Discover the urban oasis of New York City.
Have you ever imagined paddling alongside iconic landmarks and city skylines?
The best places to paddleboard in NYC await your adventure.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the Big Apple’s waterways. Are you ready to glide?
Map
Planning Your Paddle in NYC
Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024, rental counts come from OpenStreetMap. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.
- Season: average daily highs clear 59 °F from April through October. July is the warmest month, averaging 85 °F, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
- Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.
- Rentals nearby: OpenStreetMap lists 6 places within 16 miles that hire out boards, kayaks or canoes, among them Simcha Party Rental and New York Kayak Company. Call ahead, opening times outside the main season are short.
Where to Paddle Board in NYC
Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!
#1 Hudson River
- 🏖️ Location Type: River
- 📍️ Access Point: Pier 84 at Hudson River Park (Google Maps)
- 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate currents, can be windy
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Fish, seabirds, occasional dolphins
- 🏞️ Landmarks & Views: One World Trade Center, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, adhere to designated zones
Hudson River offers paddleboarders the opportunity to explore the New York City skyline from a unique perspective.
Glide along the river and relish the breathtaking sights of iconic landmarks, including One World Trade Center and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
#2 Jamaica Bay
- 🏖️ Location Type: Bay
- 📍️ Access Point: Sebago Canoe Club (Google Maps)
- 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, mild currents
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Waterbirds, fish, turtles
- 🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Gateway National Recreation Area
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect wildlife, avoid sensitive areas
Jamaica Bay, located within the Gateway National Recreation Area, provides a serene paddleboarding experience surrounded by nature.
The calm waters are perfect for beginners, while abundant wildlife and unique landscapes captivate enthusiasts of all levels.
#3 The East River
- 🏖️ ️Location Type: River
- 📍️ Access Point: Brooklyn Bridge Park (Google Maps)
- 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate currents, can be windy
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Fish, seabirds
- 🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, adhere to designated zones
Paddleboarding along the East River promises a thrilling and scenic urban adventure.
Navigate below the iconic Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges while enjoying unparalleled views of the city skyline, including the Statue of Liberty.
#4 Long Island Sound
- 🏖️ ️Location Type: Oceanfront
- 📍️ Access Point: Mamaroneck Harbor Island Park (Google Maps)
- 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate waves, tidal currents
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Seabirds, fish
- 🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Coastline, nature preserves
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, understand tide changes
Long Island Sound, just outside of New York City, provides paddleboarders with diverse oceanfront experiences along the scenic coastline.
Explore tranquil coves and lively harbors, as well as natural areas rich with marine life.
#5 Coney Island Creek
- 🏖️ ️Location Type: Channel
- 📍️ Access Point: Kaiser Park (Google Maps)
- 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, occasional wind
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Fish, birds
- 🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Yellow Submarine Wreck, mangroves
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect wildlife, avoid sensitive areas
Coney Island Creek is a unique paddleboarding location filled with historical surprises and natural beauty.
Navigate through calm waters past the famous Yellow Submarine Wreck and explore the area’s mangroves. A truly off-the-beaten-path experience within NYC.
#6 Alley Creek
- 🏖️ Location Type: River
- 📍️ Access Point: Alley Pond Park (Google Maps)
- 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Typically calm, mild currents
- ☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
- 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Fish, birds, turtles
- 🏞️ Landmarks & Views: Wetlands, marshes
- ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect local rules, avoid sensitive areas
Alley Creek within Alley Pond Park offers paddleboarders a peaceful journey through wetlands and marshes.
Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy the abundance of fish, birds, and turtles that call this scenic place home. A serene escape from the city’s hustle.
What to Take With You
Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.
- Typefoam, paddle cut
- ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada
Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding
- Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
- Swivelstwo in-line
- RatingIP68 certified, 1 m for 30 minutes
- Floatsyes
- Capacity20 L, range from 10 to 55 L
- Material500D PVC tarpaulin
Every model we tested: The 9 Best Dry Bags for Paddle Boarding
- Typetall neoprene boot
- Thickness3 mm
FAQ
Where can you paddle board in NYC?
You can paddle board in the Hudson River, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Rockaway Beach, and Riverside Park in NYC.
Do paddle boards need to be registered in NYC?
No, paddle boards do not need to be registered in NYC.
When is the best time to paddle board in NYC?
The best time to paddle board in NYC is from late spring to early fall when the weather is warmer.
Paddle Boarding Near NYC
Looking for another spot on the same trip? These guides cover the closest paddling waters we have mapped around NYC.
- New York (8 miles east)
- New Jersey (40 miles southwest)
- Greenwood Lake (41 miles northwest)
- Connecticut (63 miles northeast)
