To consider a kayak voyage at night truly manifests your commitment to the sport. If you’ve decided that a night-time paddle is the thing for you, then I’d like to help. After all, I’ve completed a few myself. (Actually, I’ve completed every single one!)
To safely and effectively kayak at night, you’ll need to plan your route, execute a lighting strategy, dress for the climate, bring the right gear, and prepare your approach to potential emergencies.
Table of Contents
Is Kayaking at Night Even Allowed Where You Live?
Kayaking is most likely legal in the state, province and/or country where you reside.
In the United States, all watercraft use is regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard. Each state’s government provides regulation as well, so it’s best to consult with your local authorities to ensure night-time kayaking is indeed allowed in your unique location.
Kayaks are considered by the U.S. Coast Guard to be ‘human-powered’ or ‘oar-driven’ vessels. As such, there are particular rules around night-time lighting that extend to kayaks. We’ll discuss those rules shortly.
While night-time kayaking is widely permitted, night-time fishing and hunting is a much more complex, regulated undertaking – requiring permits and special permissions, if allowed at all. If your plan is to fish or hunt from a kayak (or canoe) at night, double-check the local regulations to ensure you’re keeping on the right side of the law.
What are the Added Risks of Kayaking at Night?
It’s harder to see at night
Thanks Captain Obvious!
Really, though. Everything is riskier at night because you can’t see well. You run a higher risk of getting lost, tangling with a hazard, getting stuck in difficult water (including shallow water), scuffling with an ornery nocturnal animal.
The onset of inclement weather can also be much more difficult to handle at night than during the day.
You see, during the day we use our sight to fix upon some physical feature in our surroundings. It could be a beach, or a cliff, or a tree or a rock. It could even be the horizon line. Simply speaking, stabilizing our gaze helps us maintain our balance.
At night, our balance suffers because the expected visual cues of the day are not present. When our balance suffers, we become less effective kayakers and are less able to handle the physical requirements of paddling.
Also, a big part of effective kayaking is about not running into things. When light is in short supply, it becomes more difficult to identify and avoid hazards before you are right on top of them.
It’s harder to mount an effective rescue if you get in trouble
This may or may not be true, depending on your particular situation. A bright light shone at night can actually do a better job of illuminating your location to a rescuer than anything you might do during the day.
However, if you find yourself in a sticky situation and in need of third-party assistance, it’s possible that you won’t be able to identify any of the landscape markers in your vicinity. It’ll still be difficult to find you.
Ceteris paribus, the dark will generally make it harder for rescuers to track you down and rescue you.
Lights are Your New Best Friends, When Kayaking at Night
Your best chance at mitigating poor night-time sight is with lights.
The U.S. Cost Guard requires that rowed or paddled vessels (‘vessels under oars’) display the same lights as a sailboat. However, if a vessel under oars does not exhibit the lights for a sailboat, “it shall have ready at hand an electric torch (flashlight) or lighted lantern showing a white light that shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent a collision.”
Now, if you do plan to actually install lights on your kayak, then they have to be Coast Guard-approved units with standardized brightness, color and visibility.
The torch referenced above could be a 1,000,000 lumen flashlight or a mere headlamp. My preference is to actually bring both.
Headlamps
Headlamps are super-convenient when trying to complete a task that requires two hands, while in the dark. Like, say, paddling a kayak. While there might be times when you prefer to paddle with the headlamp on, I usually find myself keeping it off unless I need to really focus on navigating a challenging stretch of water.
It’s helpful if your headlamp is waterproof. Obviously.
Some paddlers hate headlamps, opting instead for dimmer red lights that make night vision easier (according to them). I respect their preference, but I don’t share it.
Using a 1,000,000 lumen flashlight when other watercraft approach
Carrying a 1,000,000 lumen flashlight isn’t so you can see things, it’s so things (and by things I mean the captains of motor-powered boats) can see you.
The Coast Guard requires most motor boats to exhibit a red light on their port side and a green light on their starboard side. In the dark, you’ll be able to tell by the position of the lights whether a motor boat is approaching you or floating away.
If you see a green light on your port side and red light on your starboard side, this means that a boat is coming your way.
Break out that 1,000,000 lumen torch and alert the approaching boat to your location. (Avoid shining a light this strong in anyone’s eyes, as this risks eye damage.)
Other lighting strategies
There are other ways to provide light while paddling at night.
Bicycle lights Bicycle accessory manufacturers have done a great job of designing and manufacturing lights for bike riding – a more common night-time activity than kayaking.
These lights can be temporarily attached to your kayak or your life vest. They are available in varying intensities and at different price points. Furthermore, they are generally waterproof.
Slightly out-of-the box idea but one worth considering.
Marine grade lights If you are committed to night-time kayaking and desire to equally commit to installing lights on your kayak, then you do have alternatives.
A popular variety of permanent light takes the form of an LED bulb that sits atop a pole that extends from 14” to as long as 48” and is mounted on the back deck of a kayak.
Remember that if you’re planning to permanently mount a light on your kayak, the entire undertaking needs to be U.S. Coast Guard compliant.
What Gear Do You Need to Kayak Safely at Night?
The list of paddling gear that you require at night is broadly similar to that which you need during the day.
Life vest / Personal Floatation Device. Not only is this a no-brainer, but it’s also the law. “All recreational vessels must carry one wearable life jacket for each person on board.”
Communication equipment: Cellular phone, VHF radio, Personal Location Beacon, Tracker, SPOT device. I discuss these methods of communication below. Having more than one communications tool to secure help could potentially save your bacon.
Food and clean drinking water If you plan to be in your kayak longer than two hours, you should bring some water. In an emergency that keeps you on the water much longer than expected, drinking water will absolutely be required.
Also, a little snack can really lift your spirits when you’re trying to work through a difficult situation. Pack a Cliff bar or some GORP in a plastic baggie, just in case.
Clothing Layers that are appropriate for the conditions Bring clothing that you can layer as necessary. I usually pack an extra ‘next-to-skin’ layer that wicks moisture, an insulating layer, as well as a windproof/waterproof shell.
The garment needs of a paddler in the Florida Everglades are different from those of a paddler on Lake Superior.
Whichever clothes you bring, remember to pack them in a dry sack.
Paddle leash The topic of paddle leashes can be controversial. In fact, I wrote an article all about these leashes as well as the controversy that surrounds them.
The controversy is essentially that if a paddler capsizes, they can get tangled in the paddle leash and drown – particularly if the paddle and leash are both attached to the paddler.
My opinion is this: When paddling in the dark, if for whatever reason your paddle drops into the dark water, you’ll immediately have a serious problem. It can be difficult to locate a floating paddle during the day. It’s harder at night. My preference is to protect against the risk of losing your paddle.
When kayaking at night, I personally attach a paddle leash to my paddle as well as the deck of my kayak (not to my body). This is the safest way to use a paddle leash.
In the quiet of night, the leash makes an annoying noise as it rubs against the polyethylene of my boat. (I suppose I should wrap the cord in a soft fabric. Just haven’t got to it, yet.) I feel the annoying noise is a price that should be paid to avoid losing your paddle.
Extra paddle Sure, you can elect to not use a kayak paddle leash because you stowed an extra paddle. Perhaps you could choose to be cavalier, using your premier paddle (best and highest $$) without a paddle leash. Then, if you lose this paddle, you piece together the extra stowed paddle and attach a leash. Your call, I suppose.
The decision to do so isn’t even on the table if you don’t have an extra paddle. I prefer to bring one.
Oh, and attach the spare paddle to your kayak rather than letting it bang around on the floor. That’s just good form – but you knew that.
Visual Distress Signal Kayaks are not required to carry a U.S. Coat Guard-approved visual distress signal during the day, however ‘recreational boats less than 16 feet’ are required to carry a night signal when operating from sunset to sunrise.
If you find yourself in a sticky situation while paddling in the dark and require immediate rescue, a visual distress signal will be a key tool in your arsenal.
Visual distress signals could include: electric distress light, Red Meteor, Parachute Flare, Red Flare.
First aid kit Include all the usual accoutrements: Band aids. Triangular bandages. Gauze. Wraps. Tweezers. Disinfectant. After-bite. Crazy glue. Speed Stitches. Scissors. Pain killers. Benadryl (careful using this at night). Pepto Bismal. Iodine.
Navigation equipment Map. Compass. GPS device. SPOT device. My view is that these tools really ought to be intended for emergencies to help rescuers locate you and pluck you out of a dangerous situation.
I avoid situations that require hard-core, night-time navigation. It’s more difficult to connect the topography on the map with the topography that surrounds you – mostly because it’s dark.
Also, we’re all typically more tired at night. At least I am. I’d argue that my reasoning abilities aren’t as sharp at 1:00am as they are at 1:00pm. Nor is my judgement. Inferior decision-making is a key risk to manage when night-time kayaking.
Assorted other gear: Duct tape. Whistle. River knife. Aquaseal. Repair kit. Topographical map. Bear spray. Bilge pump. Multi tool. Extra batteries. Personal ID.
Steps to Prepare for Your Night-time Paddle
Float plan Plan your route on a paper or electronic map. This is usually called a float plan. As you do so, consider the various hazards that you might want to avoid at night, including: strong tides/currents, fast moving or shallow rivers, hazard-laden rivers, low-head dams, navigation locks, wildlife.
It is also ideal to plan a route that avoids boat traffic. The safer, the better – especially at night,
The float plan should also include: information about your boat and gear, your expected route, the timing of your trip, how to contact you mid-trip, who to contact if you’re late or otherwise unresponsive.
When complete, give the float plan to someone who cares enough to follow up with authorities if you are unresponsive.
A float plan is particularly important if you’ll be kayaking solo on your night time adventure.
Stick to your float plan If you run into trouble while on your night-time adventure and are not responsive, it will be difficult for help to find you if you have veered from your indicated route. Best to go where you said you’d go and not get too creative mid-trip.
Consult tidal and weather resources You can source information on U.S. tides, currents and water levels at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) website. This resource gives you local information about tide predictions, forecasts of coastal conditions as well as forecasts of algal bloom.
If you haven’t seen this resource before, use it by clicking on the map nearest the coastal location where you plan to kayak.
You’re then given several measurements regarding water level, water temperature, air temperature, barometric pressure, wind, relative humidity as well as visibility.
My preference is to not play chicken with the weather at night. And usually not during the day, either. If the weather looks bad, I err on the side of caution and reschedule the trip.
Also, to the extent that your kayaking is coastal, be particularly aware of the tidal and current forecasts so as to avoid becoming hung up on a bar or running into an unexpected ‘portage’ that wasn’t there earlier.
Remember that slack water is your friend.
Also remember to bring protective footwear that is consistent with carrying a kayak on sharp rocks and shells during low tide.
Perhaps the best night-kayaking hack of all, don’t park your vehicle on a wet, coastal beach. Just saying….
Managing an Emergency When Kayaking at Night
How to Call the U.S. Coast Guard for Emergency Help
The U.S. Coast Guard provides both civil and military support to U.S. Atlantic and Pacific coastal regions as well as several interior waterways.
If you require emergency services during your night-time kayak, depending on where you are located, the U.S. Coast Guard could be your first call.
To call the U.S. Coast Guard, you ideally require a two-way marine VHF radio that operates on frequencies between 156 to 174 MHz. For kayaking, you need a waterproof, handheld unit that fits inside a pocket of your life vest.
Here are the steps to making an effective MAYDAY call to the U.S. Coast Guard. (Remember, if you’re calling the Coast Guard, that usually means your life is at risk.)
1. Turn VHF radio to Channel 16. This is known as the ‘hailing frequency’ and is used for vessel-to-vessel communication.
2. “Mayday. Mayday. Mayday.” (Say it three times.)
3. “This is (insert vessel name).” Because you’re in a kayak, or perhaps fell out of one, use a visual description like the color of the boat. (Say it three times.)
4. “At position (say location).” If you know your GPS co-ordinates, announce them now. If not, use a compass bearing and distance to a near-by landmark like a small island or some other unique landscape feature.
5. State the nature of your emergency. Perhaps your kayak sustained catastrophic damage and you’re stuck. Or maybe the weather changed and has put you in immediate danger.
6. State the type of assistance needed. If you’ve lost someone in your party and fear for their safety, say so. If you’ve capsized and been separated from your kayak, let the Coast Guard know.
7. State the number of people involved.
8. State the vessel name and/or description. (Repeat two times.)
9. “OVER”.
10. Wait 15 seconds and repeat the entire message.
So, a communication with the Coast Guard would look something like this:
“Mayday. Mayday Mayday.”
“This is Red Kayak. Red Kayak. Red Kayak”
“At one mile off Iceberg Point with 90 degree bearing.”
“I have lost my kayak in the water.”
“Require immediate rescue.”
“One person. One red kayak.”
“This is Red Kayak.”
“Over.”
If there is no answer after 15 seconds, then repeat your message.
Making Use of Other Tracking Technology to Keep You Safe
Personal Locator Beacon
This is a device that sends a message of distress to the Coast Guard from anywhere in the world, assuming a clear view of the sky. The beacon can be used anywhere on land or on water.
A distress message and GPS co-ordinates are sent to the Coast Guard, who will send rescue support to your GPS location.
Tracker
Some satellite trackers or GSM have a function that lets you make an SOS call from a Rescue Co-ordination Facility (RCC). The facility passes on your distress message to the Maritime RCC who the engages the necessary rescue service on your behalf.
This service is not an immediate help. Rather, it is a means to get you out of difficult situation when you’ve exhausted your own resources.
Cellular Phone
Bring a fully-charged cellular phone with you, housed in a waterproof case and further packed in a plastic bag.
Input the Coast Guard phone and text numbers. You might need them.
Parting Thoughts About How to Kayak at Night
If you made it all the way through to the end of this article, it should be clear to you that safety is the defining theme of this tome.
In my view, it’s simply better to prepare for all contingencies so that if the time comes, you have a plan as well as the necessary resources to stay safe.
Look, night-time kayaking is a treat. It’s calm, it’s quiet, and it calls upon your other senses to fill the gap that poor visibility creates.
Learning how to kayak at night while staying safe, is a worthwhile endeavor. Good luck on your next night-time trip.