The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary stretches for 276 miles of federally protected coastline, and its waters are home to some of the most ecologically diverse forms of ocean life on earth, including fish, marine mammals, seabirds, and plants. When I learned that I could go kayaking there, I first thought-awesome! I could use the exercise and sunshine, and I've been hankering to see some harbor seals (sort of a local nature celeb) during their pupping season. So long, fanny-packed tourists trapped on the shore! I would don water-protective gear and paddle away near the seals, as well as otters, loons, cormorants, pelicans, and all the other little fish, invertebrates, and creatures that make their homes in the area's huge swaths of kelp forest.

But shortly into my planning, my inner eco-traveler did a gut-check. Would my desire to commune with nature actually help ruin it? Would my paddling upset the pupping? It turns out that, no, you can't actually kayak with the seals, but with a little care-and distance, primarily-kayaking has little or no impact on the marine life, and it can be as educational as it is thrilling and physically invigorating.

The visitors' information section of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary website offers extensive tips for environmentally responsible kayaking (as well as other activities) and lists kayak access points throughout the bay, rated by safety, in terms of current. And while the main purpose of the MBNMS agency is marine protection, another is encouraging public use, so breathe a sigh of relief, then pay attention. Here are a few key points for safe paddling in the bay:

• Keep your distance from seals and other animals-at least 50 to 100 feet, or face severe fines. If they come towards you, gently and slowly paddle away; more often than not, they'll stay away. If they're fidgeting and staring you down, you're too close.
• Don't feed the mammals! Or any other life forms you see, unless they're wearing fanny packs.
• Sssh...don't wake the sea otters. They're an endangered species, and they need to sleep at least half the day to be healthy.
• Glide as gently as possible atop the giant kelp bed. You'll want to go slow anyway, in order to see the snails, crabs, and miscellaneous invertebrates on the kelp blades, and the brown pelicans, cormorants, loons, grebes, and other birds that feed on kelp-dwelling critters.
• If you see plastic float by, pick it up. And do we really need to say it? Don't add any trash of your own.

Two rental companies with locations smack dab in the middle of the sanctuary, in Monterey Bay proper, are Monterey Bay Kayaks and Adventures by the Sea. Both are about two hours south of San Francisco on California's Central Coast, and both offer classes and organized tours for novices. Family outings seem especially encouraged.

Landlubbers can still get up close and personal with a kelp forest and its inhabitants by visiting the nearby Monterey Bay Aquarium, or by tuning into its underwater Kelp Cam.

Photo: AdventuresbytheSea.com