My first and only time paddle boarding was in Hawaii, and I loved every moment of it. So, I really wanted to do it again when I got back home, however, places that offered paddle boarding were very limited. I found Empire Kayaks through Yelp and they seemed to check all the boxes for me. As someone who can't swim and is truly afraid of falling into the water, the location was very important to me. Empire Kayaks is located at the end of a residential block, and in the back, they have access to a "small" body of water. Since it wasn't the open ocean, it felt just a tad safer to me. The process was so simple, with cubbies and life jackets provided. They gave a quick lesson on how to use the paddle board, which was greatly appreciated as only a second-timer. They assist you with launching the paddle board from a very shallow body of water. And then, you're pretty much allowed to paddle wherever you want. It was really fun, especially with other kayakers/paddle boarders in the water too. I was a bit sad the water wasn't clear like Hawaii, which scares me when I can't see what's happening in the waters, but we're in NY, so duh, what did I expect? The only downside is you might get stuck if you get too close to the edges, which almost happened to me and I started to panic. Another con is a lot of boats are parked at the piers of this body of water, so you'll have boats of all sizes whizzing by, and it's really up to you to try to avoid them because who knows if they will. Also, if you get caught in the ripple made by the boat, it's really hard to stay balanced on the board! read more

Just came back from a 2 hours kayak ride. Saw a few Osprey and a couple of other birds. Other than that, just a pleasant ride on the water seeing some beautiful houses. The people that work here are great. Friendly, helpful, great instruction. Watched worker sanitize and hose down life jackets. Cubby for shoes and towels. Parking right across the road. Definitely recommend. read more

What a great day on the water with the little guy, friendly staff and great equipment for multiple styles on the water. Will be back read more

Empire Kayaks - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Island Park, New York

Amazing day on the water. The owners went above and beyond to teach proper technique and safe paddling. Great location. Easy to get to. The equipment was in great shape and the owners were so nice. Really enjoyed my day on the water exploring the marshes of the South shore of Long Island. read more

This is a fantastic place for kayaking, especially if you're with a big group. I called a week in advance for our group of 12, and the lady was super helpful in planning ahead for doubles/singles and payment (cash only). I wish I had asked about what to prepare.... Please bring towels and change of clothing! Also boat shoes and/or sandals. Most of us went barefoot and we were fine. However, I didn't realize we would get so wet! Bug spray and sun screen would also be very useful here. The operation is so well-run here. I was truly impressed. After signing our waivers and putting our stuff away, we got our safety vests on and had a quick training on how to kayak. We were in the water within 15-20 minutes of arrival. We were worried that we would be sitting in the scorching sun, but being near water, the weather was pleasant and everyone had a great time. If you have phones, I would leave them all in your car or at the desk, and assign one or two people to have their phones ready for pictures. They give you a dry bag to put your phone in, but they have limited quantities per group. I'm removing one star because of our experience towards the end. As we were leaving, it started pouring (which was totally fine because we were done) but as soon as we paid, the old lady at the front told us to get out and not block the entrance, because she didn't want the place to seem "too busy". First of all, it was POURING rain - if it was sunny that's one thing, but I'm pretty sure masses of people won't be dying to kayak in this weather. Second, we had no where else to go while waiting for our cabs to arrive. How can you let us just stand in the rain?! Thirdly, this literally happened as soon as we paid. I guess our transaction ends there... She also came out two more times asking where our cabs were, almost as if it was our fault for waiting there for ~15 minutes. Overall, great kayaking experience but terrible customer service. Beware! read more

Empire Kayaks - So much fun! - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Island Park, New York

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What a terrific find!! I literally can't explain how happy I am to have found this place. Covid has left most kayak rental/purchase places with bare cupboards, but not Empire. I called and spoke with Gabrielle on Thursday. She said she had the exact Malibu Two I was looking for. I went and picked it up on Saturday. Her husband Mike set up my roof rack for me and explained how to load up the boat. It was a seamless purchase from a terrific couple. They would be the epitome of a 'mom and pop' shop. They explained that they have been renting and selling boats for 22 years. This is the place d to go if you want to get a great deal and a some great advice on recreational boating. Shop Local.....buy from Empire Kayaks. read more

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So helpful and friendly! Was able to try the paddle boards out before buying. Will definitely go back.

Mike and Gabrielle were amazing! We've visited Empire Kayaks a few times before (beautiful location, 10/10 would recommend renting and exploring) but given the pandemic, we decided that it was time to purchase our very own kayak (great isolation tool!). Empire Kayaks made the entire experience easy and fun. Gabrielle talked with us on the phone and gave us a list of kayaks currently available for purchase so we could do our research ahead of time. After setting an appointment, we then met in person and she was patient as we asked many questions and took pictures. Gabrielle also helped us pick out paddles, a vest, and a skirt. She was so informative and helpful in making the best decision for our needs and kayaking goals. And Mike helped us load everything up! We didn't have a kayak rack on our car yet, so Mike helped us load our new toy onto a very questionable make-shift rack, and when we returned a few days later to buy a roof rack, Mike also helped us install it. Just phenomenal customer service across the board. Not to mention our kayak has been a dream on every single ride. We're in love with our Eddyline kayak. Thanks Gabrielle and Mike! read more

Empire Kayaks - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Island Park, New York

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Excellent People, Great Knowledge, Extremely Friendly, Engaging, and Knowledgable ---- Highly Recommend for Learning, Renting & Buying This kayak shop is awesome. They have by far the best fleet of kayaks for rentals that I've seen in Long Island, with quality models that you can try. Gabriel and the other lady, whose name I unfortunately forgot, were so friendly and informative. These people are kayak enthusiasts, not true salesmen. Yes, they run and operate a kayak shop, but they're kayakers themselves and they love talking boats, gear, gear and experiences. I'm newer to kayaking, but I'm learning fast. I'm absolutely going to take lessons here at Empire and really enjoyed speaking to Gabriel. Again, she's extremely friendly, but she knows her stuff, and is full of knowledge waiting to be shared. I told her she was like the North Star guiding me through uncharted waters. If you want to learn about kayaks/kayaking/kayak gear, stop by this shop. I really think you'll be happy you did. If you want to rent a kayak, stop by here, they have by far the best kayak fleet, along with good rates, and you will have a great time. Thank you for your hospitality, patience, and teachings! I had a great time speaking with and learning from you both! Highly recommend. read more

Great Experience buying from Mike and Gabrielle! I purchased my very first kayak, the Hobie 12' Mirage passport. The kayak was completely installed and ready to go into the water. Mike explained the different features of the kayak and made sure I had full understanding of the pedal and rudder system. Gabrielle is so easy to work with and Was really patient with me, she held the kayak until I found a place to store it. She fitted me with a life jacket. Mike and Gabrielle Took the time out to instruct me on how to car-top my new kayak. They did a complete walk around With me after the kayak was strapped to my car. They are so friendly. Thank you so much guys. See you soon. read more

Empire Kayaks - Hobie Mirage Passport 12 - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Island Park, New York

Five star adventure experience. Although Empire offers several instructional classes, we opted for a brief paddling orientation and then hit the water. We rented a double kayak but there are several options available - including both single and double kayaks, paddleboards, stand-up pedalboards, AND pedal kayaks. Once you get hooked on their water adventures you can also look into their new and used water vehicles and gear. A+ for service with a smile. They also prorate their hourly rental after the first hour. We found the rental rates very fair. They even let us borrow a wet bag which made for great pictures and videos on the water. I reccomend this kayak rental destination without reservation. The nearby wetlands and Shell Channel made for a scenic, exercise-filled excursion. It was our first time. We'll be back with friends! They also are open, apparently, year round. read more

Fun to come out here to kayak on a nice day, you can rent a single/double kayak and go around the area. It's a great activity for the weekend and good to have some time to hang out with friends. read more

Empire Kayaks - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Island Park, New York

We live out in Queens and were looking for a place to rent Kayaks to enjoy the day out on the water. Found Empire Kayaks on Yelp, called in the morning to get some details. The lady who picked up was very nice answered all my questions and I had a few as this was would be only our second time kayaking. Keep in mind they do not take reservations it's first come first serve. We went on a Wednesday and got here around 1:30pm and had no issue. From the time we walked up to the counter we were greeted by a tall gentleman who assisted us, we rented 1, 2 person kayak, cost is $30 per hour, if you rent a single it's $20 per hour. The checkin process was easy, sign your life away give them your keys or photo ID and you then get your life vest. The gentleman and woman who assisted us with the paperwork were very friendly and fast. After we got our vest on, a young gentleman I think his name is Devin tightened our vest and recommended various routes to take, again very friendly. He then walked us to our Kayak on the water and assisted us with getting in. A little off topic while we were getting our vest on another renter was insisting on not wearing a life jacket because she was a lifeguard, and kept asking if she could take it off while out on the water because she wanted to work on her tan (that's what beaches are for idiot, and aren't you a lifeguard so dont you tan all damn day?!!) the employee told her I'm a life guard as well and I wear a vest so I suggest you wear it and keep it on, she then asked if she would get in trouble by the marine police and he said yes you will, she got frustrated and said well I'm not going to ask you anymore and caught an attitude with him because she wasn't getting the answer she wanted. The employee was so calm, and patient dealing with this moron, Kudos to him, because she would be the one to blame the company for saying she didn't have to wear it if she did get in trouble with the marina police. Anyways we got out onto the water and Kayaked all around the marsh, we brought a cooler with us and at one point just sat out on the water in our kayak and guzzled down a few White Claws while enjoying the peacefulness and nature around us. It took us about an hour and half total time to do the loop around the marsh and that included our relaxation pit stop. When we returned the young man assisted us off the kayaks, pointed us to an outdoor shower to get the salt off. I was expecting to be charged for 2 hours since we were out on the water for an hour and a half. The gentleman did not, he charged me just for the time we used ($45 vs $60)!!! Upon checkout we asked the lady for a food recommendation in the area and she pointed us to Jordan's Lobster Farms, let me tell you that lady knows what she's talking about, read my next review. This place is amazing, this will be our go to from now on and I'm gonna recommend this place to everyone. Thank you for making it a great day Empire Ka read more

Empire Kayaks - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Island Park, New York

I was looking for a rack for my wifes' nissan rogue. The car was configured in such a way that only Yakima make a rack that fit. Mike and Gabrielle ordered it, which was no small effort as COVID had stopped production on parts of the rack. They were good for their word and obtained the parts, called me when they came in, and had them waiting for me when I got there. Both Mike and Gabrielle were very patient with me and explained everything. Strong work, folks, Thank you! Paul read more

"This is a great kayak store! I ordered a Hobie Passport 12 kayak last October and just picked it up today. Gabrielle and Mike were fantastic and made the buying and pickup experience so smooth and easy. Mike explained all the features of the Passport and helped us load it onto our van and secure it. They are very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. I highly recommend this shop for kayak sales, rentals and accessories. 5 STARS!" read more

I first learned about this place 10 years ago when I wanted to try kayaking. Mike and Gabrielle along with their staff were super helpful in getting me comfortable kayaking for the first time. Since then, bought some kayaks with their expert advice. Participated in races (first place, tandem, 2005, thank you ) and other events they hosted. Still one of my favorite places to kayak after kayaking all over the place. read more

Empire Kayaks - Quick bagel break while kayaking in the beautiful bays of the south shore. - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Island Park, New York

This store is the best. I bought a Hobie Passport 12 and a whole lot of accessories. Mike installed all of them, plus my fish finder (which I bought separately) free of charge, and then delivered it to my house in Queens free of charge, and when Hobie delayed shipping my boat they were so good about it, they offered to apply my deposit to another Kayak. They were incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, accommodating, and honest. I would HIGHLY recommend this store to anyone. read more

Went out for a sail today on the Hobie Adventure Island. Weather not so great, but Gabby and Mike always smiling. Great to see them still running a great family business. read more

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First heard about this place from an kayaking enthusiast at my gym. Great place to rent a kayak, get out on the water and forget about everything. I love this place because they're almost always blasting the Grateful Dead or the musical equivalent and the staff is friendly and helpful. But it's not just about the kayaks. We went here for the yoga paddle, where you paddle out to a park, do yoga for an hour, and paddle back where a table of delicious organic refreshments are served (the bagels were uh-mazing!) The only aspect about the paddle that I didn't like was the yoga part. I understand that the instructor didn't want to make it too difficult, since paddling out there kinda takes a toll on your body. But I would've liked to do something just a LITTLE bit more than basic stretching. read more

Quite close to where I live, Very friendly and helpful staff, absolutely affordable prices. The Kayaks are quite good, but there are no great views to kayak to or anything if that's what you are looking for. I Would DEFINITELY GO HERE AGAIN. read more

It takes a bit but worth it, it is fun but you don't really go anywhere with good views but I do get my exercise and I love kayaking but this place is great it is so much cheaper than buying a kayak and using it for three months out of the year great business idea Will return again read more

Love this place!! They know what there talking about when it comes to kayaks!! I'm up to 6 kayaks with this family friendly establishment read more

Empire Kayaks - Here with the Trident ocean Kayak 13.. - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Island Park, New York

Kayaking is a great way to bring balance back to your day. The water, the exercise, and the space allow me to realize freedom. The staff at Empire understand their role in your experience. They are courteous and kind, knowledgable and instructive( if you need them to be.) Empire is a safe place. It's a welcoming place. Enjoy kayaking ASAP !!!! read more

Had a great time there! Me and my boyfriend did double kayaks that was $30/hr we went for an hour and it was so fun and the area was so scenic. Will definitely be back again! read more

Been here several times the past couple of seasons and have never had a bad experience. They have an enormous selection of kayaks and sups to choose from, and all the staff are friendly and very knowledgeable about all the equipment. Everything is kept in good condition as well. If you ask, they'll recommend different routes to take based on the water/wind conditions and your ability. If you happen to go over an hour, they'll charge you only based on the fraction of the hour you went over instead of charging you for a whole extra hour. They do events every now and then and I haven't had the chance to make it out to any of those yet, but I plan to soon. read more

Empire Kayaks - very laid back and relaxing - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Island Park, New York

I came here to kayak with my sister. The staff was very nice and the water was nice. The kayaks were nice and well maintained. The water was kinda rough but bearable. They have a portable bathroom just in case you gotta go. The prices were reasonable. The single kayak is $15 per hour and the double kayak is $25. I would recommend for a day event for the family!!!! read more

Rented 3 kayaks today with family from Ireland. Staff was great and we got to see a lot of wild life on our tour around the marshes. Ospreys,swans,parakeets crabs and more highly recommend this place read more

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Gaby and Mike have a passion for the environment and their guests. They treat each customer like they're family. They have top notch equipment and they have a lot of patience explaining how to use the paddles, kayak and stand up boards if you are not familiar with the equipment. My daughter and I have been padding with them for years. They are the real deal! I highly recommend Empire Kayaks!!!! read more

Empire Kayaks - Stand up paddle board! - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Island Park, New York

Definitely one of the best kayaking places I've ever been to. The owners were extremely nice, knowledgeable and friendly! I can't wait to tell everyone I know about Empire Kayaks WHICH might I add, has way more to offer than just kayaks. We also tried paddle boarding and next time we are going to try out the stand up peddle paddle boards! 10/10 on customer service and experience! Will be back soon!! read more

Love this place! Gabby and Mike aim to please, which makes customers feel welcome and important. Their knowledge of kayaking and paddleboardng is amazing. Definitely will return (when I have the funds) to purchase a kayak! Thanks Empire! read more

A great place for the novice or experienced paddler. Mike and Gabrielle guide you through the entire process with your fun and safety in mind. They go above and beyond to make your paddling experience memorable. read more

From the moment I walked in to the store to the moment I drove away with a new Kayak, Mike and Gabrielle were completely awesome and I plan on making more purchases from them in the future. I arrived at the store wanting to demo the Kayak I wanted to purchase. They allowed me to rent the kayak with the option of applying the rental fee to the kayak if I purchased it. Very fair and well worth the small investment. Its also a great inexpensive way to get out on the water if you cant afford a kayak of your own!! Overall, They made the process easy and I never felt pressured to make a purchase. But, I decided to sleep on it before making such a big purchase - they made sure to give me a reciept for the rental with a note to apply the rental to a kayak purchase! 3 days later I decided to buy the kayak. I ended up getting to the shop shortly before closing to pick up the Kayak and they stayed an hour after their regular closing time to show me every aspect of my new kayak down to every piece of plastic and nut and bolt. Which was extremely helpful being this was my first kayak. They also took time to fit me to a new PFD testing it with the actual kayak I would be purchasing, finally they took even more time figuring out the best way to strap the kayak to my car safely and got me set up with all the neccessary straps to make it happen. I would highly recommend Empire Kayaks to anyone. They are extremely friendly, have a great operation, and will make sure you are happy every step of the way. I am looking forward to taking some of their clinics over the next few weeks! read more

I came here with my sister and cousin. We absolutely loved it. The people working know how to do business. They were so sweet and gave a great lesson on how to do stand up paddle boarding. They were encouraging and did not make it seem intimidating. There are cubbies to hold your towels and extra clothes. They can also hold your car keys for you. We went a little over an hour ( mainly bec the wind picked up and it was hard to get back to the dock since it was our first time) and they still didnt charge us for more. ( so kind!!). I would and will come back again. All great things. And the area is beautiful. read more

Great service. The people working at this place are very helpful, welcoming and experienced and actually work right out of their "home". The prices are reasonable and the kayaking area was vast enough that you could wander away for an hour or two and feel like you got your money's worth. [approx. $15 for an hr to kayak single] read more

Had a great experience renting from them. My friends and I made a reservation (super last minute) that Saturday am and they were able to accommodate our group of 5. We went for just the right amount of time. Area were we rented was cool/easy to navigate for semi-beginner kayakers. Saw some nice local wildlife and boats. :) read more

Knowledgable staff, and an amazing location. Go at high tide to explore the marshes. Their rental touring kayaks are top notch, and the staff spends time with each person and boat to ensure proper fit and operation. However, after an experienced paddler from my group launched their own boat into the bay from the end of the public road, their staff gave the rest of us a 10 minute speech regarding their displeasure over not being paid a $5 launch fee to use their ramp. I am not going to debate whether or not one party or the other was in the wrong regarding access to public lands/waters, as I was not in charge of the actions of these paddlers we met up with. Rather I would like to comment that losing all sense of professionalism over $5 was not what I expected from a kayak outfitter that is truly passionate about the sport. That 10 minutes would have been better spent providing a safety briefing to the less experienced paddlers in my group. Pricing of the kayaks at $15/hr was excellent for a quality polyethylene touring kayak. $25/hr for a basic entry level sit on top double seemed a little steep. Especially when the second paddler is a young child along for the ride. A special child rate might better lure families with younger children into the sport. All in all, I wish I could give 5 stars for the location. I will return again solely because of the location and top notch equipment. But as an avid paddler, I would prefer to spend my money with an outfitter whose priority is passionate involvement in the sport, rather than concern for profits. They have a great resource at their disposal at Empire Kayaks, but insisting ownership over a public natural resource will strike a very negative chord with people with a love for the sport. read more

This is an awesome kayaking/paddle boarding spot for anyone with spontaneous plans in beautiful summer weather. Although parking is limited, there is the option of spacious street parking. The prices are completely reasonable and they have a more than sufficient supply of kayaks and paddle boards. they have single & double kayaks, and one triple kayak. The more options the merrier right? All the employees here are friendly and very helpful! First timers will have absolutely no problem here as they will quickly teach you the basics. My friend also hurt her foot from the rocky bottom of the water but the employees were more than helpful to provide her with antiseptic solution and a bandaid. Simple way to put it..awesome place! read more

Fun!!! I rented a kayak and rowed around in a 1-2 mile area close to the shop. I'm a beginner so I didn't go too far on my first time out this summer but I will definitely be returning to this place for a longer ride and more exploring. I might even do one of their guided day trips or lessons. Staff was really nice and they help set you up. The Kayaks, paddles, vests, and other equipment was in good condition. read more

This is an amazing place. I started paddle boarding here over the summer. I recently purchased a board from here. I am thrilled with it. The amount of help, guidance and expert advice has been WAY above and beyond. They are such nice, wonderful people. The guys who work here are super nice, as well. I have gone several times with my 11 and 12 year olds, both kayaking and SUP. My husband has done the fishing kayak. as well. They have something for everyone to enjoy. Gabby and Mike are awesome. Great place! read more

I have been renting from Empire for many years and their staff are always polite and courteous. Purchased a SUP from them and the owners, Mike and Gabrielle, couldn't have been nicer. They were knowledgeable, had great prices and went the extra yard for me. I would recommend Empire for rentals, sales or their guided tours. read more