Manhattan Kayak Company Review

MKC is where I learned how to sea kayak and SUP three years ago. Experiencing NYC from the water is a transformative experience and I am so grateful to the MKC family for introducing me to it. The staff and members are knowledgeable and skilled paddlers who share their infectious enthusiasm for skill development, exploration, and for our beautiful tidal estuary. Paddling itself, learning about the city s waterways, and having the unique experience of seeing the skyline from the Hudson are not to be missed whether you have no experience and want to do a relaxing skyline tour, or have expeditions under your belt and want to circumnavigate Manhattan- MKC offers something for everyone. Thanks Eric and team for the enthusiastic coaching and support!

The staff is great safe and professional kayaking was just a great vacation fun

This is a great place to learn SUP (Stand Up Paddling). The people are very knowledgeable and very supportive.

Update: This is also a great place to learn kayaking.

So happy to have found MKC. They are professional, friendly, have great instructors and river guides. It's a wonderful place to experience paddling in a safe and friendly environment!!

MKC - and the paddle life NYC has to offer is a lifestyle game changer. They are the best. It is hard to imagine why everyone in Manhattan doesn't paddle .

The best place in New York for tours on the Hudson and with programs for all types of canonists

Super nice and friendly people here. Been taking the kayak and SUP classes. All the instructor are really cool and enjoying learning each of the sport. The website can be a bit better but overall if you want learn or just paddle around for a couple hours.

I love my boathouse! Manhattan Kayak + SUP provides year-round instruction, tours, and camaraderie and the loveliest views of NYC and NJ imaginable.

I have lived in NYC 19 years and every Summer I said, I am going to kayak on the rivers. THIS was my summer to finally do it and it has been amazing. I owe it all to MKC. I started with Fun in the Suns and went on to Paddle Basics 1. I am so excited for the longer tours and Basics 2. The guides and instructors (Margaret, Juan, Brandon) gave me confidence, made me feel safe, made it fun, were encouraging, and made me feel calm on the water. I have been to all of the other free boathouses and in the City and am so grateful for the water time to practice and gain more experience, but you truly get what you pay for. None of those experiences can stand up to MKC. Next summer I am throwing all of my money at them to do even more!

It s my second home and family. I m a lifelong paddler, waterman, scuba diver, spear fisherman, Eagle Scout and native Floridian who is trapped in New York by life. The time spent learning new skills (I tried to teach myself to paddle board, ohhh how little I knew), working out, and paddling to destinations N and S on Hudson keep me sane and human. Not to mention I ve made a bunch of new and now close and like-minded friends.

I ve taken Basic Kayaking 1 and 2 there so far, and am really impressed. The teachers absolutely know what they re doing, and make sure that students learn techniques correctly. They re attentive, yet foster independence in students. Going out on open water in a small boat is something that should be taken very seriously, and that s exactly how they approach it. Kayaking is pretty challenging, but learning from dedicated, educated instructors makes it that much easier.

Best place to do kayaking in New York city thank you Manhattan kayak for such a great experience staff is friendly and professional it s their safety measures for COVID-19 is so good it s completely safe to go for kayaking or paddle boarding i wanna say thanks to my coach Jay cartagena because it was my first time in kayak but he explained everything soo good

Manhattan Kayak + SUP is a wonderful outdoor oasis in the midst of the concrete jungle that is New York City. Eric Stiller, the staff of Manhattan Kayak + SUP, and so many of the other paddlers make every paddle outing feel like a party with your best friends. Absolutely top-notch instruction where safety is their number one priority. Whether you're looking for a casual outing and a chance to see Manhattan from a completely different and unique view, or you're looking to take your kayak or SUP skills to the next hardcore level, Manhattan Kayak + SUP has you covered. Eric Stiller, and Manhattan Kayak + SUP have given me the gift of a lifelong love of kayaking which I am so grateful for.

Awesome experience last night! A friend and I attended the After Dark tour and it was crazy to see the city in such a different way. Lou was our instructor and was great the whole time. Living in the circumstances we are in it s a great way to be socially distance safely and have an adventure. Thanks so much Lou and MKC we will be back again soon!

As a novice SUP user and visitor to NYC, I was nervous to embark upon a journey onto the Hudson. But what a great experience! Not only were my MKC crew helpful on SUP technique and experts on the area, they stressed safety first, which made my group more comfortable and confident. An awesome guided tour all around.

An amazingly fun activity in the heart of the city. Plus, the staff is amazing. So friendly and knowledgeable

Super company! Fabulous, joyful time! Highly recommend!

Details: I'm a moderately experienced kayaker from the Pacific Northwest, and my friend Dave is a beginner from New Jersey. We BOTH had a fabulous time on an early October FUN IN THE SUN excursion and are still talking it. Our guide (Jules) was professional, super-friendly, safety-conscious, and fun -- a great instructor, as well as very positive & reassuring to those in our group who were new to kayaking. Even for that short trip, Jules so good at promoting camaraderie that the other two group members remain in touch with Dave and I.

My compliments to Jay also: he was very helpful and informative in helping me to explore MKC trip options prior to my NYC arrival. I can't wait to paddle with MKC again the next time I'm in NYC -- possibly including private instruction and a longer tour, maybe even downriver to the Statue of Liberty!