You don’t need to own a kayak to enjoy kayaking. If you’re trying to save your precious Benjamins or simply testing out a new sport, keep reading to learn how to rent a kayak with confidence.
Renting a kayak isn’t rocket science but does require some forethought and common sense. Effective kayak rental comes down to 1. Working with a service-oriented company, 2. Selecting the right kayak for the location and your abilities, 3. Arriving with basic gear – including drinking water and money.
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How to Select a Great Kayak Rental Company
In my experience, most kayak rental companies range from great-to-excellent. Whether they’re expedition outfitters or small companies working from a beachfront cabin, most seek to assure a great client experience.
But let’s just say some kayak rental companies are more excellent than others.
What is the rental company’s reputation?
Reputation matters. Look for a kayak rental company with a solid reputation supported by positive customer reviews.
A couple of pro-tips. Owner-operated kayak rental companies typically provide better service. Owners really want clients to have a great experience. If the owner is on-site, they’ll make sure your experience is a good one.
Also, owners are often the most senior and knowledgeable in the shop. This is helpful if you’re a novice paddler.
If the kayak rental company has great reviews and the owner is often referred to affectionately by his/her first name, this is usually a good sign.
Does the rental company have a variety of kayaks available?
If you’re an experienced paddler, then you simply need to find a company that can rent you the kayak you know you need.
If you’re inexperienced, then a selection of shorter sit-in as well as sit-on-top kayaks with high primary stability will be helpful. And if the rental company’s selection includes both hard-shell as well as inflatable varieties, so much the better.
Anticipate the kayak rental company to stock boats that are consistent with the local kayaking opportunities.
In other words, kayaks used for faster river water are dramatically different from those used for leisurely drifting across small, tranquil lakes. The rental company will make available the best boats for the nearby kayaking opportunities.
Does the rental company emphasize safety?
Check the rental company’s safety practices and policies.
Does the company provide a selection of PFDs so that you can easily find one that fits you perfectly?
Are helmets available?
Does the company provide a bilge pump in the kayak? Are you instructed in how to use it to keep from sinking?
Does the company bombard you with rules, policies and procedures that you struggle to remember but hope that you will if/when the time comes?
Do the kayak hulls appear well-maintained?
Is the company appropriately insured?
If you answer ‘YES’ to all of these questions, then the probability is high that you’re dealing with a kayak rental company that prioritizes safety.
Good news. Proceed.
Does the kayak rental company provide a high level of customer service?
Do you enjoy working with the folks at the company and do you get the sense that their purpose is to keep you safe and provide you with a great experience?
It is always good when company owners and employees can adequately answer all your questions. However, if you are a novice paddler, you don’t know what you don’t know. A super-high-quality owner or employee will provide you with information you don’t even know to ask about.
This is a sign that you are in good hands.
Look for friendly, knowledgeable staff that are responsive to your questions. A helpful staff can provide valuable insights, recommend suitable kayaking routes and address your concerns with care and expertise.
Does the kayak rental company price its services competitively?
Look, nobody wants to overpay for anything. So go ahead and compare the rate to rent a kayak across several different companies.
But consider the value you’re receiving for the price.
Service has value and should be compensated.
An effective strategy is to compare prices of several kayak rental companies and determine whether the reviews are sufficiently positive to warrant a higher-than-average price.
However, do note that kayak rental companies with high overhead and an absentee owner might have higher prices that area not supported by superior customer service.
Is the kayak rental company conveniently located to the water?
Look for a rental company near the spot where you want to kayak.
Ideally this would be adjacent to the desired body of water. Sometimes this isn’t possible.
If the kayak rental company isn’t located close to the body of water, do they provide transportation assistance to and from the put-in and take-out points? Many companies do provide this service. For a fee.
Also, if transportation is required to and from the body of water, does the kayak rental company have a parking lot for you to park your vehicle (assuming you have one)?
The closer the kayak rental company is to your desired body of water and the more support the company provides in accessing the body of water, the fewer logistical details you need to consider. The fewer logistical details you need to deal with, the better your paddling day will be.
What Types of Kayaks Can I Rent?
There are several types of kayaks available, each designed for specific purposes and varying skill levels.
Assuming your paddling experience leans towards novice, let’s briefly discuss the unique characteristics of the various kayaks through that lens.
Sit-in kayak
A sit-in kayak has a closed cockpit with a deck located above your legs and feet. Many of them come equipped with hip supports and knee braces that help you maneuver the boat.
Higher-quality sit-in kayaks come equipped with air-tight storage compartments at their bow and stern that provide storage as well as improve buoyancy.
Sit-on-top kayak
A sit-on-top kayak is constructed with on open cockpit that doesn’t have a deck. You literally sit on top of the boat.
This provides more room for your legs and feet.
Sit-on-top kayaks are constructed with ‘scupper’ holes that drain water from the cockpit. Thus, these kayaks are virtually unsinkable (which is a desirable concept for novice kayakers.)
Sit-on-top kayaks are typically heavier than sit-in kayaks and are often seen as the more utilitarian of the two construction styles.
Think of sit-on-top kayaks as pick-up trucks and sit-in kayaks as sporty sedans. An effectively analogy right up until it isn’t….
Both sit-in and sit-on top kayaks can be constructed with hard-shell or inflatable materials. They are manufactured in recreational lengths and widths to provide for high stability and control by inexperienced paddlers.
Primary stability
If you are a novice kayaker, then you’ll prefer to rent a boat with higher primary stability.
Primary stability is the feeling of ‘tippiness’ you have when sitting on calm water. A kayak with a relatively wider hull provides higher primary stability and a lower feeling that you’ll tip over when you shift your weight.
Kayaks with high primary stability are found in both sit-in and sit-on-top styles as well as hardshell and inflatable materials.
Kayak size
As a novice paddler, you’ll find it easier to control a shorter kayak somewhere between 9-10 feet in length – particularly if you plan to drift down a wide, lazy river or float on top of still, small lake.
If you are a paddler of larger ‘girth’ (> 250lbs), you might need to rent a kayak that is slightly wider and longer than that of a smaller paddler. This isn’t a big deal – there are lots of really good ones.
Now, if your plan is to tackle faster river water, then your kayak rental company will undoubtedly outfit you in a river kayak. These specialized kayaks are super-short and highly maneuverable.
(As an aside, we wouldn’t recommend running fast water as a novice kayaker. You’ll require at least intermediate kayaking skills in order to keep yourself safe. Surely, your kayak rental company will emphasize this and keep you out of harm’s way.)
Should you be renting a more advanced kayak for a multi-day adventure, then it’s most likely you’ll need a touring or sea kayak. These boats are typically of higher quality – characterized by a longer body that is stable (particularly when packed with gear) with efficient tracking.
Many of them come equipped with rudders or skegs – advanced components that help paddlers control their direction when faced with wind and current.
You’ll pay more for touring kayaks with specialized components but, if you possess the kayaking abilities, you’ll likely get more from the experience.
To summarize, a novice kayaker will likely be best-served by renting a recreational kayak of about 10 feet in length that is either sit-in or sit-on-top, hard-shell or inflatable, with high primary stability.
What is the Cost to Rent a Kayak?
We aggregated kayak rental rates from a cross-section of U.S. cities.
The table below states what we found.
As one might expect, rental rates were found to be higher in highly-populated cities with significant demand for kayak rentals.
As such, we found it more expensive to rent kayaks in California and New York than in Georgia and Florida.
What Gear Should I Bring with Me to Rent a Kayak?
Means of payment and personal identification
You won’t be getting anywhere near a rental kayak without ID and means of payment.
The rental company will require some form of ID to mitigate the risk of you paddling off into the sunset and not returning their boat.
Also, some kayak rental companies require some form of security deposit to not only mitigate the risk of theft, but also damage. Make sure you have room on your credit card for this charge (which shouldn’t be too high).
Personal floatation device (PFD) and paddle
These are two important items that the kayak rental company will make available to you, sometimes in a package deal with the kayak but oftentimes on a piecemeal basis.
You don’t need to bring your own but if you do, you’ll save a couple of bucks as well as be assured that your PFD will fit perfectly, and your paddle will be a delight to wield.
If you plan to use a PFD and paddle provided by the kayak rental company, that’s ok too.
Remember to take your time when selecting a PFD. Find one that fits well, because you’ll be wearing it all day.
With respect to a paddle, do yourself a favor and select one that is lightweight. As you reach mid-afternoon, the weight of the paddle will likely become the deciding factor as to whether you finish the day grumpy or in a great mood.
Lightweight is key.
Dry bags
Kayaking is a wet sport, obviously. The more tired your arms and shoulders become, the sloppier your stroke and the wetter you get.
In your rented kayak, stow your belongings in a dry bag or two. Keep items that you need to reach while paddling tethered to the kayak near the cockpit. If you don’t need immediate access to some items, stow them in the storage hatches (if available) or under the bungee cords.
If you capsize your kayak, dry bags will keep your extra clothing and electronics safe and dry.
Personal consumable items
Bring more water than you think you’ll need. Do so in a couple of insulated thermoses and attach them to the kayak near the cockpit.
Locate snacks (GORP, granola bars, etc) near the cockpit while stowing more meaningful foodstuffs toward the ends of the kayak.
Pro tip: If you’re bringing food that benefits from cooler temperatures, place it against the hull below the water line. This will help lower its temperature.
Sun screen. Because skin cancer. Just use it and don’t forget to reapply. Also bring a hat and sunglasses because I’d bet my last dollar that you don’t lather up the part in your hair.
Also, consider a long-sleeved shirt or rash guard to further protect your glorious bod from harmful UV rays.
First aid kit
The longer the trek and the greater the distance from your put-in point, the better the first aid kit you should bring.
At the very least, be prepared for cuts, scrapes and minor injuries.
And don’t forget medicine. A few Advil tablets are always helpful to have on hand.
Also bring something for an upset stomach. A bubbly tummy on a boat is awful and too much sun can easily get you there. If you need stomach medicine, then you’ll need toilet paper. Sure, you can take the risk and not bring any if you want….
Signaling device
In case of emergency, you need to be able to signal to rescuers.
At minimum bring a whistle. Fox40s are great.
Depending on where your paddling will take you, a flare could prove helpful. When you’re reading a blog post, the idea of a flare seems like overkill. When you’re sitting on shore with a new gash in your recently rented kayak (goodbye security deposit) and it’s getting dark, a flare no longer seems like overkill.
Navigation tools
If you can get a signal, then you can use an app on your cellular phone to putter around.
Should you run out of power or signal, then an old-school paper map will rapidly become your best friend. However, consider the relationship between paper and water. Best to keep your map in a waterproof spot.
It’s actually not uncommon for paddlers to laminate copies of any maps they’ll require.
Best to familiarize yourself with the general lay of the land before putting in, anyway.
Should you be planning a multi-day trip, then leaving a float plan with a family member as well as the rental company is highly recommended.
Extended voyages should be supported by either a VHF radio or GPS device as well.
Extra clothing and towels
The longer your planned voyage, the more additional clothing you’ll require.
A single-day excursion will require some rain gear as well as a dry set of clothes to change into at the end of the day. There is virtually no chance of being dry when your trip comes to a close.
Multi-day voyages don’t require a new change of clothes every day. However, in addition to rain gear, you’ll need extra underwear, an insulating layer for night-time as well as perfectly dry clothes (pajamas?) to sleep in. Nothing is worse than shivering all night in damp clothes.
Wet feet can be a bummer too. Bring extra socks.
Finally, you’ll always find a use for a dry towel. Best to bring one.
What Else Should I Consider When Renting a Kayak?
Can I rent a kayak by myself?
The short answer is, absolutely. But use good judgement.
Renting a recreational kayak, dragging it 100 yards to the beach (don’t actually drag your kayak) and paddling around in the water doesn’t require a skilled chaperone. You can do this quite safely by yourself, even if your skill and experience level is low.
In fact, this is a good opportunity to practice your kayak paddle strokes and wet exits.
Renting a 16-foot touring kayak for a 10-day sea expedition however, is an undertaking best accomplished with multiple partners – even if you are a skilled, experienced paddler.
Will the kayak rental company provide me with a lesson?
Quite possibly. Best to perform due diligence before you arrive, particularly if there’s a risk that you need to book introductory paddling lessons well in advance.
How much gear do I actually need to bring?
Quite simply, the longer the voyage, the more gear you’ll require. Check out our article on packing for an expedition for a comprehensive list of all the gear you’ll need and how to jam it into your boat.
Can I fish from a rental kayak?
Most certainly. Kayak fishing is extremely popular. Kayaks are way cheaper than motorboats. Also, they are quieter, can reach more remote locations and can be conveniently transported on top of your vehicle when the day is done.
Kayak fishing is a huge, highly-developed industry.
If you’re planning to rent a kayak to go fishing, be sure to understand what fish are in season, what the rules are with respect to size and number of catches and what licensing you require to do the fishing you want to do.
Is it better to rent two single kayaks or one tandem kayak?
In a previous article, I noted that ‘while one tandem is cheaper than two solos, two solos is cheaper than one divorce.’
If you and your partner are already experienced tandem paddlers, then by all means rent a tandem kayak and ‘go with God’.
However, if you and your partner have minimal experience paddling solo kayaks and zero experience paddling tandem kayaks, then rent two single kayaks. Save yourselves the discontent, arguments and overall heartache of trying to paddle a tandem kayak.
You want to have a fun day, right? In a tandem kayak, you probably won’t. Just saying.
Parting thoughts about renting kayaks.
There are many excellent kayak rental outfitters and with a little due diligence, you should be able to find one.
While there is no need to pay an off-market price to rent a kayak, remember that great service should be expected to come with a slightly higher price.
Take steps to select the water characteristics and kayak that are consistent with your abilities.
Also, bring the appropriate gear to support you on your particular adventure.
Finally, remember that at 4:00pm, the difference between misery and ecstasy will be found in the weight of your paddle. He whose paddle is lightest will be happiest. Pretty sure that’s science!