45 Best Kayaking Gift Ideas

Whether the kayaker in your life is about to celebrate another lap around the sun or you just feel like surprising them, you’ll benefit from the best kayaking gift ideas. It doesn’t have to be a special occasion for you to help that special kayaker be more prepared for their time on the water.

Kayaking is kind of like that children’s book titled, If You Give a Moose a Muffin. When you get a kayak, you then need the right kind of kayak paddle, a kayaking life vest, kayaking sandals, and a host of other safety and rescue equipment that you might not even know how to use yet.

Still, being prepared is about more than just having the right tools at your disposal when the need arises. That is why we strongly encourage all beginners to take a few lessons or sign up for a guided kayaking tour with an educational component.

Taking lessons or an educational tour will teach you the basics of kayaking so that you can make good use of all your kayaking essentials. That way, you don’t just look like a seasoned, prepared kayaker, you actually are one.

No matter whether your kayaking partner has been complaining about wanting to upgrade their PFD or you just noticed that they don’t have a cup holder on their kayak, these kayaking gift ideas will give you a lot of inspiration to give them the right gift-whatever the occasion.

Photo by sergua via Shutterstock

Best Kayaking Gift Ideas

1. A New Kayak
2. A Lighter Paddle
3. An Upgraded PFD
4. Kayaking Gloves
5. Kayaking Shoes
6. A Performance Kayaking Shirt
7. Dry Bags
8. Deck Bags
9. A Kayak Cooler
10. A Kayak Tackle Crate
11. An Insulated Water Bottle
12. A Full Brimmed Hat
13. A Kayak Rudder Kit
14. A New Multi-tool
15. A Kayak Spray Skirt
16. A Drysuit for Cold Weather Kayaking
17. A Wetsuit
18. Kayaking Sandals
19. A Bilge Pump
20. A Sponge
21. A Throw Rope
22. A Tow Rope
23. A Paddle Leash
24. Mounting Tracks
25. A Kayak GPS Unit
26. A Portable Fish Finder
27. Kayak Fishing Rod Holders
28. Kayak Fishing Rods
29. A Kayak Cart
30. A Kayak Cart for Rough Terrain
31. A Kayak Trailer
32. Kayak Roof Racks
33. New Heavy Duty Tie Down Straps
34. A Kayak Cockpit Cover
35. New Hatch Covers
36. A Waterproof Phone Case
37. An Action Camera
38. An Action Camera Mount
39. A New Kayak Seat
40. Performance Paddle Pants
41. A Performance Paddle Jacket
42. A Kayak Light
43. A Kayak Utility Knife
44. A Waterproof First Aid Kit
45. A Kayaking Vacation!

45 Best Kayaking Gift Ideas

1. A New Kayak

Check Price on AmazonThis is the obvious place to start, but if your special someone has been paddling around a kayak since the late-1970s, an upgrade might be just what the doctor ordered. It doesn’t have to be something special, but today’s kayaks are lighter, faster, and come with a lot more comfort and amenities than models of old.

Here are some links to help your research:

• Best Recreational Kayaks
• Best Touring Kayaks
• Best Whitewater Kayaks

2. A Lighter Paddle

Check Price on AmazonBelieve it or not, all kayak paddles are not created equal and, in this case, weight does matter. A lighter paddle will reduce paddler fatigue and allow the person you give this paddle to have longer days on the water with more comfort and less energy expenditure.

These resources might be helpful on this front:

• Best Sea Kayak Paddles
• Best Kids Kayak Paddles
• Best Kayak Paddles Under $150

3. An Upgraded PFD

Check Price on AmazonFirst of all, every responsible kayaker should be wearing a properly sized and properly fitted PFD while they are on the water. If your special someone doesn’t have a comfortable PFD to wear or theirs is just looking a little worse for the wear, this is an excellent kayaking gift idea.

Check out some of your options:

• Best Life Vests for Kayaking
• Best Kayak Fishing PFD

4. Kayaking Gloves

Check Price on AmazonThe best kayaking gloves are an excellent thing to have on long kayaking trips or even just on days when the sun is struggling to break through the clouds. Insulating and protecting your hands from rubbing on the plastic shaft of your kayak paddle will make anyone’s kayaking experience a lot more comfortable.

5. Kayaking Shoes

Check Price on AmazonAs tempting as it is to go barefoot when you’re kayaking on a hot summer day, you just never know when you might unexpectedly end up in the water. If there happens to be anything sharp in the water below you, the person you give kayaking shoes to will be glad their feet aren’t getting all cut up.

Check out these collections to see if you find anything you like:

• Best Water Shoes for Kayaking – Men & Women
• Best Shoes for Kayaking – Men & Women

6. A Performance Kayaking Shirt

Check Price on AmazonAll kayakers should be wearing sunscreen and commit to reapplying on a regular basis if they are going to spend hours out in the sun. However, a performance kayaking shirt can save you from lathering your entire body in sunscreen and allow you to stay out longer before your skin looks like the shell of a cooked lobster.

Also Read: Best Kayak Trolling Motors

7. Dry Bags

Check Price on AmazonDry bags are an essential item in any seasoned kayaker’s arsenal because they allow you to keep a variety of water-sensitive gear safe and dry until it is needed. Whether you just need a small dry bag for a day trip or a larger one to pack for a kayak camping trip, they will always come in handy.

This resource might help you select the right size dry bags for your gift recipient:

• What Size Dry Bag to Use for Kayaking

8. Deck Bags

Check Price on AmazonIf the person you’re giving this gift to already has dry bags but they still don’t have enough space to keep all of their essentials protected from the elements, a kayak deck bag might be the perfect give to expand their kayak’s storage capability.

9. A Kayak Cooler

Check Price on AmazonNobody likes enjoying a warm beverage after they’ve been on the water for three hours on a 95-degree summer day. Give the gift of a cold, refreshing beverage by rewarding the kayaker in your life with an insulated cooler that’s made to fit right on the back of their kayak seat.

There are several types of kayak coolers, so these resources might help you narrow it down:

• Best Kayak Coolers
• Best Kayak Cooler Seats
• Best Kayak Cooler Bags
• Best Kayak Floating Coolers

10. A Kayak Tackle Crate

Check Price on AmazonA Kayak tackle crate is an excellent gift for the kayak angler in your life. Instead of constantly worrying about fishing tackle out of an awkward satchel that isn’t waterproof, they can keep all their lures, line, and other fishing essentials properly organized.

11. An Insulated Water Bottle

Check Price on AmazonEvery kayaker has to think about hydration, but the only way to make sure the water you’re drinking out there stays cold is by putting it inside an insulated water bottle. As a bonus, make sure the bottle has a way to clip or secure it to your kayak so it doesn’t float away if you capsize (my favorite solution is a simple carabiner).

12. A Full Brimmed Hat

Check Price on AmazonKeeping the sun off your face, neck, and shoulders while kayaking will seriously extend how long you can stay out comfortably. You don’t see many folks attempting feats of long-distance kayaking without a full-brimmed hat to protect themselves from UV exposure.

13. A Kayak Rudder Kit

Check Price on AmazonIf your special someone frequently kayaks in a location that is susceptible to winds or ocean currents, a rudder kit might be the perfect addition to help them with tracking. Just make sure to double-check that the rudder kit you choose is compatible with their kayak.

Check out these resources to help:

• Best Kayak Rudders and Skegs
• How To Add A Rudder To Your Kayak

14. A New Multi-tool

Check Price on AmazonThere are so many potential uses for a good multi-tool when you’re kayaking that it would take far too long to list them out here. I once employed one to fix a broken rudder on day three of a five-day kayak trip, which would’ve called for someone to go out of their way to pick me up almost a hundred miles away from my destination if I didn’t have my multi-tool.

15. A Kayak Spray Skirt

Check Price on AmazonKayaking in adverse conditions isn’t for everyone, but it gets a whole lot more comfortable with one of the best kayak spray skirts. Not only does it keep water out of the cockpit of your sit-in kayak, but it also helps to trap your natural body heat to keep the lower half of your body warmer.

16. A Drysuit For Cold Weather Kayaking

Check Price on AmazonIf the kayaker you are looking to reward with a gift is always whining that they can’t kayak year-round, this is the perfect gift for them. This drysuit will help them stay warm and comfortable while they head out and kayak and you stay home by the fire.

17. A Wetsuit

Check Price on AmazonIf the kayaker in your life doesn’t require a drysuit for cold weather, but still needs more insulation than they currently have, maybe a wetsuit is the right gift idea. It’s also great for kayakers that use their vessels out on the sea and like to hop off for some free diving.

18. Kayaking Sandals

Check Price on AmazonAs we mentioned above, kayaking barefoot always sounds better than it really is in practice. If you know the person you’re shopping for won’t go for kayaking shoes, then maybe kayaking sandals are the right alternative to let their feet breathe while still offering protection.

19. A Bilge Pump

Check Price on AmazonThis is a must-have kayaking accessory for any of your friends that have a sit-inside touring or sea kayak. If you get any water inside the cockpit on that kind of kayak, one of the best kayak bilge pumps is the most efficient way to get it out.

20. A Sponge

Check Price on AmazonFor the last little bit of water that a bilge pump can’t remove, your friend will also need a proper kayaking sponge. It might sound funny, but this accessory is the difference between a wet cockpit and a dry, comfortable kayaking experience.

21. A Throw Rope

Check Price on AmazonIf your special kayaker is frequently teaching new people the basics of kayaking, a throw rope is a great gift. While this piece of kayak rescue equipment is more commonly used by whitewater kayakers, it can be employed in many scenarios to help bring a swimmer to a safer location.

22. A Tow Rope

Check Price on AmazonAs a kayak guide, I have needed a quality tow rope for the latter half of a trip one too many times (once is too many, FYI). That said, a tow rope is really helpful if you kayak with kids because it allows you to help with keeping their kayak straight or keeping them moving when they’re busy taking in the surrounding scenery.

23. A Paddle Leash

Check Price on AmazonYour favorite kayaker will never lose their paddle again with a quality paddle leash attached to their personal watercraft. The leash gets anchored to a hard point on your kayak and then wraps around the shaft of your kayak paddle to make sure your kayak and paddle stay together, no matter what happens out there.

24. Mounting Tracks

Check Price on AmazonMounting tracks are one of the coolest gifts you could give to a seasoned kayaker because they allow them to customize their setup. These tracks can be installed on a flat surface and allow you to attach an almost-unlimited number of kayak accessories and equipment once they’re installed.

25. A Kayak GPS Unit

Check Price on AmazonA kayak GPS unit is precisely the kind of equipment that attaches perfectly to the right set of mounting tracks. So you might help improve your kayaker’s organization and navigation ability with a pair of the best kayaking gift ideas.

26. A Portable Fish Finder

Check Price on AmazonIf you really want to go over the top and the kayaker you were shopping for with the previous two choices likes to fish, then a portable fish finder is the way to go. It will put them on fish faster and more reliably than even their honed angling skills can.

27. Kayak Fishing Rod Holders

Check Price on AmazonFor a great gift idea for kayakers that are really getting into fishing while they’re out there, rod holders allow them to bring more rod and reel combinations without them constantly getting in the way, which minimizes the time they’ll have to spend changing bait and tackle between casts.

Here are a few resources to help you shop for this kayaking gift:

• Best Kayak Fishing Rod Holders
• DIY Kayak Rod Holder Ideas

28. Kayak Fishing Rods

Check Price on AmazonIf you help your special kayaker add storage capacity with extra fishing rod holders, then he or she might also need a few new kayak fishing rods to put in those holders. Kayak fishing rods are available for many different types of fishing, so you may want to casually get a better idea of what they’re fishing for before you commit to buying a specific rod.

29. A Kayak Cart

Check Price on AmazonSimply getting your kayak from your car to the water can be quite the chore sometimes, which is where one of the best kayak carts comes into play. These carts are great for paved walkways or maintained trails and they allow you to simply roll your kayak down to wherever you are launching.

If you’re creative, you might also be interested in how to build a DIY PVC kayak cart.

30. A Kayak Cart for Rough Terrain

Check Price on AmazonIf the kayaker you are shopping for loves to seek more remote or rugged destinations, they may not always have the easiest path to get their kayak from the car to the water. In that case, one of the best kayak carts for rough terrain will make life much easier when the path to the water isn’t so smooth.

31. A Kayak Trailer

Check Price on AmazonLet’s be honest: lifting your kayak on and off your roof isn’t always easy. If you are looking to make kayak transportation easier for your special someone, consider getting them one of the best kayak trailers that they can tow.

32. Kayak Roof Racks

Check Price on AmazonFor a slightly easier and cheaper solution to kayak transportation, roof racks might also be a great kayaking gift idea. There are many different styles, so here are a few resources that might be helpful:

• Best Kayak Roof Racks
• Easy Load Kayak Roof Racks
• Best 2 Kayak Roof Racks

33. New Heavy Duty Tie Down Straps

Check Price on AmazonWhether the person you are gifting straps their kayaks onto a roof rack or loads them into the bed of their truck, they are going to need a quality pair of heavy-duty tie-down straps to keep things secure.

34. A Kayak Cockpit Cover

Check Price on AmazonWhen a sit-inside kayak needs to go into storage, the cockpit should be covered to keep out moisture, critters, and anything else that can cause it damage. The best way to do that is with one of the best kayak cockpit covers.

35. New Hatch Covers

Check Price on AmazonIf you are looking for a gift for someone that has an older sit-inside kayak that has seen a little wear and tear, new kayak hatch covers might be the perfect gift to restore their kayak’s waterproof storage capacity.

36. A Waterproof Phone Case

Check Price on AmazonEliminate your favorite kayaker’s worries over whether or not they can bring their phone on their kayak by gifting them a waterproof phone case.

37. An Action Camera

Check Price on AmazonA GoPro or really any other type of action camera can be a great gift to help your kayaker capture their time on the water, especially for whitewater kayakers.

38. An Action Camera Mount

 

If you get your special kayaker an action camera, then an action camera mount is a great additional accessory for hands-free filming.

39. A New Kayak Seat

Check Price on AmazonA lot of people overlook the importance of a good kayak seat, but rewarding your friend with one of the best kayak seats can really make their time on the water much more comfortable.

40. Performance Paddle Pants

Check Price on AmazonWhen the rain and wind would make the normal kayaker very uncomfortable, your friend will remember they have a rainproof and wind-resistant set of pants to keep them warm if you go for this gift.

41. A Performance Paddle Jacket

Check Price on AmazonThis one can easily be paired with the former selection for more all-around comfort when the weather isn’t great.

42. A Kayak Light

Check Price on AmazonOne of the best kayak lights is a great gift for the paddler that seeks sunrise or sunset adventures.

43. A Kayak Utility Knife

Check Price on AmazonGet your special someone a kayak utility knife so they have it close at hand in case of an emergency.

44. A Waterproof First Aid Kit

Check Price on AmazonIt’s not a matter of if, but rather a question of when a waterproof first aid kit will come in handy for kayakers.

45. A Kayaking Vacation!

Photo by Kuznetcov_Konstantin via Shutterstock

Finally, there might be no better way to reward the special kayaker in your life than to give them the gift of a kayaking vacation in a destination they have always dreamed of paddling. Some top spots that come to mind for me include The Inside Passage from Seattle up towards Alaska, Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Alaska.

That said, you know the person you are giving this gift to the best. So feel free to exercise your creativity and go for a thrill-seeking kayak vacation or something more chill and relaxing with plenty of time to soak in the sun.

Final Thoughts

Photo by yevgeniy11 via Shutterstock

Now the only question is whether you are going to buy just one of the best kayaking gift ideas for that special someone, or multiple.

We hope you have enjoyed and benefited from this collection of kayaking gift ideas and we wish you the best of luck surprising the kayaker in your life with whichever gift you choose!