Rowing and paddling: Where to rent equipment and get out on the water
Standing up, sitting or lying down -- a trip along LI's waterways is an ideal way to spend a lazy afternoon. Here are some businesses and locations that can help you make that scenario a reality.
Atlantic Outfitters
Credit: Atlantic Outfitters
Atlantic Outfitters, 405 Main St., Port Washington, 516-767-2215, atlanticoutfitters.us Hours 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (hours extend during summer months). Paddleboard, rowboat, kayak and fishing equipment rentals, lessons, tours, parties.
Belmont Lake State Park
Credit: Barry Sloan
Exit 38, Southern State Parkway, North Babylon, nysparks.com, 631-667-5055. Hours Weekends and holidays: 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 5-20, noon-5:30 p.m. May 26-Sept. 3, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 8-Oct. 9. Weekdays: 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 26–Aug. 31. Fee $15 per 90 minutes for rowboats and pedal boats; $20 per 2 hours for kayaks. Freshwater fishing is permitted from rowboats during the weekdays. License is required.
Blydenburgh County Park
Credit: Steve Pfost
Veterans Memorial Highway, Smithtown, suffolkcountyny.gov/parks, 631-854-3713. Hours 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Season Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day weekend. Rowboat rentals, fishing. Fees Call.
The Dinghy Shop
Credit: Linda Rosier
334 S. Bayview Ave., Amityville, 631-264-0005, dinghyshop.com Hours Shop open year-round, rentals June-Oct. Fees Sailboats $75, single kayaks $30, tandem kayaks $60; paddleboard $40. All rentals are for two hours. Full-moon tour $50, $64 for tandem kayaks, Wed. twilight tour $46 (rental fee included).
Empire Kayaks
Credit: Ed Betz
4 Empire Blvd., Island Park, 516-889-8300, empirekayaks.com Hours 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. weekdays (closed Tue.), 8 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends. Winter: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays (closed Tue.), 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends. Sales, rentals, instruction. Pedal kayaks, kayak eco-tours, paddleboards, combo bike-kayak tours, kayak fishing and stand-up paddleboard fitness classes.
Glacier Bay Sports
Credit: Gordon M. Grant
Brittania Marina, 81-C Fort Salonga Rd. (Route 25A), Northport, 631-262-9116, glacierbaysports.net Hours Open daily, call. Kayak and paddleboard rentals, tours, instruction, group trips, parties. Fees Call.
Hampton Water Sports
Credit: Gordon M. Grant
1688 County Rd. 39, Southampton, hamptonwatersports.com, 631-283-9463. Hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, March-Christmas. Sales and rentals for windsurfing, paddleboarding, surfing, kiteboarding; lessons on East End bays. Fees Call.
Main Beach Surf and Sport
Credit: Ed Betz
352 Montauk Hwy., Wainscott, 631-537-2716, mainbeach.com Hours 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily in season, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. offseason. Season Spring-fall for kayak, paddleboard and surfboard rentals. Includes full-moon paddles, group and private tours. Lessons, rentals and summer MBX kids surf camp.
Nissequogue River Canoe and Kayak
Credit: Ed Betz
Paul Given County Park, Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, 631-979-8244, canoerentals.com Hours Open daily in season. Season April 15- Nov. 1, depending on weather and tide. 5 ½-mile paddle along the Nissequogue River (tidal), canoe and kayak rentals. Fees Call
Peconic Paddler
Credit: Gordon M. Grant
89 Peconic Ave., Riverhead, 631-727-9895, peconicpaddler.com Hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Thur., 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Fri., 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Season Late May to mid-Oct. Free launch; canoe rentals and sales, kayaks and paddleboards, paddleboard yoga and tours. Kayak rentals on Peconic Bay; canoe rentals on the river. Fees Call.
Puff and Putt Family Fun Center
Credit: Gordon M. Grant
659 Montauk Hwy., Montauk, 631-668-4473, puffnputt.com Hours Open daily June 15-Sept. 15, open weekends May and Oct. Kayak, sailboat, canoe, pedal boat, stand-up paddleboards (weather permitting). Sailing on Fort Pond, an enclosed lake, 1 ½ miles long. Fee Check website.
Shelter Island Kayak Tours
Credit: Barry Sloan
Route 114 at Duvall, Shelter Island, 631-749-1990, kayaksi.com Hours 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily mid April-Oct. Guided tours, kayak and paddleboard rentals. Fees $60 a person guided kayak tours, half price younger than 12. Call for paddleboard fee.
South Shore Paddleboards
Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
258 E. Main St., Babylon, southshorepaddleboards.com, 631-482-1822. Hours 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., all year. Full-service paddleboard shop. Rentals, tours, lessons. Summer junior program. Sunday morning paddle boarding with breakfast on the beach available, check website for events. Fees Call for rentals; lessons $65 an hour.
Southaven County Park
Credit: Daniel Brennan
Victory Avenue, Brookhaven, suffolkcountyny.gov/parks, 631-854-1414. Hours 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Rowing in lake on upper part of Carmans River. Fees Call.
Stony Brook Marine Service
Credit: Heather Walsh
Kayakers paddle towards the historic grist mill near the Stony Brook Harbor, May 11, 2016. The marine service is at Stony Brook Harbor, in Stony Brook, 631-675-0675. It offers kayak and paddleboard rentals.
