFD at all times!
The vessel also carries a first aid kit, spare paddle, light source/flares, as well as throw ring system and EPIRB.
The vessel is inspected by the United States Coast Guard every year and always passes inspection with a ‘perfect rating’.
There is always a Marine Radio with Backup system in place as well as a amazing Garmin GPS System for navigation. Safety is my first concern for all. If there is any questions about the conditions and any other safety concerns, I cancel the trips. Your enjoyment is first and foremost to me!
With this being said, we do envision a larger vessel in late 2026. And our current vessel is NOT for everyone. If you like adventure and the ‘zodiac boat’ type of experience, this boat is super fun. Hope to see ya sometime in 2026 and beyond!
Mahalo,
Vincent & Emily Shay
