Free Kayaking & water Activities 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!
Plus, you can also access dozens of free outdoor pools around NYC. Find your nearest location here
Manhattan
1️⃣ Downtown Boathouse (May 27 - Oct 9) at Pier 26 (N Moore St) Sat Sun & Holidays 10-4:30pm (May 27 - Oct 9). No reservations needed!
2️⃣ Manhattan Community Boathouse (June 3 - Oct 8) at Pier 96 (56th St) Sat & Sun 1-6pm + Mon & Tues 5:30-7:30. No reservations needed!
3️⃣ Inwood Canoe Club Open House Sundays with free kayaking through Labor Day. Sign up opens at 9am that Sunday and there are 3 waves (10am, 10:45, 11:30) (Dyckman St at Hudson River)
4️⃣ Outrigger Canoe Paddling & Stand Up Paddleboarding (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 & sign up on Meetup here
Brooklyn
5️⃣ North Brooklyn Community Boathouse (May 27 - Sep 23) at Manhattan Avenue Street End Park (temporarily). Select Saturdays through the summer.
6️⃣ Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse at Pier 4 (temporarily) opens May 31. Wed & Thur 5-7pm, Sat 10am-3pm, Sun for families 12-2:30pm. Reservation required!
7️⃣ Red Hook Boaters (June 1 - Sep 17) 239 Coffey St, Red Hook. Thurs 6-8pm, Sat 1-4pm, Sun 1-4pm. No reservations necessary!
Queens
8️⃣ LIC Community Boathouse (May 13 - Sep 16) at Hallet’s Cove in Astoria. Free kayaking Saturdays 12-5pm. No reservations necessary!
Bronx
9️⃣ Rocking the Boat Rowing & Sailing at Hunts Point Riverside Park in the Bronx opens May 27. Rowing Sat & Sun 1-6pm. Sailing select Saturdays. No reservations necessary!
Staten Island
🔟 Kayak Staten Island at 850 Page Avenue (select Saturdays throughout the summer: June 17, July 9, August 5, August 19, and September 2 at various times). First come first serve, no reservations necessary!
Hoboken
1️⃣1️⃣ Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse opens May 27 in Maxwell Place Park and offers kayaking / stand up paddle boarding through September on various Thurs, Sat & Sun of each month
Westchester
1️⃣2️⃣ Hudson River Riders in Yonkers. There are free kayaking evenings Wednesdays and Thursdays 4-7pm (no reservations required) at JFK Marina Park + sunset tours on Friday 5:30-7pm at YPRC Boathouse (register here).
So many spots to choose from! Enjoy this fun & free summer activity!
