reminds of a similar incident, the guy was fishing off his kayak and had a younger otter climb onto his boat. Turns out it had trash/seaweed tangled in its back legs and needed help. Guy untangled him, and it took off. Some ten, fifteen minutes later it came back, and dropped a fish into the boat, barked a few times then left.

Yeah sometimes when otters are washing they get stuck in the spin cycle.

Might have been a rescue/release otter. He sure was comfortable with humans.

In a galaxy far far a bay, somewhere in Monterey.

thanks for the warning at the end. Otters look so cute that sometimes you can forget that they are not pets but actually wild animals that can be dangerous.

I appreciate the message at the end. Respect nature and admire it from a safe distance.

I suspect it had an itch or parasite or something it couldn't quite reach in the water (hence the spinning), so it went on the kayak to get at it.

I give that otter a 10 out of 10 for his mount onto the boat. Six tuck rolls then a smooth entry onto the kayak....perfect.

What a little magic moment, put a big smile on my face. It's times like these that makes life worth living. thanks for posting.

Otters are very cute and interesting animals - but in the wild - they aren't something you want to entice to come close. This couple was very blessed to have a visit by a sea otter. It needed their kyack for a bit of self-maintenance grooming. No harm in that.

It's the highest honor to be chosen by an animal ♥♥♥

Nice video, I was born and raised in Monterey. Otters especially the ones released from the Monterey Aquarium are extremely friendly. They move fast on land too. I used to got Del Monte Beach all the time running and sitting on the beach. One time there was a girl released from the aquarium she was super curious she run onto the beach and yanked out my towel I was in a tug of war with her. She won and took it back into the sea. She was just having fun. That area and Moss Landing on the other side of where you were are full of otters.

That is that absolute cutest little thing ever. 🥰 That little thing makes you want to try and keep it as a pet ☺️

Very wise to add that notice at the end of the video. That had to be a great experience.

Human: "Hey little otter - whatcha doing? Cleaning yourself? Otter: "Nah, just waiting here til that 15 ft great white leaves. Don't worry, he tips the kayak - I'll be outta here. You guys can deal with him..."

Great experience. There was no human invitation the otter just decided to hop on, clean and relax...

Otter: "I'll try spinning. That's a good trick."

Spinning is how they trap air in their coat to keep themselves buoyant and warm.

What a wonderful experience. Lucky people.

They did the right thing knowing not to try to touch it. But how cute. Glad they got the video.

That was Otterly adorable!

What a privilege you have to be able to meet them!

The spinning was the otter trying to groom a skin irritation. You were a peaceful and familiar sight and it felt safe enough there. Fabulous but frightening too, as weirdos could take advantage of this trust.

2:23 Kayaker - Whatcha doin'? Otter - My butt itches. Do you mind?

Stan Lee is everywhere these days.

My heart melted. Until I read the warning at the end!!!

WoWsERs! What an amazing experience! How KEWL :) ...glad you guys didn't get hurt and even more happy you caught it on tape to share. Thank you!

Great video! Obviously you're animal lovers - thanks for being so welcoming and engaging with them. Lucky otters to choose you guys!

A very special memory 💕

I don't know if anyone mentioned it, but sea otters are constantly grooming (so whoever said sea otters are like cats is more correct than they know lol). Sea otters don't have layers of fat like seals or whales and they rely on a layer of air trapped in their fur to help insulate them from the cold water. In order to maintain that layer of air, they have to groom and "fluff" their fur regularly throughout the day. The otter probably saw your boat as an opportunity to put some real effort into a grooming and fluffing session.

the trick is to just let it do what it wants. dont try to evict it. i bet he was just tired and wanted a rest. would have never tried to bite if u just let it rest there a while

Feel privileged that he wanted to join you on the kayak,I’m sure it doesn’t happen often.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

What an amazing encounter. Glad everyone is safe!

He jumped aboard to get that itch and was tierd of spinning in the water and making himself dizzy.

Otters r so adorable... I think when Ooers feel lonely and see humans they want the attention 💞💕💓

That was a great video. Thanks for posting. You two rock!

Oh, that's why he was spinning. He couldn't reach that bit without some traction.

What an absolutely incredible and unforgettable experience. How lucky, for you two. Thanks for sharing!!

they seem to have nothing but love.

The otter looks very comfortable being on the kayak with you. You're right. He looks cute and sweet, but he's still wild animal. Anyway, you are lucky to have this experience and, yes, the otter chose you ☺

Happy World Otter Day - celebrating all of the otters in this world!!!

Wow, that was amazing Mindy! That otter must have been attracted to your glowing aura's. :-) What a wonderful experience.

The otters are hand reared then released even though its with an otter puppet they still know people raised them. YOU ARE BLESSED!

They don't call them dogs of the sea for nothing.

I love the clean crystal waters.

Her “What does it feel like to have a otter between your legs?” Him “it a feeling like no otter”

This is so awesome!! You guys are so lucky that must have been an amazing experience.

My favourite animal.

So glad neither of you got bit! Now, awesome video! Such a cute and amazing experience! 👍🙌👏🌌

the new star wars looks great

Monterey Bay looks like an amazing place to live. Lots of wild sea life videos seem to be filmed there. Thanks for posting yours.

Well! Just make yourself right at home there. These guys are so bold.

Agreed !! I'm not the least bit afraid of small non-venomous snakes, lizards, non venomous spiders etc.......but even small mammals like chipmunks, squirrels, otters......and larger mammals like dolphins, bears, bison, etc.....can inflict serious bites with the possibility of infection or trample you if they are frightened or acting territorial. Never approach a wild mammal, and if one approaches you, don't make any sudden movements. I'm glad a lot of the human-wild animal interactions video-ed on KZfaq turn out positive !! They're really fun to watch !!

2:00 "So what's it like to have an otter between your legs?" "Definitely not like a beaver!"

He got you off guard with his circus act.

What a sweet sea otter

Interesting otter scene. Wise words of advice.

I bet whatever it was gnawing at while in the boat, was the same thing that was causing it to do those somersaults in the water before it got in the boat. It looked like whatever it was, it was really hurting it.

The secret tactics of world otter domination. Cute yourself right into the boats.

That was amazing, thanks for sharing, glad no harm was done to any of you... 😆

One thing a lot of people don't realize is there are an awful lot of seals and sea otters that have been rescued by marine institutes that now feel safe around humans. It seems to happen quite a lot these days, but yes they can be very dangerous if they wish.

Heed their WARNING. Extremely sharp teeth and powerful jaws, capable of piercing right through your head or forearm. No joke.

Such a snuggly baby!

If he/she didn't want to go back into the water just yet, don't make him/her leave, take him/her on a kiyac cruise, it came to you, you didn't force it on board. I'd be honored if it were me as long as it wasn't a shark. People pay as much as $300 a person to swim with otters in some places.

I love cute animal videos that also educate instead of pretending wild animals are pets

The disclaimer at the end of this video is hysterical. "Any close contact with a wild animal should be avoided" themselves

Nice video. Thanks.

I wonder is some of these otters were treated by humans and released into the wild remembering that people aren't so bad after all.

The otter was on a roll when in the water.

Otterly amazing!!

That was my news paper route in 1970 from PG to the RR tracks on the row. Sat on the rocks inside Hopkins Research one day while delivering their paper and watched a grey whale with calf 50 ft off shore swim in slow circles. Used to play in those tide pools before it was illegal and roamed inside the abandoned canneries before they were tourist spots. My great aunts picture chopping fish heads from 1948 life magazine in Portola cannery that is now aquarium is blown up huge and hanging in the mall across from the aquarium. Grew up in PG. Those were the days.

Your scrolling text made me think the Galactic Empire would kidnap the otter.

He thought you were his Uber ride.

thanks for warning.

Close Encounters of the Otter Kind? The Otter Limit's?

as a12 year old I'd watch my dad walk into that same bay to scuba 1970 was on my own till he resurfaced those were the days my friend

While I worked at the Shedd Aquarium in the 1980's we took in Sea Otters from an oil spill. One of the Marine aquarist had their lower lip bitten off by one. It is wise to always respect and be aware of all animal life in nature.

Otter: Human! Wanna see a trick?!

Absolute otter moment

So refreshing not to have the usual human screeching and screaming that accompanies any vid featuring sea mammals.

What an amazing and memorable experience.

I bet he was itchy on his butt and couldn't get it in the water so he decided to use their kayak as a place to do so lol

Adorable!

Beautiful

What a beautiful experience...and she fell asleep? That's amazing. I think she was a bit hopped up on "seaweed"judging by her behavior. Hahaha

Overload cuteness 😂😘😘😘

That's a big cat!

Always pack kevlar gloves when you go kayaking in otter infested waters. You never know when you might pick up unexpected passengers!

Not afraid whatsoever.❤

Lucky encounter, nice video!

That's about as good as it gets in this life.

It looked to me like it a bad itch on its butt or tail and that’s why it was doing loops in the water before jumping on the kayak. Seems like it’s only concern was getting out of the water so it could itch itself better.

Wow this is just amazingly awesome!!!! I'm glad no one got bit seriously!!!!

That must have been awesome!

Wow! Like a bird in the hand, you got an otter in the kayak. Awesome.

It’s like a dog chasing his tail!

That's an honor but it must have been a bit scary!

Some animals/mammals instinctfully know who is okay to approach.

They should make a movie where sea and river otters are replaced by Giant Otters from Brazil. Oh the CARNAGE!

Why do otters (and sometimes seals) do this, does anyone know? I've seen quite a few videos showing similar scenarios, which makes me curious about this behaviour. In videos where the people are fishing, or where the animal is being chased by predators, it is fairly obvious why they would jump into a boat with humans. In cases like that, the animals behaviour is clearly driven by survival instincts for food and safety, regardless of whether or not they have fear of humans. This otter however, seems to have no fear of humans at all, and I'm guessing the same would apply to the others in his.....group ("family"? "pack"? lol). The only things I can think of to potentially explain the scenario in this video (and others like it) is that perhaps one or more of the other groups of people were irresponsible enough to have been feeding the otters, and this one though these people would do the same? Or maybe the otter simply wanted a break from swimming and a chance to absorb some sun? But, then again, otters even sleep in the water...so idk if it would even need a "break"...? Lol. I guess I know what I'm doing for the next while.... as off to Google I go to fill my brain with otter info., lol. It's more than a little unnerving that some marine mammals have completely lost their fear of us, as it could easily lead to them and/or the people involved getting seriously hurt. Even more so if the poor animal encounters a human whose intention is to hunt them. Like other people who posted comments on this video, I too give these people a lot of credit for resisting the urge to pet this otter, and also for them specifically pointing out the dangers of potential encounters with wild otters at the end of this video. Props! :)