South Coast Tours

What South Coast Tours does

South Coast Tours LLC is a privately-held, founder-owned outdoor adventure tour operator founded in 2012 and headquartered at 300 Dock Rd in Port Orford, Oregon. The company runs guided kayaking, boat, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and surfing experiences across five southern Oregon coastal locations — Port Orford, Gold Beach, Brookings, Bandon, and Coos Bay — plus surfing lessons in Crescent City, California. Its core differentiators include an exclusive Special Use Permit to operate commercial tours at the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (the first national estuarine research reserve in the United States) and a 15+ year track record as the first outfitter paddling the Samuel Boardman State Scenic Corridor Arches Territory. Operations center on a rigid-hull inflatable vessel called The Black Pearl (used for wildlife viewing, snorkeling, scuba, and fishing) plus fleets of ocean, river, and inflatable kayaks, supported by Wilderness First Aid-certified guides.

The company generates revenue primarily through direct-to-consumer bookings via its website (FareHarbor and TripWorks widgets), phone, and email, with pricing set on a per-person or per-group basis ranging from $45 for a mountain biking shuttle to $750 for a full-day "Fish, Forage, Feast" experience. A secondary revenue stream targets group and event customers (bachelor/bachelorette parties, corporate retreats, family reunions) via Custom Van Tours and Custom Boat Charters spanning Coos Bay to Brookings. Non-expiring gift certificates add a flexible pre-paid revenue layer. Customer acquisition relies on 291 Google reviews with an EXCELLENT Trustindex rating, blog/website content, YouTube videos, partner lodging referrals (WildSpring, Redfish Loft, Castaway By The Sea), and earned media in outlets including Australian Geographic, USA Today, and Register Guard. The customer base consists entirely of individual leisure travelers and small groups, with no disclosed enterprise accounts.

South Coast Tours is structured as an Oregon LLC with a team of approximately 1-10 staff, including founder/owner Dave Lacey (boat captain and guide), boat captain Brian Kraynik, and guides Grant Hogan, Adam Rumack, and Mike Hunter. The company holds NOLS Wilderness First Aid certification, maintains equipment sponsor relationships with brands such as Abu Garcia, Hobie, NRS, Xcel Wetsuits, and Ocean Kayak, and partners with regional conservation and tourism organizations including the Redfish Rocks Community Team, Elakha Alliance, and Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail. No institutional investment, parent company, or M&A activity is disclosed.

Name

South Coast Tours

Legal name

South Coast Tours LLC

Website

https://southcoasttours.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

South Coast Tours is a founder-owned Oregon adventure tour operator founded in 2012, offering guided kayaking, boat, fishing, diving, hiking, and biking experiences across the southern Oregon coast, serving individual leisure travelers and small group events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Adventure Tours

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Kayaking, Canoeing & SUP Tours (Guided/Paddling Excursions) (THAJAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA), Snorkeling Tours & Reef Experiences (THAJAJAE), Water & Marine Guiding Services (Kayak, Canoe, Raft, SUP, Sailing) (THAAALAB), Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD)

Keywords

• Guided kayak tours
• Adventure tourism
• Boat tours
• Scuba diving tours
• Outdoor recreation

Headquarters

HQ city

Port Orford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Guided Adventure Tours: South Coast Tours generates revenue through selling tickets to guided adventure tours including kayaking, boat tours, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing lessons, hiking, and mountain biking shuttle services. Tours are priced per person or per group with various price points based on activity type, duration, and equipment included.
2. Gift Certificates: The company sells gift certificates that can be applied to any tour and never expire, providing flexible pre-paid adventure experiences.
3. Custom Van Tours: Custom adventure van tours built around group interests from Coos Bay to Brookings, supporting bachelor/bachelorette parties, corporate retreats, and family reunions.
4. Custom Boat Charters: Private boat tours on The Black Pearl for photography, wildlife viewing, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and scenic tours with custom scheduling.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

South Coast Tours is a guided outdoor adventure tour operator on the southern Oregon coast, selling ticketed experiences in ocean and river kayaking, boat tours, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing lessons, hiking, mountain biking shuttles, and kayak fishing. The company runs tours from five Oregon coastal locations (Port Orford, Gold Beach, Brookings, Bandon, Coos Bay) plus Crescent City, California, using its own rigid-hull inflatable vessel The Black Pearl and licensed access to protected reserves.

Product overview

South Coast Tours is an outdoor adventure tour operator offering a diverse portfolio of guided experiences across Oregon's southern coast. The company provides multiple tour categories including kayaking (ocean, river, inflatable), fishing tours, boat tours, hiking, mountain biking shuttle services, scuba diving, snorkeling, and surfing lessons. Core offerings include kayak tours at multiple locations (Port Orford, Brookings, Gold Beach, Bandon, Coos Bay), the Whales & Wildlife Boat Tour aboard the Black Pearl vessel, and whitewater/river paddling on the Wild and Scenic Rogue and Chetco Rivers. The company also offers combination experiences like Pedal & Paddle and Fish, Forage, Feast, plus custom van and boat tour options for private groups. Gift cards provide flexible access to any tour experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Port Orford Ocean Wildlife Kayaking Ocean kayak tour around Port Orford Heads with wildlife viewing, secret coves, kelp beds, and views of Redfish Rocks Marine Research Reserve; approximately 4.5 miles over 2.25 hours for individuals, families, and adventure tourists.
• Orford Heads Snorkeling and Kayak Tour Combined kayaking and snorkeling experience at Orford Heads for approximately 3 hours over 4 miles, providing underwater views of rocky reefs and kelp forests for beginners to advanced participants.
• Scuba Diving Two-tank scuba diving tours aboard the Black Pearl supporting recreational and scientific dives for groups of up to 6 divers along the southern Oregon coast.
• Rogue River Copper Canyon Paddle Tour Full-day kayak paddle through Copper Canyon on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River from Agness to Quasatana Creek Campground, covering 13 miles in approximately 6 hours with boxed lunch included.
• Scenic Flatwater Paddle on the Rogue River Easy flatwater kayak paddle on a 4-mile stretch of the Wild and Scenic Rogue River near Gold Beach, approximately 1.5 hours, with one-way paddle and shuttle support.
• Wild and Scenic Whitewater Rogue River Trip Whitewater kayak trip on the lower Wild and Scenic Rogue River featuring Class 2 and 3 rapids for approximately 1.75 hours, requiring minimum 3 persons or equivalent price.
• Arches Territory Via Inflatable Kayak Inflatable kayak tour through Samuel Boardman State Scenic Corridor featuring rock arches, secret coves, and spruce-covered islands, intermediate to advanced difficulty, approximately 6-7 hours covering 15 miles.
• Kayak Brookings – Chetco River Freshwater paddle tour on the Wild and Scenic Chetco River estuary in Brookings, approximately 2-3 hours covering 2.75-3 miles.
• Kayak Brookings – Ocean Saltwater ocean kayak tour via the Chetco River estuary to kelp forests and Chetco Point, approximately 2 hours covering 4 miles with wetsuits and booties provided.
• Wild & Scenic Chetco River Paddle Inflatable kayak paddle on the Wild and Scenic Chetco River featuring clear waters and wildlife viewing, available as single or tandem options.
• South Slough Coos Bay Wildlife Viewing Kayak Tour Kayak tour through South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, the nation's first national estuarine research reserve, featuring bald eagles, osprey, and harbor seals, covering 4.6 miles over 2.5 hours.
• Bandon Coquille River Tour Flatwater estuary paddle on the Coquille River exploring Bandon Marsh US Fish and Wildlife National Reserve, historic high docks, and ship wrecks, covering 5 miles over 2 hours.
• Fish, Forage, Feast!

Quantifiable outcome

• 291 Google reviews with EXCELLENT rating
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Abu GarciaminorOthersEquipment sponsor partner providing fishing gear products for kayak fishing tours. Abu Garcia is a well-known brand in fishing equipment.
• Berkley FishingminorOthersEquipment sponsor partner providing fishing gear for kayak fishing tours.
• Carlisle Paddle GearminorOthersEquipment sponsor partner providing paddle gear for kayaking tours.
• Ocean KayakminorOthersEquipment sponsor partner providing ocean kayaks for tours.
• PerceptionminorOthersEquipment sponsor partner providing kayaks for tours.
• Wilderness SystemsminorOthersEquipment sponsor partner providing kayaks for tours.
• HobieminorOthersEquipment sponsor partner providing kayaks, particularly known for MirageDrive pedal kayaks.
• Xcel WetsuitsminorOthersEquipment sponsor partner providing wetsuits for ocean tours.
• NRSminorOthersEquipment sponsor partner providing paddlesports gear including dry suits and paddling equipment.
• Echo FishingminorOthersEquipment sponsor partner providing fly fishing equipment.
• SpiderwireminorOthersEquipment sponsor partner providing fishing line and gear.
• NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School)minorOthersWilderness First Aid certification provider for guide training and safety standards.
• WildSpringminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEco-friendly resort in Port Orford, Oregon. Listed as lodging recommendation for groups on the southern Oregon coast.
• Redfish LoftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury accommodations in Port Orford offering the finest lodgings. Listed as lodging recommendation for groups.
• Castaway By The SeaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPet-friendly ocean view motel. Offers discount to South Coast Tours customers who mention the partnership.
• Wild Rivers Coast Food TrailminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFood trail showcasing local farm-to-table restaurants, breweries, and produce along the southern Oregon coast.
• Cougar Lane LodgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLodge in Agness offering the best BBQ on the Rogue River. Listed as lodging recommendation for Gold Beach/Agness tours.
• Redfish Rocks Community TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership supporting the Redfish Rocks Marine Research Reserve where SCT conducts wildlife viewing tours.
• Elakha AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization exploring sea otter reintroduction in Oregon with interest in kelp forest health. SCT supports marine ecosystem education.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• OARS: Long-established California-based operator of multi-day whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, and adventure tours across the U.S. West including Oregon rivers. Broad incumbent with overlapping activity types (river/sea kayak tours) but at materially larger scale, multi-day itineraries, and broader geographic reach.
• Backroads: Active adventure travel company offering biking, hiking, and kayaking trips across the U.S. and globally. Comparable in activity portfolio and target customer (active leisure travelers) but at much larger scale, with multi-day packages rather than single-day tours.
• REI Adventures: REI Co-op's guided adventure travel brand offering multi-day active trips (kayaking, hiking, rafting) globally. Comparable in activity mix but operates at a larger scale with packaged itineraries, broader geographic scope, and the REI brand halo.

Others

• Viator: Global online marketplace for tours, activities, and attractions. Not a direct competitor to South Coast Tours' direct-to-consumer model, but a distribution channel and aggregator that competes indirectly for tour booking demand in the southern Oregon coast region.
• FareHarbor: Online booking and reservation platform for tours, activities, and attractions, used by South Coast Tours for direct online reservations. Enabling technology partner rather than a competitor; comparable as ecosystem infrastructure for the small adventure tour category.

Direct peers

• Rogue River Mail Boat: Operates passenger mail delivery boat tours on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River in southern Oregon. Closest direct peer because of shared geography (Rogue River corridor), similar boat-based guided tour model, and overlapping customer base of Oregon coastal tourists.
• Kayak Tillamook: Oregon coast kayak tour operator offering guided ocean and estuary paddles out of Tillamook. Direct peer in business model, activity mix (guided ocean kayaking), and customer segment (coastal adventure tourists), though operating further north on the Oregon coast.

Regional players

• Brookings Sportfishing Center: Sportfishing charter operator based in Brookings, Oregon. Direct regional overlap in customer base (southern Oregon coast tourists) and one of South Coast Tours' activity categories (ocean fishing tours), but focused on rod-and-reel sportfishing rather than kayak/eco tours.
• Whale Research Eco Excursions: Oregon-based whale watching and marine wildlife tour operator out of Depoe Bay. Regional peer in marine wildlife tour category and Pacific Northwest coastal tourism customer base, but located on the central Oregon coast rather than the southern coast.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SouthCoastToursLLC
• Facebookfacebook.com/southcoasttours
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southcoast-llc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South Coast Tours