Santa Barbara Harbor Rentals

Rent Kayaks, Stand up Paddleboards, Surfboards, and Gear

Located at Santa Barbara Harbor in the American Riviera

We are Dog Friendly... we have dog PFDs!

Menu

Rental Procedure

Everyone must sign a digital waiver prior to renting. Click “Start Now” at the top of this window to sign your waiver and make a reservation.

Once you have your reservation, you should find us on the map so you can arrive on time. The harbor is a busy place in the summer, so you’ll want to park in one of the pay lots nearby and walk to the busy section where the restaurants are (Brophy Bros).

We have lockers, so you can leave valuables and things you don’t want wet in the lockers.

Bring clothing you can get wet, you will get wet. We sell shorts, shirts, sunscreen, hats, etc if you forget!

 

We are happy to announce that all staff is fully vaccinated and we are operating as normal again with some cleaning procedures still in place.

  • Masks are not required for vaccinated individuals. Honor system or bust!
  • If you are not feeling well stay home and get better, do not visit us please!
  • Please sign a waiver before you arrive Sign Waiver Here
  • We sanitize all paddles and PFDs after each use.
  • We let the sun and salt wash our kayaks after each use.
Whale off the Coast of Santa Barbara

Rental Rates

Kayaking in the Santa Barbara harbor is one of the best activities to enjoy the waterfront, get some exercise, and view the marine wildlife.

Paddle Sports offers the pay-as-you-go model pricing, which allows you to enjoy your time without worrying about coming back on time. The first hour is a flat rate and they each minute is prorated at the hour rate.

When does time start? We start your time after you receive the paddle briefing and you leave the shop with a lifejacket and paddle. We give you a 5 minute buffer to account for any delays at the dock. It is your responsibility to check back in at the end of your rental to stop your time.

kayaking

Single Kayak

$20/hour
after 1st hour time is prorated per minute
24 hours is 3X the hourly rate

kayaking under a pier

Tandem Kayak

$30/hour
after 1st hour time is prorated per minute
24 hours is 3X the hourly rate

2 girls standup paddleboarding

Stand Up Paddleboard

$30/hour
after 1st hour time is prorated per minute
24 hours is 3X the hourly rate

surfing in Santa Barbara California

Surf/Boogie Board

$10/hour
after 1st hour time is prorated per minute
24 hours is 3X the hourly rate

Reservations

Reservations are not required but they are recommended.  Making a reservation in advance will speed up the rental process and also ensure that equipment is available for you when you arrive.  We have made it easy to make a reservation and sign the digital waiver prior to arrival.  Please follow the link below to sign our waiver and make a reservation.

Everybody over the age of 18 does need to complete their own waiver before arriving at Paddle Sports.

If you are paddling with kids under the age of 18, please add them to your adult waiver.

Start Now - Easy Sign Up

Find Us Next to the Fish Market

SANTA BARBARA HARBOR

117 Harbor Way
Santa Barbara, CA 93109

OPEN YEAR-ROUND

FIRST RENTAL @ 8A | LAST RENTAL OUT @ 5:00pm for an hour, we close at 6pm

Destinations

Half Mile Buoy – MOST POPULAR

Visit the Sea Lions

Paddle out to the 1/2 mile green buoy where you’ll find sea lions resting. On your way out to the buoy you’ll pass the Sandspit where marine birds rest and feed. Once you’ve had your fill of Sea Lions, you’ll head back and under the historic Stearns Wharf and then along West Beach past the bait dock where Seals haul out to warm up. Then you’ll kayak under the iconic “Channel Cat” and then along the outside of the harbor and back to our shop.

Santa Barbara Point

Search for Dolphins

For the more adventurous paddlers, cruise up the coast to Santa Barbara Point (Leadbetter) where you’ll have excellent views of the Waterfront and Riviera and an excellent chance of seeing more wildlife. The paddle to the point is into the wind, on the way back you’ll have the wind at your back.

FAQs

What are your hours of operation?

WE OPEN AT 8AM

LAST RENTAL GOES OUT AT 5:00pm for an hour (we close at 6pm)

Do you have student or military pricing?

Yes, we offer 10% off for students, military, and first responders/hospital workers. You must let us know before we ring you up. This only applies to the individual, not the entire ticket. Thanks for understanding and helping us help you!

How are you dealing with COVID?

Masks are not required for vaccinated individuals.

  • We sanitize all paddles and PFDs after each use.
  • We let the sun and salt wash our kayaks after each use.

Should I make a Reservation?

Walk-ins are welcome at anytime, but reservations move much faster and we give priority to reservations in the line.

We have made it easy for you to make reservations and sign our digital waiver online here on the website.

Please have everyone over 18 yrs old complete a waiver before arriving at Paddle Sports.

If you are paddling with younger kids, please add them to your adult waiver. Kids must know how to swim and be 5 years or older.

If I'm a PSC Member, do I need to make a reservation?

If you are currently paying Fitness Dues, or have prepaid, you do not need to make a reservation. If you are a PSC Member and are not paying dues, you can make a reservation online and if you have a lifetime membership, you will get the 25% discount online.

I have a discount card or Axxess, can I make a reservation?

No, please do not make a reservation if  you have a coupon, promotional offer, local discount card, Axxess or Groupon… you will need to bring it with you so we can redeem it before charging you. If you make a reservation and want to redeem a coupon when you arrive, we will have to refund the reservation and start all over again. Thanks!

Here are our age policies.

  • EVERYONE MUST KNOW HOW TO FLOAT
  • You must be 14 years old OR over 5’ tall to paddle on a Stand up paddleboard.
  • We do not allow more than one paddler on an SUP, sorry.
  • Kids 12 and over may paddle by themselves in a single kayak.
  • We do not allow 3 paddlers in tandem kayaks.
  • We reserve the right to change these age policies based on the current conditions at any time. We have the policies for your protection, thank you for being considerate and understanding.

Will I get wet?

Yes, you will get wet and you must know how to swim! Treat kayaking like going to a waterpark. It depends on the ride, but you have a very good chance of going swimming and getting soaking wet. 90% of people don’t get more than their butts wet, but the chance exists so dress for it!

Should I bring my cell phone?

Cell phones do not float, so they should be in a dry bag or attached to you in a lanyard. If you drop your cell phone in the harbor/ocean you will lose it.

We sell dry bags and phone cases in the shop.

Do you have lockers?

Yes, they are $3 per locker.

Do we have changing rooms?

Yes, changing rooms are in the back of the shop next to the lockers. You can use these to change into your water clothing or a wetsuit that you rent from us.

What is your cancelation policy?

You can change or cancel your reservation time up until the day prior to your rental. So if your reservation is for Saturday, you can cancel or reschedule up until close on Friday. Your reservation is confirmed if you make it the day of or don’t contact us prior to the day of your reservation. If you are more than 60 minutes late for your rental, your equipment may be gone… please try to arrive on time.

SB’s Only Dog Friendly Paddling!

We are dog friendly! Bring your 4-legged and enjoy the ocean with your BFF. We have dog life jackets for getting them back in the kayak/SUP. No extra cost… but we may ask for a trick!