Long island offers some of the best kayaking adventures around. With the Atlantic ocean, Long Island Sound, Great South Bay and Peconic Bay surrounding the island along with numerous rivers you are sure to find a great place to put your boat in for a paddle.
Below we list ten places you can explore with your kayak:
According to the website, the South Shore Blueway Trail is a safe, legal network of water access points for human-powered boats and beachable sail craft, which allows people to experience the natural, scenic and cultural wonders of Long Island’s South Shore, while protecting wildlife and habitat and the safety of trail users and all mariners. There are multiple trailheads to ;launch from found here.
Launch from Smith Point Marina and also enjoy the nexus of Bellport Bay and Narrow Bay. Right before the Smith Point Bridge. Location: William Floyd Parkway, Shirley, (631) 852-1315.
Captree State Park is located on the eastern tip of Jones Beach Island at the end of the Ocean Parkway. Known for its charter fishing boats, the park also offers a great place to launch a kayak from the The Overlook restaurant parking area into the Great South Bay. Location: 3500 East Ocean Pkwy., Bay Shore, (631) 669-0449.
At Hither Hills State Park, paddlers can enjoy the Napeague Harbor and Gardiners Bay. Location: 164 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk, (631) 668-2554.
Cedar Beach/Mount Sinai Harbor
The harbor and beach in Mount Sinai offer plenty of places to launch whether you want to paddle in the Long Island Sound or dunk around the backwaters of the harbor. Location: Harbor Beach Road, Mount Sinai.
Heckscher State Park also offers access to the Great South Bay as well as the Connetquot River. Location: 1 Heckscher State Pkwy., East Islip, (631) 581-2100.
Get into the Long Island Sound and Nissequogue River from Sunken Meadow State Park. According to the website, launching is available from Field 3 at the eastern portion of the park. Location: Rte. 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park, (631) 269-4333.
Paddle the largest lake in Nassau County. The boat launch is located on the west side of the park across from the playground. Admission is only $10 if you bring your own kayak. Location: Eagle Avenue, West Hempstead, (516) 766-1029.
Kayaks are available for rent on the lake through the summer, according to the website. Kayaks can launch from the boat dock while the boat dock is open. Location: Southern State Parkway Exit 38, North Babylon, (631) 667-5055.
Explore the Peconic River and surrounding bays on the north side and Gardiner’s Bay to the south, all from the eastern end of the North Fork. Location: 40000 Main Road, Orient, (631) 323-2440.