Fun in the Water at Avila Beach

Splash into summer during your Avila Beach vacation. Sunny skies, warmer temperatures and summer vibes make getting wet extra appealing. A classic beach town, Avila boasts plenty of water activities and water fun to keep visitors of all ages occupied all year long.

Grab your bikini or swim trunks, kick off your shoes and dive in into everything from surfing and kayaking to boating and swimming.

Kayaking & Paddleboarding

Avila Beach and the Port San Luis Harbor area is ideal for paddlers of all skill levels. Sheltered from the large ocean swells and strong winds that are common on the rest of the Central Coast, kayakers and paddleboarders will discover friendly waterways. Wildlife like otters, seals and star fish are abundant, views are breathtaking and there is public beach access to the Point San Lighthouse only available by water.

Located on Avila Beach Drive, Avila Beach Paddle Sports is the place to rent single kayaks, tandem kayaks and Stand Up Paddle Boards. All rentals include life jackets and free instruction for first-timers with a guided explanation of the route. Children as young as 7-years-old can come along for the ride.

Surfing

If you’ve ever dreamed about surfing, Avila Beach is one of the best places to start. Avila’s main beach boasts near perfect conditions, making it the perfect spot for surfers to get their feet wet. It’s protected position on the coastline makes the beach one of the safest in California with mild surf and zero undertows or rip currents. If you’re not quite ready to step on a surfboard, starting on a boogie board is a great way to get your surf legs.

There are few spots to rent gear, including surfboards, boogie boards and wetsuits. Stop by Under the Pier open in the summer or The Sea Barn on Avila Promenade. If you’re looking for lessons check out Avila Beach SurfSchool or Van Curaza Surf School.

Boating

Get out on the water by taking a boat tour. View incredible shoreline scenery, encounter interesting sea life out in the ocean and tour the coastline.

Hop aboard a 44 ft sail boat with Central Coast Sailing Charters and venture out on an unforgettable boat tour of Avila Beach and San Luis Bay. A family-friendly sailing and boating adventure, charters are run by experienced captains well-versed in the rich history of the area. The “Spirit” gives a smooth ride that first time sailors and seasoned pros will enjoy. Boaters may catch a glimpse of sea otters, harbor seals and sea lions, along with a wide variety of seabirds, and, if you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of a humpback whale. Passengers will enjoy the sites from jagged cliffs and sea caves to piers and islands. You’ll also be invited to handle the sails or steer the boat if you choose.

If whale watching excites you, an Avila Beach WhaleWatching Tour is for you. Hop aboard the “Pacific Flyer,” a six-passenger power catamaran for an unobstructed view of whales and other wildlife. Captain Mark is an experienced seaman and ready to answer all of your questions.

Hot Springs & Waterslides

No trip to Avila is complete without a stop at the historic Avila Hot Springs. Let loose in the large, heated, fresh water swimming pool with double waterslides or relax in the hot mineral soaking pool. The therapeutic hot mineral soaking pool is approximately 2-feet deep and 104 degrees; it draws its constant flow up from the natural artesian well beneath Avila Hot Springs. The flow of the spring has remained constant for over 100 years.

When you stay at Cobbo’s Beach House, just steps from downtown Avila and the beach, you’ll also enjoy two hot tubs onsite to soak whenever you feel like it during your stay.