Best Kayaks for Beginners

Hobbies are a romance of sorts. They always start with a flush of excitement. The true test is after a few months when certain realities set in, then you find out if you are in it for the long haul. The benefit of the hobby is your heart remains intact. Depending on your interests; however, your bank account may not. So, when embarking on something like kayaking, a sport that involves a significant amount of equipment, you will want to take it slow at first. There is no reason you should invest more than $400 into getting to know the sport better. If you are concerned primarily with easy lake and river kayaking, you will want to invest in an inexpensive, highly rated sea kayak. The most important qualities to look for in a beginner kayak are stability and ease of navigation. In addition to the kayak, you will need to invest in one paddle and a life vest.

The top three kayaks for beginners are:

Sun Dolphin Aruba 10-foot Kayak

are beginner, no-frills options and run $200–250 on Amazon.

Old Town Canoes and Kayaks Recreational Kayak

can be gotten used for around $300 on Amazon and is a good option if you are pretty sure you want to embrace this sport for a while.

Don’t forget a decent paddle and a good, streamlined life vest. Together these items won’t cost more than $60.

Kayaking is a surprisingly affordable sport to start, so set sail!