Guide to Boating in New York City

New York City isn't just a concrete jungle-there are plenty of places to get out on the water. Find details on boat, canoe, and kayak rentals, tours, and events in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx.

 go kayaking

Boat, Canoe, and Kayak Rentals and Tours
Captain a ship (or, more likely, a rowboat, kayak, or canoe), prepare your crew, and take on the open sea–or the nearest river or lake. Details are subject to change, we recommend calling ahead before setting sail! For rentals in other regions and for public accessible boat launches, visit our list here: nymetroparents.com/boating. Looking for fishing? Cast a line at these locations: nymetroparents.com/fishing.

 

New York City

Manhattan

Loeb Boathouse in Central Park
East Drive and 74th Street, Central Park, Upper East Side
212-517-2233; http://nycparks.gov
April-October, 10am-5:30pm
Before or after you take a lazy nap in Sheep’s Meadow, visit the Loeb Boathouse to rent a rowboat or kayak!

Basic Canoeing
Harlem Meer at 110th Street and Lennox Avenue, Central Park, Harlem
212-628-2345; http://nycparks.gov
June 1, 12-3pm
Trained Urban Park Rangers will teach you the basics of canoeing during this three-hour lesson.

Summer on the Hudson: Kayaking on the Hudson
Riverside Park at 72nd Street and the Hudson River, Upper West Side
311; http://nycparks.gov
Saturdays and Sundays May 31-9/28, 10am-5pm
Kayak the Hudson following a 20-minute instructional course. See Manhattan’s west side a whole new way!

Brooklyn

Marine Park
Avenue U and 33rd Street, Marine Park
917-533-6196 or 805-650-7770; http://nycparks.gov
June-September 8, 9am-sunset; open weekends and holidays September 9-October
As Brooklyn’s largest park, Marine Park offers plenty of space to play. You can also rent single and double kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and pedal boats and spend some time on the water.

Intermediate Canoeing
Avenue U and Burnett Street, Marine Park
718-421-2021; http://nycparks.gov
June 22, 11am-2pm
Intermediate canoers will enjoy a three-hour water journey with trained Urban Park Rangers. Previous canoeing experience required.

Queens

Flushing Meadows Lake Boathouse
East side of Meadow Lake, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing
646-229-4470; http://nycparks.gov
Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-8pm
Explore the water and soak up the sunshine in a rented rowboat or paddle boat!

Intermediate Canoeing
Beach 32 Street and Beach Channel Drive, Bayswater Park, Bayswater
718-846-2731; http://nycparks.gov
June 15, 1pm
Intermediate canoers will enjoy this journey with trained Urban Park Rangers. Previous canoeing experience required.

Staten Island

Lake Club at Clove Lakes Park
1150 Clove Road, Clove Lakes Park
718-442-0912; http://nycparks.gov
May-October, Saturdays and Sundays 11am-5pm
Spend a relaxing weekend out on the water in a rented rowboat or paddleboat in Clove Lakes Park!

Basic Canoeing
Eton Place and Richmond Avenue, Willowbrook Park
718-967-3542; http://nycparks.gov
June 7, 11am-2pm
Trained Urban Park Rangers will teach you the basics of canoeing during this three-hour lesson.

The Bronx

Basic Canoeing
Van Cortlandt South and Major Deegan Expressway, Van Cortlandt Park
718-548-0912; http://nycparks.gov
June 8, 11am-2pm
Trained Urban Park Rangers will teach you the basics of canoeing during this three-hour lesson.

Basic Canoeing
Crotona Park East and Charlotte Street, Crotona Nature Center
718-548-0912; http://nycparks.gov
June 14, 12-3pm
Trained Urban Park Rangers will teach you the basics of canoeing during this three-hour lesson.