We had a few groupons to get our kayak on, and with the beautiful weather we had this weekend, it was the perfect time. Nothing better than being on the open ocean with a paddle. Four of us arrived, filled out a simple waiver, and got our life vests and paddles. After not so gracefully plopping into the kayaks, we were on our way. Once we got the hang of it, we were on our way to the closest island. We were hoping to get to Spectacle, (insert snicker here) but I think we would have passed out first, so we made it to land (I think it was Thompson, which may or may not have had No Tresspassing signs on it. Eh, We weren't exploring, just resting up with a nice picnic lunch. I can't wait to go back, after my aching arm muscles stop killing me!~ Next time I might wrapy my thumbs with tape to see if it will prevent the blisters I got.... Highly recommend for a fun day out! read more

Boating in Boston - Boating Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

UMass Boston is right on the ocean, so it's cold of the Year.... but beautiful. They offer many boating activitIes, and water sports equipment rentals, as well as a running trail along the ocean. The deal: Umass Boston students, with ID's, hey free boat rIdes, kayak lessons and more! read more

We've gotten a family pass for like the past 10 years, we'll continue to do so. Our advice will hopefully help both folks considering getting a pass or just occasionally showing up for a paddle. Parking: Parking can be difficult anytime at Spot Pond and Wakefield. On weekends, it can be impossible. Even Natick and Hopkinton can fill up on busy summer weekends (plus you have to pay to park at those places). Try to get to your place early, definitely before noon. Newton is usually OK. Boats: The equipment is very good. On weekends they may run out of popular kayaks. The sailboats (Mercuries) at Spot Pond are pretty good, they're not in the best shape, but they're almost always available. Hopkinton has a great selection of sailboats. Staff: The staff are helpful and nice at all locations, sometimes they get overwhelmed at busy times, but they are professional. Classes: We only took one class (sailing refresher), but when we observe the classes, they are well run with apparently happy campers. Locations: Spot pond is a big lake, usually calm unless the wind is blowing strong. Great for kayaking, canoeing, sailing and fishing from rowboats. Some wildlife. A little dull after you've paddled around it. Wakefield is busier, but a good place to try paddle boarding or kayaking. They don't have too many boats here and can run out. Newton is cool, it's on the Charles river, and has nice wildlife and scenery. You can go a long way in either direction, if you go South you have to pass under all the interchange bridges for Route 90, 128, 9 etc. but once you're clear it's very relaxing. If you go North you can reach the dam in Waltham. Natick is a big lake with lots to explore. You can go under a bridge for the mass pike and explore another big lake. Plus there is some nice beach to relax on after paddling. You have pay extra to park here. Hopkinton is a big lake with areas to explore, plus a couple islands you can pull up a kayak on and swim or sun. An excellent collection of sailboats and all other boats. You have to pay to park here. Also has a separate beech and roped off swimming area. Value: Boating in Boston was better in past years. They had more locations (like South Boston and DC (!!)). Also, they used to have reciprocity with Charles River Boating, which was great. They've also severely cut down on the number of free guests you can bring. But if you have a reasonable drive to some locations, it's a great resource to have for the summer. read more

I have a season pass from Charles River Canoe and Kayak, which also lets me use boats at this location. I went there for a meetup in which we paddled around the Boston Harbor to Castle Island. There were a few major issues for those of us who rented boats: (1) The directions on the web site are pretty bad. I went to the UMass/Boston T stop. The site tells you to 'take the shuttle', but doesn't specify which one, or where to find it. (It is the JFK/UMass shuttle.) I chose to walk instead, but oddly the street address, 100 Morrissey Blvd., isn't really helpful. You actually have to take a left on Bianculli Blvd to get there, which isn't stated anywhere on the Boating in Boston website. I found it after a lot of walking on a hot day, but someone else in our group gave up and went home, sadly. (2) They only rent sit-on-top kayaks. All the non-renters in our group had sea kayaks, which were much faster and took less effort to paddle. Those of us who rented were struggling to keep up with them. The staff were nice as well. They would not allow the non-renters to launch their boats from the dock, though, so they had to go elsewhere and it made the logistics complicated. So, even knowing how to get there now, I probably won't try this location again. However, if you are comfortable with a sit-on-top kayak, the views are terrific. read more

Bought a groupon thinking we could kayak to the closest island. That was not the case. When we arrived we were informed we were not to get out of the kayak for any reason and we had to stay within binocular view of the people that work for Boating in Boston. Not the experience I wanted. read more

Last season I bought season pass to the boating in Boston for my husband's birthday. I got 2 season passes for just the two of us and most probably I will just get one next time. 1 pass is good enough for a couple. I think there are just some stuff that people should know before deciding to buy a pass. the most important thing is that many of their locations or at least the best ones are in state parks and every time you have to pay 8$ for the parking or you have to get a DCR pass too!!! Hopkins and Cochicuate are the best ones. In general I think boating on a lake is much more pleasant than Charles river. Charles river can be very dirty and stinky for couple of months in summer but lakes are nice and clean. The other locations, Spot Pond, is nice too but there is a very small parking for 10 cars and on a weekend it is very hard to find a parking spot. You may need to wait for an hour or so till someone leaves and you can park in their spot. We never managed to go to any of the starters classes because they have some strange timing . for example I will never wake up at 7 to attend an 8 o'clock kayaking class for beginners on a Saturday morning! maybe some do but I don't ! once I took half a day off to go to Cochichuate and paddle board.I checked the website and there was nothing there. We got there, paid 8$ parking fee and then the lady at the counter told us that there is a staff party today and they will be closing in 45 minutes!! I wasted half a day of my precious earned time off and paid 8$ for 45 minutes of boating. I wish I had known before hand. They send hundreds of emails about their new store or their promotional courses but didn't care enough to send out an email about the early closure. OR put it on your website! It is the digital era and is very easy to reach out to your members! Aside from all that we enjoyed kayaking and paddle boarding a lot and my husband thinks that it was one of the best presents ever. I also have to add that I love their crew! They are mostly young students and they are super nice, polite and friendly. read more

This is a wonderful way to sail in Boston Harbor. The boats are well maintained and the staff is friendly. The only improvement I could ask for is some larger, heavier boats. The Mercuries are fun, but they're easily tossed about from the wakes of large power boats in the harbor. That said, this is the perfect sailing solution for me...boats ready when I want them, no maintenance, no stress! read more

Such a great experience! The UMass Boston site is perfect for sailing or kayaking. Boating in Boston people there are great. I took sailing lessons with Stephanie, she is an awesome instructor, very nice, patient and knowledgeable. Highly recommended!! read more

This is a great place for access to the water. To go kayaking, you get into the kayak on the launch dock and the staff gently push you into the water. You can go as far as you like ( or your arms will take you). When done, just paddle back to the dock and the staff will pull your kayak back onto the dock. Very easy getting in and out! I go after work and paddle around Dorchester Bay for an hour while I wait for the traffice to die down, then I go home in a better mood. read more

We have a season pass and often come here with kids and friends. The last time we went, my son had an accident with a paddle board paddle which led to a fairly deep laceration. Because we were on the water at the time, by the time we got back to the dock, there was blood everywhere. Cody, a senior supervisor with the company, happened to be in that day, and did an amazing job cleaning him up. He was amazingly calm, kind, and thorough. My son had to receive 5 stitches to close the wound. Cody followed up with us the next day. I am grateful that he was there and was able to take care of my son. read more