Visit the Point Reyes Shipwreck Before it Disappears
BY JARED DILLINGHAM
THE S.S. POINT REYES SHIPWRECK
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, dozens of ships wrecked off the coast of what is now the Point Reyes National Seashore.
These days, a more recent shipwreck gets most of the attention, and draws the most visitors.
In reality, it was more of a “beaching” than a “wreck,” and what’s left of the old wooden fishing ship likely isn’t long for this world.
➡️ CLICK TO BOOK: Tour of Point Reyes from San Francisco
Directions to the Point Reyes Shipwreck
The shipwreck is in Tomales Bay, in the small town of Inverness. The town itself is a cluster of homes, restaurants and businesses along the windy two-lane road known as Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Finding the Point Reyes Shipwreck
The shipwreck in Inverness is:
- 40 miles northwest of the Golden Gate Bridge
- 60 minute drive *without traffic*
The shipwreck itself is right behind the Inverness Market, a red building with a large parking lot off to the side.
Once you park, you’ll immediately see the wooden boat, beached in the mud flats or sandbar right offshore.
Depending on the tides and water level in Tomales Bay, you might get your feet wet walking out to the shipwreck.
There is no fee to enter Point Reyes National Seashore, and no permit or reservation is needed. You can simply drive right in, and drive right up to the parking lot near the shipwreck.
Map of the Shipwreck in Inverness
The Point Reyes Shipwreck even pops up on Google Maps as a destination to check out on Tomales Bay:
History & Story Behind the Point Reyes Shipwreck
The ship, which bears the name “SS Point Reyes” was built toward the end of World War 2 as a transport vessel working locally off the coast.
It was later used for fishing, and then purchased by someone living along Tomales Bay who planned to refurbish the wooden boat. It beached during a storm around 25 years ago, and never budged from the mud flats.
Attempts to move it from its home in the Martinelli Park area of Tomales Bay have been rebuffed by locals and California-based photographers who consider it an icon of the area.
It used to be a more impressive and interesting site!
Based on its current state, it’s unclear how long the remnants of this shipwreck will even be around:
The Fire in 2016
It’s not just the tides and storms that have taken their tolls over time on the ship.
A fire in 2016 did the most damage, speeding up its decay. Local reports say photographers using sparklers or some sort of pyrotechnics accidentally lit the boat on fire. A portion of it burned, before the flames were doused.
At least two accounts say the photographer burned steel wool to create sparks, which were captured flying off the back of the boat, creating arches of light using a long-exposure.
The entire stern was essentially destroyed.
A local fire chief called the remainder of the ship to be removed, but that advice wasn’t followed.
Advice for Visiting the Point Reyes Shipwreck
The tides will be important, depending on how close you want to get to the Point Reyes shipwreck. At low-tide, the sand bar will be exposed and you can walk right out to it.
You can find a tide chart in a number of locations. Here’s a reliable option from NOAA:
➡️ CLICK for the Point Reyes Tide Chart
Again, there is no fee to enter Point Reyes National Seashore, and no reservation or permit is needed.
History of Shipwrecks Off Point Reyes
The treacherous waters, strong currents, and dense fog off what is now Point Reyes National Seashore have contributed to numerous maritime accidents over the years.
The National Park Service has a great gallery of shipwreck photos from Point Reyes.
The Richfield (below) ran aground near Chimney Rock in 1930 with 25,000 gallons of fuel onboard. It was off-loaded to prevent an environmental disaster.
The Samoa wrecked in dense fog in 1913. The ship lost its load of lumber, but everyone onboard survived.
Map of Point Reyes Shipwrecks
This map, which can be found at the National Park Service website, shows the extensive history of major shipwrecks in the 1800s (and 1900s) off the Pacific Coast of Point Reyes.
To improve safety, and help guide ships away from the hazardous coastline, the construction of a lighthouse was deemed necessary.
The original Point Reyes Lighthouse was constructed in 1870 on the westernmost point of the Point Reyes headland, approximately 270 feet above sea level. It featured a first-order Fresnel lens, which provided a powerful beam of light visible for miles.
Other Things to Do at Point Reyes National Seashore
Here are some of the top things to do at Point Reyes National Seashore:
- Explore Point Reyes Lighthouse: Visit the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse perched on the westernmost point of the headland. Take in stunning coastal views and learn about the area’s maritime history.
- Hike the Trails: Point Reyes National Seashore has an extensive network of hiking trails that traverse diverse landscapes, including forests, coastal bluffs, and open meadows. Popular trails include the Tomales Point Trail, Alamere Falls Trail, and Chimney Rock Trail.
- Visit the Beaches: Enjoy the picturesque beaches along the coastline of Point Reyes National Seashore. Limantour Beach, Drakes Beach, and Sculptured Beach are a few popular options for beachcombing, picnicking, and relaxing.
- Wildlife Watching: Point Reyes is renowned for its diverse wildlife. Look out for Tule elk, harbor seals, elephant seals, and a variety of bird species. Bring binoculars to enhance your wildlife-watching experience.
- Kayaking and Canoeing: Tomales Bay, located within the national seashore, offers opportunities for kayaking and canoeing. Paddle along the calm waters, explore hidden coves, and observe marine life.
- Visit the Point Reyes Visitor Center: Stop by the Point Reyes Visitor Center to learn about the park’s natural and cultural history, pick up maps and brochures, and get recommendations from park rangers.
- Tule Elk Reserve: Take a trip to the Tule Elk Reserve in the park’s interior. Observe herds of Tule elk in their natural habitat and learn about their conservation efforts.
- Birdwatching: Point Reyes is a hotspot for birdwatching, particularly during migration seasons. Bring your birding gear and spot a variety of species, including shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds.
- Camping and Picnicking: Enjoy a night under the stars by camping at one of the park’s campgrounds. There are also picnic areas available for a scenic outdoor meal.
- Explore Historic Ranches: Visit the historic ranches within the park, such as the Pierce Point Ranch and the Point Reyes Historic Lifeboat Station. These sites provide insights into the area’s ranching and maritime heritage.
FAQs About the Point Reyes Shipwreck
Let’s tackle some final frequently-asked-questions about the shipwreck in Inverness. Many of these have already been answered above:
Where is the shipwreck in Point Reyes?
The ship is beached in Tomales Bay, at what is known as Martinelli Park. It’s in the small town of Inverness, CA.
Is the Point Reyes Shipwreck hard to get to?
No, there’s no hike involved. You can park in a lot adjacent to the beach where the SS Point Reyes is lodged. Depending on the tide, your feet might get wet if you walk out to the boat.
How much time do you need at the Point Reyes Shipwreck?
Most people just take a few minutes. Photographers setting up more elaborate shoots will require more time, of course. Aside from taking a photo and walking around the boat (if the tide is out) there’s not much more to do here!
Where do you park for the Point Reyes Shipwreck?
The Inverness Market has a large parking lot, and they allow people to park for a few minutes to go check out the shipwreck in Tomales Bay.
Can you climb on the Point Reyes Shipwreck?
Meh, sort of. People have been climbing all over it for more than two decades. It’s pretty dilapidated, and the local fire chief was quoted as saying: it’s more of a hazard these days. The fire in 2016 left much of it essentially structurally unsound.
Is the Point Reyes Shipwreck Worth It?
Let me put it this way: Don’t go to Point Reyes National Seashore *just* to see the shipwreck. Is it worth a quick stop on your visit? Sure. Is it worth more than 15 minutes? No.
Check out our other posts about the California Coast:
