If you’re new to the world of paddling, picking the best kayak for beginners can be an overwhelming task. Where to start? What’s the best kayak for me? How much does a kayak cost, anyway?
Depending on your needs and the type of water you’ll be paddling, there are lots of options, from traditional, sit-inside recreational kayaks to lightweight sit-on-tops, inflatable kayaks, kayaks designed for kids and beginner fishing kayaks. Fortunately, some of the top rated kayaks on the market are also some of the best starter kayaks. You don’t need to sacrifice quality, stability or ease-of-use just because you’re buying a kayak for the first time.
First, let’s review the best beginner kayaks, then we’ll go over how to choose which one fits your needs.
Below, check out American Paddler’s comprehensive kayak buyers guide to help you wade through the best kayak brands and arrive at a decision that’s right for you — and your wallet. And remember to keep safety in mind!
A QUICK RUNDOWN: THE 10 BEST BEGINNER KAYAKS OF 2023 (CLICK LINKS BELOW TO SEE PRICES ON AMAZON.COM)
| PHOTO | KAYAK | BEST FOR | TYPE | WEIGHT LIMIT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 | All around | Sit inside | 325 lbs | |
| Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 SS | Lightweight | Sit inside | 280 lbs | |
| Old Town Vapor 10 | Affordability | Sit inside | 325 lbs | |
| Ocean Kayak Frenzy | Ease of use | Sit on top | 325 lbs | |
| Sea Eagle SE370 | Tandem budget | Inflatable tandem | 650 lbs | |
| Sevylor Quikpak K5 | Portability | Inflatable single | 400 lbs | |
| Lifetime Youth Wave 6 | Kids | Kids | 130 lbs | |
| Ocean Kayak Malibu Two | Two people | Sit on top tandem | 425 lbs | |
| Perception Pescador Pro 12 | Fishing | Fishing (sit on top) | 375 lbs | |
| Sun Dolphin Excursion 12 SS | Budget fishing | Fishing (sit inside) | 395 lbs |
From its fully adjustable, ergonomic vented seatback to its knee and thigh padding and SlideLock XL foot brace system, the Pungo 120 is the “Cadillac” of recreational beginner kayaks, with superior all-around comfort and performance. The Pungo 120’s multi-chined V-hull offers exceptional stability and tracking even in faster-moving waters, making this kayak a versatile option for lakes, rivers or even longer touring day trips.
As far as gear storage goes, the ingenious “dashboard” design means your valuables, drinks and fishing lures are all within easy reach, with additional dry storage in the stern and shock-cord bungee strapping. And at just 49 pounds, it’s light enough to transport easily.
With a generous dry storage well, hands-free electronics console and removable, tow-behind portable accessory carrier (P.A.C.), gear storage will never be an issue with this kayak. There’s even a water bottle slot and cupholders in front of the cockpit — how’s that for convenience?
The Aruba 10 SS comes in green, blue, red or orange. For the budget-conscious, there’s also the Aruba 10 — its sister kayak with slightly fewer bells and whistles — or the Aruba 12 SS for taller paddlers.
Video: Sun Dolphin Aruba 12 SS (the Aruba 10 SS’s bigger cousin)
The big, open cockpit means larger paddlers will fit with ease, and it’s even possible to kayak with a dog, if that’s your thing. For a wider kayak, tracking and stability is excellent.
The open storage compartment behind the cockpit provides easy access to gear, but isn’t watertight, which can be a problem on lakes with larger waves. Both the seat and foot pegs are adjustable, but some paddlers have opted for seat upgrades for greater comfort.
Like most sit-on-top kayaks, the Frenzy has self-bailing “scupper holes” to drain any water that might happen to splash in — which is bound to happen. Its four-way, high-back adjustable seat also means superior comfort while paddling calm waters.
Although just 9 feet long, the Frenzy offers a unique, overlapping foot well system to accommodate various-sized paddlers. And if you find the Frenzy just isn’t long enough for you, Ocean Kayak also offers the Scrambler 11 — an extended version of the Frenzy. Both models offer a shock-cord bungee system for gear storage, and a smaller dry storage well for keys, wallets or phones.
Weighing just 32 pounds, the Sea Eagle SE370 is rated to hold a whopping 650 pounds, making it one of the best kayaks for big guys as well as tandem paddlers. While advertised as a three-person kayak, the Sea Eagle SE370 can comfortably seat two adults and handles a variety of surf conditions with ease.
This kayak comes with two paddles, a foot pump, carry bag, two seats, bow and stern spray skirts and a repair kit — though its durable PVC exterior and three inflatable chambers are pretty puncture-resistant.
The best part? When you’re done, it fits in the trunk of your car with ease.
Inflating in just five minutes, the Quikpak is the ultimate in portability for an inflatable kayak, folding up into a backpack carrying case when you’re done. The best part? When you inflate your kayak, the backpack doubles as your seat.
With 24-gauge PVC construction and a tough ridged tarpaulin bottom, the Quikpak K5 isn’t likely to puncture, and its patented Airtight System and DoubleLock valves mean it isn’t likely to leak, either (actually, the company guarantees it). Overall, this could be the best single-person inflatable kayak on the market.
Molded from high-density polyethylene for a strong and durable construction, the Lifetime Youth Wave kayak is a sit-on-top model designed to help children learn the ins and outs of paddling. Rated to carry up to 130 pounds, kids of all ages can play around on this kayak, and at just 18 pounds, it’s light enough for most children to handle on their own.
The rear “swim-up step” allows kids to enter the kayak from the water, and its sit-on-top design means it’s difficult to tip and won’t fill up or sink. What parents might like the most, however, is the very affordable price tag.
A “jack-of-all-trades” kayak, the 12-foot Ocean Malibu Two can accommodate paddlers in a variety of situations. Want to take your child and a dog? No problem. Want to paddle solo with more fishing gear? It’s got you covered. And if you really want more room to stretch out, there’s the Malibu Two XL, which offers even greater space for big and tall paddlers.
Self-bailing and with multiple foot holds and high-back seats, the Malibu Two is perfect for paddling on calm rivers, lakes and bays. Although it’s a bit on the heavier side, the kayak’s molded handles and skid plate help with portability.
The Pescador’s removable, stadium-style seat and sliding foot braces offer better comfort and maneuverability than most fishing kayaks, and its ample storage and rigging space provides an abundance of options for the intrepid kayak fisherman. Molded-in rod holders, a sliding “YakAttack GearTrac” system and dedicated space for tackle boxes and coolers add to the Pescador Pro’s versatility.
Perception offers the Pescador in both 10- and 12-foot models, with the 12-foot model better for longer fishing expeditions.
Like Sun Dolphin’s other models, the Excursion comes with both in-deck and optional tow-behind storage with its unique P.A.C. (Portable Accessory Carrier) system. As a fishing kayak, the Excursion offers two mounted rod holders and one swivel rod holder, as well as shock-cord bungees for holding down additional gear.
The lightweight Excursion also is easier to transport than most fishing kayaks, and comes in both 10- and 12-foot models.
Video: Sun Dolphin Excursion 10 (smaller cousin of the Excursion 12 SS)
Picking your first kayak is an inexact science, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Just like people, kayaks come in all different shapes and sizes. Making sure you’ll fit comfortably is one of the most important factors in choosing a good kayak for beginners. There are lots of great kayaks for big guys, for example, as well as smaller kayaks for kids, and many offer different options for seating and comfort.
Before you buy, check the kayak’s maximum weight capacity, and refer to this handy kayak sizing guide to make sure you get one that’s the correct length for you.
Are you buying a starter kayak with the intention of upgrading later or embarking on longer day trips? Do you plan on fishing from your kayak? Are you buying a kayak for a kid? Different types of kayaks are designed for different purposes, so think about how you’ll use it before you buy.
For most beginner paddlers, a recreational or sit-on-top kayak is perfect for calm lake or river kayaking, whereas those looking to do more extreme adventures such as whitewater paddling or ocean fishing might need something a little more specialized. Recreational kayaks should never be used on larger bodies of water such as oceans or the Great Lakes — this type of paddling can be very dangerous without an appropriate sea kayak.
Kayaks come in two basic types: traditional “sit inside” kayaks, in which the paddler sits in an enclosed cockpit surrounded by the boat, and newer “sit-on-top” kayaks, which are easier to get in and out of and won’t fill up with water. Sit-on-top kayaks are great for stability, fishing and ease-of-use, whereas sit-inside kayaks — often called “recreational kayaks” — are better for cold-weather climates or for paddlers who prefer not to get wet.
While the best kayak for beginners is ultimately a matter of opinion, keep in mind that like anything else, you get what you pay for. Kayaks come at all different price points — from super-affordable inflatable models to higher-end fishing and recreational kayaks — and all offer some value for the money. Do your homework first and make sure the kayak you buy will last you as long as possible.
When making your first kayak purchase, you’ll want to take note of a few things:
If you think you’ll be kayaking with a lot of stuff — especially if you’ll be fishing or camping — take note of the kayak’s storage options. Some offer better space than others, and in general, sit-inside kayaks will offer more dry storage. Others, like the Sun Dolphin models, split the difference with tow-behind storage.
If portability and transportation is a concern, choose a kayak that’s either lightweight or collapsible. Today’s inflatable kayaks are durable and strong and can handle waves on lakes and rivers with ease — often even better than their hard-shell counterparts. While overall performance won’t quite match traditional hard-shell kayaks, inflatable kayaks are usually cheaper and provide a big advantage in portability.
Most kayaks offer some kind of seat, but experienced paddlers will tell you the stock options aren’t always the greatest. Consider upgrading to a better seat, or choose a higher-end kayak that offers more options. Tandem kayaks can often fit extra paddlers or dogs, but make sure your boat has the room you need before you buy.
Buying your first kayak is a big step, but ultimately remember that above all, it’s your kayak. The best kayak for beginners is ultimately a matter of taste, style, preferences and budget. Go with something you’re proud of, and let us know which one you choose.
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Perception pesador 10 is a good kayak for beginners and for arverage weight class 180 pounds and have extra pounds to spare for the trip without sinking and tipping over more easy to manipulate in a situation than any other kayak i messed with once you get rythem that kayak will glide on water effortless.packing your kayak with equal weight is where you will benifit from the most out of this type of kayak.
While you mention dry storage, you should also talk a bit about flotation. Those dry storage areas are first and foremost flotation chambers. Don't store anything in there that you need while you are on the water. Once you open the hatch cover, you have the potential to be swamped. Sit insides that don't have at least a stern bulkhead or supplemental flotation tend to be cheap, but shouldn't be paddled very far from shore.