Starting a new sport can be daunting, especially a new paddle sport. Many people see kayaking as an easy way to get on the water – and they aren’t wrong. But there are still lots of decisions to make, not least of which is what kayak to buy as a beginner.
Not all kayaks are the same, and not all kayaks work well for every beginner paddler. Our list of the Best Beginner Kayaks takes into account different paddler sizes, uses, and conditions. But they all have good stability and easy-going performance that new kayakers will find beneficial as they learn the ropes.
We’ve also taken into account pricing and accessories in our list so new paddlers don’t feel like they need to mortgage the house to get on the water!
Best Kayaks for Beginners Comparison Chart
| section-hd | Top-Rated Beginner Kayaks |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOARD | DIMENSIONS | CAPACITY | WARRANTY | PRICE | |
| Bote Zeppelin Aero | Bote Zeppelin Aero
| BEST Beginner Hybrid IK 10’0" x 38" 37 pounds | 300 lbs | 2 years, 30-Day Return Period | Review Coming SoonCheck Best Price |
| Advanced Elements Airvolution | Advanced Elements Airvolution
| BEST Beginner Drop Stitch Solo IK 13'0" x 33" 39 pounds | 300 lbs | 3 years, 90-Day Return Period | Review Coming SoonCheck Best Price |
| Nixy Tahoe | Nixy Tahoe
| BEST Beginner Tandem IK 12'6" x 39" 33 pounds | 600 lbs | 2 years, 30-Day Return Period | Read Full ReviewCheck Best Price |
| Kokopelli Rogue R-Deck | Kokopelli Rogue R-Deck
| BEST Beginner Packraft 7’6" x 37" 7.9 pounds | 250 lbs | Lifetime, 30-Day Return Period | Review Coming SoonCheck Best Price |
| Aire Tributary Tomcat | Aire Tributary Tomcat
| BEST Beginner Whitewater IK 10’3” x 36" 34 pounds | 375 lbs | 5-years, 30-Day Return Period | Review Coming SoonCheck Best Price |
| Thurso Compass 150 | Thurso Compass 150
| BEST Beginner Drop Stitch Tandem IK 12’6" x 34" 42 pounds | 600 lbs | 2 years, 30-Day Return Period | Read Full ReviewCheck Best Price |
| Sea Eagle 385FTA | Sea Eagle 385FTA
| BEST Beginner Fishing IK 12'6" x 36" 45 pounds | 635 lbs | 3 years, 120-Day Return Period | Review Coming SoonCheck Best Price |
| Wilderness Systems Pungo 105 | Wilderness Systems Pungo 105
| BEST Beginner Sit Inside Hard Shell 10'6" x 30"" 47 pounds | 300 lbs | Lifetime, 90-Day Return Period | Review Coming SoonCheck Best Price |
| Old Town Malibu 11.5 | Old Town Malibu 11.5
| BEST Beginner SOT Hard Shell 11'6" x 31" 61 pounds | 300 lbs | Lifetime, 90-Day Return Period | Review Coming SoonCheck Best Price |
Bote Zeppelin Aero – BEST Beginner Hybrid IK
10’0” x 38” | 37 lbs
Full Review Coming Soon
Bote’s ability to design watercraft for high quality, but accessible recreation makes them some of the most sought-after boats and boards on the water. The Zeppelin Aero takes the top spot on our list of Best Beginner Kayaks for this very reason.
The Zeppelin offers a great balance of size, stability, capacity, maneuverability, and versatility for a solo inflatable kayak. The drop stitch construction floor gives it great rigidity for improved tracking and stability, while the 10” side tubes provide plenty of space and capacity for you and anything you’d like to bring for a day (or overnight) paddle trip.
The low profile design handles well in most conditions, and the Zeppelin Aero comes as a complete kayak kit including a paddle, making it a great value for new paddlers.
Bottom Line: The Bote Zeppelin Aero is a wonderful choice for new kayakers looking for a versatile and manageable kayak system.
Advanced Elements Airvolution – Beginner Drop Stitch Solo IK
13’ x 33” | 39 lbs
Full Review Coming Soon
The Advanced Elements Airvolution is an ideal kayak for beginners who seek better performance without giving up comfort and stability. The Airvolution uses a full drop-stitch construction for the hull as well as the sides and deck. This makes it extremely rigid throughout the boat, and it easily sheds water for those rougher conditions.
The recessed cockpit gives you the extra stability of a sit-inside kayak design, and a built-in bulkhead for your feet, without fully enclosing you. At 13’ long, the extra length of this solo kayak makes it a great choice for paddling longer distances, while the ample cargo storage areas on the bow and stern decks make it easy to pack everything you’d like to bring with you.
Bottom Line:The Advanced Elements Airvolution is a performance oriented inflatable kayak that still boasts the comfort and stability for beginner paddlers to feel confident on the water.
Nixy Tahoe – BEST Beginner Hybrid Tandem IK
12’6” x 39” | 33 lbs
Read Full Review Here
The Nixy Tahoe is one of the most versatile and high-value kayaks on our list. At 12’6” x 39”, this hybrid inflatable kayak features a drop-stitch floor for improved feel, stability, and performance and has enough room and capacity for two adult paddlers.
Not only does the Tahoe have the space for tandem paddling, but it also comes with a complete tandem accessory kit including two inflatable seats, two 4-piece adjustable paddles, and a wheeled carrying bag to hold it all. The Tahoe also boasts six accessory mounting points and a dozen D-rings in addition to the two large cargo bungees on the bow and stern decks. It can alos be rigged for solo paddling.
Bottom Line: The Nixy Tahoe offers exceptional value, a full kit, and extreme versatility for solo or tandem kayaking.
Kokopelli Rogue R-Deck – BEST Beginner Packraft
7’6” x 37” | 7.9 lbs
Full Review Coming Soon
Packrafting is one of the newest variations of paddle sports and began with multi-sport adventure seekers who needed a lightweight watercraft. In a few short years it has taken off and evolved into so much more than this means to an end.
The Kokopelli Rouge R-Deck is one of the best choices for new packrafters or the new paddlers seeking a highly portable option to get on the water. The removable deck lets you strip down the Rogue for casual cruising, or rig it up for wild river trips without needing a second craft.
Bottom Line: Check out the Kokopelli Rogue R-Deck if you are looking for a versatile, light, and highly compact way to get on the water – especially rivers.
Aire Tributary Tomcat – BEST Beginner Whitewater IK
10’3” x 36” | 34 lbs
Full Review Coming Soon
The Tributary Tomcat by Aire is one of the most recommended kayaks for new whitewater paddlers for many reasons. The time-tested PVC and Aircell construction, decades of design iterations, and the ability to function as a fun day runner or loaded up for a week-long river expedition make the Tomcat capable and versatile on moving water.
When I was getting my wife on whitewater in her own boat for the first time, the Tomcat was my first choice. The large side tubes give the Tomcat lots of stability, while the diminishing design and high rocker profile make it easy to maneuver on the river. It’s also compatible with thigh straps for extra control.
Bottom Line: The Aire Tributary Tomcat is hands down the best inflatable kayak for beginner whitewater paddlers.
Thurso Compass 150 – BEST Drop Stitch Tandem IK
12’6” x 34” | 42 lbs
Read Full Review Here
Drop stitch construction kayaks like the Thurso Compass 150 offer ultra-rigid and durable constructions, stable hulls that you can even stand on, and lots of room and capacity in the boat itself.
The Compass even comes as a complete tandem kayak kit with two fully-inflatable seats, two carbon-hybrid paddles, and an electric pump to get everything set up quickly.
The wide-open deck makes the Compass a great choice for paddling with kids or pets, and plenty of rigging points make it easily capable of bigger fishing expeditions or multi-day trips.
Bottom Line: The Thurso Compass 150 offers a full tandem kayak kit with extra rigid and durable drop stitch construction.
Sea Eagle 385FTA – BEST Beginner Fishing IK
12’6” x 36” | 45 lbs
Full Review Coming Soon
The Sea Eagle 385FTA (Fast Track Angler) makes our list as the Best Beginner Fishing Kayak for several reasons. First, the 385FTA is available as multiple different kits, and is loaded with accessory mounting options so you can customize exactly what you want in your fishing rig.
Second, the kayak itself is extremely versatile. With a dropstitch hull and small pontoons, the 385FTA is about as close to a SUP as you can get while still being a kayak. It works great for both seated paddling/fishing and standing paddling/fishing.
Lastly, Sea Eagle has been in the kayak game for a very long time. They have a long record of producing quality boats, and even offer a 120-day risk-free trial to let you experience the 385FTA for yourself.
Bottom Line: The Sea Eagle 385FTA is a fantastic choice for the budding kayak angler who wants versatility and kit options.
Wilderness Systems Pungo 105 – BEST Beginner Sit Inside Kayak
10’6” x 30” | 47 lbs
Full Review Coming Soon
For beginner kayakers seeking a hard shell boat, the Wilderness Systems Pungo 105 ticks just about every box you could imagine for a recreational watercraft. While the Pungo may seem a little narrow compared to other kayaks on this list, the sit-in position lowers your center of gravity below the waterline making the kayak extremely stable without needing to be extra wide.
The Pungo’s size and shape balances maneuverability, stability and efficiency for a wide variety of paddling tasks. The rear of the Pungo has a semi-dry hatch for storing cargo, and the cockpit combing is compatible with the included Dashboard organizer (with a dry box) and optional splash skirts and cockpit covers. The seat is fully adjustable (including seat tilt), and the adjustable foot braces and knee pads give you a truly custom fit.
Bottom Line: The Wilderness Systems Pungo 105 is the perfect sit-in kayak for beginner paddlers looking for a hard-shell boat.
Old Town Malibu 11.5 – BEST Beginner Sit On Top Hard Shell Kayak
11’6” x 31” | 61 lbs
Full Review Coming Soon
Not every kayaker likes the feeling of being inside their boat. It can be claustrophobic at times and a little unnerving if you haven’t practiced falling out of a sit-in kayak (though trust us, you won’t get stuck in one!). For those boaters, a sit-on-top (SOT) kayak can be the answer to getting out on the water comfortably.
The Old Town Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5 is just the boat for you. This high quality SOT kayak boasts an adjustable seat, multiple foot positions, and tons of cargo storage space both in the bow and stern of the boat. The dugout shape helps improve your stability while the high volume and front rocker shape handles rough conditions with ease.
Bottom Line: The Old Town Malibu 11.5 SOT kayak offers stability and functionality for beginner kayakers.
Best Kayaks for Beginners FAQs
What Should Beginners Look for in a Kayak
There’s no single “best” kayak for beginners out there, but there are features that make some kayaks better than others. New kayakers should look for stable designs (wider shapes, lower seating areas, bigger volume), but avoid getting a kayak that is too large for them. Most kayaks in the 10-12’ length and 32-36” range work well for beginners.
Next you should look at what features each kayak has. Do you want an inflatable kayak for portability and storage, or a hard boat to quickly get on the water? Do you need lots of cargo space or accessory mounting points? If you plan to paddle for longer distances, you should look for slightly longer and narrower boats while those paddling on smaller lakes and rivers will appreciate the maneuverability of a shorter boat.
Recommended Gear for Beginning Kayaking
Most kayaks come with very few additional accessories. A few (Nixy, Thurso and Bote) include kits with paddles and more, but otherwise you’ll be left to figure out what other items you need to safely get paddling on the water.
- Paddle – Choosing a paddle can be just as personal as choosing the kayak. For most users in a traditional Inflatable Kayak you’ll want a paddle that is between 240-260cm long with narrower “low-angle” blades. For kayakers in narrower boats (30-34”) you’ll want a paddle between 220-240cm long. One of our top recommendations on a budget is the Old Town/Carlisle Magic Plus. For river paddlers and packrafters the Aquabound Shred 4-piece is a great value. For dedicated kayak anglers with a larger boat, the Wilderness Systems Origin Angler gives you more power and a built-in line hook.
- PFD – A PFD (Personal Flotation Device), sometimes called a life jacket or buoyancy aid, is a critical piece of safety equipment while on your kayak and may be required by local law. There are thousands of options for PFDs, and it is important to choose one that not only fits you well but is designed for paddling. A quality, well-fit PFD is not noticeable when being worn. See our Best PFD reviews here.
- Dry Bag – Not everything we bring with us in our kayak should get wet. Soggy sandwiches and waterlogged phones can ruin a good day out on the water. Dry bags come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes to fit your needs. See our Best Dry Bag reviews here.
- Coolers – Whether you are keeping your drinks cold or your catch fresh, a great cooler can make the difference after hours out in the sun. Plus, hard coolers make a great seat to take a break from standing! See our Best Cooler reviews here.
- Electric Pumps – If you choose an inflatable kayak, using the hand pump that comes with your boat is a great way to warm up for your day paddling. But every now and then, it’s nice to relax while getting ready, too. Electric pumps are easy to use and let you focus on other things while inflating your kayak. See our Best Electric Pump reviews here.
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