Rental spots differ by whether they offer flatwater paddling or river trips with shuttle service, as well as the types of watercraft available, such as single, tandem, or sit-on-top kayaks. Some locations include paddles, life jackets, and dry bags in the base rate, while others charge extra or require advance reservations for weekend launches. A map pin shows where the launch site is, but it does not tell you if the location caters to self-guided beginners or experienced paddlers tackling moving water.
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NOC Outfitter's Store
13077 Highway 19 W, Bryson City, NC 28713
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Raging Rivers Rafting Company
10811 US-19, Bryson City, NC 28713
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Paddle Inn Rafting Company
14611 Hwy 19 W, Bryson City, NC 28713
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Endless River Adventures
14157 Highway 19 W, Bryson City, NC 28713-9176
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Rolling Thunder River Company
10160 W US-19, Bryson City, NC 28713-9136
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Carolina Outfitters
12121 Highway 19 W, Bryson City, NC 28713-9156
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Bryson City River Tubing
87 Depot St, Bryson City, NC 28713
Saluda 4
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Green River Adventures
112 E Main St, Saluda, NC 28773
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Green River Cove Tubing
5200 Green River Cove Rd, Saluda, NC 28773
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H2o Dreams Paddling School
3851 Green River Cove Rd, Saluda, NC 28773
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Fishtop Access
2302 Green River Cove Rd, Saluda, NC 28773
Topton 4
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Carolina Outfitters White Water Rafting
715 US-19, Topton, NC 28781
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Carolina Outfitters White Water Rafting
715 US Highway 19, Topton, NC 28781
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Nantahala Rafting
1965 US Highway 19, Topton, NC 28781
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Appalachian Rivers Raft Company
1365 US-19, Topton, NC 28781
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Zen Tubing
1648 Brevard Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
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Asheville Adventure Company
521 Amboy Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
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Asheville Canoe House
220 Hominy Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Boone 3
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Wahoo's Adventures
3380 Big Hill Rd, Boone, NC 28684
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River and Earth Adventures
1655 NC-105, Boone, NC 28607
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High Mountain Expeditions
1380 NC-105, Boone, NC 28607
Crumpler 3
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Riverside Canoe and Tube Rentals Inc
2966 Garvey Bridge Rd, Crumpler, NC 28617
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Dusty Trails Outfitters
5616 Garvey Bridge Rd, Crumpler, NC 28617-9512
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New River Outfitters
10725 U.S. Hwy 221 N, Crumpler, NC 28617
Marshall 3
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Blue Heron Whitewater
35 Little Pine Rd, Marshall, NC 28753
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French Broad Adventures
12 Good Adventures Ln, Marshall, NC 28753
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Nantahala Outdoor Center - French Broad River
9825 US 25-70 Hwy, Marshall, NC 28753-9487
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High Tide Rentals
6810 Beach Dr SW Unit B, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
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Summertide Adventure Tours
59B Causeway Dr, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469-7505
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Summertide Adventure Tours
7227 Beach Dr SW, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469-1106
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Pogies Fishing And Kayaking Center
128 E Corbett Ave, Swansboro, NC 28584-8095
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Swansboro Paddle Boarding and Kayaking
108 W Corbett Ave, Swansboro, NC 28584
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Paddle NC
1572 Hammock Beach Rd, Swansboro, NC 28584
Whittier 3
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Smoky Mountain River Adventures
5036 US-74, Whittier, NC 28789
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Tuckaseegee Outfitters
4909 US-74, Whittier, NC 28789
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Great Smoky Raft & River
5139 US Highway 74 W, Whittier, NC 28789
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High Mountain Expeditions
3149 Tynecastle Hwy, Banner Elk, NC 28604-7788
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Edge of the World NC Whitewater Rafting, Rock Climbing and Rappelling
394 Shawneehaw Ave, Banner Elk, NC 28604-9719
Cherokee 2
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Cherokee Rapids Tube Rentals
1681 Acquoni Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719-9413
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Smoky Mountain Tubing
1847 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719
Corolla 2
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Coastal Explorations
1118 Corolla Village Rd, Corolla, NC 27927
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Corolla Kayak Co
1070 Ocean Trail Unit 3, Corolla, NC 27927
Franklin 2
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Little Tennessee River Greenway
862 Ulco Dr, Franklin, NC 28734
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Expedition Nantahala
1863 Georgia Rd, Franklin, NC 28734
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Outer Banks Kayak Adventures
203 S Virginia Dare Trl, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948-7894
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Outer Banks Kayak Adventures
101 W Airstrip Rd # 264, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948-8314
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Coastal Kayak Touring Company
1240 Duck Rd Unit F3, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
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Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School
6150 N Croatan Hwy, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
Madison 2
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MadTown Tubing
102 N Water St, Madison, NC 27025
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Floatery
4890 NC Highway 704, Madison, NC 27025-7854
Sanford 2
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Endor Paddle LLC
3485 R Jordan Rd, Sanford, NC 27330
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Endor Iron Furnance
Sanford, NC 27330
Troy 2
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Uwharrie Paddle Company
4023 NC-109, Troy, NC 27371
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Uwharrie Hoof & Paddle LLC
165 Maynor Dr, Troy, NC 27371
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Inner Banks Outfitters
1050 E Main St, Washington, NC 27889
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River Vibes
108 S Market St, Washington, NC 27889
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Greenfield Lake Boathouse
1739 Burnett Blvd, Wilmington, NC 28401
Thu–Sun 11am–5pm
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Mahanaim Adventures
335 Brighton Rd, Wilmington, NC 28409
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Wrightsville Kayak Company
101-199 Causeway Dr, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
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Soundside Adventures
275 Waynick Blvd, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480-2021
Andrews 1
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Whitewater Express - Nantahala
19355 US-19, Andrews, NC 28901
Bakersville 1
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Loafers Glory Rafting and Tubing
2637 NC-226, Bakersville, NC 28705
Beaufort 1
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Beaufort Paddle
424 Old Causeway Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516-8614
Belmont 1
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Riverside Marina, Paddle and Row
1500 River Dr, Belmont, NC 28012
Bunn 1
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Tar River Life
3240 Sledge Rd, Bunn, NC 27508
Canton 1
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Pigeon River Outfitters
13 Penland St, Canton, NC 28716
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Barrier Island Kayaks Rentals and Guided Tours
160 Cedar Point Blvd, Cedar Point, NC 28584
Clayton 1
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Neuse Adventures Canoe and Kayak Rentals
2975 Covered Bridge Rd, Clayton, NC 27527
Danbury 1
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Dan River Company
1110 Flinchum Rd, Danbury, NC 27016
Dobson 1
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Yadkin River Adventures
104 Old Rockford Rd, Dobson, NC 27017
Durham 1
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Frog Hollow Outdoors
614 Trent Dr #3927, Durham, NC 27705
Eden 1
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Three Rivers Outfitters
413 Church St, Eden, NC 27288
Fair Bluff 1
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BlackWater Adventures
965 Railroad St, Fair Bluff, NC 28439-9809
Graham 1
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The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Company
6098 Jordan Dr, Graham, NC 27253
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The Lake Shop Llc
4865 Satterwhite Point Rd, Henderson, NC 27537-6290
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NC Clear Creek Adventures
164 Old Holbert Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Hickory 1
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Jacob Fork Outdoor Center
4625 NC-127, Hickory, NC 28602
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Kingfisher Outdoor Adventures
119 Juniper Trail, Holly Ridge, NC 28445
Hot Springs 1
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Hot Springs Rafting Co.
81 Bridge St, Hot Springs, NC 28743
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iKayakCharlotte
Duke Access Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Indian Beach 1
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Island Water Sports Rentals
1960 Salter Path Rd, Indian Beach, NC 28512-5931
Jefferson 1
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Zaloo's Canoes, Kayaks & Tubes
3874 NC-16, Jefferson, NC 28640
Lake Junaluska 1
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Lake Junaluska Outfitters
77 Memory Ln, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
Lenoir 1
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John's River Kayak Co.
4291 Collettsville Rd, Lenoir, NC 28645-8081
Lillington 1
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Cape Fear River Adventures
100 S Main St, Lillington, NC 27546
Marion 1
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Catawba River Outdoors
2334 US 221 Business N, Marion, NC 28752
McAdenville 1
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Aquatic Adventures
115 Willow Rd, McAdenville, NC 28101
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Aloha Paddle Lake Norman
108 Danica Pl, Mooresville, NC 28117-4365
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Trusty Sail & Paddle
5300 Hwy 70 W, Morehead City, NC 28557
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Lake Tillery Kayaking
4917 NC-24 Mount Gilead, NC 27306, Mt Gilead, NC 28001
Murphy 1
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Murphy Kayak Rentals
748 Andrews Rd, Murphy, NC 28906-2895
New Bern 1
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Stillwater Kayaks
105 Marina Dr, New Bern, NC 28560
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Paddle NC
2976 Island Dr, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460
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Cook's Outfitters
1402 Willow Ln, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659-3551
Norwood 1
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North Carolina Canoe Company
132 N Main St, Norwood, NC 28128
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Long Beach Paddle Company
4908 E Yacht Dr, Oak Island, NC 28465-5153
Oakboro 1
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River Rooster LLC
1127 N Main St, Oakboro, NC 28129
Richlands 1
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Berserkr Adventures
967 Five Mile Rd, Richlands, NC 28574
Ronda 1
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North Carolina River Riders
201 Big Bend Rd, Ronda, NC 28670
Rosman 1
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Tubular Tubing & Outdoor Adventures
39 Old Turnpike Rd, Rosman, NC 28772
Salvo 1
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Duck Village Outfitters
26689 North Carolina Hwy 12, Salvo, NC 27972
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Seamist Kayak
4616 Devane Rd SW, Shallotte, NC 28470
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Makin Waves
1343 NC-210, Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
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The Adventure Kayak Company
807 N Howe St, Southport, NC 28461
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Spring Lake Outpost
1530 N Bragg Blvd, Spring Lake, NC 28390-2011
Sylva 1
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Dillsboro River Company
18 Macktown Rd, Sylva, NC 28779
Todd 1
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River Roost
Todd, NC
Varnamtown 1
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Boats&Boots kayak adventures
26 Old River Rd, Varnamtown, NC 28462
Vilas 1
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River and Earth Adventures
5578 US-421, Vilas, NC 28692
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Neuse River Outfitters
9601 Capital Blvd, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Warne 1
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West Tubing Company
6175 Old Hwy 64 W, Warne, NC 28909
Waves 1
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Charlies Wave Runners
24768 North Carolina Hwy 12, Waves, NC 27968
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Foothills Outdoor Adventures
2618 NC-268, Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Also in North Carolina
- Fishing Charters & Clubs422
- Marinas and Harbors294
- Boat Rentals173
- Tackle and Bait Shops147
- Surf Shops & Schools131
- Boat Tours & Charters101
- Boat Storage79
- Boat Ramps47
- Scuba Diving Centers40
- Ferries & Water Taxis39
- Marinas with Transient Slips26
- Marinas and Facilities with Boat Launches19
- Marinas with Public and Private Boat Launches18
- Sailing and Yacht Clubs13
Good to know
What equipment is typically included with a kayak or canoe rental?
Most operators include the watercraft, paddles, and personal flotation devices (PFDs) for every passenger as part of the standard rental fee. Some businesses also provide dry bags or safety whistles, but you should bring your own sun protection, water, and quick-drying clothing.
Do I need prior paddling experience to rent a kayak?
Flatwater rentals on lakes or quiet bays generally do not require prior experience, and staff usually provide a brief safety orientation before launch. Guided trips or river runs with rapids may recommend or require basic paddling skills, so check age and experience guidelines before booking.
How much does a typical kayak or canoe rental cost?
Hourly rentals on flatwater typically range from $15 to $30 per hour for a single kayak, while double kayaks and canoes cost slightly more. Half-day or full-day river trips with shuttle service often cost between $40 and $80 per person.
How to shrink wrap a boat?
To shrink wrap a boat, cover support structures with protective padding, lay the shrink film across the hull, heat-shrink it with a heat gun, and add ventilation ports. For large vessels or professional weatherproofing in North Carolina, check the 113 marine service providers cataloged on MarinaAtlas.
What is a marine survey?
A marine survey is a detailed inspection of a boat's hull, mechanical systems, and overall condition conducted by a certified surveyor. Across North Carolina, MarinaAtlas indexes 113 qualified marine operators and survey specialists to assist buyers and insurance companies.