Paddle NYC’s largest open space.
Train in open water. Explore farther.
Find friends on the river.
How Do You Want to Start?
See the Skyline
Great views: day, sunset, or night.
River trip in stable kayaks.
No experience needed.
Easy Cove Paddle
45-minute rentals in calm water.
Ride kayaks or paddleboards.
Kids and dogs welcome.
Learn to Go Farther
Take a 3-class course.
Get ready for longer trips.
Use a sea kayak or paddleboard.
Not Sure? Join Open House
Meet our team.
See the boathouse.
Get a free introductory lesson.
Already highly experienced? Start here.
What's on the Water
Choose a date to see available activities.
New? Start with 🟢 Beginner.
🟢 Beginner
🟦 Intermediate
◆ Advanced
◆◆ Expert
Prefer to browse by activity?
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- Bucket List
This 90-minute guided route loops through wide-open Hudson waters with scenic NYC panoramas in every direction. We provide guides, gear, quick lesson, and trip photos. Perfect for first-timers ages 10 and up.
- 10+
- 1.5 hr
- 2 Mi
- 🟢 Beginner
Private Groups
Bring your team together outdoors and experience the waterfront. Unplug and reconnect in easy kayaks. For up to 60 people. After your own guided river trip, hang out with music, games, and space to relax.
🚀 Train for River Adventures
Classes Start on May 1
Start with the basics in three sessions using sea kayaks or paddleboards. Each class builds on skills from the one before. Save with the Basics 3-Class Pack or set yourself up with our Membership.
Start Learning
🧭 Make Progress
After you complete Class 3 or pass our screening, you’ll unlock NYC’s best routes. Paddling turns into an adventure. You’ll explore places you never imagined.
Basics Classes → Intermediate Trips → Advanced Trips → Expert Trips, like the 30-mile Manhattan circumnavigation.
🟦 Intermediate Trips
Some wind, waves, and rough spots
e.g. Little Island, Secret Beach, Sushi
Completed the Basics Class Series
◆ Advanced Trips
Strong currents and exposed crossings
e.g. Statue of Liberty, GWB, Surf City
Finished 4+ intermediate trips
◆◆ Expert Trips
Long, tough, most unpredictable
e.g. Red Hook, Coney Island, Yonkers
Finished 3+ advanced trips
Rentals vs Trips vs Classes
Rentals
Kid & dog friendly. Stay in our calm cove. The open river requires guides.
Classes
Three progressive classes to prepare you for longer group river trips.
Beginner Trips
Classes not needed. Join the skyline trip for fun, fresh air, and free photos.
Intermediate–Expert Trips
After classes, unlock longer trips. Highly experienced? Pass our screening and join intermediate+ trips directly.
Meet Manhattan Kayak
With 30 years of experience and named the #1 Kayak Tour in America by USA Today, we offer guided adventures, classes, and rentals for everyone, from first-timers to seasoned pros, and individuals to large groups. Join us for an unforgettable paddling experience in the great wild outdoors of NYC.
“Paddling Manhattan combines adventure, challenge, and escape—an antidote to urban stress.”
—New York Magazine
4.9 ★ From Locals & Visitors
600+ Glowing Google Reviews
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. (More...)
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!)
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 staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable (More...)
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. 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!
I’ve taken Classes 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. (More...)
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.
My wife and 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 dogs. The equipment was top level and the cove was amazing. (More...)
We cannot wait to go back and make this a regular family summer activity. They are very dog friendly which is always a plus!
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 (More...)
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!
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 classes and it's been enlightening.(More...)
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.
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. (More...)
My experience was amazing and I'm definitely going kayaking with them again.
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. Every personnel involved was friendly and relaxed. The boathouse is comfortable and clean. (More...)
A mini New England feel in the middle of NYC. Would absolutely recommend a try.
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 classes. (More...)
I decided to do the classes this past summer after being an on-and-off recreational kayaker here for a few years. After the kayak / SUP 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!