9 ways to get started in water sports on Long Island this summer

This summer, prepare to make a big splash. It’s time to get wet by engaging in some water sports. Here are nine ways to break into a new activity and spend the day having fun in the sun:

GET A KAYAK DELIVERED

If you are staying between Orient and Mattituck, Eagle's Neck Paddling Company will bring a kayak to your doorstep.

"Being out in nature on the water is a great experience," says owner Jeff Scharadin. "It’s a nice way to chill."

Those who want to simply go for an hour or two can also rent a kayak at Eagle Neck’s stand at Orient Point State Beach.

INFO 40000 Main Road, Orient, 631-765-3502, eaglesneckpaddling.com

COST Two-day rental (single kayak — $100, double kayak — $150, paddleboards — $120), four-day rental (single — $150, double — $225, paddleboards — $200) or one week rental (single — $180, double — $250, paddleboards — $225)

CONSIDER AN INFLATABLE

For pure convenience, outfitters sell a wide range of inflatable watercrafts including paddleboards, canoes, boats and kayaks. At Sea Eagle Boats in Port Jefferson, the company’s most popular product is the SE-370 inflatable kayak made of welded PVC (polyvinyl chloride) material. It's $379 and includes a foot/hand pump.

"They are light and easy to handle," says vice president John Hoge. "When you are done, you can deflate it, fold it up and put it back in the car."

BOUNCE ON A WATER TRAMPOLINE

This bouncy watercraft is offered by the MTK Cruises boat charter company and is anchored in Lake Montauk. The trampoline has a runway that allows those aboard the charter boat to walk, climb or jump into the water. There's also a waterslide.

“The trampolines offer fun in the sun from laying out to chill and chat with friends to handstands and flips into the water,” says MTK Cruises owner and operator Tom Hoffman.

The trampoline is 20 feet in diameter and can hold up to 20 people when people aboard are just sitting around, but is limited to only a few (2-3) people when guests choose to jump around; the water trampoline is available May through September.

INFO 59 Star Island Rd., Montauk; 631-668-8079, cruisemontauk.com.

COST Private swim charter packages start at $300 per hour for up to 15 guests, with a two-hour minimum for swimming.

PADDLEBOARD AWAY

Get going on a stand-up paddleboard courtesy of South Shore Paddleboards in Babylon. Rental reservations are requested but walk-ins are welcome.

"Paddleboarding is very easy to pick up. Anybody can do it," says owner Karen Marvin. "It’s more of a core workout utilizing your arms and legs."

Marvin hosts free group paddles on weekends which are announced on Instagram (@southshorepaddleboards).

INFO 258 E. Main St., Babylon, 631-482-1822, southshorepaddleboards.com

COST $50 for two hours, $75 for four hours

JUMP ON A JET SKI

Head to Baldwin Harbor and take off jet skiing on the Great South Bay. Groups can take a 75-minute ride overseen by a tour guide. Must be 18 and older to rent and drive. 

"We work in a big open area where there’s not a lot of boat traffic," says owner Nick Karamoshos. "It’s relatively easy and not hard to get the hang of. However, everyone must be cautious."

INFO 3093 Cornwell Place, Baldwin, 516-398-9928, summerboatrentals.com

COST $150 for 75 minutes ($175 for two people on one vessel), $275 — 2 hours and 30 minutes (minimum two hour ride during the week, three hour ride on the weekend)

CATCH A WAVE

Rent a soft-top surfboard at Unsound Surf in Long Beach and hit the waves at Lincoln Boulevard Beach across the street from the store. These 7-pound lightweight foam boards are user friendly for riders age 5 and over, and about half the weight of a typical surfboard.

"It’s almost like an addiction. People get into the surfing sensation," says co-owner Mike Nelson. "It really adds to your beach day."

INFO 359 E. Park Ave., Long Beach, 516-889-1112, unsoundsurf.com

COST $35 for half a day (4 hours), $45 for a full day (9 hours)

PEDAL A BOAT

Take out a pedal boat at Belmont Lake State Park where a foursome can simultaneously pedal while one person steers with the rudder.

"You really burn calories doing this activity but it’s leisurely," says park manager John Cumberland. "There are a couple of islands in the lake that people pedal around where you can see some wildlife."

There has to be someone 18 and older on the vessel and everyone must wear a life vest.

INFO 625 Belmont Ave., West Babylon, 631-667-5055, parks.ny.gov/parks/belmontlake

COST $20 for two hours

RIDE A TUBE, BOARD OR SKIS

Six people can climb aboard as a captain from Peconic Water Sports takes your group wakeboarding, water skiing, wakesurfing and tubing on a 23-foot Malibu boat.

"Wakesurfing is where the boat gets weighed down and pitches a wave behind it so you can surf," says manager Melissa Gabrielsen. "Wakeboarding is further behind riding in flat water instead of a wave."

Pickups can be done in all four locations Southold, Shelter Island, Montauk and Sag Harbor.

INFO 631-680-0111, peconicwatersports.com

COST $350-$425 per hour for group of six

PADDLE A PUB

Launching its two-hour trip from Dublin Deck in Patchogue (dublindeck.com), The Paddle Pub Long Island vessel can carry up to 26 passengers, 12 of whom can pedal simultaneously.

People can sign up for open public cruises, as well as private rentals for bachelorette and birthday parties or other celebrations. Guests can also bring on food they order from Dublin Deck, and the boat will stop along the Patchogue River at Island View Marina (islandviewmarinaandfuel.com) if passengers want to pick up beer or wine (no glass bottles allowed). The Paddle Pub boat has a dance floor and a sound system, as well as the option for private groups to add on a DJ for an additional fee.

INFO 325 River Ave., Patchogue; 631-778-1433; paddlepub.com/longisland

COST $45 per person for public sails Mondays through Thursdays, $55 Fridays and Sundays, and $65 on Saturdays.

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.