Easy Kayaking in San Antonio: The Best Kayaking in Texas
Many people know San Antonio is famous for the restaurants, hotels, and shops that line the Riverwalk, but did you know you can go kayaking in San Antonio along the Riverwalk?
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When tourism came to a standstill due to COVID-19, the City of San Antonio began to think of new ways to attract locals downtown.
The San Antonio River Walk was underutilized until the city partnered with Mission Kayak (now Mission Adventure Tours) and Go Rio Cruises to offer kayaking in its River Walk business district.
Kayaking along the San Antonio Riverwalk allowed visitors to practice social distancing while bringing people back downtown.
When restrictions began to lift and tourism began to thrive again, kayaking at the San Antonio River Walk was discontinued. But fortunately, due to its popularity and easy paddling trail for beginners, the best kayaking in Texas is back!
Here is everything you need to know to plan your San Antonio river kayaking trip.
What to Expect When Kayaking in San Antonio
I have wanted to kayak in downtown San Antonio ever since I first saw it was a possibility. I was super excited to try it out.
Kayaking is relatively easy, especially in the still waters along the Riverwalk.
Mission Adventure Tours provides flat-bottom kayaks that are almost impossible to tip over. They are perfect for first-time kayakers.
You first read and sign a waiver when you arrive at your location. It’s the legal stuff like you won’t sue if anything happens.
Then, you are fitted with a life jacket which must be worn the entire trip. and given an introductory lesson on how to use the paddle.
The kayak trip is unguided, which means you are on your own once you launch. Don’t let that worry you, though. The river is not wide at all, and you will see people walking along the Riverwalk path the entire trip.
Finally, you step into the kayaks perched on a cement ramp with the front end in the water. Once your foot pedals are adjusted, the employees push you fully into the water, and off you go.
It is simple to get in and requires very little balance to stay upright.
Kayak the San Antonio River
Your kayak trip will begin and end in the exact location. Once you leave the launch area, you can choose to paddle in one of two directions. Both ways are equally beautiful places to kayak.
One way will lead you further into the Pearl District.
You will see a grotto, many waterfalls, and a glimpse into the Pearl area.
You will know it’s time to turn around when you enter the waterfall section and the trail ends.
The opposite trail will lead you to the museum reach.
You will see the San Antonio Museum of Art, the giant fish art installation, and the oldest VFW post in Texas.
Clearly posted signs will let you know when it is time to turn around.
Book a Kayaking San Antonio Trip
To go kayaking along the Riverwalk in San Antonio, you do need to make a reservation at least a day in advance with Mission Adventure Tours. We went on an early Saturday morning in late summer, and it was a perfect time, especially for a beginner.
Kevin and I were the only ones on the water for at least half of our time. It was extremely peaceful. We even saw turtles, fish, geese, and ducks along the way.
The Kayaking Paddling Trail
Kayaking occurs along the Riverwalk and in the Museum Reach of the river.
The City of San Antonio allows kayakers to paddle along the banks of the Riverwalk in the business district (the area where all the restaurants and bars are located) on a few select days. You must book in advance if you want to kayak here.
You can also kayak from San Antonio’s Pearl Brewery District.
This trendy area was once Pearl Beer’s canning company but has now transformed into the ultimate dining, shopping, and hang-out spot along the Riverwalk.
The weekend farmer’s market and vendors are an added benefit to beginning a kayaking trip in the Pearl District.
When your kayaking time is over, walk over to the Pearl for breakfast and a peaceful place to relax after the trip.
If you are visiting San Antonio, Hotel Emma at the Pearl is a boutique hotel located right in the middle of the Pearl Brewery District. It’s a popular hotel for tourists and is the perfect location to stay for a San Antonio visit.
RELATED POSTS: For other fun places to visit in San Antonio, check out the Sunken Gardens: A Beautiful Japanese Tea Garden and the Witte Museum.
Kayaking San Antonio Meeting Point
Mission Adventure Tours has three locations to go kayaking in San Antonio along the Riverwalk.
You can choose between the Museum Reach, Downtown, and the King William District locations.
Kayaking from the Museum Reach
The Museum Reach location is in the Pearl District at the corner of Camden St. and Newell Ave.
There are two parking places, the lot near IH-35 or along the street in the Pearl District.
We arrived around 7:45 a.m. and were able to find a free spot to park on the street.
A blue Go RIO tent is set near the river and is easy to find.
Kayaking from the Tobin Center
The Downtown location is located at 100 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio, TX 78205.
You will park in nearby parking garages.
If you kayak from this location, you should make reservations to eat breakfast at one of the many San Antonio Riverwalk restaurants.
Cost to Kayak in San Antonio
Kayaking along the San Antonio Riverwalk starts at $35 per person.
This price includes a one-hour kayak rental, the paddle, and a life jacket.
Age to Kayak San Antonio River
Mission Adventure Tours allows children as young as two to go kayaking with an adult in a tandem kayak.
Children eight and older can have a single kayak.
We saw three kids effortlessly kayaking with their parents on our way back to the dock. So, this would definitely be a fun outing for the entire family. Afterward, you can check out one of the great kid-friendly restaurants in San Antonio.
What to Wear Kayaking
One thing that makes kayaking in San Antonio one of the best kayaking trips in Texas is that it is a come-as-you-are experience.
You don’t need anything fancy or expensive to have a good time.
That said, here is what I would do again or differently based on my experience.
Our kayak trip was on an early cloudy August morning with a slight chance of rain.
I wore a T-shirt and waterproof shorts along with athletic sole sandals. The T-shirt and shorts worked fine. My legs got wet from the paddle splash, but I dried quickly.
San Antonio has mild winter weather, so if I were kayaking in the winter, I would wear these waterproof pants from Amazon that I took on our summer trip to Alaska. They would be perfect.
The sandals I wore were not the best shoes to wear kayaking. They got wet, and I slipped, getting out of the kayak.
If I went kayaking again, I would spend $30 to get these water shoes with a slip-resistant outsole. They are inexpensive, quick drying, and highly rated as the best shoes to wear kayaking.
Other Tips for Kayaking in San Antonio
You will be outside on the water, so applying insect repellant and sunscreen before your trip is a good idea. I put on both before we left home, and I was comfortable the whole trip, so I would recommend the same to you.
We carried our keys and wallets in a dry bag.
You would be surprised how many times this bag has come in handy.
If you don’t have one or don’t want to buy one, you can rent a dry bag from the tour company for $5.
SAN ANTONIO KAYAKING ESSENTIALS
I wore my phone around my neck in the waterproof pouch. It was easy to access for photos, and I didn’t have to worry about dropping it or getting it wet.
Plus, all the pictures in this post were taken while my phone was in the pouch, and I think they turned out great.
Book the Best Kayaking Trip in Texas
Booking a kayaking trip in San Antonio is easy and can be made through the Mission Adventure Tours website.
Kayaks rented through this site are the only kayaks allowed on the River Walk.
Personal kayaks, including inflatable kayaks, cannot be launched here.
Kayak trips are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in two locations along the river.
Make plans now to get out and explore the scenic San Antonio downtown area from the water.
