Paddle Boston: Allston Brighton

So much fun! All of the staff is friendly and helpful. The river is easy to navigate. It was a hot day, and the river was busy in the morning. By lunch time it was quiet and we had the river almost to ourselves on a weekday in July.

Very easy to book ahead for renting all day, easy to find, and the staff was very helpful. Highly recommend paddling from Allston Brighton towards the city as a way to explore. It's a very fun way to see Boston.

I have been renting Kayaks from this place for some time and every time we kayak with them, it is fantastic! The price for one kayak for 1.5 hours is 30 dollars. You should definitely secure your reservation on their website beforehand if you want to save time when you get there to check in!

Fun weekend activity. We rented a canoe for four at this place. Staff was very friendly, weather couldn't be better. About $59 total for 1hr. I think you can rent a kayak for two for $25/hr

My in laws were visiting from out of town and wanted a fun easy activity near water. This was the perfect activity! If you are looking for a day on the water this is the perfect place for you. They are super organized, in a good location, have friendly staff. You can take how long you like on the river and the price isn’t bad at all. They offer kayaking paddle boating canoeing and paddle boarding. Prices are $21 per person. No reservations required. On a busy weekend, the wait from the time you arrive until you get on the kayak is less than 15 min and there is plenty of street parking near by. I’d definitely go again!

Great experience using this company. Had a great time on the Charles River with friends! Will be coming back for sure. The workers were also so knowledgeable about the season passes and the season in general. They were definitely trying to help us find the best deal for what we were looking for!

Great dock for launching your own kayak or paddleboat. Parking lot is adjacent however does fill up around 11 on weekends. Monday - Friday is a 2 hour parking limit. Also rented one kayak and the staff was great to work with!

Easy and fun! I rented a double kayak and a paddle with friends and it was pretty fun. ( see prices on pictures) we lasted an 1.5h and the weather was amazing! We came in without a reservation day of and we go it right away. ( just have to sign a waiver) I definitely recommend.

I booked a kayak here and travelled to the Kendall Square location. I should have gone the other direction - the most difficult part was near the Kendal Square location, and I was paddling against the wind and current most of the way. Other than that, it was a great trip! It's a nice mix of peaceful trees and city views. I also paddled through a sailing team practice, which was cool. The boats were in great shape. The life jackets were showing their age, but I guess that's what you get with rentals. They estimated 1.5 - 2 hours for this trip, and it took me about an hour.

It is always a blast kayaking on the Charles River! This was our first time kayaking from the Allston/Brighton location;in the past, we would go to the Newton one. Fast forward now, PaddleBoston has 7 locations! These locations include: Waltham, Allston/Brighton, Somerville, Medford, Newton, Cambridge, & Stoneham. I highly recommend kayaking from Allston/Brighton! Very clear path, that is not as buggy as kayaking in Newton (from my friend and I's memory). We kayaked from here all the way down to past Harvard Sq. area. Did not take long at all. We were able to kayak back in 17 minutes. Their rates are reasonable, as well. This was our first time doing single kayaks rather than double. We did the up to 90 min single kayaks, $32/each. In my opinion, 90 min is more than enough time but doing the one way to Kenmore Square also seems like great fun that we'll definitely have to give a try next time. Cannot recommend kayaking enough though. It's very peaceful & honestly a nice activity to do with family and friends. Warning: you will get a KILLER arm workout out of this. 10/10

They were very kind and professional. the boats are in good shape. It was the perfect thing to do for Father's Day.

They were nice and accommodating. Fill out waver online before arriving, easier. I launched from Boston/Alston and planned to drop off the kayak at Kendall. The waters are beautiful and peaceful. When I reached the Boston University bridge, the wind going through the underpass was strong and the waves were going against me. The water is rougher on the wider parts of water. I had kayaked one hour and didn't feel I had the muscle to fight the wind and choppy waves. All I had to do was pass the Harvard bridge, then go through a small channel to the end, then cross to Kendall. I couldn't do it and went back the way I came. I paid the extra $10. to drop off the kayak at Kendall and couldn't get a refund. I didn't mind the loss, and the employee was so kind and gave me a coupon for next time. This was definitely a bucket list. I am used to ocean kayaking in lagoons in Southern California. River was different, the experience great. Next time I will start at Kendall with rougher waters when I am refreshed, not tired, and kayak towards Boston where the water is calm and easier to paddle through. Live and learn, it's an adventure, glad I did it.

Tons of fun, amazing views, awesome activities. Most people come here to kayak but there are other types of equipments available such as canoes and paddle boarding. I have only gone kayaking here and it was so much fun! The views are beautiful on the river and it's an awesome activity for either groups or even by yourself (even though it would be a bit lonely to enjoy the experience by yourself). The only thing is that you have to stay on the right side cause there are lots of schools practicing rowing and boats that go through the middle of the river so that can be annoying since you have to stop when they're passing to make sure that you don't collide into them. Usually by the afternoon, they're done with practice and will be out of the river so it's actually not bad and it's still very peaceful on the water! The staff is very kind and makes the process very easy for you. You just have to fill out a waiver and answer a few questions, show an ID and then pay for the rental when you return - charged by the hour. It's a very quick process to get into the water. There's also lots of parking right next to the rental spot so that's an added bonus.

It took us a little over 45 minutes to get to Longfellow bridge for a good photo of the city, but it took pretty intense paddling the whole way! If you want to make it there at a leisurely pace, definitely opt for the 3 hour package.

Love this place. You can know nothing about kayaking, show up, and by the end of the day you will feel like you are ready to take on some Colorado River rapids (although you probably shouldn't). Free parking, grace time for setup, picnic tables, and a helpful staff all really make this place great. I usually take a single kayak and I paddle hard to the MIT boat house (just before Mass Ave Bride), then I rest for a little, and head back. I do all of this in about 1.5 hours and it only costs $23. It makes for a nice challenging workout all while getting a nice tan. It is also a great place to take a day date. Pack a cooler with lunches and drinks to leave in the car while you kayak. Afterwards, set up a blanket on the grass or sit at one of their picnic tables. Few tips... 1) If it's on the weekend come early before they run out of boats 2) They have big water jugs, but bring your own drinks because they don't sell anything and when you are on the water in 90 degree heat the little thimble cup of water wont help you 3) Just tell them you have taken the test before if you have kayaked before. If you have never kayaked it is a good idea to take the test and learn the basic rules. 4) Unless you have something to cover your electronic (waterproof case) you should leave them in the car. You do get residual splashing in the kayak.

I love to kayak and I have been here many times. You must fill out a waiver and answer a few easy funny test questions, present Id and you will be logged in the system to keep track of your time on the kayak, once you return you will pay for the rental time.. single kayak (2 hours $30) double kayak canoes are all available for rent. parking: there are 3 lots to park and they are free. The Charles river is really beautiful and you start in watertown, and you can pass through cambridge all the way to Boston, you can rent waterproof bags for your belongings, I don't know the price, also bring snacks with you and drinks, you will need it cause boy does it get hot out there in the afternoon. staff: They have alot of people working here and they were all great and very helpful, from getting you a vest, paddle, and helping you get on the kayak. Overall it was fun, peaceful and most important fun!!

10/10 experience here!! Very affordable and lots of availability for canoes and kayaks - for just two of us we didn't even have to make a reservation. The best part of all is that they let dogs on for free, so my dog came out on the canoe with us and had an incredible time!! I will definitely be going back to canoe again this summer!

We had an incredible experience with Boston paddle. The employees were very helpful, and Griffin was a standout member of the staff. Would recommend.

Easy walk from Harvard Sq, this is a great location for paddling toward the Charles Basin or heading our toward Watertown (lots of wild life). They have sea kayaks if you want to go fast. Great service and Covid careful. Felt like a vacation.

Glittering blue skies, low humidity, non-toxic water quality, and splashing around in the Charles for an afternoon of unadulterated R&R - I can't imagine a more luxurious way to spend a glorious Sunday afternoon. Renting a double kayak was stupidly painless. Mysteriously, I didn't end up having to take a quiz; the paperwork took two minutes to complete, and we were in the water as soon as we grabbed our life jackets and paddles. Better yet, Snowy Joey's ice cream truck was awaiting our return just a few minutes' walk away, so of course we had to stop for a frozen treat. I may not be twelve any more, but I'm damn good at acting like it sometimes!

I had a wonderful experience with all the folks at PaddleBoston. From rental to storage, they were thoughtful, accommodating and went above and beyond to insure that I was delighted at all times. THANK YOU!

I'm a wussy and this place was easy. Is it sunny? If yes, go now! They have sunscreen for you there! Just go!

I'll preface this by saying I've never kayaked before and I also don't know how to swim. So probably, this was not the smartest decision on my end. Nevertheless, this was an amazing experience and I highly recommend it! My boyfriend and I made a reservation online (I think they're requiring that because of COVID) and signed the waiver ahead of time, which meant that check-in was very easy. When we arrived at the kiosk, all we had to do was provide our names and we were set! I'd like to add that i received some conflicting info about whether or not an ID was required; I ended up not needing it because I did everything online beforehand (contrary to what the website said). You also need to wear a mask (duh). I was a little nervous about getting onto the kayak because right before we got in, someone else toppled into the water next to us after a failed attempt and I had visions of myself doing the same, and maybe bobbing along helplessly. But the staff person was really chill and I was able to get in without difficulty. Come to think of it, all the staff were really nice! Once we were on the river, my boyfriend did the bulk of the work paddling us while I tried to figure out how to paddle without losing my paddle. We couldn't go too far because we had to be back before they closed, but the experience was as amazing as I always suspected it would be. I was finally able to belt the lyrics to "Just Around the River Bend" while, you know, actually going around the river bend vs. the many times I've caterwauled that song while on land. At one point, we ended up on the bank and just quietly sat there enjoying the weather and how peaceful it was. The water was also really warm! Surprisingly, my arms and shoulders are fine today, probably because I made my boyfriend do all the work slash maybe I was paddling entirely incorrectly. I already can't wait to come back. This was the perfect summer activity!

It was the perfect day, pretty easy process given the current state of the world, equipment felt clean. My friend and I departed from the Allston/Brighton launch and travelled up to the mass ave bridge and back (they aren't offering the one way trips between Kendall and Allston at this time).. the weather was just perfect!!! We had so much fun... until we got back to the docks. We waited patiently for 10 min since there were a bunch of people coming in to unload, it was fine- no worries. We finally get up to the docks and this frantic 16 yr old comes over to hold the kayak while we get off, and literally says "You guys need to hurry up! We are very busy" ... I'm sorry, what? It took me 30 seconds to get off, if that, plus another for my friend to do the same and you're going to tell US to hurry up after we just waited 10 min while everyone else took their sweet ass time? Clearly this kid was overwhelmed by the business flow at the time -- get a clear leader on the docks so the high schoolers don't panic and freak out on paying customers for no reason. There were about 10 kids working/running around like chickens without a head and no clear leader on the docks telling people what to do. I will obviously return cause it was a blast on the river but now is a great time to teach these young kids how to remain calm in a "stressful" situation! Cheers

SO. MUCH. FUN!!!! If you're looking for something adventurous to do in Boston on a warm day, put this place on your list. We were a group of four - two stand up paddle boarders and two kayakers and were out on the Charles River within 10 minutes of arriving. It was a windy day and algae was high, so they didn't let any non-experienced boarders out (but since I've been before, it was a great workout). The waiver is short, line moves quick and you basically get all the freedom you want. With long hours of operation, you could essentially be out all day (pay is hourly). Will definitely be back to kayak or canoe sometime!

. Canoe/Kayak Rental - $16/hr SPF 85 Sports Block - $8.49 ______________ Waterproof Camera - $3.79 | PADDLE LEFT! | Transportation to the docks - 15 minutes walking | Who's steering | Endless fun with friends and family - $0 | this boat?! | Life vests with every order - Priceless |_ _________ __ | __ _________ \/ \/ \ _\ / \ ''O__, ''O __, \ _O -[ Watchout!! | /'._ _ | \ /_ _ _ _ _ _| \_ _.'\ \ / \ \_________/ \ / / . - - = = = = '-\ _= = = = - - . ~^~^~^^`~^~^~^~^~~^~^~^~^~~^~-~^~^~~^~^~_~^~-^_^~-^ \ _\^~-^~^~^_^~^~~^_^~ ~^~-~^~^~-~^~^~^-^~^~^~~-~^~^~-~^~^~~^~-~^~^~-~^~^~^-^~^~^~~-~^~^~-~^~^~~^

Every summer, without fail, I think to myself, "I need to go kayaking on the Charles." Yet every year when the weather turns cold I end up thinking, "Damn, why didn't I go kayaking?" This year, it was on. I came, I saw, I put on sunscreen, and kayaked. What a great way to spend a gorgeous and not-too-humid summer afternoon! I went with some friends in a total of 5 two person and 1 single person kayak. We glided along the Charles River for about an hour and a half, for a cost of $15 per hour. We had Disney sing-a-longs underneath the bridges we passed, marveled at the beauty of Memorial Drive, and pointed out the disgusting items floating in the water (just be grateful it's not Boston's water source). Charles River Canoe and Kayak was cool for several reasons: 1) It's pretty darn cheap. 2) They help you get in and out of your boat. This is especially helpful for me, as I have the balance and coordination of a drunk baby deer. 3) They give you a 10 minute grace period, as you pay by the half hour. 4) They have free sunscreen and water. I do recommend that you bring your own anyway. With locations all over Boston and a few in Newton, Charles River Canoe and Kayak is really convenient. Go there before it's too late! Winter (and football season) is almost here!

Kayaking on the Charles is such a perfect way to spend a summer day. CRCK makes it easy to get out on the water with an extra-friendly staff, all the equipment you may need, and little extras like water and sunscreen for the unprepared among you. First you fill out some forms and a safety quiz. If you get everything right, you get a sticker (I got a sticker!) and if you get anything wrong, they simply explain the proper boat safety. Next you pick out your vest and paddle, they stick you into a boat, and off you go! The man who helped me into my kayak was super helpful, giving me a full demonstration and tips on wind and such. Coming back in was a little confusing and the staff didn't really anticipate our arrival. When we came bumping up to the dock they were helpful though. They were also running low on kayaks and I ended up with one a little above my skill level. It was tough to steer at first but the rudder really came in handy so I suppose it worked out. The staff who took our money after our ride rounded down the time (and therefore the amount) for us, even in addition to the 10 minute bumper everyone gets. Score! 3 hours in a single kayak will set you back about 50 bucks. That's a little steep for an afternoon activity, but one membership card, one double kayak, and one "ride twice, ride one free" card rang us up to about $50 total for four of us, so that's not bad at all! Shaina S. Bonus Tip: On that last stretch of river when you're really feeling the work-out in your arms and back, a hearty rendition of "Just Around the Riverbend" can work wonders. Just sayin'.

It has a great view along the shore. The staff there is super friendly. They even have water proof bags for your belongings. Definitely worth going~

Love love love! The hubs and I try to kayak at least every other week, and this place makes it so easy. It's a 40 minute walk to the Soldier's Field Rd location, so we stroll on down there and get our kayak on. Depending on the time and the weather, there's usually some sort of line. You have to fill out a little quiz and we somehow get the same two questions wrong each time, but the older gentleman who mans the checking-in line patiently explains our mistakes each time. Basically you have to take this quiz as proof that you've been advised about safety and to idemnify them should anything bad happen to you. But really - the worst thing that could happen is if you drank the river water, and you can do that outside of a kayak (not that I'd recommend it). We went on Labor Day last year, a gorgeous sunny day, and we only had to wait about 25 minutes despite what appeared to be quite a daunting line - they are very efficient about getting you into a lifejacket and on the water. They have an understanding policy about returns, allowing a ten minute window. Personally I like to kayak when it's just the two of us and if we're with friends, to canoe. For some reason when it's just me and the hubs in the canoe we just head straight into the riverbank...probably my weakling arms providing no counterpoint to my husband's manliness. Either way - there's plenty of options for being all by your lonesome or going with a gaggle of friends. The prices are cheap and the logistics are executed with a minimum of fuss and bother - you just get right out into the Charles and enjoy your day.

Used my Groupon, which I actually didn't need to. The company decided that they were extending the expiration date to next season. They realized that people who bought the Groupon may not necessarily use the whole value of the Groupon so they decided to give people a choice to pay and save it for next year, that's really nice :) Very well run and organized. You take a short quiz that they go over with you on what you answered wrong, good way to learn about how to handle being on the Charles River since there is quite a bit of traffic at times with power boats, crew teams, scullers, and fellow canoeists and kayakers. This location is very easy to get to, plenty of lot parking and not too far from the Harvard Sq. T stop. Honestly if you can't get away from the city, but looking for a way to wind down and get some nature, paddling on the Charles is a great way to do this. Looking forward to doing this again.

When our friends told us that they had reserved kayaks from CRCK for July 4th, my girlfriend and I decided to join them. Pickup was really well-coordinated, but definitely more time consuming than on a typical day. Once we had our paperwork squared away, we were issued paddles and personal flotation devices (life jackets), and helped into our two-person kayak. CRCK provided front and rear glow-sticks, but customers were required to bring (and show CRCK staff) at least one flashlight per boat. I had a hand-held, but also used a head-lamp which turned out to be quite helpful -- albeit a fashion statement. Our friends scheduled their pick-up at the Newton location, where the staff helped them secure two single kayaks to their car (with no roof rack). They joined us in Allston and we all launched together. Getting to the Esplanade for the concert and fireworks was a pretty good workout, especially since we're mostly used to biking and/or running, and generally relying on our lower bodies for locomotion. We paddled at a moderate pace, and made it in about 2 hours. We found a grassy area to pull the boats out of the water for a little while as we enjoyed the concert (which we could hear over the PA, but not see) and made use of the porta-potties. As the fireworks start approached, we got back on the water and maneuvered our boats just outside the cordoned off area around the fireworks barge. This turned out to be an amazing vantage point to see the whole show, unobstructed by any lingering smoke in the air. When the fireworks ended at 11pm, we hurried back upriver as quickly as we could, since we knew that we needed to get back to CRCK by 1am. I know it was already late, but my only complaint/request would be for a 2am cutoff to allow for slower paddlers to get back in time. As you can imagine, there was significant traffic heading upriver after the show. For the most part, the large and small vessels shared the river nicely, but we did see a large boat bully a few paddlers who needed to cross the river to get to their dock. Back at CRCK, things were less coordinated than pick-up, but still pretty easy to manage. There were plenty of staff on hand to get everyone out of the water and take care of paperwork. Overall, it was a great time. CRCK runs a great program throughout the season, and really came through on one of the Charles River's busiest days.

What a fantastic way to view the skyline of Boston in the warmer months! I went to the location near Kendall station and my husband and I rented two single kayaks for an hour. Having a lot to accomplish in that day's tourist docket, we showed up as soon as they opened and set out on the Charles River. It was fun and a good way to add in exercise to our trip (which is laughable because we walked so much--Boston is a pretty walkable city in specific areas). The details: If you are new to kayaking but feel comfortable getting out there in open water, consider going early in the morning. Things were pretty calm on the river at 9am and there weren't any Duck tour boats, sail boats, motor boats, etc. to speak of. By 10 when we were heading back, things were getting busy. Also, if it is hot out you avoid the worst of the day's heat. You go kayaking as you are. I love sport and exercise, but otherwise am not dressed to just jump in a kayak and get sweaty before turning around for lunch, dinner, or sight seeing. You might want to work in a plan for a shower once you are done if you are a tourist and have other plans for the day.If you have a purse, backpack, etc, it goes in your boat between your legs. The company has drylock backs, but i'm not sure how much they cost. I used a good ziplock bag with a double zipper and it worked fine. The company sells maps of the Charles River area if you need one. I think it cost $.50. If you are on a budget, you can save some money by renting the kayaks but not doing the guided tour. This option costs about $15 per boat per hour. Credit and debit accepted. Allow 5-15 minutes before you start to fill out a water safety test and waiver. They have kid-sized boats at this location as well as double kayaks and canoes.

I went for moonlight canoeing. Every month (in the summer) during a full moon, they go out around sunset. We grab a drink and they pack dinner. For about ~$40, you get rentals, dinner, and a tour guide. Two people per canoe, so take a friend or meet a new one. We set out on the river and row a bit. Then after the sun sets, we tie up all the canoes in the group together and eat dinner out on the water. It's quite fun and neat. They are a bit away from the Riverside D (Green line) I think, but the walk to the boathouse was enjoyable. Very nice!!!

Note to self - I had a great time here row boating with my friends on one canoe (5 of us). No one listened to each other on the boat while rowing and it was a disaster but none of us fell into the murky water :) We had to take a pre-quiz first and got a 2 minute instructional guide on how to row the canoe. Free parking on Soldier's Field Road. No bathrooms.

CRCK is a great inexpensive way to get out on the Charles in a canoe, a kayak or a stand-up paddle board. The panorama of Boston from the river is breathtaking and the equipment is in top shape. Traffic on the river was light on this mid-September day. Also, we found out a secret involving this little treasure that will transform our summers forever, and will probably change the way you look at summer holidays, too. But I'm not spilling, because I don't want to spread the secret too broadly. You can discover the secret on the website or at the kiosk, if you hunt a bit. Bottom line: that old Dirty Water never looked so good!

Kayaking down the Charles is awesome! I have wanted to do it for so long and finally did on this Memorial Day weekend. The line was pretty long but it went really quick. You take a short quiz, sign a waiver, and off you go! They charge either a daily cost or by the hour. If you do it by the hour then you just pay when you get back. We were out for about 2 1/2 and the girl only charged us for 2 which was really nice. If you want an active day and the feeling of getting out of the city definitely visit Charles River Canoe and Kayak. It is 5 miles down to the Mass Ave bridge from the Brighton location and took about an hour to get down there. The view was definitley worth it!

Convenient kayak & canoe rental, right on the water. They get slammed on the weekend; if you can get in for a weekday morning, it's quick and easy. I took one of the rowboats out solo; at the end of the rental, they refused to honor the 1-person price on their website, charged me for 2 people and got huffy when I asked about the discrepancy. Not a great customer service experience, but not enough to be a deal-breaker. Several questions on the "safety quiz" disagree with the "safety brochure" you're supposed to read to learn the answers. Unimpressive.

This place is fantastic! I love kayaking and being I don't own one due to the fact that I live in the middle of the city in a tiny apartment or maybe because I'm broke, this place is my savior. I can't get enough of it. It seems that the more I do it to alleviate my "cravings", I want to do it even more! Sounds kind of lame, but I love going alone. Nothing is better than being in the middle of the water alone without complaints or worries or conversation! They are incredibly helpful here. Like Shaina S. said, to start, you have to fill out some forms and answer a quiz and afterward, just put on your vest, get in the kayak, and go! The boys there are nice enough to ask what kind of kayak I'd like: a sturdy or fast one. And of course, the last time I was there, this kid reached for the one I wanted and fell into the water. Sigh. Although I felt horrible, I thought to myself: "Man! I don't know any other place where someone will fall into the water for you! Now THAT'S service!" Haha. At only $15 an hour or $60 a day for a single kayak, I'd say it was worth it. It's my little treat after a long week of work and nothing beats the tranquility. But beware. For the lazy bums: If you don't enjoy any physical activity, this is obviously not for you. I went with a friend and we were out in the water for less than an hour and she complained the whole time and for days after it. So...don't go with complainers and don't go if you complain because if I'm kayaking next to you and can hear you complaining off the charts? I'm whacking you with my oar.

Kayaking is always fun and it's a nice way to enjoy a city. My only recommendation if you do decide to kayak is to rent it for an hour or so. My friend and I kayaked from one location to another (Kendall Square to Brighton) and it ended up being about 3 hours. I had a really good time but it ended up being a bit expensive.

My previous attempt at kayaking was in a small lake (note: enclosed space) way back in fourth grade, so I was a little nervous about going out on a river, but it was a lot easier than I thought. Thankfully, my friend and I ended up getting a two-person kayak, so we helped each other. What certainly did not help was the apathetic attitude of the staff, who were amazingly good looking (all of them!), even with cute European accents, but completely unfriendly about what to do my backpack ("You can leave it here, but we're not responsible, or you can take it on the kayak with you, but we're not responsible if it gets wet"). After filling out a little quiz, we were instructed to go by the dock, where we stood a little confused, and looking dumb, while the staff kinda watched us before deciding to help us. Then we were told to pick out oars and stand on the dock. Once we got in the kayak, my friend and I were assuming that they would give us SOME spiel about what to do on the water, but he just pushed us into the river! When I asked in a panicked voice, "Are you going to give us some sort of instruction?!?" he replied, "You can go that way, or that way." Though I was appalled at the lack of customer service, once we were in the water, my friend and I had a fabulous time. The river is big enough for everyone, even the boats that pass by. We also got to see a gaggle of geese come into the water, one at a time. =) To Note: Their credit card machine is super slow, so it would probably behoove you to bring cash. The rates are very reasonable. The owner was super nice; very apologetic about the fact that I had to wait 10 minutes for my credit card to process. To the cute boys that work at Charles River Canoe and Kayak: If you were the slightest bit nicer to us, it would have made our day. Instead we ended up feeling incompetent and dumb. =( This is the reason I'm giving 4 out of 5 stars.

This place is the bomb! Went there with my activities partner and best friend David P. on a nice, sunny afternoon in July and rented a canoe. We both hoped on and paddled away on the Charles river, fighting about which direction to go in... "LEFT! No more to the left! No not that much, now paddle to the RIGHT. The right I said!"... Ah, the good times. I can't exactly remember how much they charged for an hour but it was reasonable but just remember that they can be packed during the warm season so parking will be tough. Oh and we lied about the quizz, we had never taken it and still got to go regardless, but shuushhh don't tell them, because you know... I'll be back.

*Super unorganized getting on the water. The employees working the dock were really mad at one another and it showed. Buzzkill. Lots of unhappy Wellesley College girls were complaining as they left their kayaks on the way out of the water. Terrible PR. *We spent lots of time huddling together to hear the tour guide's lectures. She told us that the river divided the 'Boston side of the city from the Cambridge side of the city.' Uh...It's two cities, lady. She seemed irritated by having to give the tour and yelled out facts like a frustrated 7th grade teacher. Instead of speaking about the river itself, she talked about the Citgo Sign and the Prudential Building. It was really hard to hear her, and the guy she was with, although he seemed like a cool dude was _impossible to hear_. *It's really hard to reach a live person when you call them on the phone. They had a hard time locating my reservation, too, which made me nervous. *We started late and ended late which made us late for lunch reservations. *If you want a great tour, drive out to Essex and do ERBA near Crane Beach. They are incredibly organized and helpful. It's a much prettier, more relaxed and pleasant tour. *If you want a good tour of Boston/Cambridge, look somewhere else. These guys really don't know what they're doing. You spend a lot of time being corralled. *People in our group were unhappy. They did nothing to try to lighten the mood. *I will never do business with Charles River Kayak & Canoe again. They prove that every business that offers a Groupon deal does so because they have something the matter with them.

If you love slow moving human powered watercraft this is the place for you. Grab a canoe or kayak and paddle along the Charles river at a slow and medium pace. As far as the service goes these guys are great. If you have never kayaked or canoed before they are more than happy to tell you the rules of the river. When you are ready to mount or dismount there is always friendly staff waiting to help you back on shore. If you are a tech junkie and have to have your phone with you remember to bring a ziplock bag with you or you can rent a waterproof bag for 1$. Also remember that the single manned kayaks are faster than the doubles and the canoes.

Charles River kayaking was a lifesaver during the pandemic. A perfect socially distant active activity that kept me from going completely stir crazy. They were thoughtful in their hygiene and sanitation practices and reserving a spot to get a kayak out on the Charles was so easy! I can't wait for another season with them.

I've only had good memories of kayaking with CRCK. I've never gone on one of their trips, but I've brought plenty of friends to kayak with and they've always been able to accommodate the large groups. Most recently, we brought along our golden retriever and the staff was very accommodating. CRCK has two locations, one in Newton and one in Allston off of Soldiers Field. Both are nice depending on what you're in the mood for. The Allston one is nice to see the city as you can kayak past Harvard and it's quite nice to see Cambridge by water. The Newton location is a little more serene as it's in a more remote part of the Charles. I recall there were patches of lily pads which you could kayak past (or through...). Either way, it's a great way to spend an afternoon/day in Boston-

Yeah I went to this place and yeah they had kayaks and yeah I rode down the Charles padding and waving like all the other schmucks. It wasn't all that. Grab a zip car if you don't have a car in the city and head up to new Hampshire and do it right on the Saco River where you can take a kayak for a day trip and drag a cooler of beer, maybe a dog, cat, and some other creatures and head out of the city. The Charles is nice and all but with all the cars flying by on Storrow, you feel inadequate in anything less than a cigarette boat.

I am ready to punch Allston in the FACE because this location doesn't re-open until end of April. Good thing the Newton location starts up again in a few days. The Allston location is great, though. Very friendly staff both in the shack and on the dock. If you're a first timer, you'll have to take a short and informative quiz. Don't be stubborn, it really helps. If you're using a two-person kayak, it helps to have the more experienced person in the back since they'll be doing most of the steering. I suggest going upriver first - it's more nature-y, and on the way back if you're tired you can let the current do the work. Keep on the lookout for turtles sunning themselves on rocks and branches. Though if you're with out-of-towners, it can be fun to go downriver/towards Boston since you get more postcard-type views. They're also very customer-friendly with pricing. I think 3 out of the 4 times I've been to this location they've rounded down my time when returning the kayak. No backsies!

This was the PERFECT way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon. Though it was still pretty busy around 3 p.m. that day, we were able to rent a double kayak without a problem. Yes, you do have to fill out a quiz and some paperwork, but it's really easy and not a big deal at all--takes five minutes, tops. Also, when you give the person at the counter an ID, make sure it's a MA one to skip potential problems... I tried to give him my CO one, and apparently he had to manually type in addresses, etc. It's just not worth the hassle, since the main priority is to get on the water! Anyway, it's $19 per hour for a double kayak (though you've got your choice of single kayak, rowboat, canoe, paddle board, etc.), and the boats are in great condition. You pick up a lifejacket, some paddles, and you're ready to go. It's really awesome. It really didn't feel like it, but we spent about 2 hours in the Charles. It was great seeing the different buildings from the water, when we had just passed by them on foot or in the car hours before. They've also got a one-way option to Kendall, which is neat--I may have to do that next time. Whatever I end up deciding, I do know that I'll definitely be back. What a wonderful weekend activity!

I took a 2 person kayak with my buddy here for an affordable price. They're pretty quick to get you in the kayaks/canoe as you just have to fill out a simple waiver form and answer some survey questions. They helped you fit on a vest and handed you the paddles and we were good to go. I do wish they would try to help first timers like myself navigate around because I was pretty lost in the beginning regarding steering and such. However I was able to figure it out in the end. One hour trip is pretty sufficient. I can't imagine anyone going from this spot all the way to Harvard Square because it's pretty far and could take a pretty long time. I'm pretty fit but kayaking can be pretty physically intensive. If you're just doing this for leisure, then I would suggest just paddling around and back. I just went under the first bridge and didn't even reach the MIT bridge. The views for this river are stunning.

Went on Memorial Day, just showed up and hoped for the best even though I sort of worried it would be too busy/all booked out. Well I was pleasantly surprised. The free parking lot had a few spaces left, and we didn't have to wait more than than a few minutes to get our kayaks. I had always wanted to kayak on the Charles River, so this was a nice bucket list item. The location is convenient for driving or taking the T (I think it's close enough to Harvard Station). And the location is a great starting point for some nice views and river bends. The staff were nice and efficient.

I heart Charles River Canoe and Kayak. The first time I was here, my company arranged one those corporate bonding sessions for us analysts and the summer interns. Most of us were (and still are) pretty lacking in athletic abilities, but thanks to the friendly and helpful staff, we had a fantastic time. They gave us a group lesson, sent us off with a guide along the way (just in case I guess?) and when we got back, sat down to yummy catered food from Red Bones. The second time with CR, I actually went to their Newton location. My date and I opted for a canoe and set off, paddling and laughing.... and since neither of us was wearing a watch, we got back uber late. We felt really bad for being our delinquent selves, but the staff was very easy going and sent us off with smiles. Go to the Boston CR if you want to see the city along the river and the Newton CR for a more low key and quiet (but in my opinion, not as pretty) view of the burbs. Anyhoo, I would happily go back to either location.

We love kayaking on the Charles. The staff here are very friendly and the prices are reasonable. We kayak a lot, and so each year our family gets a family pass - which works out very well. The only downside of Kayaking on the Charles, is that the water is very dirty. Even though the city tries to clean it up, it is still infested with bacteria and some remains of sewer run off. As long as you stay in your kayak - you'll be OK, and have lot's of fun! Don't forget the sunblock and sunglasses! ;)

Like all the other reviews, this business has earned it. We went kayaking in mid July at the Boston location. Easy. Hassle free. On the cheap. Filled out a one-page form for legal and safety reasons; took a no-brainer quiz; hopped in our double kayak and off we paddled. Oh, had I mentioned we never had been kayaking prior to this? No problems. No worries. Word to the wise: heed the advise of others and slather the sunscreen. And realize that your legs are fully exposed in a double kayak -- so cover them with sunscreen too, or risk looking like you have a very unfortunate birth mark running all over your legs; I neglected mine and ended up very uncomfortable for several days afterward. It is very enjoyable and stress free. Do it. You won't regret it.

Great location and the small parking lots they have is a major plus. First time experience for my group -- 3 of us went for stand up paddle boards (SUP) & the BF went for the kayaking. They have you fill out a consent form for each individual plus a quiz for your group to take. Basically to brush you up on safety and rules of the river. Next, you go to the window to specify your watercraft in which you're given a ticket, life jacket- up, paddled-up & you're on the water. There's no real instructions or guidance, I say this because I was nervous as heck on my SUP board. But they have you place the strap on your ankle for your board, kneel to get on and slow paddle yourself out. NOW standing up on this board is a hit or miss and PHEWWW I stood up and stayed dry. In the beginning I asked one of the crewmembers "how long till I get acquainted with using a SUP board" He shrugs and says I've never done it before lol... I would say that after 5 minutes you'll get the hang of it. Watch out for strong currents as boats cruise through the river and it might knock you down. It was such an awesome way to spend my sunday going down the river and I'm already itching to go back. We spent 2 hours on the river and it was just best way to spend a nice breezy day.

This place was a hike, probably because I have terrible sense of distance but that's okay it was a beautiful Sunday morning as I made my way down there and even though there was a crowd it didn't take long getting setup. Continuing my mission from the week before I decided to do the one-way trip from here to their dock in Kendall Square. Sure this was my second time kayaking and I'm not the most comfortable on the water I still went ahead with my plans. The girl at the counter gave me a map and told me to count the bridges so I know how close I am and showed me a picture of the entrance to the Kendall Square site. Though I of course was already aware since I used that facility first. What's really nice about this place is the location, lots of open space, calmer part of the river. The MIT area has a lot of sailboat activity. This area not as much. And I'm not quite sure if it is usual or not, as I think there was also some charity run going on earlier but there was porta-potties, which was very much appreciated before I started my journey. Finished my trip in about an hour and half. But I finally got to use my $50 coupon even though it only cost me $35.

I've come here with friends, and I've come here with family. No matter who I go with, I have an awesome time. For a relatively small fee, you get to rent a kayake by the hour and paddle your way up (or down) the charles! In no time, you're passing by Harvard, and really getting a unique view of some of the more famous parts of boston/cambridge. Besides the sites, it's just relaxing to be on the river on a beautiful day. And if you've got good company, how could it get better?