Northwest Outdoor Center

Friendly, helpful staff, updated equipment and reasonable prices. Excellent kayak rental experience! Beautiful place to paddle!

Really an ideal spot to paddle. The staff was super knowledgeable and friendly. The kayaks were newer models in excellent condition. The rates were reasonable, and the process of showing up, to being in the water was quick. Definitely recommend checking them out, and we’ll be back.

Incredible service. Mitch was outstanding. He was very helpful in helping me choose the right kayak for my needs and incredibly patient with my wife's questions as well . These are good people and I hope they are in business for a long time.

Fun day on the water! The rental experience was easy and the customer service was excellent. We were happy they allowed small pets

I've rented kayaks and paddle boards from here a couple times! They're really friendly and get you out on the water quickly. The location is a great starting point for a trip to SLU or Gas Works.

The owners and staff at NWOC are a class act! They're always friendly and ready with a kind word. I work nearby and love our occasional chats and renting from them. Just the best!

Very friendly staff, made us feel comfortable as first timers

I took the white water kayaking class. I have kayaked only once before on a lake many years ago, so I was starting from scratch. Dylan and Kevin were chill, kind, patient, easy, clear, and all-around-awesome teachers. I might take the sea kayaking class just to hang out with these guys again. Highly recommend this for anyone who wants to be more comfortable on the water and feel a little bit like a badass as we totally did shred some gnar.

Easy to reserve - call and let them know your name and type of kayak/paddleboard and that's it, no deposit required unless you're group size is larger than 7. What's great is that if you're out on the water a little longer than planned, you just get charged for the extra amount of time (rounded to the 15min interval). So if you come back in 1 hour and 15 minutes, you get charged for that exact time vs. 2 hours. Staff was friendly and helpful with getting people onto the kayaks/boards safely with life jackets and instructions on how to paddle. I think one extra tip that would be good to know is just pointers on how to find the entrance when we come back since we did get a bit lost, the lake is huge! There are also cubbies to store your personal belongings and changing rooms/restroom. Overall I would recommend and come back.

I'm from California, and one of my favorite things to do when I go to Seattle is paddleboard / kayak. Definitely a super value experience for me, we were able to walk up and ask for a kayak / paddleboard. On the day that my friend and I went, they recommended that kayak would probably be better as people were getting blown backwards on their paddleboards. Great recommendation. There are a few cubbies for you to put your shoes and items and stuff, and if you want to carry your valuables with you, they also have waterproof bags for you. If you need one, they'll give a quick tutorial on how to kayak / paddleboard, then they'll set up you up with one, then push you off and then you go. The day I went it was relatively crowded on the lake but not enough so that I felt like I had no space to go. I felt safe the whole time, and had so much fun! For the price I think it's a great value, you don't need to lug around anything and then you can just go back and leave! Can't wait to come back when I visit Seattle again :)

Good place to kayak. $23/hr will take that any day. Definitely value for money. Kayaks comes with foot paddle and that makes steering really convenient. SLU is always a great place to Kayak anyways - so if it's sunny it's a great time to come out here and kayak. Lovely folks at counter.

Love this place. Have been coming here for years! I tell all my friends about it. The location is convenient for me so I'm glad I can come here for a quick kayak rental. Their prices are very reasonable and I am always able to get on the water when I want to. The staff are super friendly and helpful. I've told my friends about the memberships they offer and some have taken me up on the offer. The membership is super worth it if you get on the water a lot. You can get single rentals or tandems!!! So great to take a date or a friend for a night water date. Their kayaks and life jackets are always good quality and I have never had an issue with them. They always pick up when I call and can answer any question you have so call if you need to! They also allow you to launch your own kayaks or SUPs if you come with a friend who is renting from them so that's convenient to go with friends. I love this place!!! highly recommend!!

Great place for kayak and paddleboard rentals! The people we interacted with were super nice and friendly. There are a few cubbies to put your shoes/anything you don't want to bring on the water. They have sunscreen for you to use, and I suggest bringing a towel. We called the day before to see if they thought we needed a reservation for a warm Saturday afternoon and they said not to worry about that, and they were right. It's pretty continuously busy there but not too busy that it's an issue. That place is a well oiled machine!

Her nine-year-old wanted to go paddle boarding and kayaking for his birthday, so after looking around we found the spot and quickly learned why it's so popular! It's located on the west side of Lake Union. It's mingled in with a bunch of other businesses, but is located on the extreme right side of the building down underneath on the dock. Once you get down there, it's hard to miss. You guys took really good care of us and had single, double and triple kayak options as well as tons of paddle boards. The folks working they were super helpful and made it really easy for even novice users like ourselves to feel like we knew what we were doing. We took the kayaks out for about an hour and a half and for five of us using a double and triple it was only about $60. We Happened to catch a beautiful day and in that 90 minutes were able to paddle all the way over to the Fremont Bridge. It's definitely something that we will be doing again!

Awesome customer service! Let me demo a boat for FREE and I ended up buying one of their used boats. Dylan was a great & knowledgeable person to work with from start ! Would highly recommend renting and/ or buying from them! Also, The Delta line of Kayaks they have are great! Thank you NWOC!

PRO TIP!! NWOC donates their gear once a week to a local non for profit called Puget Soundkeeper so they can take groups of volunteers around the lake to clean up debris. 10/10 for this company doing good for Seattle and Lake Union. Oh, and you can rent kayaks and SUPS there too. Be sure to google Puget Soundkeeper and inquire about volunteering! They clean all trash out of the lake, but the most important part is removing plastics that break down into micro plastics and are ingested by the fish we eat and water we drink. Kudos guys!

Perfect for last minute paddle boarding! Was super nice one day during the weekday with clear skies and 75+ deg weather, so decided to head out directly after work and go paddle boarding. Make sure to call ahead and reserve a spot. I called on the day of, and they still had a bunch of spots available on Thursday luckily. All the staff members are really kind and easy to talk to. They provide life jackets and give brief instructions on how to use the paddle board. Whether a beginner or experienced, it's easy to get started. My friend and I were first timer Stand-Up Paddle Boarders, but it was such a fun experience. We didn't actually stand up, but instead knelt while paddle boarding Be prepared to get wet and potentially fall in the water. Also recommend going earlier in the day if you're worried about tides. Also scraped my leg a bit on the wood somehow when coming up, but the staff again was really nice and gave me extra bandaids on hand. Pro Tip: make sure you know where the building it is! It has a clock and a USA flag on top of the building. We almost got lost coming back, but luckily had a phone to GPS where we should go

NWOC is such a great find! I took the FOSK class and the instructors, John and Eric, were incredible, really patient, knowledgeable, and fun to learn from. Could not have asked for a better intro to sea kayaking and the day at deception pass was just amazing. I also rented today to go paddle up to Union Bay, I really can't say enough good/kind things about NWOC and everyone who works there. Whether you are looking for a course or just to go out for the day I highly recommend NWOC. I signed up for another course and can't wait to get out there again and build some more skill A lot of accessible parking too which is great for Seattle :).

When it's sunny out there's nothing better than being able to get out on a kayak on the water. The NWOC is a great way to do that at an affordable price. We made a reservation for a double kayak for 3:30 pm on a Saturday 15 minutes in advance and we were off paddling in the water within 10 minutes of arrival. Keep in mind that you must reserve a spot by calling in advance to secure a kayak. The single kayaks cost $20/hr and the double kayaks cost $26/hr and the cost is prorated by 1/4 hr after the first hour based on how long you're out on the water. Parking is free on Saturdays and it wasn't too hard to find parking. The staff were all very friendly and answered any questions we had. You're able to securely store any items you don't want to bring onto the water with you on the dock and they even lent us a dry knapsack to keep valuables that we brought onto the boat, free of charge! The store follows COVID protocols by enforcing masks and keeps patrons safe by providing them with lifejackets. The views on Lake Union are excellent as you really get to see different parts of Seattle on your kayak. We had a great experience and don't be surprised if you see us out here on another wonderful Washington day!

We rented kayaks from here when a friend from London came to visit years ago. Prices were higher than at Moss Bay across the lake but this side of the lake was quieter and was nice to be on while exploring the houseboats (including the one from Sleepless in Seattle). This is a nice option if you don't want to have to cross the middle of the lake. The folks here are super helpful and will help you in and out of your kayak. Highly recommend!

TL:DR - water sport rentals like kayaks and SUPs. Reasonable prices, quick service, friendly staff. Very busy, so try to make reservations via phone or email a day or 2 before. I rented a single person kayak and paddled around to my hearts content. No issues with the equipment at all. No time limit, just go and come back when you're tired. I tried to explore the arboretum across for UW, but it was fenced off due to construction on the bridge. I made a reservation 2 days prior via email and arrived at store opening at noon. I was on the water in 15 minutes.

This is my go to for paddle board/kayak rentals! Everyone's always very helpful & welcoming. Parking is very easy and open. Pricing doesn't rob your wallet. They have restrooms, a retail shop, and a nearby convenience store which enhances the convenience of their location.

It was my first time paddle boarding and, when trying to get up, I fell into the lake. I was concerned because I'm large and not it great shape. I was very worried that I wouldn't be able to get back on the board. Out of nowhere came one of the workers in a kayak. He very calmly talked me through what I needed to do to get up on the board and I think I did on my first try after he helped me. He was so kind and his energy was so great. Exactly what I needed. He gave me his kayak paddle and I just sat cross legged and boarded for almost three hours. It was amazing!! I'm so grateful that I was there for my first experience!!

Great day on the lake. Incredibly helpful in getting prepped and everything you needed was provided, plus some extras. We grabbed a tandem and had a couple hours on the lake. Great activity to do in Seattle for an afternoon. Also offer yearly memberships if you are planning to use often.

My friends and I recently picked up paddle boarding as a summer hobby and love northwest outdoor center. They're located on the west side of South Lake Union, just off Westlake Ave. We usually go on Mondays so there's plenty of parking. Initially we didn't make reservations but after a corporate party booked them out for an afternoon we learned it was smart to call ahead lol. They provide you with everything you'll need! Board, life jacket, an oar and dry bag. The staff is really friendly and helpful. Highly recommend if you're looking to rent a paddle board or canoe for a few hours!

Place is awesome. I don't know what the other kayak businesses are like, but truth be told I'm not interested in them because NWOC has always been great to my family. Rented a 3-person kayak earlier today with no issues whatsoever (made a reservation before showing up). And parking is relatively easy, too. Give them your business. The staff has always been friendly & attentive.

Great company to rent kayaks, paddle boards, or other water activities. They take reservations by phone. You're provided with all the equipment you need including life jackets. All the equipment we used were in great condition, almost new. The staff were super friendly and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed our time on Lake Union. Thanks NWOC!!

Called last minute on Saturday morning before they opened to make a reservation and they happily accommodated! Happy workers and a great time! Thank you so much!

NWOC is the place to go for any type of paddling. I've purchased three kayaks from them over many years and they have always been very informative and helpful. They offer great classes with knowledgeable instructors. Doing a loop or two around Lake Union to gaze on the house boats and watch the sea planes is a must do for tourists or locals alike.

5/24/20: The friendly and helpful staff are open for this season's kayak and paddle board rentals, no excuses to not get some fresh air and calorie-burnin on the pretty waters of Lake Union. Masks are mandatory while loading & unloading and bringing your own pen for waiver signing is helpful. Right now they have 20% off gift cards that can be used same day, I think this promotion expires in June so get yours now!

I realized that about most of my reviews are 5 star but that's because these places deserve them. I this past Friday 11/10 because the weather was beautiful and I surmised it to be the last one for the year. It was slow so I was not only encountered with great but also fast service! I was on the water in under 5 minutes. The guy at the counter was also nice enough suggest some great whale watching spots! Thanks for a great day guys ! About the location you have an excellent opportunity to truly see all of Seattle from Lake Union, you the space needle, you see gasworks, the ship canal bridge, and planes taking off! Amazing place!

This place is the place to go to if you want to Kayak or Paddle Board at South Lake Union. It is at a really nice location in Westlake which makes for easy access to Lake Union once you're on your kayak. This place can get really busy on nice days so be sure to make reservations before you go. Once you get your kayak, the crew there will help get you ready by giving you the right paddles, life jackets, and pushing you into the lake. Once you're in the water, you get a really great view of Downtown Seattle and you can choose to go towards UW or Fremont. You can choose where you want to explore or just have a chill day on the lake. This location is nice, clean, and efficient. A great place to go for a water day.

Reviewed this place a few years ago and I have to reiterate my five stars! Every visit feels like visiting a true small business. Same two to three guys working the desk, always friendly and I love supporting this business. I recommend them to everyone who wants to kayak or SUP on lake union. Go here! Dry bags are handy, and they let you leave your stuff behind the counter as well. Haven't ever called to reserve a kayak but I know that's an option as well.

I can't recommend these people highly enough. During the Covid epidemic they helped me get safe outdoor exercise through an annual pass. Their equipment is top notch, and their staff are helpful, flexible, and knowledgeable. They know a ton - and do much more than just rent equipment. I took a rescue course from them this summer which enabled me to achieve a long term goal of going on an extended independent kayak trip in Auke Bay Alaska. I never could have done it without them.

I totally recommend! They have tons of rentals, making a reservation is quick and easy, checking in and getting out on the water was super fast, and the staff takes the time to walk you through the basics of the equipment. What made it even better is my boyfriend forgot the paddle for his personal SUP and they let him use one of theirs at no charge! That totally saved the day! I'll definitely rent from them again!

Came in on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Me and a buddy got 2 singles. Great view of the Ballard bride, downtown, space needle, and gas works park! There were lots of boats out but that didn't affect the waves too much. I had a blast but my buddy's kayak tipped over.. made my day!

First of all Lake union is really beautiful so you can't go wrong, my kids got paddle boards and my husband and I shared a kayak. Such calm waters and lots of fun things to look at. I will go back in a heartbeat - they did a great job getting us in and out and storing our stuff.... it was pretty easy and everyone was friendly!

When I planned my family trip to Seattle, I was a little overwhelmed by the number of options available for kayak rentals. We ended up going to the Northwest Outdoor Center because of its location and price, and I'm so glad we did! We spent about $100 for a family of five to enjoy time out on the water for around three hours. The kayaks that are available here are the nicest ones I've ever rented. They don't seem to be made of cheap plastic, and they're clean! They even have an apparatus to steer the kayak from the seat in the back. Also, I had never rented a three-person kayak before, and I appreciate that they offered this option. The staff here are great, and I like that they offered waterproof bags for us to use. I highly recommend this spot for kayak rentals in Seattle. It's a unique experience to see the skyline from the water, and you can get pretty close to Gasworks Park too! Next to Chihuly, this was my favorite activity during my Seattle visit.

This was my first time paddleboarding and I had a great experience. The people were helpful, funny, and made you feel welcomed the second you stepped down onto the docks. They're trustworthy enough to hold your things during your rental, and if you're prone to falls, that's probably a good thing. We were here for a couple hours and had a lovely time checking out the Seattle skyline from Lake Union and even made some friends. I've done other water sport rentals elsewhere and their prices are comparable, but the fact that they accept walk-ins, reservations, and prorate after the first hour takes the top spot in my book. Thank you, Northwest Outdoor Center, we'll be back!

Kayaking is always on the list of activities whenever possible for my family. This was an outstanding place to rent from despite being more expensive. This place had exceptional service! 1. Waterproof bags - they gave these to us to use on the house. Most kayaking places just have them in the store for purchase. I loved that they offered these to us. We had two separate boats and asked if we could borrow a second one and they were really nice and gave it to us. 2. Storage - they'll store your belongings for you while you're out! 3. Changing/Bathrooms - convenient and clean 4. AWESOME KAYAKS - I'd like to note that they were really nice - they had steering options for the person in the back! They also had an option for a THREE PERSON KAYAK. This was the first time I've seen that. 5. Great service going in and out of the docking area 6. Rent time is pro-rated. They'll charge you for how much time you're out! The kayaking area itself was beautiful. Despite the random boats, planes, and etc on the water, we had a wonderful time. It was actually more fun to see everybody out in all forms of water transportation! We kayaked towards the Seattle skyline then back towards Gas Works park. Overall Northwest Outdoor Center showed us a great time! Will definitely have this on my list of things to do every time I visit Seattle! :)

A solid experience on a beautiful day out paddleboarding on the water. I love that I live in a city that allows me to just do that if I want to in the summer. The price for paddleboarding is $20 an hour, which I find a little steep but not too unreasonable as an hour is plenty of time to enjoy yourself on the water and they'll prorate the time over an hour. Though personally, I think they would have more customers if they reduced the price a little. I know plenty of people who would love to go but find it an expensive excursion. But anyways, my friend and I had a great time on the water. They even provided us dry bags to put our phones in, which is a great amenity. My only complaint is that I wish the workers were a little more accommodating. When walking in, I had to initiate everything and there was very little instruction given to us about where we could go on the water or what to do. Though I had been paddleboarding elsewhere in the past, my friend was a little disoriented as this was her first time. They can't just assume everyone knows about paddle sports! It turned out fine, but just a note I have.

The place and the people were great! Staff was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. We rented a 2 person kayak and it was in great condition! They let us borrow splash skirts and neoprene booties for free! Worth the cost (which wasn't much) and appreciated that they prorated the time after the first hour!!

What an awesome place to visit during beautiful Seattle days! Super helpful and friendly staff here. They do single, double, and triple kayaks.. as well as stand up paddleboards - Lake Union is a perfect size (in my opinion) to explore. You can go right along Gas Works Park or by MOHAI and take pretty neat photos by the Space Needle. Prices are fairly average compared to other rentals in the area. Parking is pretty easy since it's free after 4pm. There have changing rooms and will store your items for you while you're out on the water. Call ahead to see if a reservation (especially for larger groups and multiple rentals) is needed just because they do get really packed on the weekends, and it's always better safe than sorry. Never have had a bad experience here - highly recommend!

So much fun. Picked a perfect sunny day and even managed to stand up on my first day out! Great "pandemic" way to socialize since you have to be 6 ft away on the boards. Got to hang out with a friend I hadn't seen since March. Wonderful experience and the staff of super helpful.

Really enjoyed my first time at NWOC, and paddle boarding! The staff was nice, and they let us split the bill easily. They provide life vests, which have pockets you can use to store things while paddle boarding. They also offer bags of rice for you to use if you drop your phone in the water, and they have dry bags you can borrow for free. Plus, free parking on weekends! :D Only thing is, I'm not sure when they start the "time".. since after we complete the paperwork, there was a wait to actually get the paddle boards outside. Also, an hour goes by really quickly when you're out on the water! If I went again, I would probably bring a personal small, waterproof bag/backpack. Their dry bag seemed a little too big to bring out on a paddle board, especially since there were no straps. I didn't want it to fall into the water. It'd probably be useful if you were kayaking though! I would also recommend bringing a water bottle, and sunscreen out there, since it does get tiring and dehydrating when Seattle decides to be 90+ degrees. Overall, a really nice spot to paddle board! Super nice views too!

You can find kayak and stand up paddle board rentals here if you want to roam around Lake Union. It's probably one of the better views you'll get in the city. I haven't paddled or kayaked in the other lakes, but I can't get enough of Lake Union in the summer! It's $15 per hour for SUP, and then they pro-rate you every 10 minutes after. Seems a bit steep since I've seen some Groupons going around, but this place still gets a lot of business, likely due to the amazing views. When you're on the water on a warm sunny day, you'll see lots of other kayakers, paddlers, yachts, and hydroplanes going in and out of the water! Pretty cool, and if you have a waterproof phone or bag, you'll definitely snap some great pictures. Also, parking out here is pretty convenient - it's free after 4 p.m.

Before we left for Seattle everyone said, "Go kayak on Lake Union!" While I don't know if I'll ever go kayaking again on Lake Union (because it scared me sh*tless and I live in California) if I ever did I would return to Northwest Outdoor Center. Their prices were reasonable and staff was friendly and helpful. This was the first time my boyfriend and I have ever been kayaking so they gave us a quick lesson on how to row and steer. The lake is beautiful but be careful there can be quite a bit of traffic on the water sometimes. I felt so small next to the giant tugboat and clearly it looked like it was our first time according to the Duck Tours guide. All in all if you love kayaking, want to check out Lake Union or snap some pix with the Space Needle or Gasworks Park in the back Northwest Outdoor Center is the way to go.

I love renting kayaks here. Just dress appropriately and bring your wallet and ID because they have everything else you need to spend an hour or a day paddling. They keep their equipment clean and maintained so you'll be comfortable and safe. You can stay in Lake Union or if you're brave enuf and skilled enuf you can paddle through the Montlake Cut into the Arboretum and stop at Ivar's and grab some fish and chips before you paddle back in. I stay skilled enuf because in heavy traffic the Cut can be choppy and sometimes larger boats get careless around kayaks and canoes. They have good and fun classes here, too, so if you've been thinking about learning to kayak, give them a try. This is where my kayaking experience began. Note: weekends are REALLY busy. go on weekdays if you can.

Lake Union paddle boarding. LOVES! In the summer though with all the lake activity (boats and what not), it gets very choppy and hard to stand up for too long on the board. The lake isn't huge, so you get really nice scenery. On one end, there's the seattle skyline and space needle. The other end is gas works park. You can make reservations at this location, which is def a plus for the crazy summer! Parking is metered, but if you come on Sundays, free! $17/hour for the paddle boards.

A Seattle institution! Family owned business for almost 40 years, with reasonable rentals on good kayaks, solid classes and high quality merchandise at very fair prices. I learned to kayak here 30 years ago and still buy most of my kayak stuff here, as well as get advice and referrals. Their annual sale of rental gear in September is a don't-miss. This is what old Seattle used to be like before the tech boom. So glad it's still around.

My plan was to rent a fast single kayak for a workout and to explore all the way to Ballard locks. I called their number because they say you have to have a reservation and was able to reserve for 45 min later. People were friendly and knowledgeable. There is bathroom and changing room on the premises. They provide a dry bag if you need it. I got a Delta kayak around 16" long, narrow fast boat with a rudder. They have a selection of various types of boats some wider more stable others narrower, faster and potentially more likely to tip over (like this one) If you tell them your experience level they will set you up accordingly. Compared to Moss Bay they have better boats, better paddles (Werner vs Cannon) more expertise to guide you and cheaper parking in front ($2.25 vs $28 right upfront). Rental prices are similar. If you rarely kayak the equipment differences will not matter much to you, but if you have special requests go with NWOC. I rented from both the same week and had fun both times. Just don't be intimidated by the fact that NWOC needs reservations; call them and they are likely to have a boat available right away.

Super easy to rent kayaks here. The staff was very friendly and speedy. You can leave bags and bikes there too. The equipment and gear were in tip-top condition. We rented a double kayak and made it out to the arboretum. Spectacular ride. It was a hot day in the city so it was nice and cool rowing on the lake. Got little blisters above my thumbs from rowing so gloves may help if you plan on hanging out with the ducks. Since the 3rd & 4th hour were free it was a super deal & no pressure with time. A must do in Seattle!

No complaints, it's what it's advertised to be. This is usually where I go when I'm looking to kayak around lake union. They accept reservations although the last time I went, none was needed and the 4 of us were able to grab 2 double kayaks in no time. Only thing that could have been better, for almost newbie kayakers, a little more guidance/information about the rules of sea traffic and steering would have been appreciated. But, overall, great fun, avoided being run over by boats, and it's a great view around the lake.

This place is great! Aside from renting anything you need, even wetsuits and PFD's alone, they are super helpful and I actually bought my wetsuit and booties from these guys who beat REI on the prices. Beautiful location and a must if you're looking to rent SUP's or kayaks!

This place is fantastic. We've been down to Lake Union several times now to rent kayaks and explore the lake. The staff is always friendly and helpful, even on beautiful days when they're swamped. It's definitely a good idea to call ahead and make a reservation- they have a lot of boats, but they can run out if it's a really nice day. Exploring the boats and floating homes of Lake Union never gets old, and if you're up for a longer paddle, you can go out into Lake Washington. My wife and I also took their Whitewater Fever class, which was 6 classes (2 lake, 2 pool, 2 river), and it was terrific. Dylan and Kevin were our wonderful instructors, with several others helping out on pool days when we learned how to roll. We really have a good grasp of basic whitewater paddling now, and are looking forward to more. Can't recommend these folks highly enough.

I took their self-rescue class some months back and it was really good. They provided dry suits so you didn't get too uncomfortable splashing in the water

Super nice staff who patiently set us up with kayaks and SUP. The boards & kayaks were well kept in really good condition , get a dry bag and you can snap awesome photos with Seattle in the background!! Def the best experience for my Seattle trip !