Cleveland in the summer is divine. The long days end with jaw droppingly beautiful sunsets over Lake Erie, patio season is in full swing, and there is nothing quite like getting out on the water in Cleveland!
Cleveland has ample ways to enjoy water on a nice day. The city is located right along the shores of Lake Erie, of course, plus there are several beaches, lakes, and rivers nearby to explore, too.
On a hot and humid summer day in Northeast Ohio, these are the top ways to beat the heat and dive into all the watersports near Cleveland!
10 Ways to Get Out on the Water in and Around Cleveland
1. Go Kayaking in Cleveland
Grab some paddles and a single (or tandem) kayak and get out on the water in various places around Cleveland! Whether you prefer a calm river or going out onto Lake Erie, there are some fantastic spots to go kayaking near Cleveland, including on the Cuyahoga River, which has been named the top place in North America for urban kayaking!
And if you don’t have a kayak of your own, here are all the places where you can rent one for a few hours or even the whole day:
• Great Lakes Watersports
1148 Main Ave, Cleveland (The Flats)
This is the spot to rent from if you want to partake in some of that urban kayaking! Great Lakes Watersports is located on the west bank of the Flats, and you can kayak along the river from here to enjoy the views of the Cleveland Skyline as well as Lake Erie.
Single Kayak Rental Price: $25 for the first hour and half off for the next hour.
Double Kayak Rental Price: $30 for the first hour and half off for the next hour.
Note that their kayaks are rented on a first-come, first-served basis.
• 41˚ North Coastal Kayak Adventures
1500 Scenic Park Dr, Lakewood
Located in Rocky River Reservation, this is a great kayak spot to get incredible views of the reservation and head toward Lake Erie as well!
You’ll also pass by a boat harbor, yacht club, and even a private beach as you paddle out toward the lake. You could also go the opposite way and wind along Rocky River and enjoy the reservation from the water.
They also offer day trips and tours if you want to really explore Cleveland and Lake Erie from the water!
Single Kayak Rental Price: $20 for the first hour and $5 for each additional 30 minutes.
Double Kayak Rental Price: $25 for the first hour and $5 for each additional 30 minutes.
Reservations are required for all rentals. More info here.
• Hinckley Lake Boathouse
1 West Dr, Hinckley
Located at Hinckley Lake within Hinckley Reservation, the Hinckley Lake Boathouse rents all sorts of watercraft during the summer months – including single and tandem kayaks – to enjoy on the 90-acre lake.
Single Kayak Rental Price: $20 per hour
Double Kayak Rental Price: $22 per hour
Advanced online reservations are required for all rentals. Book here.
• Crooked River Adventures
13468 Main Market Rd (Route 422), Burton
Choose from a wide selection of kayaks and canoes at Crooked River Adventures, and then enjoy a leisurely paddle on the Upper Cuyahoga. They’ll drop you off at Eldon Russell Park, and then you’ll paddle 5 miles down the river back to the rental spot. Trips take anywhere from 2-4 hours.
Kayak Rental Price: $30 per person
Canoe Rental Price: $30 per person (but with two paying adults you can bring two small children for free)
• Camp Hi Canoe & Kayak Rental
12274 Abbott Rd, Hiram
This is a fantastic kayak and canoe rental place for family and friends! Located about 45 minutes from downtown Cleveland in Hiram, you’ll feel immersed in quiet nature as you slowly kayak or float down the Cuyahoga River.
You can choose to kayak anywhere from 1-6 hours, and they usually take you to a starting point and you kayak back to the rental site.
Kayak Rental Price: 7 miles is $27 per person. 10 miles is $32 per person.
Canoe Rental Price: 7 miles is $24 per person. 10 miles is $29 per person.
• Paddle The River: Burning River Adventures
2025 Munroe Falls Ave., Cuyahoga Falls
Burning River Adventures is another way to get out on the water near Cleveland but also be immersed in nature. Book one of their trips ranging from 2-6.5 miles, and they will shuttle you out to the starting point and you’ll work your way back to the boat launch.
They also offer guided rapid trips if you prefer to up your adventure!
2-mile trip cost: Starts at $20.
4.5-mile trip cost: Starts at $25.
6.5-mile trip cost: Starts at $30.
Reservations are required ahead of time.
Paddle the River also offers daily kayak rentals on the Cuyahoga River from Cuyahoga Valley Adventures in Akron. Prices start at $30 for single kayaks and $60 for tandem kayaks for 4-hour rentals.
2. Paddleboarding in Cleveland
Whether you enjoy standing up, doing yoga, or just lazily floating on a paddleboard, this is where to rent a paddleboard near Cleveland!
• SUP CLE
2800 Whiskey Island Dr, Cleveland
SUP Cleveland offers everything from SUP classes, rentals, and even team building events. Located along Lake Erie on Whiskey Island, you’ll need to contact them for their pricing and classes they offer.
However, if you want to SUP with them soon, you’ll have to wait. They are closed through 2021.
• Rico’s Rental
5800 Whisky Island Dr, Cleveland
Right on Lake Erie you’ll find another spot for a SUP rental! If you plan to be out on the water in Cleveland for a while, then this is the perfect rental spot, as prices are based on 2-6 hours of renting.
2-Hour SUP Rental Price: $50 per person.
6-Hour SUP Rental Price: $75 per person.
Advanced online bookings are required. Book here.
• 41˚ North Coastal Kayak Adventures
1500 Scenic Park Dr, Lakewood
Of course this is one of the kayak options above, but if you prefer to SUP instead, then they also offer that! Test out your balance skills if you head out toward Lake Erie, or paddle slowly along Rocky River.
SUP Rental Price: $25 for the first 1.5 hours and $5 for each additional 30 minutes.
Reservations are required for all rentals. More info here.
• Nalu Stand Up Paddle & Surf
1328 Linda Street, Rocky River
Located in Rocky River, Nalu Stand Up Paddle & Surf offers rentals, lessons, SUP yoga, and even paddles & pints!
They launch from Sweetwater Landing in Rocky River Reservation or Bradstreet Landing along Lake Erie depending on conditions. Yoga classes are river launches only.
SUP Rental Prices: Starting at $20 for the first hour and $10 an hour after.
SUP Yoga Price: $35 with a board rental and $15 if you bring your own board.
• Hinckley Lake Boathouse
1 West Dr, Hinckley
If you want to try paddleboarding on a calmer lake, the Hinckley Lake Boathouse in Hinckley Reservation also offers SUP rentals*. This would be an excellent spot to try it out for the first time!
1-Hour SUP Rental Price: $20
*Rentals must be reserved online in advance. Book here.
• Shaka Fitness SUP
Coe Lake, Berea, Punderson State Park, or Lake Milton State Park
Want to try your hand at SUP yoga? What about SUP lessons? Shaka Fitness SUP has a few locations, with the two closest being at Coe Lake and Punderson State Park. They each offer various classes ranging from many different types of SUP yoga to XL SUP adventures.
Yoga and Fitness Classes on the SUP: Start at $35 per person.
SUP Lessons: Start at $25 per person.
3. Jet Ski Rental in Cleveland
If you prefer getting out on the water near Cleveland but want to get speedy, then a jet ski rental is so much fun!
Rico’s Rental, mentioned above for the SUP rentals, is also the place to rent a jet ski! For $300 per ski for 2 hours and $100 per additional hour (4 hours maximum per rental) you can zip around Lake Erie and explore Cuyahoga River!
For couples riding together, it is $500 for 2 hours and $150 per additional hour.
You can book in advance here.
4. Rent a Boat in Cleveland
Have a boaters license or want to rent a boat with a captain? Then why not rent a boat and explore all the hidden beaches, coves, and lovely views around the Cleveland area?
Whether you prefer to zip around in a speed boat or party on a pontoon, these spots are great for boat rentals in Cleveland.
• Great Lakes Watersports
1148 Main Ave, Cleveland (The Flats)
The same spot where you can rent kayaks and explore the Cuyahoga River is also where to rent a boat to get out onto Lake Erie!
Great Lakes Watersports offers both pontoons and a speedboat, which hold up to 10-15 people depending on the boat. Gas and taxes are not included, and you cannot dock or go further than Lakewood or Bratenahl.
You’ll also need a boaters license or obtain one online if you’re born after 1981. They also offer temporary licenses and testing on site.
Boat Rental Prices: $275 for 2 hours, $500 for 4 hours.
• Great Lakes Boat Charters
Plan your ideal boat charter cruise with your own professionally US Coast Guard Licensed Captain. There are various speedboats to rent for up to 6 people with various types of charters including fishing, tubing, a dinner cruise, and more!
Prices start at $320 per hour, with a minimum of 2-hour rentals. Contact them to make reservations.
• Hinckley Lake Boathouse
1 West Dr, Hinckley
You might be wondering what you *can’t* do on Hinckley Lake! Along with kayak and SUP rentals, they also offer pontoon boat rentals. You must be 18 to rent/drive a pontoon boat, and the boats can hold up to 9 people.
Pontoon Rental Price: $75 for 1.5 hours
Rentals must be reserved online in advance. Book here.
5. Goodtime III Cruise
825 East Ninth St Pier, North Coast Harbor, Cleveland
Cleveland’s largest sightseeing ship offers lovely views of downtown Cleveland, the Cuyahoga River, Lake Erie, and The Flats!
The luxury Goodtime III ship offers sightseeing cruises, a dining cruise, and even an entertainment cruise to dance the night away.
The sightseeing cruise is about 2 hours long and sails past Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie as you learn about the history of this ever-changing city.
The dining cruise sails for lunch or dinner, making it a super unique Cleveland date idea!
And the entertainment cruise offers different times for a happy hour cruise, smooth jazz and R&B, and a Saturday City Lights cruise to party and enjoy the nightlife on the water.
Cruises start at $30 for the traditional sightseeing cruise. Note that the entertainment cruises are 21+ only.
BONUS: The Nautica Queen is another ship offering dinner cruises in Cleveland.
6. BrewBoat Cleveland
We already know that Cleveland has some incredible craft breweries, but why not take some cans from your favorite breweries and enjoy BrewBoat Cleveland?
While this is BYOB, you can pack up your favorite brews or even some wine to sip as you float on this iconic party boat!
They offer both pedal-powered cycleboats for up to 14 guests, or a more relaxed BrewBoat Lite without the paddling for up to 10 guests.
As you rent per cruise, it is something you may want to save up for for either a bachelor/bachelorette party or a big event with friends!
Brewboat Cle Prices: $399-489 depending on number of guests.
Brewboat Lite Prices: $399 per cruise.
7. The Tiki Barge
Tiki decor all around you? Check. Bluetooth sound system to blare your favorite tunes? Check. An incredibly silly yet fun pontoon boat that allows you to party responsibly on the water? Check!
Bring your own booze and they’ll supply the captain, bathroom, and bartender to keep your party going! Cruises last for 2 hours.
Another great group activity, the Tiki Barge can accommodate parties of up to 10-30 people!
Tiki Boat Prices: $400 for up to 10 people, $600 for 11-15 people, $700 for 16-20 people, and $1,050 for 21-30 people.
8. Float the River
2035 Old Town Loop, Cuyahoga Falls
We get it. Sometimes you just want to forgo the paddle in favor of a nice float down a river in a tube. Enter Float the River.
This place, located in Cuyahoga Falls, will drive you to the launch site from their check-in tent where you can spend 1-2 blissful hours floating and cooling off in the river! They even offer cooler tube rentals to keep your beverages cold on a hot day.
Tube Rental Price: $20 per tube.
Cooler Tube Rental Price: $10 per cooler tube.
9. Book a Fishing Charter
If you love fishing and want to rent a charter for the day to find the best catch, then booking a fishing charter on Lake Erie is a fabulous idea.
There are a few places to book a charter, whether you want to go by yourself or with a group!
• Great Lakes Boat Charters
Mentioned above for private boat rentals with a captain, you can also book a private fishing charter for up to 5 people with Great Lakes Boat Charters. Fishing trips last up to 4 hours, and they provide everything you need including fishing rods, bait, and reels.
They’ll take you to the best spots to catch walleye and perch.
Fishing Charter Cost: $700 for the boat.
• Midtown Fishing Charters
1400 E 30th St #301, Cleveland
For another private fishing experience on Lake Erie, Midtown Fishing Charters includes bait and tackle and offers half day and full day fishing excursions.
They price their trips based on the type of fishing you’d like to do, whether it is walleye, steelhead, or yellow perch. Charters have a minimum group size ranging from 8-15 people.
Fishing Charter Cost: Starts at $395 for a half-day and $595 for a full day.
• Holiday Boat Charters
1800 Scranton Road, Cleveland (The Flats)
If you have everything you need for fishing and just want to get out onto the lake a bit further, then this is a great fishing charter to book.
Holiday’s fishing trip is a shared charter that can fit up to 65 people and has a bathroom and bar. It is also much more affordable if you plan on going by yourself or with a smaller group.
Fishing Charter Cost: $40 for adults, $30 for seniors, kids aged 15-18, and active military, $20 for kids aged 11-14, $10 for kids aged 6-10, and free for children 5 and under.
10. Swim and Explore the Best Beaches
Being a city perched along Lake Erie, there are several beaches close to downtown that are worth visiting on a nice, sunny day.
While we have an article dedicated to 12 beaches to visit near Cleveland, here are a few close to downtown you’ll want to check out below.
• Edgewater Beach: Cleveland
This is the closest beach to downtown Cleveland with plenty of space for BBQing, swimming, and lounging on the sand. Plus, it offers incredible views of downtown Cleveland, and the large concession stand is a great place to snag some tasty treats on your beach day.
• Euclid Beach Park: Cleveland
This gem of a beach was built on the same spot as a former amusement park. The family friendly beach hosts concerts and has a playground and grilling facilities.
• Huntington Beach: Bay Village
This relaxing beach is great for having a picnic before climbing down the steps to one of Cleveland’s cleanest beaches. It also has 3 miles of nature trails within Huntington Reservation to enjoy!
There are plenty of ways to get out on the water in Cleveland, whether you love SUP yoga, fishing, or floating on the river on a sunny day. No matter what kind of water sport you love, Cleveland is the place to be for summertime fun!
Which water activity do you plan to do this summer in Cleveland?
Kat is a Cleveland transplant and has lived here for over 5 years. She loves to eat, drink, and explore all across the city, and has made it her personal mission to find the best breweries and pizza in Northeast Ohio. She also runs a couples travel blog and podcast called World Wide Honeymoon.