When Stefanie Hochhauser kayaks in Manhasset Bay, she’s impressed by the Gold Coast mansions and mega yachts she sees along the way, but is even "more intrigued by the environment, by being on the water in the salt air," she says.
"It’s very relaxing when I want to get out of my head," says Hochhauser, of Merrick, an account executive for a Long Island-based facilities management company. "You find peace on the water."
As kayaking season launches, local rental companies say the paddle-powered water sport is on the upswing on Long Island. "In the last five years, kayaking has gotten a lot more popular. We rent twice as many kayaks as canoes," says Linda Sandstedt, owner of Nissequogue River Canoe and Kayak Rentals in Kings Park.
Here are five scenic Long Island kayaking communities boasting paddle-worthy scenery, historic sights and abundant wildlife.
An adventure in Port Washington
Kostal Paddle launches from Manorhaven and Bar Beach in Port Washington. Credit: Kostal Paddle
Kostal Paddle: Manorhaven Beach Park, 158 Manorhaven Blvd., Port Washington;
Town of North Hempstead Beach Park (Bar Beach), 175 W. Shore Dr., Port Washington
John-Michael Kostallas, owner and operator of Kostal Paddle in Port Washington, says kayaking is "good for your mind, body and soul." Paddling amid nature, "you can disconnect and leave your phone at home," Kostallas says. For scenery buffs, Nassau County’s Gold Coast offers views of Gatsbyesque mansions on land and a variety of wildlife encounters in the water.
"We had beluga whales in the bay one spring," Kostallas says. "The American bald eagle population came back and you can see some of them in Roslyn Harbor," he says.
Kayakers can launch from either a boat ramp in Manorhaven Beach Park or from the beach in North Hempstead Town Park, both in Port Washington. The more adventurous paddlers can venture out to the historic Execution Rocks Lighthouse, a granite tower on a remote island in the middle of Long Island Sound, Kostallas says.
Season June 14 through Labor Day weekend
Cost $40 per hour single kayak and $60 per hour double
More info 855-567-8251, kostalpaddle.com
A glimpse of sea life in Oyster Bay
Anupam Goenka, of Oyster Bay, and her nephew, Tanmay Mittal, paddle a kayak rented from the WaterFront Center in Oyster Bay. Credit: Jeff Bachner
The WaterFront Center, 1 West End Ave., Oyster Bay
The WaterFront Center, a nonprofit marine education organization, is known for its sailing programs and harbor tours aboard the historic oyster sloop Christeen. But it also rents out kayaks for exploring local waters. Kayaks launch from an on-site pier at the center. "Staff will help you get into the kayak and keep an eye on you when you’re in the water," says Katie Murcott, program manager. Murcott says many kayakers can follow the harbor along Shore Road and see the area’s shorebirds and sea animals. "It’s really beautiful to see all the wildlife, all the houses we have and be able to dip your toe in the salt water," she says.
Season Memorial Day through Labor Day
Cost $32 single kayak and $40 double for 90 minutes; educator-guided kayak wildlife tours $50 single, $70 double
More info 516-922-7245, thewaterfrontcenter.org
Spot birds in Kings Park and Smithtown
Nissequogue River Canoe and Kayak Rentals: Nissequogue River State Park, 799 Saint Johnland Rd., Kings Park;
Paul T. Given Park, West Main Street, Smithtown
Kayakers and canoeists return to the launch site at Nissequogue River State Park in Kings Park following a day of paddling up the Nissequogue River. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Terrapin turtles, river otters and 50 bird species (American bald eagles included) can be seen on your one-way trip along 5½ miles of the Nissequogue, a New York State-designated "Scenic and Recreational River."
Sandstedt says kayakers launch on the incoming tide from Nissequogue River State Park and on the outgoing tide from Paul Given Park. The fee includes a ride in a vehicle back to the starting point.
"You see wildlife, marsh areas and beautiful houses. Some are mansions, some are little shacks," says kayaker Janine Cheskay, 51, of Holbrook, a physical education teacher at Lindenhurst High School. .
Season April 18 through Nov. 1
Cost $50 single kayak, $70 double . Parking at Nissequogue River State Park is $8 a car daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 24-Sept. 1
More info 631-979-8244, canoerentals.com; call/text 631-219-4887 for tidal information.
Historic landmarks in Stony Brook
Thrill seekers can kayak on Stony Brook Harbor and see mansions, wildlife and more. Credit: Stony Brook Harbor Kayak
Stony Brook Harbor Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals, 51 Shore Rd., Stony Brook
Stony Brook, known for its quaint Colonial-style village center, also boasts some of Long Island’s most charming harborfront scenery — especially as seen from a kayak. The sights in Stony Brook Harbor include a historic, 300-plus-year-old gristmill and the Hercules Pavilion, housing the figurehead and anchor from the USS Ohio, the first ship launched from the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1820.
"Along the harbor there are beautiful mansions, you can see part of the Harmony Vineyards winery, and Avalon Nature Preserve bought a piece of untouched land near the water," says Nick Barbera, owner of Stony Brook Harbor Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals. "And two eagles are occasionally seen flying overhead."
Season Open daily, May through November
Cost $45 single kayak, $70 double for two hours
More info 631-834-3130, sbharborrentals.com
Scenic tours in Orient
Eagle’s Neck Paddling Company, Orient Beach State Park, 40000 Main Rd., Orient
Kayak rentals at Orient Beach State Park. Credit: Newsday/Gordon M. Grant
Breathtaking scenery surrounds kayakers launching into Hallock’s Bay, an approximately 5-mile body of water that runs the length of the state park, says Jeff Scharadan, of Southold, owner of Eagle’s Neck Paddling Company.
Hallock’s is "a small, shallow, very scenic bay, beautiful, with very nice calm water," says Scharadan, who runs the park’s kayak concession a few steps from the beach. Scharadan says the bay’s wildlife includes terrapin turtles, blue claw crabs, deer, piping plovers, egrets, herons and "one of the biggest concentrations of osprey on the East End." He adds the park is best known for its prickly pear cactus, which blooms "all over the place here" with "a nice big beautiful yellow flower" each June.
Season Open weekends May 23 to June 22, daily June 23 to Sept. 1
Cost $30 per hour single kayak, $35 per hour double. Parking at Orient Beach State Park is $8 a car daily May 27-June 20; $10 daily June 21-Sept. 1; $8 weekends and holidays April 5-May 17 and Sept. 6-Oct. 11
More info 631-765-3502, eaglesneckpaddling.com
