Welcome To Manhattan Kayak
With 29 years of experience and ranked as the #1 Kayak Tour in America by USA Today, we offer classes, tours, and rentals for everyone, from beginners to pros. Come join us for an unforgettable paddling experience in the heart of NYC.
“Paddling Manhattan has all the elements of a spiritually rewarding experience: some physical exertion, a little discomfort, potential danger plus an almost surreal wide-angle lens perspective…It’s quite an antidote to urban anxiety.”
—New York Magazine
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Paddle To See The City Skyline!
Kayak Tours For Beginners 🌇
Get sweeping views along Manhattan’s iconic skyline. Safe for non-swimmers and first timers. Includes a sit-on-top kayak, life jacket, lesson and tour photo! Age 7+.
Learn To Love It!
Take Classes
Do you want an athletic experience? Take Basics classes to gain skills for longer trips. Use sea kayaks and paddle boards that go faster and farther than sit-on-top kayaks. All three classes are essential, transformative and unique. Get the Basics 3 Pack now, then sign up for classes when you’re ready. After Basics 3, join longer trips.
Join A Community Of Adventurers
Finish 3 classes or pre-screening, then paddle out around NYC with people at your skill level. Become a member for huge savings.
Have you got what it takes to paddle all the way around Manhattan? Beginners who take 3 classes and sequentially harder trips can train up for the Manhattan Circumnavigation within one dedicated season!
Intermediate Tours
- You finished Basics 1-2-3 Classes.
- Variable wind and waves. May include difficult sections.
- Little Island, Secret Beach, Surf City and more!
Advanced Tours
- You completed 4+ Intermediate tours this year.
- Stretches of challenging conditions.
- George Washington Bridge, Statue of Liberty and more!
Expert Tours
- You completed 3+ Advanced tours this year.
- Greatest challenge, unpredictability and distance.
- Red Hook, Coney Island, Yonkers and more!
The Most Adventurous Place In New York City★★★★★
The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and they want you to have a great experience on the water. Whether you're a total newbie or an expert paddler, they support you at the right level. They have something for everyone -- practice sessions in the protected cove, short jaunts up and down the river, longer trips across the river to Jersey, and more. And there is nothing like being on the Hudson, open skies above you as the light reflects off the Manhattan skyline. It's an amazing adventure (and a pretty good workout to boot!)
– Marianna V.
First of all, I don't know how to swim. So the whole experience being on the water in a small kayak was terrifying for me. But I gave it a try. Now I feel confident and having so much fun! It’s truly a life-changing experience! The team is very knowledgeable and patient. They help you to build this skill step by step. Very supportive and atmosphere! You are the best!
– Tati S.
I’ve taken Basic Kayaking 1 and 2 there so far and am really impressed. The teachers absolutely know what they’re doing and make sure that students learn techniques correctly. They’re attentive, yet foster independence in students. Going out on open water in a small boat is something that should be taken very seriously and that’s exactly how they approach it. Kayaking is pretty challenging but learning from dedicated educated instructors makes it that much easier.
– Stephanie A.
Just came back from the July 4th Skyline Tour. Our guide Jeffrey was great. We had little pre lessons of basic kayaking strategies before heading down to the water. The weather was good today. We took a lot of nice pictures. The facilities of the company were good too. Free lockers, lock and water. I saw the pin map on the wall and there was no pin in my city yet. I dropped the first pin there! Overall, I really like to recommend this place to everyone!
– Joyce Z.
My wife & I greatly enjoyed our rentals at Manhattan Kayak. Making an online reservation was quick, easy, and super affordable. The staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and very kind to our two small dogs. The equipment was top level, and the cove was amazing. We cannot wait to go back and make this a regular family summer activity. They are very dog friendly which is always a plus!
– Kevin W.
MKC is an outstanding company and I would give them 10 stars if I could. They went out of their way to accommodate me on short notice and I am so grateful for the experience. Paddle boarding is my favorite hobby, so when it turned out that I would have a free afternoon while on a work trip to NYC, I naturally looked at possibility of paddle boarding. Most places are closed for the season or were too far to be reasonable for me to get to via public transit so it didn’t look like it would work out. But I reached out and they made it happen! They set me up with a private guide Robyn who made me feel comfortable and safe. The location is spectacular, right on the Hudson with unbeatable views of Manhattan. Without a doubt, this paddle boarding excursion was the biggest highlight of my trip!
– Laura W.
I taught myself stand up paddle boarding by doing it on vacations. But I decided I love stand SUP enough that I wanted to learn good form. Now realize how much I've just been muscling through it. I took the four pack lesson and it's been enlightening. The instructors are awesome. A special shout out to Judy whose great at breaking down the mechanics and videotaped me to showed me what I needed help with.
– Johanna R.
Definitely worth it! This was my first time kayaking and I had the time of my life. It was well organized and we had guides that helped us throughout the trip. They explained everything to us and even took pictures of us. My experience was amazing and I'm definitely going kayaking with them again.
– Lisette C.
I’m usually pretty scared of going outside and on the water, but the friendly staff at Manhattan Kayak made me my experience great! The cove between the Intrepid and Manhattan Kayak is a great place to get out on the water while feeling safe and secure!
– Gus M.
My first beginner class was yesterday and it was a wonderful experience. Instructor Jay was patient, detailed, experienced and absolutely not pushy or hurried. It was a safe environment inside a defined area to practice as part of the class. Every personnel involved was friendly and relaxed. The small but clean facility is comfortable. A mini New England feel in the middle of NYC. Would absolutely recommend a try.
– Yenni L.
I had the most amazing first time kayaking experience! Thanks to our very professional and knowledgeable instructors Jay and Davis. As a first-time kayaker (as in first time to ride a kayak and paddle), there's nervousness but Jay assured me that everything's gonna be ok and it was! Thank you Jay, you're a very effective instructor! Looking forward to complete my training!
– Lorelie R.
I love this place! It is so well run and inviting that you can focus on the pleasure or adventure of your experience on the water and know that you are in good hands. You can be a recreational kayaker / SUPer in protected waters or go for more adventurous tours after lessons. I decided to do the lessons this past summer after being an on-and-off recreational kayaker here for a few years. After the kayak / SUP basics class series, I went on guided group paddles in the Hudson with their encouraging and helpful staffers and have recently learned how to cold-water kayak safely and go on longer, more physically challenging group trips. Just an amazing activity with a great group. Highly recommend!
– Gina F.