nyc spring & summer series

Free Water Sports (kayak, canoe, sup) in NYC

A great summer activity in NYC is FREE kayaking. There’s something amazing about kayaking in the water and looking up at the city around you. Highly recommend trying it out. Check out this roundup for 10+ spots for kayaking & water sports across all boroughs. There are so many spots to choose from! Enjoy this fun & free summer activity!

Manhattan:

  • Downtown Boathouse (May 18 - Oct 14) at Pier 26 (N Moore St) Sat Sun & Holidays 10am-4:30pm (May 27 - Oct 9). No reservations needed!

  • Manhattan Community Boathouse (May 25 - Oct 13) at Pier 96 (56th St) Sat & Sun 1-6pm + Mon & Tues 5:30-7:30 (June 3 - Aug 27). No reservations needed!

  • Inwood Canoe Club (May 26 - Sept 1) Open House Sundays with free guided 20 minute kayak trips. Sign up opens in person at 9am that Sunday and there are 3 waves (10am, 10:45, 11:30) (Dyckman St at Hudson River)

  • New York Outrigger Canoeing & Stand Up Paddleboarding (TBD start, through Labor Day) at Pier 96 in Hudson River Park. Stand Up Paddleboarding is offered Friday 5:30-6:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am-12pm. Canoeing is offered Saturday & Sunday 11am-12pm. More details here & Meetup here

Brooklyn:

  • Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse (Starts May 29) at protected embayment between Piers 1 and 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park Park. Wed & Thur 5-7pm, Sat 10am-3pm, Sun for families 12-2:30pm. Reservation recommended!

  • Red Hook Boaters (May 30 - Sept 15) 239 Coffey St, Red Hook. Thurs 6-8pm through Aug 15, Sun 1-4pm through Sep 15. No reservations necessary!

  • North Brooklyn Community Boathouse (May 25 - Sep 14): Canoeing at at Manhattan Avenue Street End Park in Greenpoint: Select Saturdays through the summer. Kayaking at Queens Landing Boathouse and Environmental Center in Long Island City, select Saturdays throughout the Summer.

Queens:

  • LIC Community Boathouse at Hallet’s Cove in Astoria. Start date TBD. Free kayaking select Saturdays 12-5pm. No reservations necessary!

Bronx:

  • Rocking the Boat (May 25 - Aug 13): Free rowing & Sailing at Hunts Point Riverside Park in the Bronx. Rowing every Saturday 1-6pm, Sailing select Saturdays 1-6pm. No reservations necessary!

Staten Island:

  • Kayak Staten Island (June 2 - Oct 22) at 850 Page Avenue (select Saturdays throughout the summer. First come first serve, no reservations necessary! There are also guided kayak tours that are low cost and RSVP required from 777 Front St.

Hoboken:

  • Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse (May 25 - Sept 15) in Maxwell Place Park. Kayaking / stand up paddle boarding on most Thurs (6:30-8pm), Sat & Sun (11am-3pm) of each month. No sign up required.

Westchester:

  • Hudson River Riders in Yonkers. Start date TBD. Offers free kayaking evenings Wednesdays 4-7pm (no reservations required), trips on Thursdays 4-7pm at JFK Marina Park + sunset tours on Friday 5:30-7pm at YPRC Boathouse (RSVP to sunset tours).