Bayou Paddlesports

Wow! Cannot believe we haven't kayaked on the bayou until yesterday. The staff was excellent and very helpful and the experience was absolutely amazing. Get out and see the city from the bayou, you won't regret it. I recommend booking with Bayou Paddlesports, parking is solid, location is easy to get to and no matter which way you paddle, the location is perfect for some cool views. Thanks!

Did a 4 hour Kayak on Sunday and it was lovely. Cassie checked us in and out. She was lovely to work with. She was knowledgeable and had very good energy. Highly recommend.

The girl that helped us was very friendly and helpful. I had my own kayak and I rented one for my girlfriend. We were able to launch both right there and start paddling

Great prices, really fun afternoon. The staff were super friendly and helpful. A little hot, but just bring sunscreen and water! Check it out

Affordable price, friendly and helpful staff, very pleasant kayak ride down the bayou for 2 hours.

Seamless! Thank you!

Great place for a fun day with friends under the sun! The price is very reasonable : $25/person for 2hrs. The instructor was very nice. She even accepted to take some pictures of us. Highly recommend!

Went here for my birthday, great time, solid amenities, a really well thought out experience.

I had an excellent experience. Everything was ready when I got there. Super friendly! Highly recommended. I did SUP. Good equipment. Solid company.

Thoroughly enjoyed my evening on the bayou during their recent Full Moon Night Paddle event. Check-in was very efficient with minimal wait to ride. Kayaks were on the bayou shortly before sunset and we were able to go whichever route we choose. Being independent, not having to paddle with a group and go at our own pace was definitely a plus. Paddling under the full moon was so serene. Upon returning to shore everyone dined on delicious freshly prepared fish tacos (there was also a vegan option) and beverages while listening to live music next to a campfire. There was also a raffle, I won a hat! All this was included in the registration price! Note to new kayakers: Glad I brought a hard cooler with me since it's much more water resistant than soft side. Small radio with headphones (to not disturb the waterside neighbors) also helped add to the ambiance while kayaking. Dry fit and quick drying shirt & shorts (as well as two towels; one for during and the other after I returned) kept me comfortable throughout the evening.

We made reservations but our friends didn't. I thought they wouldn't be able to join but you can also do a walk up rent. The gentleman that runs the place was very friendly, communicative and very easy going. I will definitely rent again.

I normally don't post bad reviews but the employee was so awful she ruined half our trip. We went with our little kids. We have our own kayaks but don't have a way to carry them so rented from this company which had great reviews. I'm not sure if she was having a bad day or if she hates her job or people. I spoke with my friends today and they said the same thing when they went in August. Same girl. Dark brown hair and ponytail. I asked my husband if she was like that before I walked up and he said she had an attitude from the beginning. She huffed when we asked for a different kayak. When I asked her a question about it she said to look myself. I asked her if we wanted to take more than 2 hours she laughed and said "see if you can even do 2 hours." To be fair, you don't need more than 2 hours but there's a different way you Can respond WHEN YOU ARE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE. the weird thing is that is when I Gave her a slight attitude back towards the end when I asked her where she wanted us to dock she actually became nice. I almost didn't post this but she (is she the owner?) or whoever employs her needs to work on some attitude adjustments. You don't even have to be nice but don't be a b*tch. I felt like I was going through a McDonald's drive thru. All the reviews before the last few months were 5 star and another person mentioned her attitude 2 months ago so it needs to be said. We will not be back to rent if she's the one out there. Or I will maybe but my attitude will mirror hers. When we passed the other kayak company owner around Carrolton she even waved and smiled as we passed and we weren't even her customers. We were happy with the experience except for the person checking us in. I don't know if there are a lot of options (maybe go to the smiling lady on Carrolton) so you just deal with her. Maybe she doesn't work every day. Hopefully you get a day she isn't. I hope she doesn't own the business bc she acts like she wants it to go down.

We had a great time kayaking! We will definitely be back! Great way to escape from the city a bit and enjoy nature

Bayou Paddlesports is a great place to rent kayaks and paddleboards! It's located near the LSU Dental School by a small stream of water. My friend and I totally passed them up because we had no idea what to look for at the time. I found this place through yelp and I don't think any of my friends rented a kayak from them before. In New Orleans, I had only rented from Wheel Fun Rentals where you can kayak or paddle boat in City Park's pond and streams that branches from it. With Bayou Paddlesports, you can kayak around Bayou St. John with a time limit of 2 hours. The staff was extremely helpful and told me about the water and area. They use Square card readers, so you don't have to pay with just cash. They will provide a life jacket and a container for your keys (not completely waterproof, but good enough to stay afloat for a while if it was to fall in the water). I was able to go a good distance with my friend and relax when I got tired. It was a hot day, so I even jumped in and out of the water a few times. After kayaking, my friend and I returned our kayaks to the staff and they happily brought us to land. Overall, the staff is really friendly and helpful. They're located in a fairly convenient spot to enjoy Bayou St. John. Definitely come here to rent out a kayak experience the calm waters and get a nice workout!

The recipe for an idyllic Sunday? Kayaking the treacherous waters of the Bayou St. John. I jest, of course. This is the perfect body of water to get your kayak on if it's your first time, or if it's been a while. I fall into the latter category, but it seems like each time is the first time again, because until I paddle off, I'm certain that this will be the time that I will lose my life via kayaking. I get this way whenever I'm forced to encounter nature. I always think that being one with nature is a great concept. I've hiked, I've canyoned (and was so so out of my league), I've biked. I've swam. I've picnicked. I'm determined to make an outdoors sporty kind of gal of myself yet (don't ever ask me to get on a horse or go camping though. I know my limits). Kayaking is probably my favorite outdoor sport. This, I say after two kayaking "expeditions" and neither time in really rough waters. I think because I'm a decent swimmer I have this false sense of invincibility. That's the only explanation I can think of. Bayou Kayaks is really wonderful. You can't get a cheaper day out (20 bucks to rent a kayak is a steal!) and I love exploring different places of interest in the city. Kayaking is very easy (to give you an idea children can have their own kayak) and the owner makes bringing your dog a possibility, too! Yesterday was the final day of Jazz Fest, so we had a soundtrack of the Foo Fighters playing live as we made our way down the Bayou. Wildlife encounters: ducks, snapping turtles. MAYBE a tiny alligator (I didn't see any, but they are out there). Dragon flies. Spiders under bridges (don't touch the sides). There was also a close call with a maniacal pigeon. Note: be aware that you're close to the end when you reach a bridge that seems a bit too low to get underneath. My friend and I were determined to be the supreme badass kayaking bitches of the bayou and get under it (must get flat on your back). We emerged from underneath to find that the fun stops there (seriously, the water gets pretty disgusting by that point too). And on the way back underneath, my friend took a (glamorous) capsize. While you'd think that would be pretty refreshing on a hot day, the water in Bayou St. John is as swampy as the name implies. I became drenched in the process of trying to assist her and felt like acid was eating away at my clothes and skin for the rest of my journey. So don't go swimming or capsizing on purpose!

The guys running this place were very efficient and kind! They wiped down our kayaks before we got in them, and gave demonstrative pointers to a group whose first time it was. I will definitely rent from them again, but hopefully will get my own kayak soon :)

I always have a great time with Bayou Paddlesports! The location is perfect for getting into the water, and everything you can think of is provided for you; your chosen vessel, life vests, paddles, and even a container to keep your keys and phone afloat and dry. I've only ever taken out a single kayak, although they also have double kayaks and paddle boards. The staff was lovely enough to let me take the paddle board out for a spin, but knowing how clumsy I am, I once again opted for the kayak. The row down Bayou St. John, really is a beautiful and peaceful experience. You can choose to go north along the grassy banks and though a hidden island neighborhood, or south along the banks of beautiful and stately homes. Either way you'll get to row under some bridges; for paddle boarders, watch your head! My favorite times on the water have been the monthly night time paddles, that now feature live music and food for an extra fee. The hangout after the paddle is great place to make new friends, or cuddle up with your sweetheart. They make a bonfire and the atmosphere on the bayou is just so relaxing. Another great event they have are their Dog Days, where you get a discount for paddling with your pooch! K9 friends are always welcome there, and it's a fun way to bond, and get the pup out of the house. The staff here is always very knowledgeable, and helpful with getting me into and out of the water. They are always on shore waiting for me when I come back to pull my boat in. Not once have I fallen in! I come back as often as possible to get in my Bayou St. John fix. I love that we can be so close to nature, within our city limits.

Awesome place to rent kayaks/canoes. The instructor briefed us on what to do and made it very easy. I booked online and it was $25 after taxes for a 2 hour kayak rental. The weather was perfect! Ducklings and turtles enjoyed swimming along side of us as we made our way down the bayou. It was beautiful.

I haven't been canoeing since I was a kid, I was nervous going with my 6 year old son and hubby. But the owner explained the concepts quickly and effectively. Cause we didn't want to make mistakes, we followed directions. Thanks for the good time! Excellence happens there!

Thanks so much Bayou Paddlesports and the two guys that were working this past Saturday. They were both super helpful to advise where we could sup and kayak and knowledgeable about the equipment and technique. Thanks guys for making it a great experience for us!

A great experience overall. I booked the day before for a tandem kayak and once we arrived and were checked in, we were on our way. The parking is ample and easy too. You can kayak towards Orleans Ave or Robert e Lee blvd which is the route we chose to go. The houses and scenery is beyond beautiful. My arms were like Jello by the time our two hours were up so if you aren't strong I recommend going on a tandem. I would absolutely book a kayak again.

My dad and I wanted to find some easy kayaking in Nola and we found Rhonda at Bayou Paddlesports!! They are located super conveniently on Bayou St. John (right by the Dental School). Rhonda was super helpful and we were in the water within 10 min of getting there!!!! The trip up the bayou and around the island was tremendous! The houses along the waterfront are interesting and fun to look at and we saw lots of turtles and birds. We rented 2 kayaks for 2 hours and it was $42, worth every penny!!! I highly recommend this company for a quick and easy, super fun, kayak up the Bayou.

Enjoyed a trip north up near the Greek church, around the island and back, 2 hour tour. Great kayaks and very personable staff, set us up and had us in the water within minutes of arrival.

Took a kayak trip along Bayou St John with this company last October and we really enjoyed it. We kayaked for an hour, maybe an hr & a half, and had good fun and a good upper body workout. Would definitely recommend this place to others who want an outdoor adventure without having to leave the city.

A perfect outing kayaking through peaceful and beautiful Bayou St. Jean. Equipment was excellent, booking was easy, and Rhonda, the proprietor, was friendly, helpful, and efficient. Highly recommended.

The Looziana Saturday Nite was an awesome experience. The staff was professional and inviting, the food was amazing which offered meat and vegan options, and the local Cajun band was serenading!

Great kayak rental place! Parking was available right there and the staff was friendly and quick. The kayaks were in good shape and it was fun to paddle down Bayou St. John for the afternoon. Would definitely rent from them again.

This is a GREAT spot and super fun and easy way to kayak on the bayou!

great individuals working there! very helpful and friendly and so much fun for the family and all ages!! dogs are allowed too!

I rented a single kayak this weekend as part of a larger group. This outing was the third time I rent from Bayou Paddlesports and each time has been great! The staff is always easy to talk to and will answer any questions that you have about the Bayou, the kayaks or the conditions.

Easy to use, and friendly staff. don't forget your yelp discount! cheapest kayak rental that we found here. Not a shop but just a little tent set up next to the river, with parking available along the side of the curb. staff was very helpful and lots of sunscreen was provided. they also have la croix and water available for purchase, and little lays stax canisters to store your keys and whatnot.

Fantastic set up, just wish I had thought of it first! I mean the business plan is genius. You don't need a store front and there's really no overhead or cost once you buy the supplies. Plus, you have participants sign a waiver so you're not responsible for injury. Amazing! Bayou kayaks made the experience so nice and pleasant. We bought the groupon ($20 for 2 people for 2 hours) and took some friends down the bayou for the afternoon. The online reservation was easy and fast. No paper trail is also definitely a plus. The take off point is by the LSU dentistry school. It was nice to paddle down towards Robert E Lee as you can go under several bridges and it's mostly residential. There were some fish, birds, and nice/out of my reach houses. One of my friends has lived in NOLA his entire life and has never kayaked or been on the bayou. He absolutely loved it (and was very talented at kayaking!). It was so easy, pleasant, and a great way to spend a lazy afternoon. They are sweet and have sunscreen if you forget. I would recommend a hat and towels to sit on once you get back in the car. Perhaps we'll bring snacks next time.

Stars for great location and easy booking. They have supplies to disinfect equipment but won't do it for you. Minus two stars for the rude woman who started pushing my kayak into the water when my sister ran to put her phone in the car. When I told her I was waiting on my sister she sarcastically noted that she knew and "thanked" me for alerting her to the obvious. Why are you even pushing me into the water then? Rude for no reason. Just say you didn't realize and move on. I won't be back, but it is a convenient setup.

My friends and I had SUCH a good time paddleboarding with Bayou Paddlesports! We were able to book our spots online only a few hours before and the person working was nice enough to give me the 20% off that you receive from checking in on yelp when we showed up! When we showed up right at 1, we were given a quick explanation of what to do and then we were off! We chose to paddleboard towards city park (instead of into midcity) and that was a great decision! There is a little island with houses on it that were BEAUTIFUL! We loved getting to explore and come up with our #housegoals. Bayou Paddlesports gives you 2 hours of paddling for $31-33 (after our 20% off). Since we didn't get on the water until 1:20 we were able to go until 3:20, which was a nice surprise. While we were excited about having a full 2 hours, trust me you will be sore and tired! We ended up coming back at 3 anyway since we were exhausted and worn out from the sun. TIP: bring sunscreen and water because you will be hot and dehydrated! All in all we had a great time! I highly recommend Bayou Paddlesports as a great way to spend an afternoon!

Another great experience at Bayou Paddlesports! My husband and I booked kayak rentals online a couple days beforehand. Then, when we arrived we used the Yelp discount for checking in - awesome! But honestly, even paying full price it's a great deal. When we arrived we were greeted by two super friendly ladies. They got our kayaks ready right away, explained everything, answered my questions and just gave off a really great vibe to start our morning off right. It was a beautiful morning, lots of birds, turtles and jumping fish in the bayou. The rentals are for 2 hours and I'd say that's just about the right amount of time - not too short, not too long. In that amount of time we were able to go all the way up to the lock just past the Greek church and back again, taking our time to explore the little "island" on the way. When we returned, again the ladies were friendly and we just chatted for a while. They seem like they genuinely love what they do and want to share that with others. This is my 2nd time going with Bayou Paddlesports. The first time was when I was about 6 months pregnant and it was just as much fun. Ladies, it is actually a great way to get outside and get some exercise during the late months of your pregnancy. The recline of the kayak perfectly accommodates your growing belly, you don't end up with swollen feet/ankles, and it's a super chill way to just relax. We will definitely be back!

This was really fun! Although they only had one tandem kayak with backs and we had two couples it kinda hurts your back. I would definitely request the red tandem kayak. There were many low bridges that were kinda hard to go through. There were a few dead ducks in the river.

While kayaking around the bayou is nothing like taking on koko head stairs of doom under the beating sun or hiking a 10 mile steep trail in 40mph wind, I still wish I took this activity a little more seriously after returning on land post a ~5 mile trip completely dehydrated with new awkward/intense tanlines. Other than that, booking was easy. $20 for 2 hours on a single kayak was a great deal. Rhonda was super chill and helpful and taught me how not to paddle straight into cement.

The paddle boarding was excellent; however, apparently the parking lot is not safe, despite the employees being/working ~25 yards from where you park your car. Our car window was smashed and items stolen within the 2 hour frame of being there on a weekend morning. A quick glance around the parking lot revealed broken glass all over the parking lot, which prompted asking of how frequently this occurs to which we were informed it is very common. A heads-up/warning about this from the rental company and/or employees at check-in would have been much appreciated.

I've passed by this place dozens of times and finally decided to use their service when I had some friends visit from out of town. Really glad I did. We have a wonderful afternoon kayaking over to the Greek orthodox church and back. The kayaks were in good shape and the staff (owner?) was super friendly. It wasn't the most newbie friendly orientation but I think it's because we didn't ask any questions so she didn't want to waste our time. They have containers for any valuables (keys, wallet, phone) that float in case something happens which is a nice touch. The experience definitely gives you a unique view of New Orleans. Highly recommended and I hope to be back soon.

Loved every minute of my time here! Friendly staff. Beautiful neighborhood. I almost missed the location because I thought I was looking for a shop, but its a tent located near LSU dental school.

Had a great time! Will definitely be back! The prices were reasonable and the lady who helped us was super nice! Definitely recommend for families or anyone looking to do something outdoors!

Very helpful and friendly staff. They do have some water on site but I would recommend you bring a small cooler with water if its summer time. We drank several bottles of water out there. It was about 90 today. Beautiful scenery though. Little fish jumping out of the water, duck and turtles every where. Pretty quiet and relaxing out on the water. We went kayaking this time but want to try paddle boarding next. Enjoyed our 2 hour adventure in Bayou St. John. We will definitely be back.

Absolutely amazing! We did the night paddling under the full moon and it was so magical. Dress appropriately, it gets chilly on the water. They gave us food, beverages (non alcoholic or alcoholic), and there was live music after the paddle. Definitely recommend if youre in new Orleans during the full moon.

We had a blast on the Bayou yesterday. They made it super easy to get started and out on the water. Plenty of parking, easy transaction and great service. Highly recommend a day on the water.

Super easy to find, helpful friendly staff! I had a great time and would highly recommend!

Talk about bang for your buck, or maybe that should be splash in the case of Bayou Kayaks. This young-entrepreneur kayaking outfit is professional, polite and has big-outfitter customer service down pat. Chose from sit-on-tops, single or tandem kayaks, grab your paddle & PFD and rent a cooler and you're off! Paddle down the scenic Bayou St. John and see only-from-the water views of City Park, Mid-City, and more. A variety of water fowl and basking turtles offer a close-up look at the city's wildlife. With no current and little wind, it's a great novice run. You don't need to be in marathon-ready condition to run the rapids of Bayou St. John as there are none. That said, paddle with zest and this can be a great workout. Here are a few tips for a safe & happy run: Apply sunscreen before you leave the house and bring some backup with you. There is no shade on this route. Bring plenty of water; you'll need to turbo-hydrate on this is a two-hour trip. The Orleans Bridge is the end of the run. This super-low bridge is too dangerous to attempt to pass under and the bayou dead ends a few yards past it. You'll will get wet. Bring a towel and change of clothes for later. Likewise, if you don't have a waterproof case for your camera or smart phone, you may want to leave it on land. The 2 hour $20 trip is worth every penny and I'll be going back for more on a regular basis. Checkout the website for regular events. Effortless online booking.

Terrible service. Had a wonderful day planned with good friends, showed up to rent a paddle board and received not only terrible customer service, but the unnecessary wrath of an employee. While getting on my paddle board, the employee asked if I had ever paddled before. I told her no but I have kayaked... she replied in a very hateful manner that I should have told her that before I got on the paddle board (and rolled her eyes at me). Rather than giving some tips or suggestions on how to paddle board properly, she pushed me and my paddle board on our way down the lovely bayou St. John. I was glad to be done with the employees and headed to meet my friends who had already made their way down the bayou. As I was paddling down to meet my friends, the woman chased me down the bank yelling at me to return to the dock because there was a waiver that I didn't sign. Was my first time I had no clue what the hell I was supposed to sign. So nervously, I began to head back to the dock to sign the waiver as she's fussing me to "paddle backwards" "watch the bank" and I was totally panicking so I fell off the board. Had to walk BARE FOOT in the bayou dragging my paddle board to meet this woman. I was completely embarrassed. Everyone around me was trying to tell me what to do and staring at me swimming like a fool in the bayou. Our wonderful day that we had planned with friends and were looking forward to was completely ruined. Not only was our trip ruined, but my feet, knees, ankles, and hands are so scratched up from having to walk on the sharp floor of the bayou. I don't know if this person was having a bad day or what, but it completely changed our mood and really ruined ours. I will never spend money here again and I hope that no one is ever treated the way that I was yesterday. Oh and by the way, I was still charged for this. Not happy about it whatsoever.

Omg, this is the second time I've been on a kayak (the first time was a two seater where I was doing most of the paddling back in Long Beach many moons ago but I digress) and I had a great time! I had a Living Social coupon that was about to expire so I made reservations for my friend and I on a beautiful Sunday evening from 5-7pm. It was a breeze reserving the kayaks online. I even called the day of to check what I needed to bring (receipts etc) and got the answering machine which makes sense on a Sunday. Imagine my surprise when Rhonda called me right back and said that I didn't need anything bc she already had me on the list. Easy peasy! My friend and I each had our own kayak which worked out perfectly since we got to go at our own pace. Note to self, next time wear a bathing suit because I paddle like a child and got my seat wet! Hehe...two hours ended up being a perfect time because paddling is a real upper body workout! Didn't have to worry about sunscreen though because Rhonda thought of everything and had a bag full of sunscreen and a tennis ball container to stash the car keys without it getting set (brilliant since the kayak did get wet). They also have life vests which are great for paranoid people like me! Did you know the bayou is up to 20 feet deep? Yeah, I didn't either! No wonder cars can fit down there! As for the route, I one direction there are beautiful expensive homes that make you wish you won the lottery. You'll also see some people parked on the side fishing which is neat. In the other direction is my neighborhood of the beautiful bayou St. John. There are people near the bayou sitting at tables, drinking wine, playing with their dogs, bbqing etc. on the bridge there was even a group of folks who set up tables and had dinner! They would have traded wine for fish if we had any. Darn it! But like Joi B said, you've reached the end when you encounter the bridge that you aren't sure if you can get under. Being the adventurous and silly soul I am my friend and I crossed under by laying completely flat on our backs! Probably not the smartest thing but it was fun! Hehe Btw, I saw a couple with their young child In a kayak having fun so it can be a family friendly outing! Plus everyone waves at you when you're kayaking which is fun! My friend even saved the football that fell in the bayou for some really appreciate folks and their son! Am already planning my next kayaking adventure for when it's really hot so the bayou can cool me down! Happy Kayaking!

Very awesome. This is great for a family activity, too. Renting a kayak online is quick & easy. Once you arrive at the bayou, the check-in process is simple, fast, and before you know it, you're in a kayak for 2 hours of fun. If you have a dog or a small child, they can sit in the kayak with you. Just be sure they don't rock the boat too much and flip it over (my little one kept attempting to do this...) If you haven't tried kayaking before, they are willing to give you a quick how-to lesson before releasing you into the water, too. For me, I just had to think back to my summer camp days, and it was kind of like riding a bike. Overall, a great business, and something I'll try again and again!

Great location, great friendly staff, and super affordable! I have used Bayou Kayak twice, the first was a kayaking at night event that was so peaceful beautiful and relaxing. It is something you remeber for the rest of my life. If I ever get stressed all I have to do is think about that night I paddled down st johns bayou at night and I am instantly at piece. I had a free day yesterday so I decided to try them out for a afternoon paddle. It was perfect again. They gave me some very useful advice about going against the wind but I unfortunately didn't take it and ended up going over my rental time quite a bit. One of the employees phoned me to see if I was safe and okay. I told them I was having a bit of a challenge going against the current, they told me to take my time. When I return I was fully expecting them to ask me for a late fee or something but they didn't! They asked me if I enjoyed myself when I got back on land and were really nice about me being a little late. This is the best place I've kayaked, and I hope to do it again with Bayou Kayaks really soon!

Our kayaking experience was great! We went in the morning before it got too hot, and it was so nice to be able to take our time and just enjoy the surroundings. We had both beginners and experienced kayakers in our group, and everyone had a good time. The staff was also super friendly and helpful. As a heads up, we had people in our party use both Living Social and Groupon deals, and they ended up still needing to pay a few bucks in tax. Thankfully, we had some cash on us, but most of us had left our wallets at home. So, just something to consider.

I can't say enough good things about Bayou Kayaks! Rhonda and her dog Charlie will be there showing you how to paddle and all the beginning steps to get comfortable! Charlie will even through the tennis ball around for you.. They even have sunscreen and pringles cans to keep your keys and license in. So if your free for a 2 hour journey down the bayou I suggest BayouKayaks is the way to experience it!

$20 for a 2 hour rental. Space on the back for a small ice chest or bag. I just wish she did a monthly rate for locals.

Great exercise and a way to get out on the water! Wonderful SUP experience with 1/2 off weekday rental. FYI: if you uber, walk, or bike, and are renting a SUP bring a ziplock for your wallet, phone, etc. Also there's a porta-john!

Love Rhonda and Bayou Paddlesports! Excellent customer service. Great equipment. Very safe. Tons of fun and a great way to be in nature, see a beautiful part of the city, and relax. Very much worth it!