Portland Kayak Company

My husband found this place when he was out for his morning run. We rented a double kayak, the owner had wheels strapped onto it and off we went searching for the river drop spot! It was definitely a fun adventure! The owners were very friendly, the price was right and it was super fun! They have other items for sale as well as rentals. The front of their establishment has very limited parking. We parked across the street after we reserved our kayak. We definitely recommend. Looking forward to rent their kayak again whenever we visit Portland!

All the staff in the building was super friendly and nice to work with! They got us set up with all our gear quickly, provided clear instructions on how to get down to the boat launch from the building, and recommended a couple of route options for the amount of time we had the rentals. We will definitely rent kayaks from them again!

Portland Kayak Company was really great. All the information communicated through their emails and website was very accurate and clearly stated. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. It was very easy to get down to the river and we enjoyed our time kayaking. I think next time we would do four hours to have a more leisurely experience. Highly recommend!

We went on the Ross Island trip with Fred. What a wonderful guide and beautiful person. He was knowledgeable, experienced, fun and considerate. He was very attentive to our safety without being oppressive and I very much appreciate it. The kayaking is fairly easy and we saw a couple bald eagles and heron. I would highly recommend this!!

I have been here thrice so far and had a great experience every time. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The kayaks were easy to use and in great condition. Their instructions were simple and made the whole process smooth. We were able to have fun and enjoy the experience even though we just started kayaking. Especially the first time, I wanted to back out but they encouraged me and now we all love going together as a family. Thanks to Portland Kayak Company for the great service. We will be back soon and we highly recommend them.

Highlight of my vacation in Portland! Great selection of kayaks and easy to understand instructions on where/how/what to do on the river. Wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to paddle again. Thanks Mike and Annie!

Came in looking for a fishing kayak. They got me setup with a boat that fit all my needs, under budget from a top brand. Super friendly and there is a really cute dog that hangs around the shop, what else is there to say?

Staff was very friendly and chill. Kayaks given to us were the best I've every rented. Proper kayak PFDs as well. Fun to roll our kayaks a few blocks to the river and put in ourselves. Enjoyed looking at the floating houses, and exploring the nearby island waterways. ALSO; Annie didn't blink an eye when I asked if we could store luggage during our rental since our next stop was the airport. GREAT way to spend our last two hours in Portland!

I walked into Portland Kayak Company with high anxiety, and left wanting to purchase a kayak! My cousin came into town and I wanted to make some awesome memories. I'll admit that kayaking was my idea, but I was still nervous about it. We did the 2+ hour tour around Ross Island and I don't think I ever stopped smiling. Our guides were awesome and so was the entire group. I'll be back again for sure. Thank you all for such a wonderful experience.

We booked a two hour kayak rental, both a single and tandem and had a great experience. Booking is very easy online and I'd love to check out the tours they offer around the island. Parking for rentals is street parking as they keep the lot reserved for storefront services fyi. Once we checked in we were given a choice between different kayak models (some were light and fast and other options were slower but more stable). Instructions to the docks were clear and an easy walk around the corner. You load the kayak onto a set of wheels with some help and then walk down the pier to start kayaking. We had a great time looking at beautiful houseboats and exploring the lagoon. Before taking off staff will show you a map of the area and recommended paths to take. Fyi there's a loop you can take that we were told would take about 2 hours to complete with consistent kayaking (just for reference to determine how much rental time you might need). Prices were fair, it was 39 for the single and 55 for the tandem. You're also given a paddle, lifejacket and bilge pump. I'd definitely rent from them again.

I highly recommend taking a class at Portland Kayak Company! My wife and I were first timers and the beginners class did such a great job making us feel comfortable on the water. Our instructors were Rose and Margot; both were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and patient! They even helped me when I fell into the water (yeah, I'm not embarrassed to admit it... I totally fell in the water, haha!). It was totally my fault but both were quick to help me and they did such a great job not making me feel bad about it. Helpful Tips: * If you're taking a class, know that the kayak, the paddle and the life vest are provided. * If you plan to bring your phone with you on the kayak, make sure to bring an airtight bag to keep your phone in it. We had one already but I saw that they sold them in their store, too! Oh, and it's worth mentioning... the company was very understanding even though we arrived five minutes late (our GPS turned us around and we got lost heading to the class). Of course, try your best to avoid being late, but it was great knowing they were understanding about it. It made us feel extremely comfortable! My wife and I are definitely coming back!

Highly recommend the Ross Island Tour. Our tour guides were awesome! We had a debriefing of the do's and don'ts of kayaking before heading into the water. My wife and I shared the tandem kayak and it was as smooth as can be. Thank you Portland Kayak Company!

I like to rent here once or twice a yeear. It's a fun, urban kayaking experience to paddle aound Ross Island. While you could do it in 2 hours, I booked for 3 so I had extra time to chill and and the get the boat to and from the boat launch. You do have to trail the boat a little, but nothing too strenous. The owner is super friendly and I enjoy touching base with her when I stop in.

My sister in law and I took the beginners class and had a great time! Our guides were Rose and Margot, they were knowledgeable, friendly, and really took their time with each one of us. We had someone in our party fall in, the guides sprung into action and immediately assisted. They did a thorough introduction of the parts of the kayak, how to get in and exit, the different strokes. How to use your feet and core (not just your arms), and showed us how to get back in our kayaks if we should fall in the water. I was pretty anxious beforehand as there are a lot of watercraft on the willamette, they did a great job of putting us all at ease. The beginners class is 3 hours, park free anywhere on the adjacent street, you can leave your stuff in the shop, and bring a water bottle. All the gear is provided. They provide the kayak best for you based on your height/weight. So don't lie! Highly recommend if you're looking for the basics. If you're expecting a tour sign up for that instead. This was definitely a class where we practiced different strokes. We will definitely be back!

Thoughtful, knowledgeable, limited kayak inventory, leans toward rentals and is a medium walk from the Willamette River and a good put in. Nice folks

Portland Kayak Company has a great group of people who genuinely love what they do and are super helpful with getting you on the water. Went in an hour before closing with a question about my seemingly broken paddle for my Inflatable SUP and they were able to help me fix my paddle and provide me with a great selection of new paddles as well. Can't recommend this place enough for excellent customer service and awesome people!

I had an incredible time renting a kayak and exploring the Willamette. The staff were super friendly and helpful. They went out of their way to give me fantastic suggestions for routes, and they were so polite when they gently suggested that my original plan might have been a bit too ambitious. They provide a cart to easily wheel the kayak across the street to the boat launch. The kayak itself was in top-notch condition and incredibly stable. I felt completely at ease as I cruised along the broad Willamette, far away from any boat traffic. There were so many cool things to see near the launch point, it was perfect! When it came time to return the kayak, the staff were incredibly generous and basically gave me an extra hour by adjusting the rental rate. I can't recommend renting from them enough--it's an absolutely fantastic way to enjoy a beautiful day.

Portland Kayak made our trip. Great instructors, equipment was perfect and the experience on the water was stunning. No better way to spend the day.

We rented kayaks for two hours on a Friday afternoon. The entire experience was really nice. We reserved same day online with no problems (my guess is it is busier on weekends). You can either get paid street parking nearby or pay to park in the park right behind the store where the boat launch is. They have bathrooms and a water machine in the office which they let you know of as soon as you get in. The employees were all very friendly and helpful. They give you a quick info talk and then you wheel your kayak (or SUP/canoe) down into the park on the provided kayak dolley. This was some of the nicest rental kayak/equipment that I've ever used. The walk plus putting in takes 10-15 min. The river was pretty calm when we went and was a nice reprieve from the hot temps. I recommend bringing at least 16 oz of water per hour you're kayaking if it's warm out (it was about 85F for us). L We plan to return here for a longer kayaking expedition next time we're in Portland!

Wonderful service, huge variety of kayaks and canoes. It is a walk with the equipment, but they put on wheels so it does help vs. carrying the whole way. People in geneneral on the water and other.renters were all so wonderful, great day. Still 5 star service and will return again.

Super great staff! This is a necessity when visiting Portland! Even the pups got to join in on the fun which was even better!

Great time kayaking with our rental from the Portland kayak company. The kayak was in perfect shape and the service was great. There's also a really sweet dog that you get to say hi to. Will definitely be coming back!

My daughter and I were in Portland for a weekend visit, and we called to see about a tour. The moon was nearly full, so we booked a "'moonlight tour" around Ross Island. Kaden was our guide, and our small group of 5 people (one double kayak, the rest of us in singles) had a truly memorable experience. We even had a couple from Oklahoma who want from "nervous" to "synchronized kayak paddle award winners" by the end of the journey! The weather and water were perfect, and we completed the 5 mile paddle in just under two hours. Safety was top of mind, we all had flashing lights and life vests and very nice new-ish kayaks and paddles. The views were great (bald eagles, bridges, boats, etc). Highly highly recommend. Something you won't regret doing! Book now and have a great on-the-water experience.

Very helpful staff. Went in not knowing a thing about kayaking and left much more knowledgeable Bought a great kayak at a terrific price.

Did the Ross Island Tour here on Memorial Day a few days ago, and booked the 2pm tour about 6 days in advance. My friend and I booked 2 singles kayaks, and the tour was about $49 per person. We started the tour at 2 and it ended around 5, so that's about 3 hours of kayak time. I think the rental fee for free rec use of a kayak is about $15 an hour? so this isn't as much of a rip off as you might think (when I first looked at the price of the tour that my friend gave me, I thought it was expensive, but you get a pretty good amount of kayak time!) My friend and I were running about 10 minutes late looking for parking, and the kayak guides were super nice and patient with us (they had our waivers ready to sign when we got there, they didn't leave without us, etc.) Life vests are provided, and they teach you the most efficient way to paddle too. They're super friendly, and before the tour, everyone in the group goes around and shares name, where you're from, how comfortable you feel in the water, kayaking experience, etc. You set out on the Willamette with 2 tour guides (I had Sean and Anna, they're both around college age/ recent grads, which I really loved!) They were super easy to make conversation with (granted they're my age..) Sean led the pack and we went down the river - eventually crossing as a group when all the boats/ jet skis had passed. They had little blurbs of info about Tilikum crossing, the floating colorful houses near Ross Island, Ross Island itself, etc. The second half of the tour is much easier to kayak because you kind of go around the island to a less powerful current area of the river (you really feel like you're just sailing through the water super easily at this part). Anna and Sean were SUPER nice, Sean took a picture of me and my friend on our kayaks with his phone because we didn't bring ours, and he sent it to us after! (super great photographer, but our smiling and candid shots, thanks Sean you the homie) Advice: - Park in one of the parking garages nearby to the dock of the boats - it'll be about $7.50 for 3 hours but it's about how much you would have to pay for street parking anyway (yay portland). - Get there 15 minutes early just to give yourself enough time so you arrive on time with your tour group! - if you're doing this with friends, I highly recommend getting the single, they're easy to navigate, there's a place to put valuables where they won't get wet, and I strapped my waterbottle to the cords on the kayak and it's really secure. - Life jackets have a place where you can stick your phone, but not sure if it'll get wet if you fall in the water Overall, I wouldn't do this tour again, but I'm really glad I did it once! I had some Portland locals tell me before that the Willamette is super dirty, but honestly, I'm from Stockton, CA and our delta is 100x nastier than the Willamette, you'll be fine. People swim in the Willamette all the time and I heard it's gotten much cleaner recently. Super friendly staff, clean boats, they help you get in and out of your kayak, great for kids and adults alike.

Can I give this place 6 stars? maybe even 10? The woman who guided me in my purchase could not have been nicer or more honest, and helpful. She told us all the things we would need to get our kayaking life started, from the rolly wheels to the whistle. (lo and behold, a guy stopped me at Cook's Park to make sure I had a whistle). They installed the rack on top of my car and I felt very comfortable knowing it was all secure. I LOVE my Edyline and am so grateful to the staff for starting me off in my life long passion. I'm 66 and short, and she made me believe that I could manage the kayak by myself. thank you for the confidence. I've had it for a year and I've already made the break even point in not paying rentals anymore.

Super friendly and caring! Despite arriving late for my rental, the staff was super helpful and insisted that the time allotted (2hrs in my case) should start once you are on the water, as a short walk is needed to get the dock and some minor prep to get on the River. The staff gave us recommendations based on the wind and also safety tips as there is a toxic algae bloom in the river (read, bad for dogs!!) Had a great time.

Fast, friendly, and knowledgable service. Solid rental equipment. Easy walk with the kayak on wheels to the river.

Friendly staff, nice selection of boats in good shape and super helpful advice. Affordable too and good location fairly close to the river. Will definitely use again.

My family and I had a great experience renting two tandem kayaks. The service was excellent and the equipment was in good shape. All this ensured that we had a safe, enjoyable time on the water. Thank you!

My boyfriend and I wanted to do something fun on our last day in Portland and he thankfully found this kayaking company. Upon entering we were greeted by this BEAUTIFUL dog that was just so friendly and the workers there who helped us were just as nice. We were able to get a tandem kayak without a reservation and it was cool. The kayak was in good shape and the experience was incredible. They were helpful in explaining the instructions. Price was reasonable and maybe even better than reasonable. I just highly recommend this place. Just do it.

Great service, easy process, quality equipment! I had an awesome time on the water and would recommend to anyone!

We called a couple days in advance to reserve 2 standard kayaks. It was just enough time to get around the island. check in was simple. The weather was on our favor. No deposit required. U haul the kayaks to the river with these wheel carts they provide, down a short 5 minute walk to the river. It's best to go early as they book up fast during the summer. Bring your own snacks or baguettes like we did! Might be best to eat before hand or after but we made it work. We brought our own bags along too at our risk. The compartments are usable but we kept them behind our seats for easy access. Otherwise the staff offers to hold your belongings in their secured back office. Nothing got wet and we captured some great photos. Paddle at your own rate! It was a great experience and we'll be sure to return again soon!

That was so fun! Everyone was really nice and personable. It was a hot day and we were dressed in hot clothes - they sell nice short-sleeved shirts that worked out well! Their system of transporting the kayaks to the water is streamlined and simple. Overall great experience with Portland Kayak Co.

Super easy and smooth process to rent two kayaks for a few hours and take them out on the Willamette. Booked my rental early in the morning the same day. Found parking in the neighborhood. After answering a few questions about skill level and comfort they picked out the perfect kayaks. They gave instructions on how to get to the launch spot. And provided life jackets and roller carts. We were in the water in no time. Returning was also quick and easy. All staff were super helpful and friendly. I'll absolutely rent (or buy) from them in the future.

My niece and I booked a 2-hour kayak ride on a gorgeous Portland afternoon, and it could not have gone smoother. Michael was super friendly and knowledgeable. We are not experienced kayakers whatsoever, but we figured it out without any issues (except for ending up in the shallow part of the Willamette, which was our own fault for not following Michael's directions). I would highly recommend Portland Kayak Company, especially for those with no experience. And, we saw a bald eagle. So there's that. Go there now.

I walked in because I wanted to go kayaking. I go in and no one greets me, so I go find who ever runs the shop and one older gentlemen finally says Hi.( they have no uniform, they blend in with customers) I asked for 2 hours, he says, fine sign a waiver and gets me line up for my kayak rental. They provide life jackets and a quick crash course. They do not provide guides in the river, you're on your own. So be careful, company not responsible. Once at the water, you got to watch out for speed boats since they are ridiculously going fast in no wake zones. Hopefully you have someone with experience kayaking with you. Decent place though.

The kayaking bug has bit me hard, and Portland Kayaking Company gave me just what I needed! First off, they're super friendly! From taking my reservation over the phone to instructing us on where to go out on the river, the staff were kind and knowledgeable and set us at ease. They knew the conditions of the river and the weather and were able to guide us accordingly to ensure we had the best experience on the water. Speaking of the water, let's talk about their kayaking playground: the mighty Willamette River! It's a bit of a trek to get down to the river from the company building, but it was surprisingly easy to maneuver the kayaks. Once we were in the water, it was quite the experience! It's such an expansive body of water, and the views are incredible. Yes, the wind was in full effect the day we were out, but thanks to the staff's recommendations we were able to really enjoy ourselves and get a great workout at the same time...double score! The equipment was top-notch, well maintained and we felt completely safe. It was also my first experience with a rudder on a kayak! I'd highly recommend Portland Kayak Company, especially given their proximity to the Portland metro area. This is right in our own backyard...check them out!

Super easy online booking, affordable rates, very smooth and organized check-in and orientation, and they offered to hold on to our valuables while out kayaking. There was easy parking in the neighborhood. The kayak was the highest quality kayak I have ever rented and it was pretty easy to transport it down to the river. I had a very lovely time kayaking around Ross Island and stopping at beaches along the way to relax and snack. Would definitely recommend!

Having been to Portland several times, I was looking for a different way to see the city and thought a kayak tour would be perfect. I did the Ross Island tour, which took about 3 hours. The marina was easy to find in the new waterfront development. Some basic kayak safety rules and instruction were provided, before we started. You are able to see the city from a different perspective and it was a really nice way to spend the morning. We went out with two instructors, who were both very friendly and informative and provided a good history of the area we paddled through.

We had a fantastic experience! The staff were very nice, patient , and helpful during the set up process. Everything went smoothly even though there was a steady stream of people like us picking up equipment. The returning process was easy as well. There is the convenience of putting in right around the corner in Willamette Park and they provide suggestions on where you can kayak.

Terrific company. Super friendly staff, easy to get to the dock (though it does take a little work to put the boats in and take out). I love kayaking out on the Willamette and Portland Kayak is affordable and fun for the whole family.

Awesome place to rent kayaks! Staff were so friendly and welcoming!I was a little late coming in worried I would be charged but they were so nice and told me not to worry about it.I totally recommend this place

Organized, timely, and kind. My husband and I had a wonderful time paddle boarding together thanks to Portland Kayak Company! We will definitely be back!

We had the best time! Great friendly staff too! We saw deer with fawns, mergansers, geese, ducks, and herons.

So glad to have had my first experience kayaking with this company. Such a kind and welcoming staff, who graciously accommodated my needs. 10/10 recommend. Also book more time than you think you want/ need!

I rarely leave reviews, but I had to come on here today since I had such a great experience yesterday! The location is perfect -- just a short walk to the water and a little cart you can use to transport your rental is provided... so you don't have to flex your muscles while walking along S. Macadam Ave. lol The whole process from check in, to getting your rental, to checking out was seamless, and I'll attribute that to the amazing staff. They were super friendly, and you want those kind of positive vibes before you hit the water. I'll be back for sure and will bring my friends here as well! Oh, and make sure to book your rental in advance! Thanks again, PKC!

I've been going to Portland Kayak Company for over a year and I will keep coming back. Annie and Mike are wonderful and have been extremely helpful and patient with all of my questions! I bought my first kayak and all my gear from them and I'm looking at buying another one. I've also rented from them. Their rental gear is high quality and their prices are great. If you want to get into kayaking or need some new gear, Portland Kayak Company is the place to go!

The staff are so kind and helpful. They make you feel totally confident that they know what they're doing and are very easy going. I've gone twice and recommend it to anyone who wants a city kayaking experience.

Our family of 4 did the Ross island 10 am tour. We went out in a group of 10. We had Makayla & Jane as our guides. They took the time to explain all the do's & donts & safety stuff. They were so patient, as most of us were beginners. My son brought his phone in a ziplock bag & there are pockets in the life jackets. We saw a bald eagle, deer, osprey& blue Herron. The tour is 5 miles & the first part is the toughest. Once you turned to head back, the water is calmer. We were all sore the next day. Took us just under 3 hours. I would highly recommend it. It was such a fun experience & the highlight of our trip.

Dude!!! I've rented kayaks all over the PNW and these were the nicest ones ever. They were really nice and the sign up process was easy. PKC has a great setup so you just wheel your kayak down to the river and off you go. $28 for about 2 hours seemed like a great deal considering how quality the kayaks were. I had no idea they could be so comfortable. I'm a plus sized woman but they definitely had a kayak that would fit me and a life vest. I had so much fun we booked them for tomorrow also. Again, great people and they have a super cute dog that will say hi to you.

I'm so happy with my time and purchases at Portland Kayak Co. I wish this review could be 10 stars, not just 5! This is such a great local business. Everyone is so friendly and super helpful. We bought our first SUPs from Mike at PKC and now we're beyond hooked. We feel like it's because of the quality boards and great help given to us to figure out what was best for us. The attention you get is personal, helpful and safe (during COVID that's important too!!) I'll keep going back!!

I am a complete novice at Kayaking but was interested to start kayaking. I looked around for different beginner kayaking tours and found Portland Kayak Company. I was slightly hesitant when I about to start the tour but the staff made me feel at ease and gave some basic training steps such as rowing, steering etc. Our group only had 3 and turns out I was the only one completely new to kayaking. The staff was very patient with me and repeatedly gave instructions to help me paddle and steer. When all else failed, she helped fix the kayak rudder so that I can steer straight. Once the rudder was fixed I was able to paddle and keep the kayak on a straight path. After the adjustment, I enjoyed the tour especially the bridges and the paddling around Ross Island. The guide also talked about some of the PDX history and I got so comfortable that on the way back I was the first one to paddle to the shore (not that it was a competition :) ). I am a fan of kayaking now and I have enough confidence to try again soon

Yesterday's gorgeous spring day turned into an even better day after we stopped in to Portland Kayak Company to check out some kayaks. After 5 years of talking about it, my boyfriend and I had yet to actually make this purchase. Yesterday we went to Sellwood Riverfront Park and again commented on how nice it would be to have a couple of kayaks for us and our pup. On the way home, we stopped by PKC and had the pleasure of meeting Annie. We initially asked her for a recommendation on a kayak that would be solid enough to hold our 80 pound and growing German Shepherd pup but easy to manage for budding kayakers. From there it was history - it was not long before we purchased a Perception kayak, a Current Designs kayak, all the fixings including paddles and life jackets, and a pretty sweet setup for my SUV to transport it all. The greatest part of our experience is that the shop was busy and bustling almost the entire time we were there; however, both Annie and Mike were extremely attentive to us and we never felt rushed. At one point, Annie had Mike help us attach our new cross bars and Jaylow kits to the car while she rang up our extensive purchases. While we appreciated the assistance, it wasn't until later that day when putting the kayaks back up on the car did we realize how thankful we were for Mike - the tips and tricks he showed us were critical to our own handling of the equipment and would have never been known if we purchased this gear online. Our experience was top notch and we are stoked to finally have our own set of kayaks. Thank you so much, Annie and Mike, for the wonderful experience and the awesome gear - we will definitely be back!

I rented a kayak here over Memorial Day weekend and had to write a review for the excellent customer service I received. If you're looking to rent a kayak or stand up paddle board, Portland Kayak Company is the best in the city and very reasonably priced. I believe there is a 2-hour minimum on all rentals, which should give you plenty of time on the river. They provide wheels and a lock to get your equipment from the shop to the water (about a 5-minute walk on a flat, paved road). Great local business! I would give extra stars for the adorable shop dog if I could! :)

Had a killer SUP class this past weekend. Well worth my time and money. Staff was great, especially our instructor, Kelly, who was professional, fun, supportive, cognizant of all skill levels and really made the experience memorable! I will be back with friends!

Friendly staff and clean boats. The prices are fair. Reserve in advance as they run out of double kayaks - we got a canoe instead. The downside is that you have to tow it to the water which is a 5 minute-walk. Manually Towing a Canoe as opposed to a Kayak takes a bit of getting used to. Parking is limited here - free parking, though available in the neighbourhood, is hard to find.