29 Best Kayaking Gifts for Paddlers of Every Level

If you only buy one kayaking gift, make it a good dry bag. This 20-liter Earth Pak holds a towel, spare layer, lunch and keys, rolls shut watertight and floats if the boat goes over. It fits in a hatch or behind a sit-on-top seat, and it comes with a waterproof phone case as a bonus. Practical, inexpensive and used every single trip.

Most paddlers want their phone for photos and emergencies but dread dropping it overboard. These IP68 Pelican pouches float, keep the touchscreen working and hang from a lanyard around the neck. Two in the pack means a paddling partner is covered too, which makes it a nice gift for a kayaking couple.

On a sit-on-top or paddle board, anything in the hatch is out of reach while paddling. This flat roll-top bag straps to the front deck bungees so snacks, sunscreen and a windbreaker are right there, and its low profile stays clear of the paddle stroke.

A dry bag keeps water out but does nothing if a phone gets sat on or crushed against a rock at the launch. This gasket-sealed hard box handles both, sitting in a cockpit or hatch with a wallet, keys and phone inside. Good for paddlers who also fish or camp out of their kayak.

Losing the car key at the put-in ruins a day faster than bad weather. This float keeps keys on the surface and has a sealed compartment for a spare key fob or a folded bill. A cheap, thoughtful stocking stuffer any kayaker will clip on immediately.

The molded seat on most entry-level sit-on-tops is the reason paddlers head back after an hour. These high-backed seats add EVA padding and a rigid back panel, strap on in minutes, and come in a pair for a tandem kayak or two boats. A real comfort upgrade for anyone with a sore lower back.

The paddle that came with the kayak is usually heavy aluminum, and a lighter one makes a noticeable difference by the end of the day. This adjustable fiberglass paddle is built for kayak anglers, with a hook-retrieval notch and a measuring tape on the shaft, but it is a smooth all-round paddle for any recreational kayaker.

Put the paddle down to take a photo or cast a line and it can drift off fast in a breeze. This coiled leash clips the paddle to the boat and stretches out of the way while paddling. At under $10 it is the easiest add-on to a bigger kayaking gift.

For the paddler who likes to stop for lunch, a swim or a fishing session, an anchor keeps the kayak from drifting off. This folding grapnel comes with 40 feet of rope, a marker buoy and a bag, and folds small enough to live in a hatch.

Kayak anglers always want one more rod holder. This one fits a gear track or mounts on the deck, adjusts to any angle and grips the rod firmly while they paddle to the next spot. An easy pick for the kayaker who has started taking a rod along.

For anyone in a sit-inside kayak, getting water out after a capsize or a wet re-entry is impossible without a pump. This self-priming hand pump is the kind of item paddling courses insist on and many recreational kayakers still do not own. A gift that shows you care about them coming home safe.

A gift for the sea kayaker who is learning to roll. Held like a paddle, this award-winning float gives enough support to practice Greenland and layback rolls without panicking, and it doubles as a self-rescue aid. Niche, but exactly what a progressing paddler would want.

Dawn and sunset paddles are the most beautiful and the most dangerous, because a low kayak is hard for boats to see. These waterproof clip-on lights make the paddler visible from a distance and run on batteries for hours. Ideal for early-morning anglers and evening lake paddlers.

Many waterways require paddlers to carry a sound signal, and a cheap plastic whistle is barely audible over wind. The Storm is used by the Coast Guard and works even wet or underwater. Three in the pack lets a paddler clip one to every life jacket in the family.

The premium pick and the gift that changes how often someone goes paddling. Dragging a loaded kayak across a car park and down a sandy path is exhausting; this cart's 15-inch airless wheels roll over sand, gravel and ramps with up to 350 lb aboard and then fold flat for the trunk. Fishing kayaks and canoes are where it really earns its price.

Strapping a kayak flat on bare crossbars is awkward and leaves no room for a second boat. These J-cradles carry two kayaks on edge, pad the hull and come with straps. A smart gift for a couple or family who paddle together and want both boats on one car.

A kayak lying on the garage floor takes over the space and can warp over a winter. These padded wall hooks hold it up and out of the way, rated to 120 lb. An unglamorous gift that the rest of the household will thank you for too.

For anyone who keeps a sit-inside kayak outdoors or on the car between trips, a cockpit cover keeps out rain, leaves and wildlife. This marine-grade pair fits most cockpits and is a useful pre-season gift.

Hours of paddling raise blisters on the palms and burn the backs of the hands. These fingerless gloves pad the grip, block the sun and pull off easily with tabs when wet. A thoughtful small gift for someone planning longer trips.

Launch sites are full of sharp rocks, broken shells and slippery ramps. These light water shoes protect feet while wading the boat in, then drain and dry quickly in the cockpit. A sensible upgrade from flip-flops, which tend to float away.

Spring and fall are lovely on the water, but the cold that sloshes into the cockpit can end a trip early. These 3mm neoprene socks keep feet warm with anti-slip soles and are ideal for the paddler who keeps going after summer.

Water reflects sunlight back up, so a paddler gets burned faster than they expect. This light, quick-dry hoodie covers arms, neck and ears with UPF 50+, has thumb holes for the backs of the hands, and is far easier than reapplying sunscreen with wet hands.

Every kayaker has lost a pair of sunglasses over the side. These have a frame lighter than water, so they pop back to the surface, and polarized lenses that cut glare so rocks and fish below the surface are easier to see.

If their favorite sunglasses do not float, these straps will keep them on and buoyant. Four in a pack means one for every pair they own, or for each person in the boat. An inexpensive extra to tuck into a card.

The fun gift of the list. The Wonderboom is small enough to clip to a deck line, floats if it goes overboard, and plays clear 360-degree sound for around 14 hours, which covers a long lazy day on the lake. Popular with kayakers who paddle with friends and raft up for lunch.

Paddling scenery is hard to capture with a phone in a pouch. This budget 4K camera has a waterproof case and mounts for the deck or a chest strap, so the paddler can record a whole trip hands-free. A strong value pick for someone who has never owned an action camera.

For the lake paddler who keeps looking at the coastline. This long-running guide covers strokes, rescues, tides, navigation and trip planning in clear language, and makes a great gift to pair with a paddling course.

A cotton beach towel takes up half a dry bag and stays damp for the drive home. This microfiber one packs small, absorbs a lot and dries hanging from its snap loop. A simple, practical extra that kayakers end up using constantly.

Four waterproof kayak decals for a car window, cooler, water bottle or laptop. A cheerful little extra that lets a paddler show off the sport, and a nice add-on to any bigger gift from this list.