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’.
Our vessel name is ‘Small Kine’ and this is pidgin word phrase heard in the Hawaiian Islands (our favorite place to be by the way!) and means simply,
“No Big Deal”
The vessel we use currently for our small boat whale watching and coastal adventures is a 20’ RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) commonly called a ‘zodiac’. These craft are know to be very stable and safe and FAST!
‘Small Kine’ is an open deck boat meaning there is no enclosed cabin. This is nice because when we see sea life the encounter 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!
We look forward to having you out on a fun adventure with Avila Beach Ocean Safaris guided by Vincent Shay about the fun vessel, ‘Small Kine’.
Mahalo,
Vincent & Emily Shay