Charles River Canoe & Kayak

Cambridge, United States

4.4

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 617-965-5110
Website:
www.PaddleBoston.com
Address:
15 Broad Canal Way, Cambridge, MA, 02142
East Cambridge, Kendall Square/MIT
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
1.4 miNeedham Junction @ Commuter Rail Station
1.4 miNeedham Junction
1.4 miHersey
Categories:
QR code
Download QR Image Download vCard

Map

Streetview

Activate map

Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Garage, Street, Validated
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Dogs Allowed
Yes
By Appointment Only
No
Offers Military Discount
Yes

Today

Today 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Cambridge) 7:52 PM Monday, June 2, 2025

Business hours

Monday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Charles River Canoe & Kayak specializes in canoe and kayak rentals with locations throughout the Boston area (Cambridge-​Kendall Square, Boston-​Allston/​Brighton, Newton-​Nahanton Park, and Waltham-​Moody Street). All locations have stable single kayaks, fun double kayaks, and family-​friendly canoes. We offer group and corporate outings, birthday parties, ten-​person canoes, and much more!

We offer amazing guided tours like our Skyline & Sunset Tours from Kendall Square, our Boston Harbor Tours from Kendall Square, our Barbeque Kayak Tours from Kendall Square, and our Kayak Eco-​Tour from Newton-​Nahanton Park.

We also have a full-​service Paddling Store in Newton/​Auburndale and a Paddling School that offers classes and sea kayaking trips.

History

Established in 1973.

Our original Charles River Canoe & Kayak location in Newton/​Auburndale was created when our founder, Mike Farny, envisioned recreational use of the Charles River, a remarkable resource that was largely ignored by the Greater Boston community.

Our Boston location in Allston/​Brighton opened in 1993 and, for the first time, allowed Bostonians to access the river that they’d walked along and across for generations.

In 2009 we opened a second rental center on the Charles River Basin, this time in Kendall Square, Cambridge. Paddlers experience spectacular skyline views right off our dock, whether renting or on a tour. Paddlers can also enjoy one-​way trips to and from our Allston/​Brighton location.

In 2010 we opened a rental location in Newton’s Nahanton Park on one of the longest uninterrupted stretches of the Charles.

Check out our newest location at the Moody Street Dam in Waltham, on the calm and beautiful Charles River Lakes District.

Meet the Manager

Sean T.

Manager

I began working with Charles River Canoe and Kayak in 2012 and have grown to love the Kendall Square area. Since I was born and raised in Boston I know everything about what there is to do in and around the city, one thing I know is that our customers love the view of the Boston skyline from the river. I have been working in the industry for over 10 years and know what it takes to create an enjoyable experience for all of our customers. Whether you recently moved here, visiting for a day or a fellow Bostonian, we know what it takes to have you walking away happy!

Charles River Canoe & Kayak also recommends

Charles River Canoe and Kayak

55

reviews

Rafting/​Kayaking

,

Boating

,

Paddleboarding

Sean T. says,

«Our sister location just 5 miles up the Charles River. Offering canoe and kayak rentals and tasty guided BBQ tours. We offer one-​way rentals to them!»

Charles River Canoe & Kayak

12

reviews

Rafting/​Kayaking

,

Boating

,

Paddleboarding

Sean T. says,

«Our sister location in Newton’s Nahanton Park. Explore a longer, wilder section of the Charles. Spend a morning or a day on a Shuttled River Trip.»

Related places

Explore similar places:
2.8
mi
Classic Sail Boston
59 Webster St (East Boston)
2.8
mi
Boating in Boston
Serving Wakefield and surrounding area
2.8
mi
Boston Harbor Cruises
1 Long Wharf (Waterfront)
2.8
mi
Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships
67 Long Wharf (Waterfront)
2.8
mi
Community Boating
21 David G Mugar Way (Beacon Hill)
3
mi
Charles River Canoe & Kayak
455 Nahanton St

Vicinity

Near this location:
1
ft
Encore Realty
123 St. Mary's St
1
ft
UCM Services Brookline
653 E 3rd St
1
ft
Dr. Locksmith
240 Main St
1
ft
AC Roofing
Serving Boston and surrounding area
1
ft
Aplus Hardwood Floors Inc
9 Union Pl
1
ft
Garrison Square Management Services
7 Harcourt St

20 reviews of Charles River Canoe & Kayak

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Malden, MA
The go to place for kayaking! Train accessible, cheap garage with plenty of space. $ 1 for 3 hours!!! Very nice.
Sometimes there’s even food stands/​trucks!!! Wow!
Single kayaks, doubles, triples, canoes, even paddle boards. Simple as that. Everything’s in decent condition, don’t expect brand new kayaks or anything LOL.
Charles River isn’t anything special, but it’s a great way to chill with friends. Even cross the river towards the Esplande to chill, pretty good. Make sure to check the wind because it was pretty high when I went and I got soaked every minutes. Don’t forget to dodge sailboats and the duck tours boats.
They even have wet-​bags that are like… waterproof bags to put your stuff in LOL. So convenient.
Place rating: 4
Boston, MA
It would have been 5 stars if the service was consistently great. They mostly have students working here, so good service is hit or miss.
Otherwise perfect in every sense! Great price, all kayaks and canoes in good condition, safe Charles.
Must do fun thing whether you are in Boston for day or for years. Best way to enjoy famous Boston skyline peacefully on your own. Or just park on the river and read a book or paint something. In addition to all that it’s a great workout, too. If you are feeling really energetic, you can go up to Newton and return your kayak at that location too.
Recommend for all healthy grownups and kids.
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
It was a sweltering hot day. Dripping wet. No one wants to be in the city when it is that hot. No one should be in the city when it is that hot. We figured the best way to cool off, would be to go near water. We rented kayaks, and for one double one it was only $ 20/​hour! It was such a good deal. The facility is very hectic, with many people, many kayaks, many foreigners. It was a little confusing, so the process could be better organized. Also, once in the kayak, it is about 10 minutes to go from the dock, until you get to the actual mouth of the river. However, once you are in the river, it is so peaceful, gorgeous, and truly gives you a stunning, once in a life time view of Boston. I gained a much better appreciation for «loving that dirty water».
Place rating: 5
Tucson, AZ
Prices are reasonable, and the experience is priceless with the Boston Skyline. You have to take a quiz with the safety information, and sign a waiver before you can rent your kayak. We paid $ 20/​hour for a tandem kayak and rented a dry bag. Service was friendly, and you’re provided with a life jacket and paddles along with your kayak. The water felt super warm, almost like bathwater. Be watchful of the other folks in the water — some inexperienced little kids with a small sailboat almost ran us over. And watch out for the Duck Tours. Had a blast and would love to come back here next time I’m in town.
Place rating: 5
Somerville, MA
It’s pretty neat to paddle or row on the big wide Charles in sight of the Boston skyline. Or – if you know what you’re doing — you can get in a serious sea kayak and go out into Boston Harbor and out to the Harbor Islands. This requires a trip through the locks and many hours.
They have fast boats with spray skirts for the harbor/​ocean. For poking around in the river, they have slower wider boats, stand-​up paddleboards, and row boats. Their PFDs (life preservers) are good quality, and they are usually dry. You can get a fancy kevlar paddle if you ask, but the plastic ones are good quality. They have dry bags. A membership could be a good deal if you go more than a handful of times. You can use all locations.
Most of the employees are high school students on summer vacation. It’s a perfect summer job, and I have never had any problems in years of paddling from their various locations. There can be a line on a nice day. You might have to dodge newbies until you get away from the docks. Out on the river, you need to know the rules — yield to sailboats and fast rowing shells, etc. It’s a busy place. The harbor is a whole other thing. Talk to the staff about it.
This review is for the Kendall Square location. I guess each place is listed separately. I’ll copy the bulk of this review and hope this isn’t against the rules.
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
Multiple locations dotted along the river, Charles River Canoe & Kayak is a fantastic way to spend a summer afternoon. We usually go to the Kendall Sq location because it’s easily accessible by train and, if you’re feeling lazy, can park in the garage next door for $ 1 per hour for up to 3 hours. CAN’T BEAT THAT!
The girl with the short, light brown hair who was checking us in was a bit of a witch and would’ve been so off-​putting had it been my first time at the location (all other employees were great!) First time out on the season means you’ll have to sign a waiver and take a quiz as a group. Fear not cause the answers are pretty much common sense and can be found in the information sheet they give along with the quiz. Single kayaks are actually $ 15/​hour and double kayaks are $ 20/​hour. They also have canoes and SUPs. Water protection bags are available for $ 1. You get suited up and your off through a short channel that brings you into an area near the Museum of Science. This area is calm and great for inexperienced paddlers. To see sights and people, paddle under the bridge where the water can be a bit more choppy and you’ll have to dodge sailboats and the like. Not much direction is given so if it’s your first time, I suggest watching a few videos on technique, etc.
I overheard some folks saying that the launch is actually public so if you got your own kayak, feel free to head on out for free. You get in line to pay at the end. These guys are pretty lenient on the times, giving you about 20 minutes to account for the suiting up and waiting to pay time. Add $ 15 for one way rentals to their other locations.
Place rating: 1
Jerusalem, OH
My friend and I were on vacation in Boston and our concierge service found this location for us to go paddleboarding. Upon our arrival, we received snide looks and comments from the extremely unfriendly staff. We took the test that is required before going on the water, filled out all of our information, got completely ready to go out, and then they told us that they were not allowing any more paddleboards to go out that day because of wind speeds. It was not a very windy day, so we were very confused as the why they weren’t allowing us to go. We ended up leaving and going to the beach instead. Later that day they called us and asked why we never paid for our boards when we never even did anything there! Overall was not a pleasant experience with the staff or the company!
Place rating: 4
Boston, MA
its a very fun outdoor activity, everyone must try it once. Line can be long, but its totally worth it. You’ll get some sun and fun for sure. Bring your bottle of water with you otherwise Poland spring will cost you 2 $ there. And also you can save your receipt from your kayaking experience and get 10% off your bill in the nearby restaurants (ww tried pizza place qnd loved it. .but it’s a different story).!enjoy your summer in Boston
Place rating: 3
Detroit, MI
The river is five stars. The jacked up line system is one star. I’ll round it up to three stars because I didn’t fall out of my canoe.
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
Closest to where I live, and I’m so glad it is. Staff was courteous, and the price is very decent ($ 9 per hour for single seat kayak, $ 20 per hour for double seat kayak). They also provide waterproof bags for you to put anything into for $ 1.
If you’re in Boston, I’d definitely recommend coming here, as the view of the city from the Charles is exceptional. If you’re a first timer, I’d also recommend starting upstream so that you have an easier time traveling back to the rental place when you’re a bit winded.
Place rating: 4
Newton, MA
Best of the three (of four) locations.
(I haven’t tried the Waltham location yet)
The first thing we noticed is the long lines when we got there at 3pm. We were told that the wait was 45 to 60 minutes. Since we wanted to get on the water around 4:30, we went off to get a bite to eat along the Charles (Note #1: The options at Kendall are limited on a Sunday afternoon). We saw the couple that was in front of us in line paddle by where we were on the banks about 30 minutes later.
By 4:15pm the line was down to 3 people. We signed waivers, showed our ID and off we went to pick a kayak.
Note #2: There’s a quiz. Take the quiz. If you don’t, you’ll just delay the process. The questions are pretty silly and I’m not sure she checked our answers.
Note #3: You pay at the end, so after checking in, you go straight to the kayaks.
What else is there to say: Being on the water is great, and how far you go, and how much you paddle is up to you. The meter’s ticking all along. We kayaked to the BU bridge… the one with all the graffiti on it. The river gets narrow there so we cut across to the other bank and worked our way back to the esplanade, cut through the lagoon (which was calm, but pretty trashed up… it was the day after July 4th), past the community boating and then back to the rental place.
Returns are a breeze too.
I have tried the Brighton location which is nice, and the Newton one which is quieter, but if you want to see Boston from your kayak, this is by far the best location.
Place rating: 3
Boston, MA
Went kayaking for the first time ever, and maybe it was just me, but I was expecting a little more instruction after I told the staff it was my first time! They were nice and all, but even watched us struggle with the life jackets instead of helping, until I finally asked. My boyfriend (also first timer) and I carefully hopped into the kayak and were just pushed away from the dock. Well, we quickly wound up in the middle of the water and then somehow made it back to crash into the side of the dock that we were just launched from — still no assistance. Once we figured it out, it was so fun! We spent about 2 hours, which cost just over $ 40. I thought it was a little much, but whatever. We showed up before 10am on a Saturday and did not wait at all to get our double kayak. When we arrived two hours later, it was packed! Overall, kayaking on the Charles was a super fun activity with beautiful scenery, but since this review is for the business, I would say some improvements could be made.
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
I came here a few times every Summer for the kayaks, but I fell in love with paddle boarding this Sunmer. I even brought a season pass! The staff is extremely friendly and funny, and there’s always a good vibe when I’m here.
Place rating: 4
Hartford, CT
There is nothing better than spending a beautiful spring or summer day kayaking the charles river. On a normal day there are no tides/​waves to maneuver, and as long as you stay closer to the banks to avoid the sailboats, it will be a relaxed ride. Charles River Canoe and Kayak make the process of renting kayaks and all equiptment as easy as possible. They do basic safety, and then fit you with all required safety gear and kayak equipment. They offer single or double person kayaks. They also offer multi-​person canoes (obviously) and I believe paddle boards (don’t quote me). They have free dry bags to hold all of your must-​have social media devices AND a water cooler/​public restrooms.
I took off one star for a few inconvenient experiences. Twice I have gone to the Kendall square post only for them to tell me that the wind was too intense and/​or there is a thunderstorm coming so we couldn’t kayak. The second time they told us to go to the brighton location instead where maybe they could accomodate us. That location is about 45 minutes — 1 hour away by public transportation. Thank goodness that they let us kayak at THAT location and we had a great time.
Just be aware however that the Kendall square location has the best views BY FAR (Zakim bridge, boston bay area, esplanade) when compared to the brighton location. We had fun, but the sights just arent the same.
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
Having been to the Allston/​Brighton location once before, I have to say the Kendall location remains my favorite. You just can’t beat the views! Sometimes there’s a big crowd but the friendly, laidback staff keep the line moving and make sure everyone gets what they need. The waiver is super quick to fill out and the safety quiz is super easy to complete. When you get to the dock and what you want isn’t available and you wind up with the more expensive rental, they’ll still charge you at the cheaper rate. You’ll get a little wet so dress accordingly. There’s dry bag rentals for $ 1 and the kayaks also have small built in storage areas for small bags, water bottles, whatever. Prices have gone up over the years but still remain very reasonable especially if you’re renting a double ($ 20/​hr) and splitting the costs with a friend. But it seems like two single kayaks would make for easier conversation and navigating/​coordinating (says the person who experienced multiple minor crashes with a very uncoordinated partner recently). Incident #57:
Setting: Late afternoon. On the way back to the dock along the narrow waterway. Low walkway ramp for pedestrians to our right.
Mother (sitting in front): (paddling to the right and then to the left)
— kayak zigzags back and forth —
Me (sitting in back): (for the hundredth time) Just paddle normally! I’ll do the steering!
— kayak heads straight under the walkway into a wooden post —
Mother: (ducks head and laughs) Oh no!
Me: (head bent down towards chest so as to not suffer a concussion; arms still in defeat)
— kayak knocks against wooden post, bounces back —
Fellow kayaker zipping happily by in a single kayak: (cheerfully) Hellooo!
Me: (head still bent; makes feeble attempt at cheeriness) Hi! Just exploring here… (trails off)
Mother: (laughs)
Anyways, it’s a fun time. Grab some water and sunscreen and go!
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
If you’re looking for a way to feel like you’re on an outdoor adventure without straying too far from the city, Charles River Canoe & Kayak is for you.
Please note that I’ve only rented kayaks with this company, never canoes.
There’s a few things to keep in mind before going:
1.) Know that weekends can be busy. You may wait in line 15 – 20 minutes, so try to get there earlier in the morning (10 – 11 a.m.) if you can.
2.) Once you get out into the middle of the Charles, the water can get choppy, so you can get quite wet. Bring a change of clothes to keep in your car, or rent a wet bag to bring in the kayak with you.
3.) Slather on sunscreen before heading out and bring water with you. On a warm day, you’ll get dehydrated quick.
Whether you’re a tourist or a local, this is an activity that can be enjoyed by all.
Place rating: 5
Denver, CO
No one would ever use the word outdoorsy to describe me. But I was invited to go kayaking through a mentorship program with which I am involved.
I figured, let’s give it a shot. And I’m sure glad I did.
First of all, the location is convenient. It is located about a five minute walk from the Kendall/​MIT T-​stop on the redline.
Prices are reasonable. Prices start at $ 15 per hour per person for kayaking. The staff is helpful and kind, and they guide you in and out of the kayak. We did 2 person kayaks and thoroughly enjoyed our hour.
The view of the Boston skyline from a kayak is incredible. The opportunity to take pictures while on the water is breathtaking.
You can bring food on the kayak. There is actually a cupholder for bottles of water.
You will get wet. So dress appropriately.
I highly recommend this activity on a warm summer day. The breeze over the Charles has a wonderful cooling effect.
Even if you don’t feel it immediately after, you will have an excellent work out from this activity. Your arms will definitely feel sore within 48 hours.
I’m looking forward to going out on the Charles again.
Place rating: 5
Nashville, TN
Canoeing (or kayaking) on the Charles River is a fantastic way to spend a day, and Charles River Canoe and Kayak runs a great service.
When we arrived, it only took about a 5 – 10 minute wait and a brief safety quiz before we were able to get into the water. Dry bags are available for rental at $ 1, which may be a good idea; you probably won’t get soaked, but with larger waves and splashing from paddling, your phone and valuables may get moderately wet. Also, it’s a good idea to bring water (ironic, eh?) and sunscreen. They have available one– or two-​person kayaks and canoes for two/​three or up to five people. The boats are all very reasonably priced, and their rates start by the hour with increments of 10 min. after the first hour.
We took a five-​man canoe from the location near Harvard to Kendall Square, and it was awesome. With five people and some pretty leisurely paddling, we made it in about two hours. Along the way, the river is very scenic and you get some phenomenal views of Cambridge and Boston. Not to mention, it’s definitely a solid workout for the upper body — come ready!
In all, the service was great, the experience was a lot of fun, and I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a good time in Boston.
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
We love paddling and were stoked when my cousin suggested this place for our visit to Boston for some good pics.
We called to make a reservation for paddling and they told us it wasn’t necessary if we arrived by 10. They were right. Shortly after our arrival, many other people came, but all were for kayak’s and we were there for SUP’s.
The views on the Charles River were SUPERB and absolutely worth the little amount we spent!
Bottom Line — GO HERE FOR GREAT PICS, GREAT EXERCISE, and for just A GREAT EXPERIENCE!
Place rating: 5
Brookline, MA
Kayaking along the Charles always remains a highlight every summer I do this. Yah can’t live in Boston without traveling along the Charles in style– gorgeous views of Bahston with the tepid wind caressing your face.
Paddling and maneuvering is pretty easy, it’s really just a matter of arm strength and trial and error. There’s no short introductory class, ya’ll on your own here unless you personally ask. Girls, don’t worry. Despite our scrawny arms, me and a girlfriend got around fine.
$ 15 for 1.5 hours worth of kayaking w/​a group of 7.
The river is free reign for you to explore, just watch out for incoming sail and duck tour boats.
Dress accordingly, ideally choose water proof shoes as the base of the kayaks already have a little water. I recommend the use of fitness gloves-​putting strain on the wrong part of my hands caused a minor friction burn.