The BayCreek Paddling Center has a great location and a large inventory of canoes, kayaks and paddleboards for rent. My daughter, son-in-law and I got set up with kayaks and headed out to explore the creek. We spent a solid 2 1/2 hours paddling the winding waterway, marveling at the birds, turtles and wildlife in general. Very peaceful and surprisingly scenic experience. The employees were all very nice, professional and helpful. read more

BayCreek Paddling Center - The end of the 2 1/2 hour voyage. The waterway is very clean, but whatever debris I saw floating, I did my best to scoop up. - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Rochester, New York

We had an awesome experience kayaking with bay creek. I would have had no idea these wetlands existed if it weren't for them. There are options for canoes, single and double kayaks and paddle boards. Excellent for groups as well. It is first come first serve but there were plenty of kayaks left when we got there around 11 am on a Sunday. The process of getting a kayak and leaving was quick and easy and overall it a good price. Everything is priced per hour and per person. Definitely a fun summer activity you must try read more

Love it here. The staff are so helpful and accommodating. They always offer to help get the kids ready. We already know how to paddle, but they offer to help with basics if it's your first time. There are maps if you are new to these wetlands and markers that correspond to the map numbers so you don't get lost. Not expensive, and a great way to spend a little time out in our beautiful natural environment. So peaceful, you will see many species of birds and you might get a glimpse of other animals like frogs, turtles, muskrats, or beavers, if you're lucky! read more

Says pets welcome on their website and once I got there, I was told no dogs on the paddle boards. I've been to so many paddle boarding places this is the first one that didn't welcome dogs. read more

Service was so good and actually it was my first time for canoe . We just visited this place and we had a wonderful time.! It was really peaceful with amazing view. read more

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There are many places to go for paddling in the waterfall/river heavy parts of upstate NY. I would put Bay creek as one of my favorites because of the winding paths through reeds and the swans on the trail especially in late July to late August. Life vests provided and fun bright kayaks. COVID had them sanitizing the kayaks pretty well.No restroom access so make sure you go ahead of time. It's about 30$ for a single for an hour if I recall and a bit more for a double like 36$? This is plenty of time btw, and you can go at a relatively leisurely pace. I loved the reeds and swamp like nature compared to other locations like Genessee River Park that is mostly a big water way. This makes it more adventure like. read more

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Love, love Bay Creek! In close proximity to mi casa, and staffed by a group of humans who almost NEVER laugh at me as I attempt (unsuccessfully) to get my booty into and out of a kayak! Such professionalism, much appreciated. As Rochester is about to gear up for warmer weather, I am looking forward to honing my YAK skills at Bay Creek. I have done both of the different paths (open water & trails) and like them both a lot. I choose open water if I am going for a workout and trails if I am going for leisure. I did open water on a more windy day and WOOF! The struggle is and was real. That being said, almost everything else about Bay Creek is wonderful. Rentals are reasonable and offer flexibility for a quick excursion or all day adventure. I have yet to try yoga-boarding (please see: unsuccessful YAK entrances & exits) but many friends of mine rave. With limited water activity opportunities in Rochester, add Bay Creek to the top of your list! read more

BayCreek Paddling Center - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Rochester, New York

Over a year ago, we took an instructional kayaking course at BayCreek. The entire experience was wonderful - relaxing but educational. Our instructor was very knowledgable and patient, and the scenery was gorgeous. After telling each other how much we looked forward to going back, my family and I finally returned today for 2 hours of paddling. The process was smooth and adhered appropriately with social distancing and COVID-19 regulations. Not surprisingly, masks were required prior to launching and docking. It was nice to see that the staff and patrons all seemed to be compliant with masking. Everything was included and selected for us - kayak, paddle, life vest. The staff was helpful in making sure we got off safely and smoothly. Kayaking was luckily like riding a bike, and we were quickly off to explore at our own pace. The "secret wilderness" was as beautiful as we remembered with plenty of wildlife to encounter. A swan even gave us a little hiss when we got too close! We cannot wait to come back, and we definitely won't wait a year before returning next time! P.S. Don't forget sunscreen and bug repellent. read more

BayCreek Paddling Center - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Rochester, New York

It was a fun thing to do , specially during this corona's time. I love that they follow social distancing so you can have your fun without be in any risk or at least less risk possible . They have so many different options with a cheap price. Great adventure. The path was nice and easy to follow They were pretty quick , friendly and nice . Give it a try , you would definitely enjoy . read more

So fun. Get there early so your not waiting in line and don't forget to wear your mask to you push off. read more

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I've been to Bay Creek enough times to warrant an update! This place is my absolute favorite during the spring/summer. It's my go-to for kayaking and paddleboarding. The water "trails" through the cattails are beautiful. You'll see the best of nature out there including turtles, geese, ducks, swans, birds, and fish, even a blue heron or two! Even when it's busy, you still feel like you're alone out on the water, crossing paths with a only a few people as they paddle past you on their own adventure. They don't take reservations - it's a first come, first serve basis. I recommend calling ahead to make sure they have a few options left just in case. I recently came back to try stand up paddle boarding again. My friends and I went out for 2 hours - did a little paddleboarding, found a cove and lounged in the sun for a while, paddleboarded some more, laughed as my friends fell in (don't worry, they were ok, just lost their balance and the water is a few feet deep), then made our way back. You pay at the end, which is nice because an hour actually goes by slowly. We took our time and enjoyed the afternoon. It was $32 each for 2 hours of SUP paddleboarding. For SUP or kayaking, it's $19 for an hour. As far as difficulty, both kayaking and paddleboarding are not hard; it definitely can be a leisure weekend activity. My toes and feet were a little sore during our time out there because you're gripping to stand stable. But other than that it was a lot of fun! Good arm, shoulder and core workout! And kayaking is a dream, again good core and arm workout and a very rare chance you'll fall out. Definitely bring a water bottle (they have straps on the kayak and SUP board to strap it in). I would not recommend bringing your phone on the SUP board because there's no safe place for it, we all got a little wet. I'll be back again this summer for more and will be there to kayak maybe this weekend! Also, they have SUP yoga classes that are a lot of fun - a nice challenge to your normal yoga routine. I will go for one of those again soon too. read more

We were interested in a Thule Hullavator kayak rack for the car but had no idea what we were doing. Ken, Dave and Morgan could not have been more helpful or kind. From purchase to install to teaching us how to use it they were great. It was a pleasure doing business with such knowledgeable and nice people. Highly recommend them for any kayaking needs. read more

My friends and I bought a Groupon last year for a guided kayak tour, plans fell through and we were never able to go. So a friend and i decided to go by ourselves before it expired in a few weeks. They were extremely accommodating in that they allowed us to use the value of the guided tour Groupon for a kayak rental. Everything was provided: life jackets, oars, kayaks - they also have canoes to rent. They even had waterproof bags to rent or purchase, if needed. They sell waterproof phone case/bags AND they will hold on to your keys if you need them too! We weren't allowed to go out on the Bay since water levels were high but since we are both inexperienced it was fine. They have laminated maps for you to take with you which we didn't notice until afterwards but we were still able to navigate through. You're allowed to explore and then pay upon return. read more

BayCreek Paddling Center - Beautiful swan siting - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Awful last experience the end of Summer 2020!! I've visited many many times over the years! I've rented kayaks and SUP boards and enjoyed the experience. My last visit was horrible. The staff were rude and somewhat hostile towards myself and friends. Overly strict, and very super unfriendly! One particular female staff was rude towards myself. The entire experience was horrible. I will no longer support this business! read more

My friend and myself were staying at The London Hotel which was facing the river. We could see tons of people kayaking in the water and bay creek paddling center had the best reviews so we booked it. We had a great time and would even do it again if I were in town. read more

BayCreek Paddling Center - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Rochester, New York

Buyer beware! Struck me as the classic bait & switch. I placed an order for a Swift Prospector 14 at Baycreek paddling center in Rochester back on May 8th. I had done a little research prior to that, with some advice from a few in this group. Based on that, I went with the swift. I was greeted by Dave, the salesperson, when I arrived there that Saturday. I told him what I was looking for, and he had a Prospector on site from a prior order they got wrong. That canoe was kevlar with carbon fiber gunnels and adjustable foot rest, cherry seat, adjustable foot rest - but what I REALLY liked at the boat was the multi level seat. In the high position, paddles like a canoe. Low position, like a kayak. Took it out on the water and tried it in both positions. Super impressed with the boat. Told Dave that this is exactly what I want - multi level seat, adjustable foot rest, etc. "Exactly like this one" is what I told him, and he said he understands why as that is a beautiful boat. Paid my deposit, took some pictures of it, and sent them to a couple friends - I was stupid excited. Well. I arrived there today to pick it up - 16 weeks later. The boat was almost what I ordered. Except no adjustable seat. I was told that this is exactly what I ordered, and the showed me the sales order - Cryptic codes. "These codes mean that this is the right boat" or some malarky like that. If I really want the boat with the adjustable seat, I can pay them another $500 and wait until November. I took my deposit back and left. So my advice - IF you're brave enough to order from this outfit, make absolutely sure that the boat you are buying is clearly, in plain English, described on the order. I leave for the Adirondacks for two weeks on September 22nd. With no boat. I'm beyond disappointed in Baycreek Paddling Center. I'd post the pictures of the boat I paddled on May 8th and the boat they had ready for me today, but I don't see a way to do that here. read more

Awful experience! I had visited this place before for kayaking when I lived in NY. On a recent trip back visiting family, I decided to hit up an old spot to enjoy some kayaking. It's not the same place, several staff were honestly quite rude. I've never been treated like that before from a place that used to be nice to visit. The kayaking was nice but that didn't make up for the awful service. I was quite stressed after & honestly couldn't enjoy the water or kayaking! I'll find a different spot to kayak on my next visit to NY. What a shame & a waste of $$! read more

We had an absolutely fantastic time renting kayaks and paddling around Irondequoit Creek recently. I wouldn't change a thing! We were helped quickly, the staff were there at the dock when we got in and out of the boat and taught us proper procedure so as not to capsize. They had everything we needed in terms of life jackets and paddles, as well as suggested routes. I thought the prices were reasonable (though it's a speedier hobby than we will be able to take part in frequently). And friendly and enthusiastic, to boot! The creek is GORGEOUS, and you can hardly believe you are only 15 minutes from the city. Cat-tails, reeds, swans, turtles, low-hanging oak trees you can paddle underneath, bends & twists & turns ... overall a wonderful, relaxing time! read more

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We try to rent a canoe here at least once each year to get out and enjoy the scenery while getting a little exercise. The staff is always friendly and the pricing is reasonable. We usually get a canoe, but we may try the kayaks or paddle boards in the future. This is well worth your time. You get a relaxing time with beautiful scenery. We always see ducks, swans, and other wildlife. read more

Great place to rent kayaks, canoes and other stuff. The friendly and very helpful staff is great for beginners, and intermediate users. My go-to place to get in the water! read more

Once every summer we rent kayaks from Bay Creek but this time we took a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) lesson via a Groupon special (which made this a really good deal). Our instructor Nathan was excellent. He is a very good, friendly teacher with clear instructions and a patient approach. The SUP'ing itself was fun and we will be back to give this a try on our own. Of course it helped that it was a beautiful summer afternoon perfect for being out on the water. read more

I didn't even realize such a place was just down the road from me. Bay Creek is a great place to get away and immerse yourself in nature. Whether kayaking, canoeing etc. you will have to keep reminding yourself that you're still in Rochester! Scenery is great and very tranquil, although close to a busy road, the waterways are quiet with only sounds of the surrounding ambiance of mother nature and you can witness anything from ducks, swans and more. The prices are more than reasonable with it being about $17/hr for rental of kayak or canoe and it's extremely easy to learn. I was there just a week ago for the first time kayaking and it was a breeze, so don't be shy! Drop in and escape the busy life for a little, you won't regret it. read more

I'm giving it two stars because once you're in the water, this is a BEAUTIFUL place to paddle and I would definitely go there again. But it took me a while to write this review because the experience(s) I had there just left a nasty taste in my mouth. A few months later, I'm still quite bitter so here are the bullet points: First of all, I might be more of a suburbanite but I'm used to people being super friendly and helpful. When I launch at Fuzzy Guppies, for example, there is ALWAYS somebody right there offering to help get my kayak from my rooftop to the water. Call me spoiled but I kind of expected the same warm treatment here-- especially because I was still a paying customer ($5 for parking/use of the launch.) Nope. There were about 10 employees just standing around and chatting... I had to go seek somebody out to ask for help. The employee who did help me only helped set the kayak on the dock then turned away before I could say anything else. This was my first time launching off a dock (and not pushing off a boat launch) so... I didn't know the right way to do it. Rather than seeking somebody out to ask, I made the mistake of trying to figure it out myself and attempted to just push off the dock the same way I do at a boat launch. I quickly learned that this is the wrong way, after everything flipped over and I went accidentally swimming in ice cold water. (This happened in May 2015.) Yes, that may have been my own stupidity but I can't help and feel frustrated about those 10 employees who were just standing around, chit chatting... you'd think someone could have seen what I was attempting to do and stopped me? Long story short, if you aren't renting one of their boats then don't expect any of the employees to pay any attention to you. Beautiful place to paddle but the lousy customer service is worthy of -5 stars. read more

Took a free one hour SUP class and really enjoyed it. No one was rushed, which shortened the class a bit, but the leader/instructor, Ken Altfather was very laid back, and imparted his knowledge in a friendly, helpful manner. After a short lesson on paddling and board sizing, we were all out stand up cruising up tranquil Irondequoit Creek with only one guy who nearly went over, but caught himself for a wet save. Really great and highly recommended. It was not hard to stand up or paddle, just takes some good balance and fearless attitude. You may get wet, embrace it. Irondequoit Creek is a great spot to learn as it is very calm. read more

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Awesome time on the water. Everyone working there was very relaxed and knowledgeable. As a first time paddler they made me feel very comfortable. The whole operation is a well oiled machine. I just had to show up, sign in, and jump in a canoe that they had waiting in the water for me. Beautiful scenery and smiling faces all around. Looking forward to coming back. read more

I was in need of a new kayak rack and decided on the Thule Hullavator Pro. As it turned out they were on backorder until September 28, 2021. Dave suggested getting the crossbars at that time since they had them in stock and with Thule delays in shipments we would have bars when the Hullavators arrived. The Hullavators arrived two months sooner than expected. The best part of this is that Dave installed the crossbars and then the Hullavators when they arrived. After the installations Dave answered all the questions I had. I highly recommend Bay Creek for all your boating needs. read more

I went to bay creek for sup yoga to try for the first time, I had a blast. The instructor Lynn is helpful in explaining the process and she has the fun calming yogi vibe. The experience of yoga on a board in itself is interesting as there is more attention paid to move slow to allow the body to stabilize. It is an experience I will definitely try again. I also found myself to be a decent paddle boarder. In the words of my husband, "you will do well because of your lower center of mass". the one downside of doing sup yoga at bay creek is the murkiness of the water and there are lots of bugs, but then again that's Mother Nature. read more

I came here with my girlfriend and two other couples. It was really easy to get signed up and hop into the kayaks. We paddled around most of the river area and came back in a little over an hour. It was a very relaxing nature adventure and I would definitely recommend going. read more

Secret Nature Tour with Morgan today. Started with basic kayak instructions then three miles of easy paddling. Morgan shared history, ecology, plant and animal life. Assistance into and out of the kayak from really friendly people. Great afternoon of fun exercise in nature's play yard. read more

My wife and I took the beginners kayaking class last Saturday. There is a lot more to kayaking than we thought! Our instructor, Dave, put on an excellent class. He provided the basic knowledge of the boats and equipment on land that really helped once we were in the water. He is easy to listen to and learn from. I can't imagine learning these techniques on my own. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in learning this sport. read more

I am working to build my kayaking skills with the help and instruction at Bay Creek Paddling Center. I took the Basics class about a month ago and the Wet Exit class two days ago. This time Dave was my instructor and the three of us ladies were grateful for his help and encouragement! I will not fear getting dumped in the water; have now done it at least five times! The last two times, Dave tipped me in to prove I could handle myself. The next course will be a three hour course on how to get back into your kayak from the water or how to help someone else who has dumped. Can't wait! read more

We tried out a kayaking class last night and really enjoyed it. I hadn't thought that a class would be very essential, but I guess I was wrong. We learned a whole lot in a few hours of on land and then on the water lessons. Our instructor, Dan, was very knowledgeable about kayaking and kept things going at a comfortable pace. The place is pretty cool too, having a nice variety of kayaks for rent or sale. You can take various levels of classes, or you can just rent a kayak or a paddleboard and take right off into the bay. The location is a lovely serene setting with water foul all over. We even spotted a blue heron, as well as swans and ducks. A great place to get out into the wild while getting your feet a little wet. We plan on returning for some leisurely kayaking soon. Rentals for kayaks were listed as: $19/1hr, $32/2hrs, $40/3-4hrs, $50/5-8hrs. read more

Wow, this is a great place. I have gone to other places to rent before and the service isn't as as good as it is here. The guy that they hired new to pull boats in and out of the water ( I think his name is Chris?) was really nice. I especially liked how friendly and knowledgeable everyone was. I am very happy with this place and will come back. Their store also has a great range of gear one can buy for many kayaking expeditions. I just wish they sold something to eat that I could take on my kayaking journey if I decided to pull over my kayak while on the water and take a snack break. other than that, this place rocks, but doesn't rock your boat. Come here and enjoy a wonderful day kayaking!!! read more

Having great fun doing SUPyoga!! Recommend it for anyone who loves nature. Lynn and Sherry make you comfortable and make sure you have a great time too! Always come out of the creek feeling inspired, alive, happy etc. you would see what I mean if you gave it a try. read more

Great prices, super friendly people, and beautiful scenery! This was our first time kayaking and we will definitely be coming back here to do more of it. read more

Did a stand up paddle board yoga class with Linda and highly recommend! You don't necessarily need experience with either; she gives step by step instructions and guides you through everything. If you're looking for some summer water fun go try it! read more

I would not recommend Baycreek during Covid. They are rude and rigid. My 1st visit and I was scolded before even being able to ask a question about kayaking b/c I didn't have a "mask" on. I ended up going to another kayaking place and enjoyed my freedom on the lake! read more

Absolutely outstanding. Ken was our salesman. He was extremely helpful, and patient (necessary when I'm the buyer). Great inventory of canoes, kayaks and stand up paddle boards. Most of the boats were of a quality beyond what's available at a sporting goods store. Prices were higher than we expected, likely because they're high quality, and pro-level. Can't wait to get our new canoe in the water this summer. read more

my daughter and I did SUP lesson on Saturday August 4th. The instructor was very informative and friendly. Everyone was nice. I will definitely recommend. Loved it! read more

It's pretty cool that a place like this is here in Rochester just outside the city limits. The staff is friendly and helpful. You can rent kayaks or stand up paddle boards. They have two-person kayaks which might be idea for a parent and child. I have taken the shuttle service to Ellison park and paddled back to the facility. It takes a couple hours, give or take depending if you paddle or drift a lot. I was also able to try paddle boarding through this location and it was really cool. I thought kayaking was nice but paddle boarding was more liberating feeling to me. I think they sell kayaks and paddle boards, too, but I have only rented. read more