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About

Kayak Connection is your premier Canoe & Kayak Rental Service in Santa Cruz, CA. Located at 413 Lake Ave UNIT 104, we offer a wide range of Water Sports Equipment Rentals to suit your needs. Whether you're a seasoned paddler or just starting out, our knowledgeable staff will help you find the perfect canoe or kayak for your adventure. As a full-service Canoe & Kayak Store, we carry a variety of top-quality canoes and kayaks for sale, as well as paddling gear and accessories. Our Canoe & Kayak Tour Agency also offers guided tours of the beautiful Santa Cruz coastline and surrounding waterways. At Kayak Connection, we're passionate about getting people out on the water and enjoying the great outdoors. That's why we offer competitive pricing, convenient rental periods, and expert advice to ensure your paddling experience is safe and enjoyable. Come visit us today and discover why we're the go-to destination for all your canoe and kayak needs in Santa Cruz!

Kayak Connection Review Summary

The summary was generated by AI, based on reviews.

Kayak Connection is a popular spot for water enthusiasts, offering a wide range of canoe and kayak rentals for a fun-filled day on the lake. With friendly staff, competitive prices, and well-maintained equipment, customers rave about their experiences.

Review Rating Chart

Google: 4.8/5

Yelp: 4.5/5

Facebook: 4.9/5

TripAdvisor: 4.7/5

Thumbtack: 4.6/5

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Reviews & Ratings

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4.6
(83 Reviews)
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Haley Peters
Haley Peters -Google user
a year ago
I have kayaked with Kayak Connection twice now, and they are just wonderful! The staff are friendly and helpful, reservation process is easy, and the experience on the water is incredible. So much wildlife to see in Elkhorn Slough. Highly recommend!
Laura Wilson
Laura Wilson -Google user
2 years ago
I had such a great experience paddleboarding with Kayak Connection. In addition to the friendly and knowledgeable staff, they have really nice SUP boards to rent. The location is cool because you can opt for a mellow time cruising in the harbor or go out...Read More
Rachael Whitted
Rachael Whitted -Google user
a year ago
Such a fun day kayaking. I was nervous since I've never kayaked before and thought this would be the perfect place to start. The team at Kayak Connection was so helpful and knowledgeable, made it so easy. I'II definitely be back!
Adri
Adri -Google user
a year ago
We went on the bioluminescent tour and it was absolutely worth it. They provided waterproof jacket and splash guard which I was grateful to have, or else I would've froze to death. Our tour guides Izzie and Logan were wonderful, so patient, knowledgeable and fun!...Read More
Patrick McLean
Patrick McLean -Google user
3 years ago
Friendly and helpful staff, reasonable prices and many chances to see the marine wildlife. One of the highlights of my 10 days in California was following a seal through the harbor, with it surfacing about 2m from my kayak at one point.
Samantha Lee
Samantha Lee -Google user
a year ago
The staff on duty were nice and accommodating!! We saw some sea lions and got to observe harbor life! Such a cool experience, would definitely recommend for anyone visiting the Santa Cruz area!!
Grey “Gretchen” Klees
Grey “Gretchen” Klees -Google user
a year ago
Paddleboards and kayaks available to rent. The guides are amazing, and the harbor is gorgeous.
Philip Barron
Philip Barron -Google user
a year ago
The staff were very friendly, and the prices are great! Lots of animals to see in harbor -- sea otters, sea lions, cormorants. The waves are calm, you have plenty of space to maneuver, so don't worry if you're a beginner too. It's a perfect...Read More
Marina Swanson
Marina Swanson -Google user
9 months ago
We had the most excellent and wonderful fishing kayak adventure! Our guide Cody was knowledgeable, fun, adventurous, and well-prepared. My partner and I had never been on a kayak before, and with our guide we didn’t feel scared or intimidated in the slightest. We went...Read More
Laura Mopas
Laura Mopas -Google user
10 months ago
We absolutely loved the sunset tour at Kayak connections! Our guide, Geo, was knowledgeable and helpful and we enjoyed kayaking with him. We look forward to our next visit and will recommend this to others!
albert nguyen
albert nguyen -Google user
2 years ago
We did a guided tour at Elkhorn Slough. Our guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the aquatic sea life. It was an enjoyable 3 hrs of light paddling and seeing the local sea life. The kayak and equipment were well maintained. We also did...Read More
Jesse Garcia
Jesse Garcia -Google user
a year ago
I went kayaking for the first time and what better place to experience it at than at Kayak Connection! Mac was very helpful in setting us up and letting us know what to expect and Reece helped us down to the dock and was extremely...Read More
Kathlene Berry
Kathlene Berry -Google user
2 years ago
My Husband and I rented Stand Up Paddle Boards for the first time at Kayak Connection in Santa Cruz Harbor. What a fun experience. The staff was so helpful. One young lady named Gwen taught us both what to do and we...Read More
Kyla
Kyla -Google user
4 years ago
I'm from Philadelphia visiting some friends on the West Coast and decided to try kayaking! I was honestly nervous, it was my first time and I thought I wouldn't be any good or get stuck/fall in! I met with Heather who was so sweet and...Read More
Michael Geisen
Michael Geisen -Google user
5 years ago
My wife and I really enjoyed supporting a good, local business this past Sunday when we rented a double kayak at the Santa Cruz location. Dave and Emily were great, the kayak was nice and well equipped, and being out on the water was beautiful....Read More
Aaron Montoya
Aaron Montoya -Google user
a year ago
Muchas gracias Kayak Connections. Our son spent many summers learning how to kayak in your summer programs. You are great. Thank you so much for what you taught him about kayaking and nature.
Soana Puna
Soana Puna -Google user
a year ago
Place was great! The instructors were very helpful! It easy and fun! We saw 2 sea lions and it really cute! I 100% recommend this place :)
Sample Name
Sample Name -Google user
5 years ago
Great place to go for kayaking in Santa Cruz. When I went the staff were quite nice. They gave off a welcoming vibe -- the sort that you can't find at most corporate kayak or surf shops. The day we went there were hazards outside...Read More
Cory Woolf
Cory Woolf -Google user
4 years ago
I ordered an Old Town kayak from Kayak Connection back in August when most other stores weren’t allowing orders from Old Town due to the backlog of orders that Old Town couldn’t keep up with due to supplier issues. Dave from Kayak Connection has amazing...Read More
Alyssa Dorn
Alyssa Dorn -Google user
4 years ago
We had such a fun outing in Elkhorn Slough! Joseph was so helpful getting us outfitted with our kayaks, oars, and life vests and giving us advice for the conditions and wildlife; it was fun and easy! And everything was COVID- safe and sanitized. On...Read More

Features

From the business

check icon Identifies as women-owned

Accessibility

check icon Wheelchair accessible entrance
check icon Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Crowd

check icon LGBTQ+ friendly
check icon Transgender safespace

Other

check icon LGBTQ+ friendly
check icon Identifies as women-owned