Paddling around: The ins and outs of kayaking at Presque Isle State Park
Late spring brings kayak season at the peninsula.
Greg Clarke, owner of Presque Isle Boat Rental, has some thoughts about how to make the most out of your voyage.
“The nice thing about paddling down where we’re at, first you don’t have to worry about putting your kayak on your car or trying to unload it and load it again," Clarke said. "We throw everything in for you. We have paddles, we put the kayak in the water for you, help you get in and give you any instruction that you may need and also give you a map to show you some of the area and nature that you might want to see.”
Most of his customers start from the lagoons just past Perry Monument, where the rental business is located.
"Most people will go directly into the lagoons," Clarke said. "A lot will paddle just in the lagoons while others will venture through Graveyard Pond on the way out of the lagoons going into Misery Bay. This is where they will check out the houseboats at Horseshoe Pond. Some people like to take the loop starting at the boat rental going through the lagoons then under a bridge that takes you through marina bay and then into Presque Isle Bay and then loop around Presque Isle and go around Perry Monument into Misery Bay and then back into graveyard back to the boat rental."
The route that Clarke described is equivalent to about a 5½-mile paddle, which means a good workout with a wonderful view of nature.
"Even for novice paddlers, depending on where the wind blows, there’s always somewhere where you are not going to run into waves or anything like that," Clarke said. "It’s very well protected back there so it’s a great place for beginner paddlers."
The hidden gems of the lagoons at Presque Isle
Nature is exactly what kayakers will get when visiting Presque Isle for a kayak trip.
Visitors who come early are likely to observe some hidden wonders, including nests from the lagoons area, birds and other wildlife.
More: Explore Presque Isle waters with a free pontoon boat ride from DCNR. What to know
“The lagoons are awesome, especially paddling in the morning or the evening you’ll see a lot of osprey," Clarke said. "There’s actually five osprey nests down there. There’s a pair of nesting eagles down there. This time of year it’s starting to get tough to see the nests, but in the early Spring and in the Fall you can see the nests from the lagoons area."
Stay safe while kayaking
Although the air temperatures may be warming up, let's not forget that the water temperatures are much different.
Both the Coast Guard and Fish Commission recommend that kayakers always wear a life vest while paddling.
"That’s a big thing I key in on as we always promote wearing a life vest, especially this time of year where the water temperature is cooler," Clarke said. "And you’ll get hypothermia, especially if you are paddling out into the lakes. That’s one of the biggest tips that I can give anybody."
Another safety tip from Clarke is if you feel unsure about the conditions you are getting ready to paddle in, you would be much better off waiting a day for better conditions.
How much does it cost to rent a kayak at Presque Isle?
At Presque Isle Boat Company, renting a single-person kayak which holds up to 280 pounds will cost kayakers $20 for the first hour and $10 for every additional hour. There's a $40 deposit to reserve in advance.
If you want to have some company and rent a two-person kayak, or a tandem kayak, the cost will be $30 for the first hour with $12 for every additional hour. These kayaks can also hold up to 450 pounds and will require a $50 deposit for anyone looking to reserve one ahead of time.
Plan to go fishing? The company offers fishing kayaks that can hold up to 280 pounds. A fishing kayak will cost renters $20 for the first hour with $10 for any additional hours. There's a $50 deposit to reserve in advance.
When to rent kayaks
Kayak season runs from May to October, depending on the weather.
Presque Isle Boat Company is open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., then starting on Memorial Day the shop will be open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Hours of operation are subject to change depending on the weather.
More: Presque Isle, Erie Land lighthouses opening for 2024 season. What to know before you go
Learn more about kayak rentals from Presque Isle Boat tours by visiting their website or calling 814-838-3938.
Other places in Erie to rent a kayak
Two other businesses in Erie will also rent out kayaks for a nice stroll on Lake Erie and out towards North East.
Port Erie Sports at 402 West Bayfront Parkway has kayak rentals available for two hours. Single kayaks are $25 and double kayaks are $35.
You can also rent stand-up paddle boards for $25 an hour.
To learn more about Port Erie Sports or to make a kayak reservation, give them a call at 814-452-2628.
If you are also in the North East area looking for a kayak rental, check out The Voyage Kayak Rental at 10 South Lake St.
The Voyage Kayak Rental offers rentals for half day and full day. The half-day rentals are for less that 4 hours and will cost $25.
A full-day rental for more than 4 hours will cost $50. Voyage Kayak Rental also offers delivery for an additional $10 per kayak, along with a group rate for delivery if anyone rents multiple kayaks.
To learn more or make a kayak reservations, call 814-392-5507.
Contact Nicholas Sorensen at nsorensen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: The ins and outs of kayaking around Presque Isle State Park
