Where Long Island kayakers can start paddling
So what if you've never been in a kayak? Even rookie paddlers can learn how to navigate these sleek vessels in calm and shallow waters. The adventure is made easier by Long Island outfits that organize kayak tours for beginners that include basic instruction, equipment rental and two to three hours of time on the water to practice. Here are a few places to get started:
Fridays on the Connetquot Dowling College, Oakdale 631-244-3420 dowling.edu When: 5:30 p.m. July 25 and Aug. 22 Cost: $50 includes clinic, tour and rental Instructor Elizabeth O'Connor kicks off the weekend with a one-hour kayaking skills clinic at Dowling's Oakdale campus that teaches newbies how to paddle, steer and avoid capsizing. It's followed by a leisurely two-hour paddle that treats kayakers to a rare view of waterside real estate, nature and sunsets.
Also try: O'Connor's "South Shore" beginner evening tour at 5:30 p.m. July 23 and Aug. 20 at Osprey Park in Mastic Beach. It's $55; details at 631-451-6135 or ksa-ltd.com .
Long Island Kayak Club Stony Brook, Setauket and other locations 631-691-2396 longislandkayakclub.com When: Most weekend afternoons, April-October Cost: $60 Beginners 18 and older are welcome to join the veteran paddlers on 4- to 5-mile tours that explore the waters all over Long Island, including Caumsett State Park in Lloyd Harbor (11 a.m. Saturday) and Conscience Bay in Setauket (noon Sunday). Each session starts with a 15-minute demonstration and paddling practice.
Also try: The sunset tour from Alhambra Beach in Massapequa Aug. 10 at 5 p.m. or weekday outings to Georgica Pond in Wainscott (July 29 and Aug. 12).
Shelter Island Kayak Tours Route 114 (at Planet Bliss), Shelter Island 631-749-1990 kayaksi.com When: 10 a.m. daily Cost: $60 Owner Jim Damuck has been running two-hour tours of Shelter Island's Coecles Harbor for 15 years. He takes new kayakers - mostly families - on an easy paddle of the protected wetlands, which are teeming with wildlife.
Kayak fishing Captain Kayak 94 Dune Rd., East Quogue 631-484-0806 captainkayak.com Cost: $150 Try your luck for striped bass and fluke on a four-hour fishing trip on Shinnecock Bay or Peconic Bay. Kayakers navigate using Hobie foot-pedal kayaks, which free up the hands to reel in a big catch. Equipment and tackle are provided, as is a licensed tour guide. There's a two-person minimum per tour; basic kayaking experience recommended.
Reader picks: Empire Kayaks 4 Empire Blvd., Island Park; 516-889-8300 empirekayaks.com When: 9 a.m.-noon July 27, Aug. 3 and 17 Cost: $75 Robin Shatzkin of Baldwin says this South Shore kayak store, rental and beach launch spot is "great for families" to explore the surrounding marshes, which have calm waters. Empire's entry-level kayak tours combine a basic paddling lesson with a guided two-hour tour that helps beginners get their feel for the boat.
Also try: Among the store's vast schedule of niche tours is a "Yoga Paddle" at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 10 ($40) that involves kayaking to a quiet beach for a guided yoga session. -- Recommended by Robin Shatzkin, Baldwin, and Roger Bobby, Wantagh
The best place to kayak on Long Island is at Puff n Putt in Montauk Point . It is also the best place for sailing, and pedal boating. AND it has the best mini golf course and arcade on Long Island also. It is also run by three generations of a great family for the past 32 years. -- Recommended by Traci Gazzo, Commack
A great place to launch a kayak is Alhambra Beach in Massapequa . One can paddle about 5.5 miles to Jones Beach or 4.5 to Tobay beach past grass islands teeming with birds and other wildlife. The weather varies it can be calm one minute and windy the next. You can even see an occasional rainbow. -- Recommended by Alan Robert Mindlin, Massapequa
My favorite place to kayak on Long Island is Island Park. I put in at Empire Kayaks and explore all the marshes and wildlife in Middle Bay. There's always places to hide from the wind when I'm with my family and when I'm by myself i can head to Jones Inlet and the ocean. It's the best of both worlds. -- Recommended by Roger Bobby
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