There is no cheaper way to get on the East River, and none with a better view: you paddle in a sheltered pocket of water with the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan skyline and the harbor laid out around you. Volunteers hand you a boat, a paddle and a vest, walk you through the basics and push you off. September Saturdays are the last of the season, and the water is at its warmest.
What to expect
A short waiver and safety briefing on the dock, then roughly twenty minutes on the water inside a roped, protected embayment with volunteers nearby the whole time. No experience is needed and the boats are stable sit-on-tops. Expect to get some water on you. The rest of Brooklyn Bridge Park - Pier 2's courts, the roller rink, Pier 1's lawns - is right there afterwards.
Good to know
- Completely free, run by volunteers, with all boats, paddles and life vests supplied.
- Timed slots open for booking exactly two weeks ahead on the Boathouse site and go quickly.
- Walk-ups are sometimes accommodated when there are cancellations, but nothing is guaranteed on a busy day.
- Paddlers under eighteen need an adult guardian present, and waivers are required for everyone.
- The dock is at the north entrance of Pier 2 - look for the floating dock next to the roller rink.
- Public transit is strongly recommended; NYC Ferry stops at Dumbo/Fulton Ferry and at Pier 6.
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Common questions
Do I need to book?
Advance registration is strongly recommended. Twenty-minute slots open exactly two weeks before each date on the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse website; drop-ins depend on cancellations.
Can I do this if I have never kayaked?
Yes. All levels including first-time kayakers are welcome, and instruction plus all equipment is provided.
How long is the season?
The Boathouse runs its public program from late spring into September, and in September it operates on Saturdays only.
