How to Find Boating Activities in New York City

New York City offers an array of boating activities to New Yorkers and visitors alike. Plenty of kayaking, paddle boating and canoeing is available to the sporting enthusiast. And for those who enjoy sightseeing by boat, tour cruises and ferry boats depart frequently from various locations throughout the city. Read on to learn how to find boating activities in New York City.

Instructions

1. Visit the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation website for a comprehensive look at what the city has to offer. Here you will find the New York City water trail map which covers 160 square miles of waterways throughout the five boroughs of the city. You will also learn about the boating activities available at each location and what permits are required for kayaking and canoeing. See the Resources section below.

2. Find rowboat, kayak and paddle boat rentals. In Manhattan's Central Park, the Loeb Boathouse is open from April through October and offers kayaks and rowboats starting at $12 per hour. Call [phone]. The Kate Wollman Rink in Brooklyn's Prospect Park offers pedal boats at $15 an hour. Contact [phone]. In Queens, the Flushing Meadows Lake Boathouse rents rowboats and paddleboats at $15 per hour. Contact [phone]). And on Staten Island, you can visit Clove Lakes Park and rent a rowboat or paddleboat for $10 hourly. Contact [phone].

3. Look into various clubs, such as the New York City Downtown Boathouse in Manhattan and the Red Hook Boaters in Brooklyn. Both of these clubs are run by volunteers. They offer a schedule of free boating activities including kayaking and canoeing throughout the boating season. There is no cost for equipment and lessons, but you may need to purchase a permit.

4. Contact one of the many New York City tour cruises for another kind of boating activity. Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises offers a three hour trip that circles the entire island of Manhattan. You can reach them by calling [phone]. For an elegant evening, consider World Yacht Dining Cruises. Here you will enjoy fine dining and dancing to a live band. Contact [phone].

5. Check out the Staten Island Ferry. It's free! The ferry ride from Battery Park to Staten Island is a great way to enjoy a boating activity in New York City. You'll take in some of the city's most famous sights such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the lower Manhattan skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge and Governors Island--all at no cost. For information, call (718) 815-BOAT.

Resources

• New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
• Central Park boat rentals
• Brooklyn boat rentals
• Downtown Boathouse
• Red Hook Boaters club