Kayak Rentals (Not a guided tour)

Duration

Approx. 2 Hours

About

Bring your personal kayak or canoe and enjoy paddling along the world famous San Antonio Riverwalk as it winds through Downtown San Antonio! This is a wonderful easy 3.25 mile flat-water kayak trip which is great for beginner kayakers and families.

• Being able to kayak on this section of the San Antonio Riverwalk is a VERY RARE experience and was not allowed until now. We have been granted access to this section of the San Antonio River though the end of December 2021. We HIGHLY recommend you book your reservations NOW to ensure you get a chance to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity!

• Space is LIMITED!!! The maximum number of personal kayaks allowed to launch each day is 65. (Each reservations is set for a 15 minute launch window and launch times are spread out over a 1.5 hour period. This ensure there is not a crowd at the launch site!) These numbers are set to ensure safe social distancing is maintained. Once these numbers have been reached reservations for that day will be closed.

• No inflatable kayaks are allowed per SARA regulations. If you show up with an inflatable kayak you will be turned way and you will NOT receive a refund.

• No Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs) are allowed per SARA Regulations. If you show up with an SUP you will be turned way and you will NOT receive a refund.

Private Launch Fee includes: the ability to launch your personal kayak at this private kayak launch site. (does NOT include any rental gear, help with personal gear, nor parking). The fee is per person NOT per kayak/canoe. People with tandem kayaks/canoes pay 2 launch fees.

• Children ages 6 to 12 must be in a tandem kayak with their parent Children Under 6 are not allowed, even in their parents kayaks. If you show up with a child under 6 yo you will not be allowed on the river and you will NOT receive a refund.

Important Info: (please read it entirely)

• Personal Kayak/Canoe Clients: NO SUPs (Stand Up Paddle Boards) nor Inflatable kayaks are allowed at this time.
• This is NOT A PUBLIC LAUNCH SITE. It is a private launch site leased by Mission Kayak from the city. Mission Kayak welcomes all private kayakers but you must be willing to adhere to the following rules... (if we have problems with private kayakers not follow the rules we will be force to shutdown private kayaker access. So PLEASE follow the rules listed below. ) Kayaking is allowed on the river from 8am-11:15am. Online reservations are required. If you show up with-out a reservation you will be turned away.
• There is a $30/ person launch fee. This price is set by the city. We can NOT waive this fee. (parking is NOT included in the launch fee!)
• ​NO Inflatable Kayaks of any kind are allowed on the San Antonio River. This is a city ordinance that will not change. If you show up with an inflatable kayak you will be stoped at the launch site and turned away and your money will NOT be refunded.
• No children under the age of 6 are allowed (Not even in their parents personal kayak!!) . If you show up with a child under 6 you will be turned away an no refund will be given. Children 6-12 must be in a tandem (2-person) kayak with an adult. Children 13 and older can be in their own kayaks. (THIS IS FOR THE CHILD'S SAFETY!!! The river maintenance barges are operating and children are not as capable of maneuvering their kayaks well enough to get out of the way of the barges nor are they able to truly comprehend the dangers of not getting out of the way of the maintenance barges. Because of this the City of San Antonio, San Antonio River Authority and Mission Kayak are adamant about the age restrictions and will NOT waive the age restriction under any circumstances.)
• Public parking is tricky downtown and there is no parking for a kayak trailer. If you have to carry your kayaks on a trailer I highly suggest leaving them at home and renting one of our kayak. Trying to find a place to park even a small trailer is extremely difficult if not impossible downtown.
• You must reserve your launch time online!!!! If you show up without a launch time you WILL be turned away. The number of people allowed to launch each morning is limited to 65.
• Launch times are every 15 minutes during the following days and times: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 8am thru 9:15am. This helps with social distancing and prevents crowds.
• You must be off the river by 11:15am. (This is because the river tour barges will start running and kayaks are NOT allowed on the river while the barges are running). If you do not adhere to these times the SA River Police will escort you back to the dock.
• You can NOT drive up to the The put-in (launch-site). You will have to park in the parking lot across the street from our check-in, unload your kayak and walk your kayak about 100 yards down to the river. The launch site is extremely small. You will be required to have all your gear in you kayak, life jacket on and ready to before you head down to the launch-site. The launch site is narrow and we will have 2 launch lanes setup. One for personal kayaks and one for rental kayaks.
• For legal reason Mission Kayak staff will NOT help you with your kayak and river gear, nor help you get in or out of your personal kayak.
• We HIGHLY suggest you come scout the parking and launch site before you make a reservation. Many of you will find it simply easier to rent from us.
• You must check-in with Mission Kayak before launching. You must fill out our waiver and will be issued a wrist band that lets the SA River Police know that you are authorized to be on the San Antonio River that specific day. If you do not have a wrist band the SA river police will ticket you so PLEASE make sure you check-in and get your wristband! You must wear a coastguard approved lifejacket (PFD) at all times. The river police will ticket you and escort you back to the dock if you do not have your lifejacket (PFD) on and buckled.
• If you show up without a lifejacket you will NOT be allowed to launch and your money will not be refunded.
• You are not allowed to "dock" you kayak any where along the riverwalk and get out. This includes getting out to enjoy breakfast/lunch, shopping or a drink. These activities are great once you're done kayaking. No beer or alcohol are allowed while kayaking. If you chose to break this rule the SA Police, in their motor boats, will arrest you for a BWI (Boating while intoxicated).
• This event will be canceled if winds reach gusts of 15 mph or higher (which is rare but happens). If the event is canceled we will send you both a cancelation text and an email by 6:30am the day of the rental.

Parking:##

• Parking is NOT included in the price of the Launch Fee!
• Parking is available at the city parking garages/parking lot for a fee.
• There is NO trailer parking available.

What to Bring:

• A water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses and hat are good to bring along.
• Dress for the weather. December and January can get cold. This event will not be canceled as long as the temperature stays at or above 40 degrees.
• You might be standing in a few inches of water to get in and out of the kayak so bring shoes that you don’t mind getting wet.
• Kayaking is a water sport and you will get wet! It is a good idea to bring a change of clothes.
• Bring some type of waterproof bag to keep you keys and cellphone in.
• There are NO lockers at this location so please plan accordingly.