Milwaukee Kayak Tours
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Milwaukee Kayak Tours offers an exceptional kayaking experience primarily driven by its highly knowledgeable, patient, and personable tour guides. They make kayaking easy and confidence-building for participants of all levels, even operating during light rain. Unique offerings include night-time tours and themed experiences like the 'Cheese Curd Kayaking Tour' which incorporates stops for local 'tasty treats', providing a fun and informative way to see Milwaukee from the water.
Key Highlights
- ✓Tour guides are consistently described as extremely knowledgeable, pleasant, patient, informative, fun, and personable (e.g., Rye, Chris Zito).
- ✓Guides do not rush the experience, even if it rains a bit, ensuring a relaxed pace.
- ✓Tours operate even in light rain, indicating resilience to weather.
- ✓The check-in process and getting into/out of kayaks is 'easy to use and get started' with helpful staff assistance.
- ✓Offers unique experiences like 'night time kayaking'.
- ✓Guides provide local historical and architectural information (e.g., 'buildings of downtown Milwaukee').
- ✓Guides offer to stop and take pictures for guests, adding a personal touch.
- ✓Specific themed tours available, such as a 'Cheese Curd Kayaking Tour' which includes stops for 'tasty treats'.
- ✓The experience is designed to make kayaking easy and builds confidence, particularly for beginners.
Standout Features
- ⭐Highly knowledgeable, patient, and friendly tour guides who enhance the experience with commentary and personal touches.
- ⭐Unique perspective to see downtown Milwaukee from the water.
- ⭐Dedicated staff assisting with the practicalities of getting into and out of kayaks.
- ⭐Availability of unique night-time kayaking tours.
- ⭐Guides provide local historical and architectural commentary, making it an educational experience.
- ⭐Guides offering to take photos for participants at scenic spots.
- ⭐Specialized tours that combine the activity with local food experiences (e.g., 'Cheese Curd Kayaking Tour').
- ⭐An environment that builds confidence for first-time or hesitant kayakers through patient instruction.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Don't let light rain deter you; tours will still run and guides will ensure a pleasant experience.
- →Feel free to ask your tour guide to take pictures for your group, as many are known to offer this service.
- →Consider the night-time tour for a unique and memorable experience.
- →If interested in local food experiences, inquire about specific themed tours like the 'Cheese Curd Kayaking Tour'.
- →This is a highly recommended option for first-time kayakers or those lacking confidence, due to the patient and supportive instruction provided.
Price & Value
Pricing information is not mentioned in these reviews, so it's not possible to assess value or hidden costs.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accommodations for special needs or accessibility features were mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •One review mentions a 'Cheese Curd Kayaking Tour' which includes stops for 'tasty treats,' indicating that some tours integrate food experiences. No general policy on bringing outside food was mentioned.
🚗Parking Info
- •Parking information is not mentioned in these reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Crowd levels are not mentioned in these reviews.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Tour guides are noted for explaining 'safety wise' aspects well, providing a sense of security.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
City Skyline Tours
$65Duration: 2 hours
Experience the scenic Milwaukee River and city skyline by kayak. Paddle along as our guide shares stories and points out historic landmarks.
Includes:
- •Guided tour
- •Guide sharing stories and pointing out historic landmarks
Cheese Curd Tour
$145Duration: 4 hours
Enjoy a savory spin through Downtown Milwaukee on this small-group kayaking and walking tour. Sample a wide variety of cheesy delights, from Milwaukee’s most renown restaurants! The menu may include freshly made cheese curds, artisan goat cheese, and local wine or beer. Pass by local attractions and hear about the area’s history, perhaps about the Bronze Fonz or Milwaukee’s compelling founding.
Includes:
- •Small-group kayaking and walking tour
- •Guide
- •Sampling cheesy delights (freshly made cheese curds, artisan goat cheese)
- •Glass of local wine or beer
- •Stops at popular restaurants
- •Information on area's history and landmarks
Full Moon Paddle
$65Duration: 2.5 hours
See the full moon over the Milwaukee skyline from the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan! Enjoy views of the city lit up against the night sky as you paddle through calm waters.
Includes:
- •Guided paddle
- •Stellar guides
Best of Milwaukee – Half Day Tour
$125Duration: 4 hours
This guided tour gives paddlers the opportunity to visit some of the city’s most loved and famous establishments. It starts with a dry land paddle lesson, then launch via 'Yak Port'. Stops include Lakefront Brewery (with brewery tour and craft beer sampling, food available for purchase), opportunity to see the Bronze Fonz, and visits to Usingers Sausage and Maders German Restaurant.
Includes:
- •Guided tour
- •Dry land paddle lesson
- •Kayak launch via 'Yak Port'
- •Brewery tour at Lakefront Brewery
- •Craft beer sampling
- •Visits to Milwaukee hot spots
- •Opportunity to walk across the bridge and take a photo with the Bronze Fonz
- •Visit Pere Marquette Park, Usingers Sausage, and Maders German Restaurant
Milwaukee Kayak Rentals
$44Duration: 4-8 hours
Experience a relaxing paddle exploring the scenic Milwaukee River. Glide through the heart of downtown Milwaukee, take in stunning views of the city skyline. Rentals are beginner-friendly and ideal for families, friends, or solo paddlers. Choose from single or tandem kayaks. Plenty of time to stop at popular Milwaukee breweries, restaurants, and riverfront attractions along the way.
Includes:
- •Single or tandem kayak
- •Paddle
- •PFD (Personal Flotation Device)
- •Basic instruction
Season Pass
$225Duration: Seasonal (May 15th – September 30th, 2025)
Become a member and kayak or paddleboard every day all summer long. Unlimited kayak or SUP rentals 7 days a week.
Includes:
- •Unlimited kayak or SUP rentals 7 days a week (1 rental per transaction, for 1 person)
- •Unlimited 25% off buddy passes for rentals 7 days a week
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Full Moon Paddle
Full moon nights (specific dates not provided)
From $65
Experience the full moon over the Milwaukee skyline from Lake Michigan.
🍎Food Policy
- • Cheese Curd Tour includes sampling of cheesy delights, local wine/beer.
- • Best of Milwaukee – Half Day Tour: Food is available for purchase at Lakefront Brewery; guests have opportunity to purchase souvenirs at other stops.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Weight limit for kayaks/paddlers: 250lbs.
- • Paddling conducted on flat water.
- • Skilled instructors provide personal attention.
- • Kayak rentals include PFD (Personal Flotation Device) and basic instruction.
- • Best of Milwaukee – Half Day Tour includes a dry land paddle lesson.
- • 'Yak Port' available for easy getting in and out of boats.
📅Booking Policy
- • City Skyline Kayak Tour: Reservations Required.
- • Milwaukee Kayak Rentals: Reservations Recommended.
- • Season Pass has no blackout dates.
What People Say
What's Great
- Safe environment for children (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Judy Magee
7 months agoThis was an amazing experience. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable, pleasant and didn't rush through even as it rained a bit. I would recommend the kayaking tours to anyone that loves the joy of water. Thank you again!!
Eric Shultz
11 months agoCool experience!! Easy to use and get started. The girl who we checked in with was helpful getting us out and back in. Highly recommended! Really cool way to see Milwaukee!!
Sarah Wilka
a year agoThis was our first night time kaykak experience. What a great experience we had with our tour guide Rye! He was very kind and explained things well safety wise and buildings of downtown Milwaukee! It was a great gesture of stopping and taking pictures for us! Definitely will be back when we're in the area! Thanks again Rye for the great experience!!
Lisa Leone
a year agoSo very patient, informative, friendly. Highly recommend. They make kayaking easy and give you so much confidence. Great experience.
Angela Rosenkranz
11 months agoWhat makes a great tour is having a great tour guide..and we had the best! Chris Zito was so fun, knowledgeable and personable..and took us to the best spots for some tasty treats! We had a fabulous time on our Cheese Curd Kayaking Tour!