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During a hot summer day, the best place to paddle is around the Ocean State! Rhode Island is home to a variety of coves and bays, but also calm ponds and lakes that beginner kayakers will love! The aid of a guide can also help to make your first experience a great one. So, grab your kayak—or perhaps rent one—and head out for a fun day on the water!
The Blackstone River runs from Worcester, Massachusetts to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and has been a favorite spot for local paddlers for a long time. To avoid whitewater, park at Cold Spring Park in Woonsocket, an area that will be perfectly calm for kids or those new to kayaking.
This scenic river hosts a diverse ecosystem perfect for exploring by paddle. There you’ll find a salt marsh, estuary, bond, and tidal inlet, which play home to varied wildlife from waterfowl, to foxes and deer. Make sure to park along the west side of Route 1 and bring your kayak over from there. If you don’t have one, rent from Narrow River Kayaks.
Located near Block Island Sound, Ninigret Pond makes its name as Rhode Island’s largest saltwater pond. The calm flatwater here makes it perfect for beginners. Ninigret stretches several miles, but take a few breaks now and then to watch the birds fly by, too—you’ll find herons, ospreys, and swans not often seen in other parts of Rhode Island!
Rent out a kayak from Queen’s River Kayaks and hit the water! The river is considered to be one of the cleanest in New England. You’ll love the shade provided by the forested area surrounding the river and the small villages that line the river’s edge.
Let your stress wash away at Wilson Park, a great place to kayak for those just learning. Rent a kayak from the Kayak Centre of Rhode Island, or sign up for a tour or class! Want to try something more than kayaking? They also have stand up paddleboards for rent as well!
