Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need experience to take a kayak tour?

A: No, all our tours start with about 20 minutes of kayaking instruction. We’ll teach you about the boat, how to paddle, how to get back into your kayak in case you happen to tip over (which doesn’t happen often). Instructor/guides will stay with you during the trip and offer further tips and information. The majority of our customers have never kayaked before and do just fine!

Q: Do I need experience to rent a kayak?

A: Touring kayaks do require a certain level of knowledge and skill to operate alone, so we only rent touring kayaks to people who know how to paddle and do a rescue. However, there are other types of kayaks which are easier and safer to paddle and you can rent a recreational or sit-on-top kayak even if you have little experience.

Q: I have my own kayak. Can I use it on one of your tours?

A: Bearskin Neck is a very crowded place in the summer, and it’s difficult to drive in and unload a kayak. We prefer that customers use a kayak from our fleet. If you are an experienced kayaker and prefer a higher performance boat, just ask!

Q: Where’s the best place to park when I come take a tour?

A: Rockport doesn’t have a great deal of in-town parking, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead and park in the park and ride at the edge of town and take the shuttle in. See Parking in Rockport for further information.

Q: Will I get wet?

A: Kayaking is a water-sport and in all likelihood, your feet, bottom, hands and arms will get wet. Plan to wear clothing and shoes that can get wet without damage and that will dry quickly, or bring a change of clothing for after the tour. We recommend water shoes or sandals that fasten (not flip flops) as well as a hat, sunglasses (with strap) and a bathing suit or nylon shorts or pants. Cotton isn’t a good idea and sweatshirts can get very heavy and cold when wet, so we don’t recommend them.

Q: Can children go out in kayaks?

A: A small child can share a boat with an adult. Older children can use child-sized or smaller touring kayaks or share a tandem kayak with an adult. We have life jackets for children as small as 20 pounds.

Q: I’m considering buying a kayak. What kind should I get?

A: There are 3 basic types of kayaks: touring kayaks, recreational kayaks and sit-on-tops. The kind you get depends on how you plan to use it.

A touring kayak is very sea-worthy, and is relatively long and narrow – the longer and narrower it is, the better the performance - and tippier it is. Our touring kayaks are a good balance between performance and stability, and most people get the hang of paddling them very quickly. Touring kayaks have a closed cockpit and sealed hatches for storing gear, so are good for longer trips and overnight trips. Because the hatches trap air, a touring kayak is buoyant and will remain afloat even if the cockpit fills with water. We typically use touring kayaks for our tours.
Recreational kayaks are generally shorter and wider than a touring kayak and have a wide open cockpit. This makes them a little less sea-worthy (i.e. they could fill up with water and sink), so they are best used on calmer days. The larger cockpit makes them easier to get in and out of and there is room in the cockpit for a small child or a dog.
Sit-on-top kayaks are essentially a rigid raft. They are very wide and stable and are consequently very safe, but not as easy to maneuver as a touring or recreational kayak. They are great to use for fishing or even as a diving platform. They are lots of fun for tooling around, but not the best choice if you’re planning a really long paddle.