FunKidsActivities

Ocean Rentals Ltd.

577 Sandbridge Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, USA

Overview

Category:Kayaking for Kids
Location:Virginia Beach, VA

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Ocean Rentals Ltd. offers exceptional customer service with highly flexible and accommodating policies, including quick equipment exchanges and patience for late returns. They provide convenient multi-day rentals with delivery and pickup, along with detailed local knowledge and safety precautions for routes like Hells Point Creek and ocean tours. Their guided tours offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities for families.

Key Highlights

  • Quick equipment size exchanges (e.g., a wrong-sized bike was swapped out quickly).
  • Patience and kindness shown to customers who are late returning rental equipment.
  • Smooth and easy rental process for kayaks.
  • Provision of detailed maps of tributaries for kayak routes.
  • Provision of weather precautions and advice for kayakers.
  • Convenient equipment delivery (e.g., early Saturday) and pickup service (e.g., after lunch on Friday for multi-day rentals).
  • Knowledgeable staff (e.g., Rob) providing overviews of specific equipment types (e.g., fat bikes) and what terrain to expect (e.g., Back Bay, False Cape).
  • Guided ocean kayak tours with knowledgeable guides (e.g., Eric) who provide lots of information.
  • Opportunity to see significant wildlife on ocean tours, including dolphins, pelicans, and various fish.
  • Rental equipment (bikes, kayaks) reported to be in good, well-maintained shape.
  • Specific kayak route guidance: launch behind the shop, kayak ~2 miles south to North Bay entrance via Hells Point Creek.

Standout Features

  • Exceptional, flexible, and patient customer service, highly accommodating to customer needs.
  • Convenient equipment delivery and pickup service, making multi-day rentals hassle-free.
  • Knowledgeable staff who provide detailed advice on routes, terrain, and equipment usage.
  • Guided ocean kayak tours that offer unique wildlife spotting opportunities (dolphins, pelicans, fish).
  • Provision of detailed maps and essential weather precautions for self-guided kayak rentals.
  • Well-maintained and good quality rental equipment (bikes, kayaks) for a pleasant experience.

Perfect For

Elementary (6-10 years): Suitable for participating in guided ocean kayak tours for wildlife viewing, or tandem kayaking in calmer waters (like Hells Point Creek) with an adult.
Pre-teen/Teen (11-18 years): Ideal for independent kayaking, longer bike excursions to state parks (e.g., False Cape), and engaging fully in guided ocean tours.
Family (all ages): Explicitly enjoyed by families, indicating suitability for mixed-age groups using multi-seat kayaks or individual rentals depending on skill and preference.

Ideal For

Families looking for flexible, multi-day equipment rentals (bikes, kayaks) delivered directly to their vacation rental or desired location.
Parents seeking guided kayaking tours for unique wildlife viewing experiences in the ocean.
Families interested in exploring local waterways (e.g., Hells Point Creek, North Bay) with the benefit of provided maps and safety information.
Families planning adventurous bike excursions to specific state parks (e.g., False Cape State Park) or along the coast (e.g., Sandbridge to NC border).
Parents who highly value excellent customer service, knowledgeable staff, and helpful activity planning assistance.
Those needing a hassle-free rental experience with easy equipment swaps or flexible return policies.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • If renting a Kona mountain bike, be prepared for a potentially uncomfortable seat.
  • Take advantage of their convenient delivery and pickup service, especially for multi-day rentals, to simplify logistics.
  • Always ask staff for specific terrain and route advice, especially for longer bike excursions (e.g., Back Bay, False Cape) or kayak explorations (e.g., Hells Point Creek).
  • Check weather forecasts and discuss with staff to optimize kayak routes and plan appropriate turnaround points.
  • Consider booking a guided ocean kayak tour if wildlife viewing (dolphins, pelicans, fish) is a priority for your family.
  • Inquire about specific kayak routes: a known route is Hells Point Creek, launching behind the shop, going ~2 miles south to North Bay entrance.

Things to Consider

  • Specific to mountain bikes: the Kona mountain bike seat was reported as quite uncomfortable, so parents should be prepared for this if renting that particular model.

Price & Value

No specific pricing is mentioned, but the service includes highly convenient equipment delivery and pickup, which adds significant value. The consistent praise for excellent customer service and well-maintained equipment suggests a good value proposition for the convenience and quality provided.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • No specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned in the reviews.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • No food or drink policies are mentioned in the reviews.

🚗Parking Info

  • A kayak launch point is conveniently located directly behind the shop, suggesting on-site parking or easy access for kayak rentals.
  • The availability of a delivery service reduces the need for personal vehicle parking for many rentals.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Staff provides important 'weather precautions' to kayakers, enhancing safety planning.
  • Staff provides 'maps of the tributaries' for navigation, aiding safe route planning.
  • Guided ocean kayak tours imply professional supervision and safety guidance during the activity.

Pricing/Package/Events

Recent Reviews

Erica Howell

Erica Howell

a year ago

My friend and I rented mountain bikes from Ocean Rentals Ltd. so we could get to False Cape State Park. My friend hadn't biked in probably 10 years and ordered the wrong size bike, so we called them and they switched out quickly. We were late coming back, and they were so kind and patient with us. I cannot recommend them enough. My only complaint is not with Ocean Rentals, but the Kona mountain bike seat was quite uncomfortable, so be prepared for that if you plan to rent one.

Tai Wang

Tai Wang

4 years ago

Great kayak through Hells Point Creek, starting at launch point behind the shop, then kayak about 2 miles south to entrance of North Bay. The creek that splits off right before North Bay, so you may choose to go either way. We chose to go into the Bay, it was a good turn around point as it was forecast to rain soon. I would have loved to explore the area more, if only we had more time. The kayak rental shop was very nice and made the process go smoothly, provided us with maps of the tributaries and weather precautions.

James Barrett

James Barrett

4 years ago

Great customer service and amazing experience! I rented a fat bike to take from Sandbridge down to the NC border. Rob had it dropped off as described in the morning and gave me a nice overview of that type of bike and what type of terrain to expect in Back Bay and False Cape. I would definitely rent from them again and recommend you do to!

Alex Chambers

Alex Chambers

a year ago

Eric was an awesome guide on the ocean kayak tour! He gave us lots of great info and we got to see dolphins, pelicans, and lots of fish! Definitely recommend this experience!

Karen Werner

Karen Werner

9 months ago

I rented 2 bikes and a 2 seat Kayak group. Equipment was delivered early on Saturday and picked up after lunch on Friday....perfect. All the equipment was in good shape and my family really enjoyed it. I will use Ocean Rentals Ltd for my next vacation in Sandbridge.

Contact Information

577 Sandbridge Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.6
Total Reviews27
Recent Reviews5