Tula Paddle Sports Stand up Paddleboard & Kayaking
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
This venue provides an exceptional and highly flexible paddleboarding and kayaking experience, especially tailored for beginners and families. Their proactive customer service excels in problem-solving (like rebooking due to parking issues) and ensuring comfort and safety on the water, making it a stress-free choice for those new to water sports or seeking a smooth family outing.
Key Highlights
- ✓Exceptional customer service, including rebooking to alternative locations (e.g., Narrows to Little Creek) due to unforeseen issues like holiday parking congestion.
- ✓Guides (Kristin mentioned) are highly praised for making first-timers comfortable and confident enough to go out on the water solo.
- ✓Flexible and easy booking options, including online booking the night before and same-day phone reservations (Lindsay mentioned).
- ✓Proactive communication with customers, such as texting in the morning to check wind conditions (Isa mentioned).
- ✓Accommodates last-minute changes to reservations, such as a family member unexpectedly being unable to participate.
- ✓Presence of police boats on the water enhances safety, making guests feel 'extremely safe' and well-monitored.
- ✓Suitable for families with kids who enjoyed 'floating around on kayaks and paddle boards' and 'splashing around near the beach'.
Standout Features
- ⭐Highly accommodating and flexible customer service for booking changes and unforeseen issues.
- ⭐Expert guides who build confidence in beginners.
- ⭐Convenient booking options: online, phone, and same-day availability.
- ⭐Proactive weather communication (texts about wind conditions).
- ⭐Safety measures include police boat presence on the water.
- ⭐Offers both stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking options.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Booking:** Book online the night before for ease, or call for same-day availability if plans are spontaneous.
- →**Parking:** If visiting the Narrows location on a holiday, be prepared for potential parking difficulties and a long walk; consider calling to see if an alternative location (like Little Creek) can be booked instead if issues arise.
- →**Weather:** Tula Paddle Sports proactively texts about wind conditions; be prepared to adjust plans if conditions are not ideal.
- →**First-Timers:** Don't hesitate if you're new to paddling; the guides are excellent at providing comfort and instruction to get you confident on the water.
Things to Consider
- ⚠The Narrows location can experience significant parking challenges on holidays, with the park filling up and police turning people away, potentially requiring a walk of 'nearly 2 miles' to the entrance.
Price & Value
No specific pricing is mentioned in the reviews. However, the consistent 5-star ratings and positive comments regarding the experience, accommodating service, and activity durations ('rented for the day', 'paddle for two hours') suggest customers perceive good value for their money.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No information mentioned in the reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •**Narrows Location:** Prone to significant parking issues on holidays, with the park filling up and police turning people away. This may necessitate parking 'nearly 2 miles' away and walking in.
- •No specific parking details mentioned for the Little Creek or Rainier Gut locations.
👥Crowd Levels
- •**Narrows Location:** Can be very crowded on holidays, with the park entrance experiencing police turn-arounds due to capacity.
- •On the water, there are 'boats out,' but the presence of police boats for safety suggests a managed environment rather than overwhelming crowds.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Police boats are present and riding on the water specifically 'for your safety'.
- •Guides actively ensure first-time participants are 'comfortable enough to go out on the water solo' before allowing them to do so.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Visiting the Narrows location on major holidays if you wish to avoid significant parking challenges and a potentially long walk to the entrance.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Paddleboard & Kayak Rentals
$30.00Duration: 1 Hour
Rental of a paddleboard or single kayak.
Paddleboard & Kayak Rentals
$45.00Duration: 2 Hours
Rental of a paddleboard or single kayak.
Paddleboard & Kayak Rentals
$70.00Duration: Full Day (9am to 6pm on-site, 24 hours off-site/delivery)
Rental of a paddleboard or single kayak. Delivery available.
Double Kayak Rental
$60.00Duration: 1 Hour
Rental of a double kayak.
Double Kayak Rental
$90.00Duration: 2 Hours
Rental of a double kayak.
Double Kayak Rental
$120.00Duration: Full Day (24 hour, delivery available)
Rental of a double kayak.
Paddleboard & Kayak Lessons
$50 per personDuration: 1 Hour
Fastest way to be up and paddling with ease. Available Memorial Day – Labor Day.
Includes:
- •all gear
- •instruction
East Beach/Narrows Beach Guided Kayak/Paddleboard Tour
$60Duration: 2 Hours
Paddle along protected waters, keep an eye out for dolphins. Great for all skill levels.
Includes:
- •brief lesson on paddle technique
- •knowledgeable guide
- •gear (kayak or SUP, paddle, life jacket)
Electric Bike Rental
$75.00Duration: Full Day
Rental of an electric bike.
Electric Bike Rental
$95.00Duration: 24 Hours
Rental of an electric bike.
Electric Bike Rental
$350.00Duration: Up to 7 Days
Rental of an electric bike.
Private Dolphin Cruise
Duration: One to three hour charters
Hop aboard our 17′ Rigid-Hull Inflatable (RIB) boat with an experienced captain. Explore the waterways of the Chesapeake Bay while keeping an eye out for dolphin. Relaxing cruise.
Includes:
- •experienced captain
- •pontoon ride
- •lesson
- •rental gear
SUP Yoga Class - Drop-In
$35Light paddle and paddle board yoga class.
SUP Yoga Class - 4-Class Pack
$120Package for 4 SUP yoga classes.
Pride Paddle (Own Equipment)
$5Launch fee for bringing your own kayak/paddleboard to the Pride Paddle event.
Pride Paddle (Tula Rental - Single)
$30Rental of a paddleboard or single kayak for the Pride Paddle event.
Includes:
- •kayak/paddleboard
- •paddles
- •life jackets
Pride Paddle (Tula Rental - Double Kayak)
$60Rental of a double kayak for the Pride Paddle event.
Includes:
- •kayak
- •paddles
- •life jackets
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Paddle Then Pints Night!
July 27, 5:30-7pm
An opportunity with COVA Brewing Co. to paddle (choose paddle board or kayak) and then head over to COVA for a free pint.
Pride Paddle
Saturday, June 24th from 10am to 12pm
Bring your own kayak/paddle board: $5 per boat launch. Rent a kayak or paddle board from Tula Paddle Sports: $30 per paddle board or single kayak, $60 for a double kayak.
Celebrating Pride Month with a paddle on the waters of Little Creek with fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Leisurely out and back tour with experienced guides. All skill levels welcome. Includes necessary equipment for rentals (kayaks, paddles, life jackets).
🍎Food Policy
- • Private Dolphin Cruise: Bring your own snacks and drinks.
- • Coolers: Small soft coolers are allowed on kayaks or paddle boards.
- • Alcohol: Drinking alcohol while paddling is not permitted.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Waiver: Everyone who is paddling needs to sign a waiver. Paddlers under 18 will need a guardian signature for their waiver.
- • Life Jackets (PFDs): Provided for paddlers of all sizes with your rental. Guests can bring their own USCG approved and comfortably fitting jacket.
- • Paddleboard weight limit: 275 lbs.
- • Kayak weight limit: Kayakers over 300 lbs will need to rent a double kayak. Double kayak total weight capacity is 450 lbs.
- • Dogs in kayaks: Not recommended due to sharp oyster beds and potential for dogs to jump off/get stuck. Dog PFDs are not provided if you choose to bring one.
- • Dogs on paddleboards: Not allowed as dog nails tend to rip deck pads.
- • Pregnancy: Consult your doctor for any health concerns before paddling.
- • Weather policy: If Tula deems weather unsafe, all activities will be rescheduled or a non-expiring credit will be issued. Tours are subject to rescheduling or location change due to inclement weather or conditions.
- • Instructors: WPA (World Paddle Association) certified and ACA (American Canoe Association) certified instruction.
📅Booking Policy
- • Booking method: Live availability on the site. Book and sign waiver before arrival.
- • Arrival time: Recommend arriving 15 to 20 minutes early for your reservation.
- • Rental time: Your time starts at the time your reservation is set for.
- • Speeding up check-in: Make a reservation and have everyone in your party sign online waivers before arrival.
- • Walk-ups: Accepted, but reservations preferred to ensure availability.
- • Prepayment: Full payment in advance is required to hold a spot for a reservation.
- • Payment methods: Credit cards and cash accepted.
- • Late returns: 10-minute leeway, after which you will be charged for the next hour.
🚗Parking Information
- • Parking is limited at Tula's location, so carpooling is recommended.
- • Arrive early to find parking.
What People Say
What's Great
- Safe environment for children (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Shannon White
a year agoMy husband and I wanted to do something different for our anniversary and we're glad we chose Tula Sports to kayak! Kristin was our guide and she was AMAZING (if we could give her 5 stars we would)With it being both our first times, she made sure we were comfortable enough to go out on the water solo (so glad she did). It was a perfect day, the water was extremely calm. There are boats out on the water, but there are police boats riding out on the water as well for your safety. We felt extremely safe and left feeling like pros ☺️We had an awesome time and will be back!!
Leanne McSween
a year agoMy kids had the best time floating around on kayaks and paddle boards. We rented them for the day and splashed around near the beach. Definitely doing this again!
Ruthann Monsees
10 months agoI had made a reservation for the Fourth of July at the Narrows. However, being a holiday, the park had filled up and police were turning folks around at the entrance. We were told to find somewhere legal to park and then walk in. At nearly 2 miles into the park, we would have been very late to our reservation! But we called Tula, explained the situation, and apologized that we would be late. HOWEVER, the woman on the phone (I wish I remembered her name) offered to rebook us at the Little Creek location instead for noon, which gave us plenty of time to drive over, be on time, and enjoy our full time. Neither my brother nor I were perturbed by the change of location. Rather, we were very happy that they could switch us so easily! We had a great time on the paddleboards- my brother's first time! Great customer service and an easy solution. Awesome!!
Keyssi Rivera
10 months agoWe rented kayaks. Lindsay was very nice and helpful. We called to see if there were kayaks available for the same day. Lindsay took my reservation over the phone, and she met us shortly after. I definitely recommend renting from them.
Andrea Solomon
a year agoOur family wanted to get out on the water and paddle board and kayak one day on our vacation. It was super easy to book online the night before and Isa texted in the morning to check in about the wind conditions. We went to see if it was calm enough to go and it was, we had a great paddle for two hours down the Rainier Gut which was lovely. Our son unexpectedly couldn’t go and they accommodated that last minute change which we appreciated. We had a ball! Highly recommend doing this if you like to your places on water and Isa at Tula made it super easy!