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Manhattan Kayak Co






Kayaking & Paddleboarding in NYC
Public Rentals, Trips, Classes

Pier 84 Boathouse in Hudson River Park
555 12th Avenue at West 44th Street
New York City

Pure Expanse Beyond the Grid

Your Gateway to the Hudson River Sanctuary

Since 1996, we’ve provided public access to this hidden wilderness in the heart of New York. From our boathouse at Pier 84, we provide the gear and patient, professional guidance to ensure every visitor experiences the water with joyfully.

Whether you’re floating in our calm-water cove or exploring the open river, you’ll find a peaceful perspective. Every stroke creates a natural cadence that settles your nervous system and clears your mind.

For those seeking skills, fitness, and adventure, our Basics Classes prepare you to navigate NYC’s 500+ miles of shoreline. These half-day nature escapes require no car–just come to the river and be home before nightfall.

🧭 How Do You Want to Start?

🟢 No experience needed for:

Kayaking by the Intrepid

45-min Supervised Rentals • $12
Wide, wobble-free kayaks and boards.
Kids and dogs join for free.
Float, relax, or play.
 

See Rentals

Savoring the Midtown skyline

90-min Guided Hudson River Trip • $65
Float by 360° views on stable kayaks.
Steady movement and a fresh perspective.
Slow down to the speed of the river.
 

See Skyline

Learning skills for longer escapes

3-Class Basics Course • From $95
Go faster on sea kayaks and paddleboards.
Prep for expeditions with our coaches.
Find wellness on the water.
 

See Classes
  • Family-Friendly

Kayak & Paddleboard Rentals by the Intrepid

$12

Your 45-minute reservation gives you plenty of time to truly relax.

Dogs & kids 3–5 ride free on stable, wobble-free kayaks and boards.

Enjoy a serene float and play with our trained staff on watch.

Lockers & changing rooms included.

Skip the line by reserving ahead.

Pick a Time Slot
  • Free: Age 3–5
  • 45 min
  • 🟢 Beginner
The best view of the USS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum from a kayak in the calm Pier 84 cove.

Kayaking with MKC is magical. When you step into the Boathouse, you’re transported from the big city to the seaside. Just the presence of the boats exerts a calming effect. And once you are actually out on the water…well, there is nothing else like it. When you’re in a kayak, you feel like you’re a part of the river.

Dogs ride free in our Rentals by the Intrepid ↑
River Trips and Classes are for humans only ↓

  • Bucket List

Skyline Kayak Trip

$65

A front-row seat to the entire skyline, far from the crowds.

Think fun floating sofa. No experience needed on this easy route using stable kayaks.

This 90-min escape includes a lesson + hour of guided Hudson kayaking along Midtown.

Choose ☀️ daytime, 🌅 sunset, or 🌃 night. We’ll take your skyline photo.

Join The Trip
  • Age 10+
  • 90 min
  • 🟢 Beginner
Three friends smiling in glowing LED-lit kayaks smile together on the Hudson River, with the iconic Midtown Manhattan skyline and the pyramid-shaped VIA 57 West building illuminated behind them during a night kayaking tour in NYC.

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.

  • Team Spirit

Private River Trips

From $60

See the Manhattan skyline in an hour with private guides. Free skyline photos.

Start with a lesson and lifejacket. Most guests use high-stability kayaks, like floating sofas.

Upgrade to hang out with lawn games and a self-serve picnic.

Whether you’re solo or 60 guests, you can book a private river trip.

Learn More
  • Age 10+
  • 90 min
  • 🟢 Beginner
A small group of friends smiling and rafting their kayaks together on the Hudson River with a clear view of the Midtown Manhattan skyline.

What MKC has offered me is not only a personal sanctuary–where I can learn, relax, make new friends and find an escape from the stresses of city life–but a doorway onto an entirely new perspective. Almost any paddler I know will agree that as soon as you move from dock to water, those first few strokes don’t just move you farther from land but transport you somewhere else entirely.

And Now, For the Bold

Go from a beginner (or self-taught sea kayaker or paddleboarder) to confident explorer in our step-by-step class series. You’ll learn outfitting, strokes, maneuvers, safety, and navigation.

Complete all three to graduate with the skills you need to join our Intermediate Trips.

Planning a full season on the water?
Memberships include these classes and everything beyond.
 

This is the work-hard, play-hard spirit alive in a female athlete and a male athlete with a dog, both riding SIC Maui’s Atlantis high-performance racing SUPs, with the Lower Manhattan skyline and Goldman Sachs headquarters at 200 West Street in the background, and a crisp blue sky beyond. Both paddlers demonstrate excellent technical form.

I continue to be amazed that it’s right here in the middle of NYC. Even more incredible to me is the world that opens up when you graduate from the set of Basic lessons and can navigate the Hudson River under the watch of the very experienced, knowledgeable, and safety-conscious guides. 
The water and the sky are different every time. It’s an indescribable feeling of freedom, excitement, and calm–with the best view of the city imaginable.

 

The urban-athlete lifestyle: a female athlete on a Blue BIC SUP board, doing a cross-nose turning stroke, with the dense Midtown Manhattan skyline—including the iconic Chrysler Building and the Billionaires' Row towers—serving as the backdrop. The slight chop on the water indicates an environment that requires core stability and focus. It shows that the most famous office buildings in the world are just a short paddle away, turning the Hudson into a personal, high-performance backyard for this working professional woman. Her technical navy rash guard top and bottom, and the use of a specialized leash and waist-mounted PFD signal that she is at an expert level. Her focus is entirely on the water and the path ahead, capturing the mental clarity that is an escape from a high-pressure work environment.
A man raising the nose of a Starboard SUP entirely out of the water while maintaining balance in front of the Statue of Liberty. This step-back pivot turn is an advanced maneuver requiring precision, core strength, and technical mastery. Most people see the Statue of Liberty from a crowded ferry; paddling there is the ultimate secret NYC experience. There are crowds of tourists on the pedestal of the statue in the background. The contrast between the masses and the solo athlete on the water is a powerful status narrative for a high-achieving professional. The deep Lady Liberty green, the crisp blue sky, and the pops of red and blue on the board create a vibrant, classic American color story.
A female athlete wearing a ball cap and swimwear hauling a kayak up the gangway at Pier 84 during a classic Hudson River sunset. Her visible core strength and athletic build are a direct testament to the functional benefits of paddling at Manhattan Kayak Co. The sun setting directly behind her creates a dramatic rim light. This is a person who has turned the Hudson River into their personal training ground. Photo by Outsiders Adventure Social Club.
  • Find Grace

Paddleboard Basics:
3 Class Series

From $95

Start with the basics of the board handling, safety, and stances.

Refine your technique for a high-intensity, low-impact workout.

Develop dynamic balance to glide through choppy conditions.

Build a complete skill set in this series of 3 paddleboard classes.

Learn More
  • Age 18+
  • 2.5 hr
  • 🟢 Beginner
An MKC expert leading a SUP Basics class on the Hudson River, demonstrating the hinge technique to maintain balance and core power.

Technical Expedition Training

MKC has taken us to hidden creeks, secret coves and various beaches in every borough. We have circumnavigated the Island, battled Hell’s Gate and participated in the Mayor’s Cup. We have seen our home from unique vantage points and continue to marvel every time we paddle around the Statue of Liberty.

 

You can feel the concentration and the pre-trip adrenaline surrounding this group of kayakers, who huddle around a weathered wooden table on the outdoor deck of the Pier 84 Boathouse in the morning sunlight. The guide is pointing to a physical nautical chart of the New York Harbor. Everyone is kitted out in high-end technical apparel—life jackets, brimmed hats, and moisture-wicking layers. They are about to navigate the waters of a global megacity. It’s a frontier experience hidden in plain sight.
You can almost feel the spray and the movement as a small group of kayakers and paddleboarders navigate the turbulent, unpredictable whorls of water in the East River at Hell Gate, a place of conflicting tidal currents. The terrain demands technical and high-intensity execution of paddle strokes. The Upper East Side skyline is overcast and moody, echoing the foreboding nature of the water below.
The kayak guide lands under a massive swing bridge on rustic shore of Manhattan at night. He is kitting out the kayaks with lights before navigating the final stretch of the 30-mile Manhattan Circumnavigation Trip down the Hudson River. The guide, disheveled after a day of paddling, stands alongside his lit kayak cockpit—with a deck-mounted compass, specialized lighting, and a Werner carbon-fiber paddle. In the background, two kayakers float, waiting for him in the darkness, the calm water reflecting the lights of the bridge. This is the ultimate behind-the-scenes trip of the city's forgotten edges.
A group of 15+ high-end touring kayaks in the middle of the NY Bay looking north toward the Lower Manhattan skyline and One World Trade Center. There is a high-energy athletic vibe where paddlers push their limits alongside peers who share that drive. The primary colors of the boats (yellow, red, blue) pop against the deep blue water and the crisp, clear sky. The way the group fans out toward the city creates a powerful sense of forward momentum and collective purpose.
  • Find Freedom

Sea Kayak Basics:
3 Class Series

From $95

Train on premium sea kayaks with professional coaching.

Customize your gear setup for maximum power and control.

Learn essential strokes for stability and precision.

Paddle with your core in this series of 3 sea kayaking classes.

Learn More
  • Age 18+
  • 2.5 hr
  • 🟢 Beginner
A Manhattan Kayak Co instructor standing on Pier 84 showing a group of people how to kayak, helping them to build basic kayak stroke technique before their first launch onto the Hudson.

Start Your Journey on Sea Kayaks or SUPs

Basics 3-Pack: $225 (Save $60)

Book the 3-Pack

🟦  Intermediate Trips
(2–10 Miles)

Build Your Instinct

A group of paddlers riding vibrant sea kayaks and paddleboards heading north on the Hudson River along the Meatpacking District and Chelsea, with the towering skyline of Manhattan in front of a blue sky. After finishing 3 Classes, people ages 18+ can join Manhattan Kayak Co's intermediate trips. Popular trips include Golden Hour, Secret Beach, West Village, and Sushi Trips.

Req: 3 Classes

Multi-hour workouts on the water.

Popular destinations include Secret Beach, Sushi, and the West Village. Many paddlers stick to these social workouts for years.

◆  Advanced Trips
(10–18 Miles)

Hone Your Endurance

A paddleboarder on an advanced-level trip (denoted by a Single Black Diamond) riding in front of the Statue of Liberty on a sunny day with crowds of people standing on Liberty Island in the distance.

Req: 4+ Intermediate trips in 2026

Half-day endurance missions.

Reach the George Washington Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and more. These trips require serious core power and high-intensity effort.

◆◆  Expert Trips
(18–33 Miles)

Own The Harbor

A group of Manhattan Kayak Co paddlers on the East River during the 30-mile expert-level Manhattan Circumnavigation trip. The group has just passed under the Manhattan Bridge. The Brooklyn Bridge and Wall Street skyline are visible in the background.

Req: 3+ Advanced trips in 2026

Full-day elite expeditions.

Key trips include Red Hook (15 miles), Coney Island (33 miles), Manhattan Circumnavigation (30 miles). Unlocks private boat storage at Pier 84.

See Full Schedule & Menu
  • Locals’ Escape

On Water. Offline.
Join Our Adventure Club

From $99

Revolutionize your routine through our extensive weekly lineup–from classes to trips to rentals–with 50% to 100% off every session.

Free monthly guest + 25% off all your private groups.

Choose from our fleet of 100+ boats and boards for every session.

Join member socials and trips away from NYC with your adventure club membership.

Learn More
  • Age 18+
  • ⚪ All Levels
A diverse group of Manhattan Kayak Co Adventure Club members on paddleboards and kayaks with a dog during a misty morning session on the water.
A candid moment of connection between Eric Stiller, Founder of Manhattan Kayak Co, sitting in a yellow touring kayak with his dog and paddle companion Charlie, on the pier at Manhattan Kayak Co. (Pier 84). Eric dared to create a world where he can enjoy his dog, his sport, his city, and his friends altogether. All who enter are welcome to live that lifestyle too. The lush white hydrangeas in the foreground create a soft, natural frame. The lighting is warm, diffused, and serene.
A paddleboarder crouched among his gear—dry bags, a Werner carbon paddle, and hydration gear—as the sun flare through the lush canopy and ivy-covered stone arches of mysterious ruins. This primal, self-reliant multi-day expedition is one way to escape the corporate grind.
During an away trip, a group of members gathers around a campfire by the towering ruins of a massive stone fireplace. This is an immersive backcountry camping trip, a world away from the city's concrete. The scale of the stone chimney provides an almost gothic backdrop. The warm, orange glow of the fire illuminates the paddlers’ faces and the weathered stonework against the pitch-black night. The group wears headlamps and technical down jackets. After a long day of paddling to the campsite, this is their recovery phase. This builds the kind of brotherhood and community that is difficult to find in a city full of distractions.

I didn’t realize then that it wasn’t just a place to paddle, it really was a place to meet an amazing community of people who became very close friends of mine. Rarely do you have such an experience of a community in the city and this is the magic behind MKC.

 

A fleet of Manhattan Kayak Co's performance sea kayaks (including P&H Cetus, Wilderness Systems Tempest, and Impex models) and a SIC Maui racing SUP parked on Coney Island Beach, with dry bags and paddles ready for the 17-mile return leg back to Manhattan. The iconic Parachute Jump and Ford Amphitheater are in the background. While millions of people visit Coney Island by subway, this tribe arrives via the Verrazzano Narrows and the Atlantic Ocean.

My summer memories are now filled with not just shared time on the river, but trips to Red Hook for barbeque, New Jersey for sushi and bubble tea, Harlem for seafood, and so on.

A landing at Surf City, the ultimate Dock & Dine experience. Hundreds of colorful nautical flags and the surf-style decor create an immediate vacation atmosphere. It feels like a remote beach bar while still having Manhattan in view. The low sunset light creates long, dramatic shadows across the wooden deck. Paddlers will rest here and enjoy lobster rolls, frozen tropical drinks, and a social huddle with the tribe before heading back to Pier 84 Boathouse in Manhattan.
The hand of a kayaker in the technical paddling jacket holding a fresh bowl of ramen–complete with chashu pork, wood ear mushrooms, and narutomaki–over the deck of a yellow P&H Cetus sea kayak and an orange Bearbox. This is the lunch break during the intermediate-level Sushi Trip from Manhattan Kayak Co at Pier 84 Boathouse. This trip combines sophisticated city culture with rugged outdoor adventure.
A communal lunch break during a peak-foliage expedition to the Hudson Highlands. The group of paddlers is gathered at picnic tables beneath a massive, majestic Weeping Willow, with the dramatic ridges of Storm King Mountain and Breakneck Ridge in the background. It captures the transition from the high-performance effort of paddling to the high-value reward of the lunch in nature’s cathedral. The crisp blue sky, autumn colors on the mountains, and lush green grass create a perfect fall day.

30 Years of Building Explorers

For three decades, we’ve brought the Hudson and New York Harbor to those who dare to live differently. From your first stroke to your latest expedition, we’ll be by your side.

Come to the boathouse and get on the the water. Linger and trade stories of your adventures.

“Paddling Manhattan combines adventure, challenge, and escape—an antidote to urban stress.” – New York Magazine

#1 Kayak Tour in America – USA Today

About Us
Eric Stiller wheeling a red Klepper sea kayak from Union Square West–where he and his father operated the Klepper Kayak shop for the Americas–to the Hudson River. Eric’s father Dieter opened the shop in 1958. People who bought kayaks from the shop wanted to learn to use the kayaks, and Eric–an unstoppable athlete–was more than happy to leave work and walk with them to the river, jumping barricades and fences to launch along the rocky, inhospitable shores at the foot of Gansevoort Street. His first clients sought privacy and escape from the pressures of NYC high society.
John F. Kennedy Jr. (JFK Jr.) and a companion on Manhattan Kayak Co’s George Washington Bridge Trip. They paddle a royal blue tandem Klepper sea kayak. In the background, the autumn-colored shoreline of the Palisades Sill stretches along the Hudson River. On the right side of the shore, the Liberty Steps ascend to Hamilton Park in Weehawken, New Jersey. After John bought this folding kayak from the Klepper Kayak shop in Union Square, John joined Manhattan Kayak Co’s river trips with Eric Stiller, who was the only kayak guide operating on the river in the late 1990’s.
The beginning of a movement. David Lee Roth in a red Klepper sea kayak in the Upper New York Bay, looking back at the camera with his trademark grin. A hazy Downtown Manhattan skyline is on the horizon. David wears a backwards blue cap, sunglasses, and a bulky orange PFD. This rock star was Eric Stiller’s first paying client. David asked Eric take him on many unconventional explorations, e.g. from Gansevoort to Coney Island in the darkness of night. Also, David would urge Eric to pull up along shore so they could eat and drink even when there was no place to land. Many of Manhattan Kayak Co’s trip routes today were discovered through these two men’s adventures NYC together.
Eric Stiller and Tony Brown training for their sea kayaking expedition around Australia in a Klepper folding kayak. This was their daily training route after the Klepper shop was closed for the day. Eric wrote the book Keep Australia on Your Left to document their adventure.