As the Halloween season ramps up in earnest in San Luis Obispo County, the lucky 13th Witches and Warlocks Paddle attracted hundreds of spooky sailors to the harbor in Morro Bay.
Starting at Coleman Park around noon on Saturday, a procession of hundreds of pagan paddlers made their way into the harbor, drifting lazily along the Embarcadero.
“I love seeing the smile on everyone’s faces, whether they’re in the water or they’re watching from the shore,” event co-founder Annette Ausseresses told The Tribune. “It’s just so fun, people just light up.”
A team of witches rows a longboat at the Witches and Warlocks Paddle in Morro Bay on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. The 13th annual paddle attracted hundreds of witches and creatures of the night taking to the water on paddleboards, kayaks and other small craft. Joan Lynch
Attendees took to the harbor wearing witch costumes, skeleton masks and even a Beetlejuice or two, circling the waters on paddleboards, kayaks, canoes and even a longboat crewed by a team of synchronized witch rowers.
Witch and Cayucos resident Linda Van Fleet has been to five paddles prior to this year.
She both said she loves seeing the harbor filled with people celebrating Halloween in true festive spirit.
A skeleton man paddles a kayak at the 2025 Witches and Warlocks Paddle in Morro Bay on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. The 13th annual paddle attracted hundreds of witches and creatures of the night taking to the water on paddleboards, kayaks and other small craft. Joan Lynch
“Last year, I brought my 94-year-old mom, and she loved it,” Van Fleet said. “It was just the highlight of Halloween for her.”
Former Cayucos residents Alyx Lemos and Keely Tedone, both dressed as witches and crewing a double kayak, said the paddle is one of their favorite regional events and keeps them coming back to Morro Bay most years.
“It’s just fun, people coming out for good vibes,” Lemos said. “I feel like community events are few and far in between these days, and this is like a true community event, which I think is cool, too.”
Hundreds of witches take to the harbor at the Witches and Warlocks Paddle in Morro Bay on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. The 13th annual paddle attracted hundreds of witches and creatures of the night taking to the water on paddleboards, kayaks and other small craft. Joan Lynch
Witches and other creatures of the night launch their kayaks in the water near Coleman Park at the Witches and Warlocks Paddle in Morro Bay on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. The 13th annual paddle attracted hundreds of witches and creatures of the night taking to the water on paddleboards, kayaks and other small craft. Joan Lynch
A pair of witches cruise through Morro Bay during the Witches and Warlocks Paddle on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. The 13th annual paddle attracted hundreds of witches and creatures of the night taking to the water on paddleboards, kayaks and other small craft. Joan Lynch
A witch wearing a festive fall skirt paddles along at the Witches Paddle in Morro Bay on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. The 13th annual paddle attracted hundreds of witches and creatures of the night taking to the watter on paddleboards, kayaks and other small craft. Joan Lynch
A flock of witches and a family of their otter familiars paddle in the harbor at the Witches and Warlocks Paddle in Morro Bay on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. The 13th annual paddle attracted hundreds of witches and creatures of the night taking to the water on paddleboards, kayaks and other small craft. Joan Lynch
This story was originally published October 25, 2025 at 5:55 PM.
Joan Lynch is a housing reporter at the San Luis Obispo Tribune. Originally from Kenosha, Wisconsin, Joan studied journalism and telecommunications at Ball State University, graduating in 2022.
