When is free kayaking?

During the summer, general kayaking runs on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 pm to 7 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm; our Kids and Family Paddle runs on Sundays from 12 pm to 2:30 pm.

Is it really free?

Yes, our kayaking program is completely free! We run on the generosity of our volunteers and your donations.

Do I have to make a reservation?

If you want to be sure you’ll get on the water, you should make a reservation at the bottom of our home page. We try to save some spots for walk-ups, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to paddle if you just show up.

When do reservations go live?

Reservations open 2 weeks ahead of time.

Why don’t I see any reservation times?

If you don’t see any times, all the reservations have been taken. Check back the day before you want to kayak, because we often get cancellations.

What if I need to change my reservation?

You can cancel or reschedule your reservation from your confirmation email (look for the buttons at the bottom). If you know you won’t be able to use your reservation, please cancel it to allow someone else to reserve that time.

What if I’ve never kayaked before?

That’s not a problem. We’ll show you everything you need to know before putting you out on the water. And if you find yourself needing additional instruction on the water, just ask a safety boater—they’re the paddlers wearing red life vests.

Will I get wet?

Yes, you can pretty much count on getting wet!

What should I wear?

It’s a good idea to wear clothing that will dry quickly or bring a change of clothes for when you’re done paddling. Please note that you’ll be wearing one of our life vests while you paddle, and you’ll need to wear a shirt underneath it.

What if I fall in?

Our kayaks are pretty stable, but every so often someone does fall into the water. It’s a good idea to have a waterproof case for your phone if you bring it into the kayak with you. If you capsize, we have safety boaters on the water to help you get back into your kayak.

How many people fit in a kayak?

We have single kayaks that fit one person and double kayaks that can fit up to two adults. Only one child and one adult are allowed per kayak. Adults with children are given priority for double kayaks.

Can kids paddle in a boat by themselves?

Kids under age 14 can paddle with a guardian in a double kayak; kids aged 14 to 17 can paddle in a single kayak if a guardian is nearby. On Sundays, during our special Kids and Family Paddle, kids aged 7 and up can paddle in a single kayak if a guardian is nearby.

Can I kayak with my baby?

If you would like to paddle with a baby or a small child who weighs less than 30 pounds, you will need to provide an appropriately sized life vest. We have life vests for children who weigh at least 30 pounds.

Are changing rooms and lockers available?

There are public restrooms where you can change right near the beach, upstairs by the visitor center. Please note that we cannot be responsible for watching anyone’s personal belongings.

Is kayaking ever canceled?

Occasionally we need to cancel, but we really try our best not to! The main reasons for cancellations are wind, lightning, and poor water quality after heavy rain. Also, we depend on our volunteers to keep things running, so if we don’t have enough volunteers, we may need to close earlier than expected. For up-to-date information on cancellations, check our Instagram stories @bbpboathouse.

Still have questions about kayaking?

Send an email to hello@bbpboathouse.org!

Is kayak polo open to the public?

Kayak polo is an exclusive perk for Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse volunteers. If you’d like to play with us, become a volunteer! Learn more on our Volunteer page.

What if I don’t know how to play?

That’s not a problem—we’ll teach you what you need to know! Just be sure to arrive at least 20 minutes early so we can give you a tutorial on the game and equipment.

Do I need to bring anything?

We provide the helmets, life vests, kayaks, and paddles. The only things you need to bring are clothes you’re comfortable getting wet in, sunscreen, and water.

Still have questions about kayak polo?

Send an email to hello@bbpboathouse.org!

Check-in volunteers

Your responsibilities include fitting people into life vests, answering questions, and communicating with the beach volunteers..

Beach volunteers

Your responsibilities include getting people into and out of kayaks, giving basic paddling instruction, and explaining the paddling boundaries and boathouse rules.

Safety boaters

Your responsibilities include monitoring kayakers, giving on-water paddling instruction, and performing rescues should a kayaker get stuck or fall out of their boat. Only certified (specially trained) volunteers may sign up as safety boaters.

Program leaders

Your responsibilities include running the program, managing volunteers, answering questions, and executing opening/closing procedures. Only approved (specially trained) volunteers may sign up as program leaders.

Are there any perks for volunteers?

Volunteering will earn you our undying love and appreciation, as well as the good feelings that come with doing something good for the community. But if that’s not enough, you’ll also get special access to free volunteer-only trips around New York Harbor (and sometimes beyond), kayak skills sessions, Friends and Family paddles, and social events. On top of that, our active volunteers are eligible for discounted classes from The Kayak Foundation; for more information, send an email to hello@bbpboathouse.org.

Do I need to know how to kayak?

Nope! We’ll teach you everything you need to know. We hold regular volunteer orientations as well as safety boater and program leader training sessions. If you can’t make a volunteer orientation session, don’t worry about it—just sign up for a shift, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know during your shift.

Is the boathouse run by Brooklyn Bridge Park?

No. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse is an independent nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy to provide free kayaking in the park. We operate with the authorization of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation but do not receive financial support from it or any other public institution.

Can I store my boat at the boathouse?

Unfortunately we cannot provide storage space for boats other than our program boats..

Can I use your floating dock to launch my boat?

No, we do not allow boats other than our own to launch from the floating dock at Pier 2. You’re welcome to launch your own boat from Pier 4 Beach; to avoid boat traffic from the nearby marina, paddle north past Pier 3 before heading out into the river. Dumbo Cove (Main Street Beach) is also a public launch site. For an interactive map of local human-powered boating sites, please see the NYC Water Trail Map, maintained by the New York City Water Trail Association.

How can I help?

The most important way you can help is to become a volunteer! To learn more, see our Volunteer page. You can also help by donating on Venmo @bbpboathouse, when you make your reservation, or via the button below.