111 beaches

Best Kayaking & Paddling Beaches

Maryland beach-launch kayaking is best on protected water — creeks, coves, and marsh areas where wind chop doesn't ruin the paddle. Assateague has the best kayak rental and launch setup, and the bayside paddling is genuinely world-class with pony sightings. On the Chesapeake, Hammerman Beach offers paddle boat rentals, and most Western Shore parks allow bring-your-own launches from their beaches. Skip the open-Bay paddling on windy days — the Chesapeake can produce 3-foot chop fast.

What to look for

Kayak rentals, launch-permitted beaches, calm water (not open Bay unless it's glass-flat), and trails or routes to follow.

Ranked by Today's Conditions

Emerald Isle Beach

Carteret County, NC
85

Ideal for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 83°F air 9 mph wind

Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park

Lane County, OR
85

Ideal for kayaking & paddling

76°F air 5 to 9 mph wind

Locust Lake State Park

Schuylkill County, PA
85

Ideal for kayaking & paddling

79°F air 6 mph wind

North Topsail Beach

Onslow County, NC
85

Ideal for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 84°F air 8 mph wind

Tuscarora State Park

Schuylkill County, PA
85

Ideal for kayaking & paddling

82°F air 6 mph wind

False Cape State Park

Virginia Beach County, VA
84

Great for kayaking & paddling

80°F water 84°F air 12 to 15 mph wind

Friendship Farm Park

Charles County, MD
84

Great for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 88°F air 14 mph wind

Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Cumberland County, PA
84

Great for kayaking & paddling

85°F air 7 mph wind

Whipple Dam State Park

Huntingdon County, PA
84

Great for kayaking & paddling

85°F air 7 mph wind

Dundee Creek Marina (Gunpowder Falls SP)

Baltimore County, MD
83

Great for kayaking & paddling

81°F water 86°F air 15 mph wind

Herrington Manor State Park

Garrett County, MD
83

Great for kayaking & paddling

79°F air 9 mph wind

Killens Pond State Park

Kent County, DE
83

Great for kayaking & paddling

86°F air 10 mph wind

Mariner Point Park

Harford County, MD
83

Great for kayaking & paddling

81°F water 85°F air 15 mph wind

Raystown Lake — Seven Points Beach

Huntingdon County, PA
83

Great for kayaking & paddling

87°F air 7 mph wind

Trap Pond State Park

Sussex County, DE
83

Great for kayaking & paddling

85°F air 10 mph wind

West Dennis Beach

Barnstable County, MA
83

Great for kayaking & paddling

73°F water 74°F air 13 mph wind

Augustine Beach

New Castle County, DE
82

Great for kayaking & paddling

86°F air 10 mph wind

Gifford Pinchot State Park

York County, PA
82

Great for kayaking & paddling

87°F air 10 mph wind

Orient Beach State Park

Suffolk County, NY
82

Great for kayaking & paddling

73°F water 76°F air 14 mph wind

Prince Gallitzin State Park

Cambria County, PA
82

Great for kayaking & paddling

83°F air 10 mph wind

Shawnee State Park

Bedford County, PA
82

Great for kayaking & paddling

85°F air 10 mph wind

Bowers Beach

Kent County, DE
81

Great for kayaking & paddling

80°F water 85°F air 15 mph wind

Miami Beach Park

Baltimore County, MD
81

Great for kayaking & paddling

81°F water 88°F air 15 mph wind

Woodland Beach Wildlife Area

Kent County, DE
81

Great for kayaking & paddling

80°F water 85°F air 15 mph wind

Broadkill Beach

Sussex County, DE
80

Great for kayaking & paddling

78°F water 85°F air 15 mph wind

Cowans Gap State Park

Fulton County, PA
79

Great for kayaking & paddling

83°F air 6 mph wind

New Germany State Park

Garrett County, MD
79

Great for kayaking & paddling

79°F air 12 mph wind

Pawleys Island

Georgetown County, SC
78

Great for kayaking & paddling

84°F air 10 mph wind

12th Street Beach (Chicago)

Cook County, IL
77

Great for kayaking & paddling

Broadford Lake Park

Garrett County, MD
77

Great for kayaking & paddling

79°F air 12 mph wind

Ohio Street Beach (Chicago)

Cook County, IL
77

Great for kayaking & paddling

78°F air 10 mph wind

Mustang Island State Park

Nueces County, TX
76

Great for kayaking & paddling

88°F air 13 mph wind

Birch Bay State Park

Whatcom County, WA
75

Great for kayaking & paddling

67°F air 6 mph wind

Hammerman Beach (Gunpowder Falls)

Baltimore County, MD
75

Great for kayaking & paddling

81°F water 85°F air 21 mph wind

Laurel Hill State Park

Somerset County, PA
75

Great for kayaking & paddling

81°F air 9 mph wind

Crane Beach

Essex County, MA
74

Great for kayaking & paddling

75°F air 8 to 12 mph wind

Peninsula State Park (Nicolet Bay Beach)

Door County, WI
74

Great for kayaking & paddling

71°F water 78°F air 18 mph wind

Twin Harbors State Park

Grays Harbor County, WA
74

Great for kayaking & paddling

69°F air 8 to 13 mph wind

Yellow Creek State Park

Indiana County, PA
74

Great for kayaking & paddling

85°F air 12 mph wind

Belle Isle State Park

Lancaster County, VA
73

Great for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 89°F air 10 mph wind

Snow Hill Farm Park

St. Mary's County, MD
73

Great for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 85°F air 14 mph wind

Cacapon Resort State Park

Morgan County, WV
72

Great for kayaking & paddling

85°F air 8 mph wind

Deep Creek Lake State Park

Garrett County, MD
72

Great for kayaking & paddling

79°F air 12 mph wind

Elms Beach Park

St. Mary's County, MD
72

Great for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 86°F air 13 mph wind

Great Marsh Park (Gerry Boyle Park)

Dorchester County, MD
72

Great for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 85°F air 14 mph wind

Greenbrier State Park

Washington County, MD
72

Great for kayaking & paddling

86°F air 12 mph wind

Greenwell State Park

St. Mary's County, MD
72

Great for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 85°F air 14 mph wind

Tyaskin Wharf

Wicomico County, MD
72

Great for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 83°F air 15 mph wind

Chapel Point State Park

Charles County, MD
70

Great for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 86°F air 14 mph wind

Janes Island State Park

Somerset County, MD
70

Great for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 83°F air 15 mph wind

Jennings Randolph Lake — Shaw Beach

Mineral County, WV
70

Great for kayaking & paddling

85°F air 13 mph wind

Myrtle Point Park

St. Mary's County, MD
70

Great for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 85°F air 14 mph wind

Kings Landing Park

Calvert County, MD
69

Good for kayaking & paddling

81°F water 87°F air 14 mph wind

Wilderness State Park

Emmet County, MI
69

Good for kayaking & paddling

74°F air 20 mph wind

First Landing State Park

Virginia Beach County, VA
68

Good for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 84°F air 10 to 14 mph wind

Roaring Point Waterfront Park

Wicomico County, MD
68

Good for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 80°F air 18 mph wind

Crystal Cove State Park

Orange County, CA
67

Good for kayaking & paddling

72°F water 91°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Deal Island Wildlife Management Area

Somerset County, MD
66

Good for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 82°F air 18 mph wind

Deception Pass State Park

Island County, WA
66

Good for kayaking & paddling

66°F air 5 mph wind

Larrabee State Park

Whatcom County, WA
66

Good for kayaking & paddling

66°F air 2 mph wind

Nehalem Bay State Park

Tillamook County, OR
66

Good for kayaking & paddling

66°F air 9 to 16 mph wind

Morro Bay (Morro Strand State Beach)

San Luis Obispo County, CA
62

Good for kayaking & paddling

65°F water 92°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Hammonasset Beach State Park

Middlesex County, CT
57

Good for kayaking & paddling

74°F water 80°F air 13 mph wind

Owen Beach (Point Defiance)

Pierce County, WA
56

Good for kayaking & paddling

58°F water 70°F air 6 mph wind

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Virginia Beach County, VA
55

Good for kayaking & paddling

80°F water 82°F air 14 mph wind

Martinak State Park

Caroline County, MD
54

Fair for kayaking & paddling

81°F water 86°F air 10 mph wind

Assawoman State Wildlife Area

Worcester County, MD
53

Fair for kayaking & paddling

79°F water 81°F air 16 mph wind

Flying Point Park

Harford County, MD
52

Fair for kayaking & paddling

81°F water 84°F air 16 mph wind

Ludington State Park

Mason County, MI
52

Fair for kayaking & paddling

71°F water 77°F air 13 mph wind

Pickering Beach

Kent County, DE
51

Fair for kayaking & paddling

80°F water 85°F air 15 mph wind

Kailua Beach Park

Honolulu County, HI
50

Fair for kayaking & paddling

80°F water 83°F air 2 to 9 mph wind

Lanikai Beach

Honolulu County, HI
50

Fair for kayaking & paddling

80°F water 83°F air 2 to 9 mph wind

Quiet Waters Park

Anne Arundel County, MD
50

Fair for kayaking & paddling

81°F water 88°F air 14 mph wind

Rolph's Wharf

Queen Anne's County, MD
50

Fair for kayaking & paddling

81°F water 86°F air 15 mph wind

Reid State Park

Sagadahoc County, ME
49

Fair for kayaking & paddling

63°F water 64°F air 10 mph wind

Cave Point County Park

Door County, WI
47

Fair for kayaking & paddling

71°F water 77°F air 16 mph wind

Parker Dam State Park

Clearfield County, PA
45

Fair for kayaking & paddling

82°F air 12 mph wind

Fire Island National Seashore — Watch Hill

Suffolk County, NY
44

Fair for kayaking & paddling

72°F water 77°F air 17 to 21 mph wind

Solomons Island Riverwalk & Boat Ramp

Calvert County, MD
44

Fair for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 85°F air 13 mph wind

La Jolla Shores

San Diego County, CA
43

Fair for kayaking & paddling

71°F water 83°F air 0 to 10 mph wind

Anini Beach Park

Kauai County, HI
42

Fair for kayaking & paddling

78°F water 86°F air 1 to 7 mph wind

Island Beach State Park

Ocean County, NJ
41

Fair for kayaking & paddling

75°F water 79°F air 20 mph wind

Chic's Beach

Virginia Beach County, VA
38

Fair for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 83°F air 14 mph wind

Anderson Park

Newport News County, VA
37

Fair for kayaking & paddling

82°F water 88°F air 12 mph wind

St. Clement's Island State Park

St. Mary's County, MD
37

Fair for kayaking & paddling

82°F water

Hanalei Bay

Kauai County, HI
36

Fair for kayaking & paddling

78°F water 88°F air 1 to 6 mph wind

Matagorda Beach

Matagorda County, TX
36

Fair for kayaking & paddling

89°F air 10 mph wind

Bahia Honda State Park

Monroe County, FL

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

90°F air 10 mph wind

Sea Rim State Park

Jefferson County, TX

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

86°F air 10 mph wind

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

Miami-Dade County, FL

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

88°F water 88°F air 12 mph wind

Crandon Park Beach

Miami-Dade County, FL

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

88°F water 89°F air 12 mph wind

Cumberland Island National Seashore

Camden County, GA

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

87°F air 16 mph wind

Cape San Blas (Salinas Park)

Gulf County, FL

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

86°F water 87°F air 15 mph wind

Anne's Beach

Monroe County, FL

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

90°F water 89°F air 10 mph wind

Wells Beach

York County, ME

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

63°F water 70°F air 5 mph wind

Caladesi Island State Park

Pinellas County, FL

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

87°F water 89°F air 6 mph wind

T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

Gulf County, FL

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

86°F water 88°F air 15 mph wind

Maumee Bay State Park

Lucas County, OH

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

86°F air 14 mph wind

Presque Isle State Park

Erie County, PA

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

81°F air 14 mph wind

Edisto Beach State Park

Colleton County, SC

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

83°F water 85°F air 17 mph wind

Sombrero Beach

Monroe County, FL

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

90°F water 91°F air 10 mph wind

Anaehoomalu Bay (A-Bay)

Hawaii County, HI

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

81°F water 88°F air 3 to 8 mph wind

Bonita Beach (incl. Bonita Beach Dog Beach)

Lee County, FL

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

89°F water 90°F air 8 mph wind

Sandy Island Beach State Park (Sandy Pond)

Oswego County, NY

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

72°F air 14 mph wind

Grayton Beach State Park

Walton County, FL

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

88°F water 91°F air 5 mph wind

Lovers Key State Park

Lee County, FL

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

89°F water 90°F air 8 mph wind

Smathers Beach

Monroe County, FL

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

90°F water 92°F air 5 to 10 mph wind

Monterey State Beach

Monterey County, CA

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

59°F water 79°F air 5 to 8 mph wind

Port Crescent State Park

Huron County, MI

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

74°F air 20 mph wind

Hilton Head Island

Beaufort County, SC

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

83°F water 86°F air 15 mph wind

Marco Island Beach

Collier County, FL

Tough for kayaking & paddling today

89°F water 92°F air 8 mph wind
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