Get Out on the water
Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and sailboats for all skill levels. Show up, grab a boat, and head out on the Charles River, Mystic River, or Spot Pond.
4.8/5
1,640 Reviews
4.4/5
66 Reviews
4.8/5
110 Reviews
96%
421 Reviews
4.8/5
1,640 Reviews
4.4/5
66 Reviews
4.8/5
110 Reviews
96%
421 Reviews
Everything You Need to Get Paddling
Hourly Rentals
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec laoreet, nunc eu pharetra.
Tours & Lessons
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec laoreet, nunc eu pharetra.
Group Events
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec laoreet, nunc eu pharetra.
Learn to sail this Summer in Spot Pond
Loved it so much I went here twice in one week!
— Lukas
Find Your Launch Spot
Ready to buy your boat or board?
Visit our Waltham paddling store and our knowledgeable staff will help you find the perfect way to get on the water
See Boston from a different angle
Our experienced guides will show you the best views of the Charles River and Boston Harbor that you can't get anywhere else!
All reviews
Tripadvisor
YelpPosted on Google
Nicole Hoffman58 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Renting from Paddle Boston was beyond easy and the location was convenient. The staff were helpful and very friendly. Looking forward to our next paddle!
+1Posted on Google
Marquisa MURPHY-GLOVER64 days agoGreat Day On The Water 🛶
+2Posted on Yelp
Jeanne C.69 days agoVerified
Whenever I travel, I look for opportunities to get on the water, preferably in a kayak. This was my first time paddling the Charles River. I was staying in East Cambridge so traveled upstream to the Allston location which didn't turn out to be as scenic or straightforward as I had first thought, though once on the water, the trip was beautiful. The website says the easiest way to get to the Allston location is by mass transit (the Harvard stop on the Red Line) then another 1.5 miles on foot. I was using my gps (make sure you start out with lots of battery power for this trip) but even then, I took a wrong turn when trying to cross the bridge and get to the correct side because of road traffic (you have to fund the foot path that goes under the road which I found only because I happened to see a large group of students and followed). Also, the "1-mile stretch of the walk along the river was actually blocked by temporary fencing so you actually had to walk on the opposite side of the street and can't see the river at all. I would recommend using a car service to get here, if you're unfamiliar with the area. The launch area consists of a check in kiosk (remember to fill out your waiver online to save a little time) and a storage shed for the equipment (no restroom, as far as I could see and nothing else anywhere close by. No need to reserve ahead of time, as they had many kayaks (single and double, thankfully NOT the sit-on-tops), paddle boards and canoes. You can borrow a dry bag at no charge, they set you up with your paddle and pfd, then you get in at water level from the floating dock. I did the one way trip to Kendall Square (5 miles, $10 feet), passing under 7 bridges, lots of green space plus a number of beautiful crew boat houses. This section of the river is flat (no current) and the wind wasn't strong at all. So lovely and peaceful with some geese and cormorants along the way. There were a number of other paddlers and a few crew team practicing so you aren't totally alone but I found it perfect. As you get closer to the center of Boston the noise from the road and people using the paths which lines the shores picks up, but there's a screen of vegetation all along the river so it still very scenic. Between the last two bridges, the wind picks up and there were quite a few sailboats on the water, too (looked like there was a public sailboat launch on the Boston shore. There were also a few boat tour boats, but not a lot which was really nice. The end point is located in a small canal leading to Kendall Square. The set up there has a tent over a table for check ins and a little trailer for checking out. Note that when I went, this lower area of the Charles River was still unfortunately plagued by toxic algae, so be careful about getting the water on you and wash off as soon as you can. Staff at both ends were pleasant and efficient. Total cost was very reasonable ($45 + $10 one-way fee). They tell you the trip takes between 2 and 2,5 hours (I did it in less, but you should take it slow and enjoy it, if you have the time!)
Posted on Google
Thavy Hout80 days agoSuch a beautiful spot to be on the water. It’s open to the public to launch your own paddleboard, canoe or Kayak. And the view is amazing. You will have fun spotting art structures along the water, birds, and enjoying the nature. A big parking lot, which is on the opposite side of the boathouse, is a plus, and you can launch from that side too. Sadly, when I was there, a big group of geese were hanging out at the launch area. Overall, a good spot and definitely recommend. I don’t remember the price, but if you don’t have your own paddleboard or kayak, you can rent from the boathouse at affordable prices.
+21Posted on Google
Ornela Muho80 days agoJust an amazing experience. It’s a must
Posted on Google
Dah92 days agoHad so much fun paddle boarding here ! Very peaceful and staffs are amazing!
Posted on Google
Darshan Patel104 days agoStaff was nice they helped us board and unboard the kayak and we had a fun time with a nice city view. Make sure to go when it’s nice and sunny.
Posted on Google
D S118 days agoI had a great time. Was a great workout. Easy process. And the young man that checked me in was so respectful and friendly! Very refreshing to have good customer service. I’m sorry I did not catch his name but whoever was working the check in at 830 7/11 lol. Thank you! Will definitely be back.
Posted on Google
Amirtha Varshini A S130 days agoStaff were helpful and I liked kayaking from here over starting in Kendall . Only need to watch out for boats that are quite frequent in this route
Posted on Google
Frida Torres157 days agoGreat staff. Very fun activity!
Posted on Google
Christine Conti167 days agoSuch a beautiful day on the water! Shout out to Asa and the staff for all thier help and guidance- YOU ALL ROCK!
+1Posted on Google
Joe Garcia169 days agoVisiting Boston, spent a great 2 hrs paddling with the family. Highly recommend this paddle launch for anyone. Great views of the city from the Charles River.
Posted on Google
Christina McNeil177 days agoEasy access to cross over to explore the Boston Esplanade on kayak. The Charles River can be a little choppy if it is windy.
+44Posted on Google
Kasey G377 days agoPaddle Boston/Moody St launch. Got to go out before end of season. Gear and kayaks always available and staff knowledgeable. I've rented both single and double kayak with a friend. Lovely time kayaking the charles! If you have the time highly suggest a season pass!
Posted on Google
Jenna Lamb393 days agoStaff is super friendly and quick to get you out on the water. Views are so picturesque! Always a good time
Posted on Google
Victor Castro409 days agoGreat place to rent a kayak on the beautiful Mystic river. I went with my 9yo daughter and rented a tandem kayak. The kayak was very stable and easy to paddle. Parking lot is steps from the launch and the staff is friendly and helpful. The river here is mostly narrow, calm, and full of beautiful wildlife including swans, heron, and turtles. My daughter loved paddling under 5-6 historic arched bridges.
Posted on Google
Kevin Liu439 days agoEnjoy the time spent with my Harvard classmates and kayaking on Charles River
Posted on Yelp
Cody H.478 days agoI booked a kayak here and travelled to the Kendall Square location. I should have gone the other direction - the most difficult part was near the Kendal Square location, and I was paddling against the wind and current most of the way. Other than that, it was a great trip! It's a nice mix of peaceful trees and city views. I also paddled through a sailing team practice, which was cool. The boats were in great shape. The life jackets were showing their age, but I guess that's what you get with rentals. They estimated 1.5 - 2 hours for this trip, and it took me about an hour.
Posted on Yelp
Lizzie Y.799 days agoIt is always a blast kayaking on the Charles River! This was our first time kayaking from the Allston/Brighton location;in the past, we would go to the Newton one. Fast forward now, PaddleBoston has 7 locations! These locations include: Waltham, Allston/Brighton, Somerville, Medford, Newton, Cambridge, & Stoneham. I highly recommend kayaking from Allston/Brighton! Very clear path, that is not as buggy as kayaking in Newton (from my friend and I's memory). We kayaked from here all the way down to past Harvard Sq. area. Did not take long at all. We were able to kayak back in 17 minutes. Their rates are reasonable, as well. This was our first time doing single kayaks rather than double. We did the up to 90 min single kayaks, $32/each. In my opinion, 90 min is more than enough time but doing the one way to Kenmore Square also seems like great fun that we'll definitely have to give a try next time. Cannot recommend kayaking enough though. It's very peaceful & honestly a nice activity to do with family and friends. Warning: you will get a KILLER arm workout out of this. 10/10
+3Posted on Yelp
StanHam H.841 days agoit was so enjoyable. went during a time where there was a nice breeze and the sun was out. highly recommend and not bad price
Posted on Yelp
Megan C.1160 days agoIt took us a little over 45 minutes to get to Longfellow bridge for a good photo of the city, but it took pretty intense paddling the whole way! If you want to make it there at a leisurely pace, definitely opt for the 3 hour package.
Posted on Yelp
Olive L.1490 days agoWent in a double kayak for my anniversary and it was absolutely beautiful!!! We had the very best time. Everyone was very helpful and kind and you had a lot of freedom in the boats to go where you wanted. Amazing views of Boston. Good spot for Boston locals and tourists alike!! I'd give six stars if I could.
Posted on Yelp
Matt S.1657 days agoHad a great time kayaking in the Charles River! The rate was $45 for a double kayak for 1.5 hours. This amount of time was great since it's pretty tiring after a while. Bring some drinks and small snacks. They allow bags in the kayak and give out water proof covers if needed. The city view of the buildings and bridges is gorgeous. I suggest booking in advanced or you'll be waiting in line for a couple hours. Made me want to go kayaking more!
Posted on Yelp
Sally C.1861 days agoSuch a nice experience- will be visiting again! Great activity with family between the winter! Such beautiful waters
Posted on Yelp
Kristen H.1896 days agoFabulous experience and we highly recommend for anybody! Easy to reserve online or with a phone call. Special rates for afternoon/evening paddle Tons of staff that were very helpful and friendly We left from the Kendall Square location and paddled out a small little canal entering the Charles river by the sweetest little floating wetland! How do I under the Longfellow Bridge we found ourselves in a swarm of community boaters which was super cool to see from the water - They all headed for the dock at 5 PM and the river was ours We headed over towards the Esplanade and discovered a little hidden estuary that was amazing to paddle along. It was our highlight of the Boston trip so far
+6Posted on Yelp
Tom V.1930 days agoThis was a great way to get the kids some time out to themselves on the Charles. We showed up near sunset (last boat goes in at 7:00) and the kids kayaked until just after 8:00, when all boats must be ashore. The water was higher due to recent rains, but the kids (17 & 15) were able to easily navigate the river on the paddle downstream and again on the paddle upstream. At $20 an hour for a single kayak, this is a pretty good deal, especially if you have teens who want an excursion. Totally worth the time, even with the waiver/safety video you must have to be able to go boating. Go enjoy the Charles at your own pace!
Posted on Yelp
Eileen D.1944 days agoRented two double kayaks ($49/kayak) for the morning/afternoon time slot. Originally booked for 12pm and realized 11 hour before that the time slot no longer worked and emailed them in a panic. By the time I woke up at 9 am they responded and helped me move my time to 1 pm! Online waiver makes the process super fast. Didn't ask us for ID but I brought anyways just in case. The $49 is for 3 hours of kayaking, which seems really well priced since it's for a double kayak! :D They also have a deal with Za where you can go for a discount after kayaking. Unfortunately we went in a Sunday so Za wasn't open, but it seems like you can make a really nice trip out of it.
Posted on Yelp
Rosemary F.2223 days agoEasy walk from Harvard Sq, this is a great location for paddling toward the Charles Basin or heading our toward Watertown (lots of wild life). They have sea kayaks if you want to go fast. Great service and Covid careful. Felt like a vacation.
Posted on Yelp
Alice L.2460 days agoWent with a group of college buddies and had such a blast! Wanted to go full-speed but we ended up just singing Disney tunes at the top of our lungs all the way down the river instead. Gotta make sure you wear comfortable clothing- my jeans were way too warm for a summer day like this so would recommend waterproof clothing or at least lighter clothing that will dry more easily. The life jackets were comfortable and did not allow for any extra or unnecessary movement. Gotta do this justice if you're going to be on the Charles- next step is to get on that rowing machine and erg your way onto the river!
Posted on Yelp
Maggie W.2503 days agoSo. Much. Fun. My best friend and I had the best time catching up and paddling through Cambridge. Along with the gorgeous city scape, it was also fun to see other boats and even Duck Tours pass through! I think this is a really fun activity for friends, dates, or even a family outing!
Posted on YelpJames L.2625 days agoHad a great time on the sunset and city lights tour. The guides were excellent communicating and giving tips for less experienced paddlers. The views of the city during sunset and at night from the water give a cool perspective, like paddling under bridges when trains and cars are going over. It was a nice way to relax on the river, and pretty easy to find from Kendall station.
Posted on Yelp
Richa T.2641 days agoPros: + Friendly Staff + Lines, but moves pretty quickly + Reasonably priced - $20 per hour for a double kayak + Plenty of options - kayaking, canoeing, and standup paddle + Photographic scenery Cons: - Limited assistance once you get on the lake. - You will get soaked. Make sure you grab a dry bag
Posted on Tripadvisor
TheFamGuy190 days agoVerified
A swimmingly good experience Good website with clear information. Very organized at the dock with lots of rules that keep it orderly and efficient. Friendly helpers on the dock. Great kayak and oars. A wonderful time on the water.Posted on Tripadvisor
K L146 days agoSharing a fun secret! Sometimes you come across an experience so nice you don’t want to share. This could be one of them. Took a guided kayak tour through the locks on the Charles River and out to the Bay/Charlestown. Primary host: North End Nora (just kidding— she‘s Nora). Also host: Deb. What I loved about this: 1). Just downright nice hosts, 2). Good instruction upfront on potential challenges during the trip, 3). Fun facts the whole way, 4). Great way to see Boston, 5). Passing through the locks is just super cool. To add: I expected to be the kind of person they would have to tow back to the docks due to how strenuous it was. It was windy, we had several boats out there creating wakes— but it was just right in terms of exertion. Other fun things: I have a whole new respect for naming of the Duck Boats after this. Finally: validated parking! Thanks again to Nora and Deb and the whole Paddle Boston team!Posted on Tripadvisor
VoyagerZ5533OA379 days agoOne of the best things we've done in Boston We invited some out-of-town friends to kayak with us, and they absolutely LOVED the experience. They were a bit disoriented at first but they got the hang of it within minutes, and they got to see Boston and Cambridge from a very different perspective. We went past that little island on the Boston side where geese like to lay their eggs so we got to see the animals up close (they didn't attack us, which was nice of them), and we also went up to the Museum of Science where we could see preparations for a wedding on the pavilion. In terms of logistics: We rented our kayaks at the Kendall Square location. You can sign the waiver ahead of time or once you get there on your phone after watching a brief video. The staff was generally helpful. We decided we were going to take our chances and did not use the dry bags they had (which were wet). There was a warning for a cyanobacteria bloom in the Charles, so basically don't drink the water, wash your hands afterwards, and no pets. We started out around 9:15/9:30 am on a Saturday in mid-September, and chose the 1.5-hour option. It was perfect because there were hardly any other kayakers, temperatures were still cool at that hour, the sun was lower in the sky so photos came out much better, and by the time we got back to the dock, the whole place was crowded with folks trying to get their kayaks out, many of whom seemed to be doing this for the first time and bumping into each other. As for what to wear, just know that you'll get a bit wet. Yes, some water will get into the boat when you raise your paddle, but it shouldn't be more than a small puddle and you don't need to be in a swimsuit. Just don't wear something like denim pants. Anything made of a quick-dry material will do, or wear shorts and bring extra clothes in a bag if you're worried that you'll need to change afterwards. I wore sneakers, and that was fine, too. Don't forget sunscreen or at least a hat. One last note: these were THE most comfortable kayaks we had ever gotten into. The backs gave great support, you could adjust where to set your feet for proper leverage, and we had a very relaxing time. It was a fantastic way to enjoy Boston on a sunny September morning.Posted on Tripadvisor
Shane&Judy821 days agoIncredible Kayak Experience I was very pleased with my kayak rental with Paddle Boston. The staff were helpful and the equipment was excellent. They gave me a 17 foot Wilderness Systems Kayak for the regular cost.Posted on Tripadvisor
Patrice A848 days agoA different view of Boston Come prepared for your trip. You don't have to reserve a kayak, but I do recommend that you file out the consent forms ahead of time so you're not huddled in the corner watching a video when you get there. It was easy to get your kayak and was efficient. We went mid-morning, and Charles River was a bit crowded with sailboat classes. But, if your mindful of your surroundings and the other boaters, it's definitely doable. We enjoyed our kayak and experience. Definitely recommend.Posted on Tripadvisor
LondonBunnies1194 days ago"I Love That Dirty Water"! This was one of the single-most awesome things I've done solo recently. I live really close and am just kicking myself I've not taken advantage of this gem before. All of guys from the kiosk to the deck were super friendly; explained to my "new-bie"-self the rules/safety/guidelines of river etiquette and proper kayak procedures. The views are great: Harvard, BU, if you go down river far enough, the Boston Skyline. Peaceful. It's like a river couch you steer at your own pace ("at your own pace" is the key, you can slowly cruise or "go for the gold" - it's YOUR time!). ***If I were visiting I would HIGHLY recommend packing a pair of bike shorts and the like to spend a morning or early afternoon seeing the sites via kayak! It's totally walkable from Harvard Square and parking is available as well. ***Definitely something to do apart from the typical tourist stuff AND, it's not a time suck either! Do it!!Posted on Tripadvisor
Michael I1511 days agoGreat way to see the city and helpful staff. I messed up and booked the wrong day. The team were really helpful and got me out on the water anyway. While I was out they sorted out the refund for the tour I’d originally booked so I only paid for the boat hire that I used. Great way to see Boston, I paddled about 2 miles upstream before turning back. 2 hours gives you plenty of scope to explore a long way on the river!Posted on Tripadvisormishafop1511 days agoLaid back and easy We do the seasonal pass every year because we live up the street in Cambridge. This place is so easy and laid back and makes it so easy to have a city adventure. They also have several locations throughout so there’s always something different to see.Posted on TripadvisorTravelGalRed1524 days agoGreat Time on The Charles We’re locals who rented kayaks out of Kendall Square over Labor Day weekend. Perfect afternoon out on the Charles. Outfitter was professional, quality equipment, and easy safety/registration to start. Highly recommend this unique way to enjoy the city.Posted on TripadvisorDave T1887 days agoA Great Paddle in Boston One of the most enjoyable ways to spend a summer day in Boston! Kayaking and paddleboard are both great options, staff is friendly and super helpful!Posted on Tripadvisor
Heloisa Castelo2239 days agoGreat experience!! Go kayaking in the Charles River is one of the best experience you can have in Boston! Besides being a great activity, the view is stunning!!Posted on Tripadvisor
mag2246 days agoHard working, courteous, professional staff Thank you Charles River Canoe & Kayak! I was there 9/12/20 with a large group and the staff was professional, courteous, hard working and kept everyone COVID safe. Everyone in our group had a good time. Impressive!Posted on Tripadvisortraveler1113812255 days agoGreat facility, great kayaking We had a great day kayaking, launching at the boathouse at Nahanton Park in Newton (free parking, clean facilities).Posted on Tripadvisor
R22892614 days agoHighly recommend the harbour tour! We went on the harbour tour last weekend and it was excellent. Lots of fun facts and interesting anecdotes. It was great to see the city from a different angle. As we had a small group we went quite quickly and got to see a couple of extra bits, but there was options for those that wanted a rest or slower pace too - definitely would work with a larger group in terms of making sure everyone can keep up and is looked after. Had a wonderful time and will definitely recommend to anyone I know going to Boston :DPosted on Tripadvisor
a s2637 days agoA really fun evening! My husband and I went on the evening Skyline Tour (5-7 PM), just as something different to do. We both have paddling experience but still consider ourselves beginners. Katie was an excellent guide! A perfect way to spend a summer Saturday evening.Posted on Tripadvisor
ultravioletvv2638 days agoWonderful tour!!! We were a family of 3 from the Boston area and had family friends (family of 4) visiting from Michigan. We had never done this tour before and our family friends go kayaking all the time. First off, I would like to say that Karen is a wonderful tour guide!! I work in Lexington as a tour guide as well, and her tour of the Charles River was both hilarious and informative. She was extremely friendly, had a great sense of humor, and was knowledgeable about the area. She was also very good at giving those of us who don't kayak directions as to how to use the kayak and the paddles. Second, Karen showed us everything we thought we wanted to see and more! I had no idea there were so many places to kayak and see Boston and Cambridge. Overall, we were extremely happy with our tour! Thank you so much for making this a great tour to be on!Load moreVerified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
