Kayaking and paddleboarding are great ways to explore the Boston area.

Before we dive in, let’s get a lay of the land (er, water). Check out these unique facts about our rriver:

The Charles River flows 80 miles from Hopkinton to Boston Harbor. It’s navigable for 10 miles, from Watertown to the harbor.
The Watertown Dam to Boston Harbor — the “Lower Charles” — is one of the busiest recreational river segments in the world, with jogging paths, sports fields + concert performance facilities.
Boston’s longest river is quite slow moving, averaging speeds of ~368 cubic ft per second. To compare, the Connecticut river flows at 16,180 cubic ft per second.

POV: You're kayaking toward our city's skyline. | Photo by @trishofthetrade

Here are a couple of local options for getting your feet wet:

🌊 Community Boating, 21 David G. Mugar Way | Weekdays beginning at 3 p.m. + weekends 9 a.m. to 30 minutes before sunset

Kayaks and paddleboards are available for rent at the Esplanade for two hours at $34 per person. Enjoy the sites of Boston’s skyscrapers, the CITGO sign, and the occasional passing of the Red Line over the Longfellow Bridge.

Pro tip: Bring your own lock to avoid the additional $5 fee for use of a day locker.

🌊 Paddle Boston, 15 Broad Canal Way, Cambridge | Hours vary by location

With rental units in Cambridge, Allston, Somerville, Newton, Medford + Waltham, you can paddle through nine out of the 10-mile navigable stretch. Single kayaks and paddleboards are available for rent starting at $30 for one and a half hours.

You’ll catch views of the Museum of Science, Zakim Bridge, and the campuses of MIT and Boston University.