$ 180
Every month of 2026 from May through November, we offer this classic urban-to-nature adventure to any paddler who has the skills to do it. This is the most unforgettable way to experience the City — a lap around Manhattan at sea level and under your own power.
Glide past every landmark along the lower Hudson, Battery, East River, Harlem River, and Spuyten Duyvil Creek. From skyscrapers to natural features and secluded corridors. After completing this trip, you qualify to store your own kayak or SUP at the boathouse.
Our 30 years of expert trip planning means we time the tidal currents perfectly. You’ll ride the tidal flow around the island for nearly the entire duration. This trip is a masterclass in smart navigation and the serendipitous beauty of New York’s waterways. If it’s grueling, that means you’ve timed your currents incorrectly.
To capture the indelible spirit of the Manhattan Circumnavigation, BBC Travel Editor Eliot Stein – author of the book Custodians of Wonder – trained and rode with us. He completed the Circ feeling deeply connected to the living history of our harbor, writing this about his experience:
Our floating parade of 14 kayakers and four stand up paddleboarders would travel counterclockwise around the island in a perfectly timed route designed to take advantage of the rivers’ shifting currents.
Accompanying us were three guides armed with two-way radios whose job was to safely navigate us through the rush of ferries, barges and sightseeing cruises – one of whom was Eric Stiller, Manhattan Kayak Co’s 64-year-old founder, who estimates he’s circumnavigated the island 80 to 100 times. He explained that back in the 1980s, there was no access to the water for paddlers anywhere, so he used to jump fences and launch his foldable kayak in the Hudson from rotting piers. As word of his exploits spread, people started paying him to lead them out into the rivers where no one else dared go.
“My first paying customer was [American singer] David Lee Roth, followed soon after by John F Kennedy Jr,” he said, as we paddled towards the glimmering pinnacles of the Chrysler and Empire State buildings in the distance. “We used to wheel kayaks out [in the Meatpacking District], jump the fence and paddle out to Ellis Island. That’s how this all started.”
Eliot Stein, BBC Travel: Kayaking the waters that shaped New York City
Our paddlers come back smiling and completely elated. This shared adventure forms unforgettable memories that stay with people for decades. It is the ultimate graduation of our trip progression. The people you complete the Circ with often become your closest friends and paddle buddies, especially since finishing qualifies you to store your own kayak or board right where you started.
This is an expert-level guided trip for sea kayakers and paddleboarders.
Even with the tidal currents pushing you along, you need advanced boat control to safely navigate technically demanding waters like Hell Gate and The Battery. To qualify, start with our class series or pass our screening; then, once you’ve completed 4 intermediate trips and 3 advanced trips this season, you’re ready for this trip. A Membership offers deep discounts on every step of that journey.
50% off all classes, trips, and rentals. Enjoy free wilderness escapes, socials, and guest passes with all gear provided.
Choose between a seasonal track through October 31 or a full 12-month annual plan—both billed monthly with a fixed term commitment.
Through the Upper NY Bay to the Atlantic Ocean and under the Verrazzano Bridge to Staten Island.
Paddle to the ocean to watch for whales and eat hot dogs.
Paddle the scenic Upper Harbor to a hip seaside village.
Paddle to New York’s third largest city and the unearthed Saw Mill River.