Santa Cruz Kayak & Paddleboard Rentals

When you arrive on the day of your rental, the first thing you’ll do is sign our liability release and pay for your rentals.

Next, our team will help you find the gear you need for your adventure, and we’ll get you fitted for everything and show you how to wear it properly.

One of our staff members will issue a paddle and safety talk and take you down to the dock, where we’ll help you into your kayak or onto your SUP.

In Santa Cruz, you’ll paddle away from the deck and into the harbor, which provides incredible views of the Boardwalk, coastline, wharf, and lighthouse. You’ll also have the opportunity to see otters, seals, sea lions, birds, dolphins, and whales.

Yes – if they’re at least five years old. As a family-friendly operation, we love to encourage kids to get out on the water!

Even though kids as young as five can rent kayaks, boogie boards, or SUPs, some little ones won’t be ready to venture onto the water.

Here are a few questions to consider before you decide to bring your kids out on the harbor with you:

• Is your child comfortable on the water?
• Is your child a strong swimmer who is comfortable going underwater?
• Will the day be too hot, cold, or windy for little kids?
• Are you confident that you can manage yourself, your kayak, and your child if your kayak flips?

Here are our rental requirements:

• Children must be at least five years old to go kayaking
• Children who are 15 or older can paddle a single kayak.
• All participants must sign a release. Kids under 18 must have their waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
• Children under 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult over the age of 25.

Our sit-on-top kayaks have a weight limit of 250 lbs. Our sit-on-top doubles have a combined weight limit of 500 lbs. The closed-deck kayaks we rent can accommodate a person weighing up to 225 lbs.

We welcome well behaved four-legged friends. If your dog is heavier than 35 pounds, though, we recommend renting a double kayak so that your dog has a stable, safe seat. A $10 fee is added per dog. Please keep in mind that if your dog causes any damage to our kayaks there will be an additional charge.

Personal floatation devices (life vests) are required for the entire duration of your paddle on the water. We have multiple styles and fits to make sure you are comfortable throughout your paddle.

No. We do not allow the consumption of alcohol before or during your kayak rental.

To ensure your safety and comfort on the water, we require that all guests know how to swim before renting kayak gear.

If you’re going to be paddling a closed-deck kayak, avoid wearing jeans, sweatpants, or heavy cotton clothing, which will get heavy and chilly when wet.

Instead, dress in layers of wool, Capilene, fleece, or synthetic clothing. Since weather conditions can change quickly on the water, layering is a great way to keep yourself comfortable and dry all day.

We recommend wearing moisture-wicking, quick-drying athletic shirts and pants, and bringing a wide-brimmed sun hat, sunglasses, and a windbreaker. If you want to wear shoes during your rental, make sure you wear water shoes that are designed to get wet. Going barefoot is also an option.

If you’re bringing your camera, phone, and wallet, secure them in a waterproof case (we’ve got a wide selection for sale in our store). If you’re renting a stand-up paddleboard, bring a bathing suit and change of clothes.

Finally, bring a change of clothes to keep in the car for after your rental. If you get wet while paddling, you’ll be glad you took this step. We supply our guests with a rental personal floatation device (PFD), paddling jacket, spray skirt, and paddle, so you don’t need to bring these things from home.

Bring the following for your kayak trip:

• A hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Water and a snack
• Camera and binoculars (bring at your own risk of them getting wet!)
• Footwear such as old sneakers, Tevas, water socks, or booties.

Sit-on-top kayaks are stable, self-bailing kayaks that allow paddlers to sit on top of the kayak deck. If you capsize, the kayak won’t fill up with water, making it easier to flip the kayak upright and climb back on board. 

All kayak rentals at our Santa Cruz location are sit-on-tops.

While anyone can paddle a closed-deck kayak, we generally recommend them for more advanced kayakers. The reason for this is simple: sit-inside kayaks are a little less stable on the water. In the unlikely event that one of these kayaks capsizes, the interior cavity fills with water, making it tough to flip them over and get back inside. Sit-inside kayaks also have rudders, spray skirts and foot pedals, which can feel like a lot of extra equipment for a novice kayaker to manage.

If you’re interested in renting a closed-deck kayak, you should visit our Elkhorn Slough location. 

We require a credit card number to reserve your rental equipment. Cancellations must be made more than 48 hours before your rental date. If you cancel less than 48 hours before your rental date, we will charge your credit card. If we must cancel your trip due to unsafe weather conditions, we’ll issue a full refund.