Things to do / Travel Guide
With its seemingly endless miles of shoreline, Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island is a region that was truly made for the water enthusiast. Not only are there so many places to explore by kayak or canoe, but rental shops are never far away.
Kayaking and Paddling around Boston, Massachusetts
Boston, with its routes along the Charles River and out in Boston Harbor, has plenty of opportunities to take to the waters. Canoes, kayaks, and sailboats are readily available for rental, and novice paddlers can get lessons at some of the rental shops. You will see excellent views of the city and the surroundings, going out to the sea and along the coastline.
Kayaking and Paddling around Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Cape Cod has dozens of great places to explore, ranging from easy to difficult. State parks such as Cape Cod's Nickerson State Park in Brewster and South Cape Beach State Park on Mashpee are good places for canoeing. A good time to paddle through the Cape's Barnstable Harbor and the Great Marsh is in the fall or spring, when you can spot the migrating birds.
To learn the art of paddling, novices will enjoy navigating the shallow waters of Waquoit Bay. For more experienced paddlers, navigating the more challenging conditions in Nantucket Sound as you orbit Washburn Island makes for some great kayaking.
Kayaking and Paddling around Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
On Martha's Vineyard, try the Edgartown Great Pond, which has lots of wildlife and more than 15 miles of shoreline to explore. Squibnocket Pond, which is one of the Vineyard's least developed bodies of water, has scenic views of dunes, rocky outcroppings, and small forested islands.
Kayaking and Paddling in Rhode Island
In southern Rhode Island, paddlers will find several places to launch their oars in South Kingstown, including Worden Pond and the Great Swamp, which is considered to be the state's best route. Hopkinton and Charlestown are two other towns in the area with a variety of ponds to explore.
The ocean waters off of Newport offer an opportunity for an exceptional sea-kayaking experience. The protected Narragansett Bay is also a popular spot, as is Block Island. Novices can get formal instruction at the town of Wickford. And again, there are places to rent and buy at every good kayak or paddling location.
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