Quick Details
Rental Options: Recreation Kayaks, Sea Kayaks, SUPs, and Canoes
Explore Casco Bay by Kayak or SUP
See our multi-day rentals page if you are looking for information on multi-day rentals or deliveries to other sites.
Please Note: Our Policies May Place Limitations on Where You Can Paddle
Most renters stay within a fairly protected area near our site that is perfect for one or two hours of paddling. We require that anyone paddling our rental kayaks (without a guide) beyond this “shore zone” area demonstrate proficiency in certain skills, including capsize recovery for kayakers. If you are planning to rent for longer than 2 hours, or intend to paddle to Fort Gorrges or beyond, please view our full policy on the skills required below.
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The open waters near are site are exposed to the ocean, with strong currents, cold temperatures and busy boat traffic. To minimize risks we require anyone renting our kayaks (and SUPs) to stay within a designated “Shore Zone”. The Shore Zone is a wide arc around our home base at East End Beach, and includes great views of the Portland Harbor, many fun landmarks, and even a small island. Paddling the entire Shore Zone takes 1-2 hours, depending on your pace and conditions.
The only exception to this rule is if at least one person in your group is an experienced kayaker who has learned and practiced capsize recovery skills (the skills needed to rescue a capsized sea kayak). This person should be able to sufficiently demonstrate these skills to our staff before renting with us. If someone in your group has capsize recovery experience, you may paddle beyond the Shore Zone to the nearby islands (including Fort Gorges). However, your group should also be aware of the other risks (swift currents, steady boat traffic, fast-changing conditions, cold waters, etc.) and have the skills and knowledge to handle these risks. And all members of the group should be comfortable paddling sea kayaks, rather than the type of recreational kayaks that can be easier for novice paddlers to use. We do not allow recreational kayaks beyond the shore zone, as they are not designed for open, exposed waters.
Please be aware, anyone who paddles onto the exposed waters of Casco Bay without capsize recovery skills (or someone who has them) is taking a big risk. Casco Bay has very cold waters, busy boat traffic and exposure to the conditions of the Atlantic Ocean (including sudden fog and strong winds). There is a very real chance that a kayaker will capsize, and it can be extremely difficult to re-enter a kayak in cold and turbulent water. We ask all renters to respect our policy, which is only in place to keep everyone safe.
Don’t have capsize-recovery skills? You can acquire them by taking one of our introductory Intro to Sea Kayak Rescues courses or a similar course through another organizations.
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Seasonal memberships offer a range of benefits. These include:
- Unlimited Free 1-Hour and 2-Hour Rentals: Enjoy unlimited rentals of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Tandem kayaks are included too, so you can bring a friend or a loved one along for free!
- Get 50% off our Introductory Sea Kayaking and SUP Courses: Learn the fundamentals in an Intro to Sea Kayaking course or Intro to SUP course, and/or gain essential capsize recovery skills (and get checked off for longer rentals) in Intro to Sea Kayak Rescues.
- Get 75% off half-day rentals after you have met skills requirements, including capsize recovery proficiency. Or, for longer trips, get 30% off full or multi-day rentals.
- Get 10% off all other lessons and all merchandise.Â
- Free participation in our weekly race series and our weekly community paddles.Â
For more information visit our membership webpage.
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Clothing: It’s often cooler on the water than on land, so bring a warm layer even if it is a warm day. Sometimes we get wet from seaspray or from water dripping off the paddles. Cotton will not keep you warm if it gets wet, so it’s best to leave the blue jeans and t-shirts at home and wear fleece, nylon, wool or other non-cotton materials. Long sleeves are also the best protection against sunburn, so a light, long sleeved shirt is often best for sun protection. There will be room in the dry bag we provide for any extra clothes you decide not to wear.
Footwear: You may need to briefly step in shallow water while getting in and out of your kayak, so you should wear shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. Sturdy sandals, watershoes or sneakers are good options.
Rentals Pricing
Our recreational kayaks and SUPs are terrific for novice paddlers sticking close to shore, while our sea kayaks are well-suited to more experienced paddlers. To learn more about the differences between the types of boats we offer, check out this post on our blog.
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No prior kayaking experience is required to rent our recreation kayaks. These stable and spacious kayaks fit a wide range of paddlers, and are great for exploring the coastline, but they are not well-suited for the open-water conditions found further out in Casco Bay.
All kayaks at East End Beach are “sit inside” style. Sit-on-top kayaks, including youth specific sizes, are available at our Crescent Beach location, or as Multiday rentals for use off-site.
Included with rental: Paddle, lifejacket, dry bag.
Solo Recreational Kayak Pricing
1 Hour – $30
2 Hours – $35
Half Day – $45 (up to 5 hours)
Full Day – $55 (up to 10 hours)
2 Days – $95
3 Days – $135
4 Days – $175
5 Days – $215
6 Days – $225
1 Week – $225Tandem (2-person) Recreational Kayak Pricing
1 Hour – $40
2 Hours – $45
Half Day – $55
Full Day – $70
2 Days – $125
3 Days – $180
4 Days – $235
5 Days – $290
6 Days – $315
1 Week – $315 -
Our solo sea kayak rentals are generally for experienced sea kayakers only. These long and narrow boats are very seaworthy, and quite different than the kayaks many people are accustomed to using on lakes and rivers.
Reminder: Anyone paddling to the islands of Casco Bay must have capsize recovery experience.
Included with rental: Paddle, lifejacket, dry bag, sprayskirt.
Solo Sea Kayak Pricing
Half-Day – $45 (up to 5 hours)
Full Day – $55 (up to 10 hours)
2 Days – $95
3 Days – $135
4 Days – $175
5 Days – $215
6 Days – $225
1 Week – $225 -
Our 2-person tandem sea kayaks are fast, stable and spacious, and appropriate for more experienced sea kayakers.
Reminder: Anyone paddling to the islands of Casco Bay must have capsize recovery experience.
Included with rental: Paddles, lifejackets, one dry bag, and sprayskirts upon request.
Tandem Sea Kayak Pricing
Half-day – $55 (up to 5 hours)
Full Day – $70 (up to 10 hours)
2 Days – $125
3 Days – $180
4 Days – $235
5 Days – $290
6 Days – $315
1 Week – $315 -
Included with rental: Paddle, lifejacket, drybag, SUP leash.
Stand-Up Paddleboard Pricing
1 Hour – $30
2 Hours – $35
Half Day – $45 (up to 5 hours)
Full Day – $55 (up to 10 hours)
2 Days – $95
3 Days – $135
4 Days – $175
5 Days – $215
6 Days – $225
1 Week – $225 -
Canoe Pricing
Our Old Town Discovery and Old Town Penobscot canoe rentals are only available for those able to transport the boat on their vehicle. We do not allow our canoes to be paddled at our main site at the East End Beach.
Included with rental: Paddles, lifejackets, one dry bag.
Full Day – $70
2 Days – $125
3 Days – $180
4 Days – $235
5 Days – $290
6 Days – $315
1 Week – $315