Norfolk Kayak Rentals
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Norfolk Kayak Rentals offers a highly flexible and engaging kayaking experience on a beautiful river with many coves to explore. Parents will appreciate the exceptionally knowledgeable guides and owners, who are highly accommodating with scheduling, rebooking due to weather, and even opening up special time slots during the off-season. The tours, especially the Eco Tour, provide educational insights from guides with deep local knowledge (e.g., retired Navy Veteran), making it more than just a paddle.
Key Highlights
- ✓Exceptionally flexible scheduling and rebooking policy for bad weather, ensuring a smooth experience.
- ✓Highly knowledgeable and pleasant staff/owners (e.g., Laura, Larry the Navy Veteran guide) who offer local insights and helpful information.
- ✓Beautiful river environment with numerous coves, perfect for exploration and extended trips.
- ✓Rental prices are described as 'GREAT,' offering good value for money.
- ✓Eco Tour provides an educational component with guides knowledgeable about the area's ecology and history.
Standout Features
- ⭐Flexible rebooking for inclement weather, providing peace of mind for parents.
- ⭐Guides like Larry (a retired Navy Veteran) offer unique, in-depth knowledge of the area during tours.
- ⭐Owners are highly accommodating, even opening special time slots for private rentals during the off-season.
- ⭐Opportunity to explore many beautiful coves, adding adventure to the trip.
- ⭐Opportunity to rent for extended periods (e.g., 4 hours) for a more immersive experience.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Consider booking a 4-hour rental instead of 2 hours, as many parents regret not having more time on the water.
- →Ask the owners and guides questions; they have 'lots of information to share' about the area.
- →If interested in learning about the local environment, specifically inquire about the Sunday Eco Tour led by knowledgeable guides like Larry.
- →Don't hesitate to reach out to the owner for special scheduling requests, particularly during the off-season, as they have shown exceptional flexibility.
- →If visiting when it's 'cooler,' the experience is still enjoyable and might offer unique perspectives.
Things to Consider
- ⚠A 2-hour rental might feel too short; several customers wished they had opted for longer durations (e.g., 4 hours) due to the engaging nature of the activity.
Price & Value
Rental prices are explicitly stated as 'GREAT,' suggesting strong value for the experience provided. While no specific numbers are given, the positive feedback implies affordability. Customers suggest that longer rental durations (e.g., 4 hours) offer a better overall experiential value compared to shorter 2-hour rentals, making the investment of more time worthwhile.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •The activity is generally described as 'suited for anyone,' but no specific details regarding accessibility for individuals with physical disabilities or special needs are mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No information regarding food or drink policies is mentioned in the provided reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •No information regarding parking is mentioned in the provided reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •The owner's ability to open up time slots 'extra special since it was the off season' suggests that peak seasons might be busier, but there's no explicit mention of excessive crowds being a problem. The flexibility indicates good management.
🛡️Safety Features
- •The proactive policy of rebooking tours due to 'bad weather' demonstrates a clear commitment to safety.
- •The presence of thoughtful and knowledgeable guides (e.g., Larry, Laura) implies supervision and guidance, enhancing safety during tours.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Only renting for 2 hours if you anticipate wanting a longer, more relaxed, and immersive experience exploring the river.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Single Kayak Rental - One Hour
$22Duration: 1 Hour
Single Kayak Rental - Two Hour
$38Duration: 2 Hours
Single Kayak Rental - Half Day
$60Duration: 4 Hours
Tandem (2-person) Kayak Rental - One Hour
$44Duration: 1 Hour
Tandem (2-person) Kayak Rental - Two Hour
$76Duration: 2 Hours
Tandem (2-person) Kayak Rental - Half Day
$120Duration: 4 Hours
Punch Card Membership
$185Duration: Valid through end of 2025 season (anticipated mid-October)
Good for 10 one-hour single kayak rentals. Multiple credits can be redeemed for consecutive 1-hour rentals. Membership is non-transferable and can only be used by the individual it is registered to.
Includes:
- •10 one-hour single kayak rentals
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Sunset Tour
August 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20, 24, 27, 29, 30, 31; September 1, 2, 9, 11, 14, 17, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29 (Launch 75 minutes prior to sunset)
Not explicitly stated (Book A Tour)
Enjoy a relaxing evening on the Lafayette River while taking in a one-of-a-kind sunset. Paddle as a group out of Knitting Mill Creek, towards the Granby Street Bridge, then turn around. All experience levels welcome. Arrive at least 20 minutes early. Tours require a minimum of 4 people to run. Private Sunset Cruises available (call for details).
Nature & Eco Tour
August 10 - 9am, August 31 - 9am; September 14 - 9am, September 16 - 5:45pm, September 23 - 5:45pm
Not explicitly stated (Book A Tour)
Explore the Lafayette River, discuss ecosystems, marine wildlife, issues facing the river, and restoration efforts. Tour runs for 90 minutes, covering approximately 2.5-3 miles at a leisurely pace. All experience levels welcome, but be prepared to paddle. Proceeds benefit the Elizabeth River Project for the rest of the 2023 season. Tours require a minimum of 4 people to run. Private Nature & Eco Tours available (call for details).
🍎Food Policy
- • Food and drinks are allowed on kayaks, but absolutely no alcohol.
- • All trash must be taken with you at the end of the rental to leave no trace.
- • A $10 cleaning fee will be charged if any trash is left in your kayak.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • United States Coast Guard approved life jackets are provided with all rentals.
- • We closely monitor the weather and will not send out renters if there's a chance of inclement weather.
- • All rentals will be canceled if there are sustained winds of 15 MPH or higher.
- • Swimming in the Lafayette River is not recommended, though it is not dangerous if you capsize.
📅Booking Policy
- • All kayaks must be reserved in advance, up to two hours before the rental start time.
- • For shorter notice rentals, call (757) 744-3408 to check availability.
🚗Parking Information
- • No dedicated parking available.
- • Plenty of street parking on Colley Avenue, 44th Street, and 45th Street.
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Zaida Hoyt
9 months agoIt was a beautiful evening, a lovely area and a great experience. Suited for anyone. Our guide was very thoughtful. The tour was rebooked because of bad weather and we were offered several different dates. As you can see from the pictures it turned out for the best.
Lisa Benson
7 months agoThe river was beautiful with many coves to explore! The owner was knowledgeable and flexible with our schedule! If you love to kayak do yourself a favor and add this and the eco tour to your list while visiting Norfolk😊
Kristina Royster
8 months agoHad the best time! Rental prices were GREAT. Laura was amazing! Already planning to go back as it gets cooler.
Jennifer Updegraff
a year agoI rented for two hours. Definitely should have done 4 as once you’re out there you don’t really want to come back! The owners were extremely helpful and pleasant. Take time to ask them questions! They have lots of information to share!
S.L. SELL
7 months agoStarted out with the Sunday Eco Tour- Larry was a phenomenal guide. He has a wealth of knowledge about the area from being a retired Navy Veteran. Highly recommend!! The next day, the owner opened up a time slot so we could kayak on our own, which was extra special since it was the off season. We kayaked 4 hours and travelled 6.78 miles. Thank you Norfolk Kayak Rentals for the memories.