Last Updated on February 7, 2023 by Afsar

Do you want to find the best beginner kayaks? Before purchasing a starter kayak, you should be familiar with the various types of kayaks available, as well as the intended use of the kayak. If you’re looking for a kayak for kids, you’ll want something light and maneuverable. Kayaks come in a variety of sizes and styles. Because we’re talking about a beginner kayak, it’s essential to understand what the kayak’s goal is. Kayaks are classified into two types: sit-in and sit-on. A sit-on-top kayak allows you to sit on the top of the kayak practically. On the other hand, if you use a sit-in kayak, you will be surrounded by the cockpit and sidewall of the kayak. As a beginner, one should start understanding the types of kayaks available on the market and research their intended usage.

10 Best Kayaks For Beginners 2023

---

Coleman Quikpak K1

The Coleman QuikPak K1 is designed to be a lightweight and portable kayak, making it ideal for individuals who enjoy recreational kayaking and want a convenient way to transport their gear. The QuikPak system makes it possible to pack the kayak into a compact backpack, which can be easily carried to and from the water. The backpack is designed to fit into most car trunks, so you can take the kayak with you wherever you go.

The kayak features a durable, puncture-resistant material that provides stability and stability on the water. The inflatable seat and backrest are adjustable to customize the fit to your needs, and the inflatable I-beam floor helps prevent tipping. Additionally, the kayak has multiple air chambers that ensure safety in case of punctures or leaks.
Another feature of the Coleman QuikPak K1 is its lightweight design, which makes it easy to maneuver on the water. It also has a cargo net to store your gear securely and a spray cover to keep you dry while paddling. The kayak is designed for calm waters, such as lakes and slow-moving rivers, and is best suited for recreational kayaking and not for whitewater or extreme conditions.

Coleman Quikpak K1 Review

---

Sun Dolphin Aruba 10

The Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 Kayak is a recreational kayak designed for lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers. It is popular among beginner kayakers and those looking for a budget-friendly option. Here are some of its features:

• Durable construction: The Aruba 10 is made of a high-density polyethylene material that is durable and resistant to UV rays and impact.
• Comfortable seat: The kayak features an adjustable, padded backrest seat for comfort during long paddling sessions.
• Convenient storage: The kayak has an open storage area in the bow, as well as a small storage hatch in the stern for personal items.
• Stable design: The wide, flat bottom of the Aruba 10 provides stability on the water, making it easier for beginner kayakers to paddle and navigate.
• Lightweight: Weighing in at only 44 lbs., the Aruba 10 is easy to transport and store, making it a great option for those who plan to travel with their kayak.

Overall, the Sun Dolphin Aruba 10 Kayak is a great option for those who want a budget-friendly, durable and stable recreational kayak. Its comfortable seat and convenient storage make it a great option for a day on the water.

---

 

Old Town Canoes & Kayaks Heron Junior Kids Kayak

If you’re looking for a kayak for your children, the Old Town Canoes & Kayaks Heron Junior Kids Kayak is a great choice. This kayak has been specifically designed for children to use. It is lightweight, weighing only 26 pounds. There is a tag-alone tow system to keep track of your child and, if necessary, to them. It is available in two different colors. Heron junior kayaks are designed for people with smaller bodies. In this sit-in kayak for beginners, your child will be able to sit comfortably. It provides easy paddling and maneuverability, allowing children to feel at ease and paddle easily on the water. Furthermore, there is a foam billet to keep the kayak from sinking if it is tipped by the kids.

---

 

Lifetime Wave Youth Kayak

Lifetime Wave Youth is one of the best beginner kayaks for children (Best Kids kayak). This is a great kayak to make your youngster start paddling. It has been designed in such a way to allow the youngster to paddle easily and quickly. Since security is the most important thing to consider while getting a kayak for kids, wave youth comes to the rescue. It is impossible to trip the kayak unless a strong external force is used.

It comes with a lightweight design to make it weigh only 18lbs. The maximum capacity of Lifetime Wave Youth Kayak is 130lbs. It’s great to be used for children above 5.  There are molded finger handles on each side of the kayak. It is perfect to be used on lake or ponds.  If you want your kid to have more comfort, get them a good kayak seat. Always be more protective and make them wear a kayaking PFD for safety.

---

Ocean Kayak Frenzy

Ocean Kayak Frenzy is a sit-on-top recreational kayak for newbies. Ocean Kayak Frenzy is a one-person kayak that weighs 43 lbs only. The maximum weight capacity of Ocean Kayak Frenzy is 275-325 lbs.

Ocean Kayak Frenzy comes with a highly visible sporty color. If you are just looking for a newbie-friendly recreational kayak with hardshell, this is a good option for a decent price. Other kayaks like Pungo 120 will cost you more.

There are many other features like the molded handle, molded cup, comfortable seating with cushioning, storage with a stern tank, and bungees. Both adults and kids can be benefitted from this newbie-friendly kayak.

---

Wilderness Systems Pungo 120

Best Recreational Kayak: Pungo 120 is one of the best recreational and touring kayaks for beginners. Wilderness System is popular for making amazing and high-performing durable kayaks. I am a big fan of Pungo 120 for its excellent stability, durability, and manageability. You can use Pungo 120 for recreational and touring purposes. Pungo 120 is a lightweight kayak that is made of polyethylene material. It weighs only 49 lbs. For such a big and powerful hardshell kayak, it is accepted as lightweight. There are carry handles on the stern and bow for easy carrying. The large spacious cockpit allows you to get in or off the Pungo 120 easily. However, if you want, you can use this kayak for fishing purposes too. You can easily install fishing gear like a kayak fish finder, kayak GPS, and more to start fishing from the Pungo 120 kayak. There are numerous features of Pungo 120. You can find our full review here: Pungo 120 Review.

---

Eddyline Skylark Kayak

Eddyline Skylark is a sea kayak for beginners. Usually, a sea kayak has a longer length than a typical kayak. A sea kayak will always have a long length for better tracking. Eddyline Skylark is 12 feet long. Despite the fact that it is 12 feet long, it weighs only 41 lbs. Primarily Eddyline Skylark is a recreational kayak, but the feature and performance make it a good sea kayak. New kayakers can start using Eddyline Skylark kayak to learn the water. Due to the long size, it has poor maneuvering,  but decent tracking. Unlike the other listed kayaks, this one comes with a high price for its design and features.

---

Sun Dolphin Journey 10 Foot Sit-on-Top fishing kayak

A lot of people are looking for a fishing kayak to spend some quality time on the lake fishing. As most fishing boats are very expensive, many people are getting fishing kayaks. Sun Dolphin Journey 10 foot is a sit-on-top fishing kayak. Sun Dolphin Journey 10-foot comes with two flush rod holders and one swivel rod holder. The sit-on-top design allows you to fish smoothly and move properly. The large open cockpit lets you easily get into the kayak. You can comfortably sit on the kayak and have good stability. There are a dry storage compartment and a portable accessory carrier for storage. It might not be the best fishing kayak, but it will be very beneficial for the new users. A new angler will love the price and features of the Sun Dolphin Journey 10-Foot Sit-on-top fishing kayak.

---

Coleman Colorado 2 Person Fishing Kayak

Ever wanted to go on a fishing trip with your buddy? Most hardshell tandem fishing kayaks will cost you a lot. Thanks to Coleman Colorado 2 for bringing this inflatable two-person fishing kayak. Even though this is an inflatable kayak, you can depend on the 18-gauge PVC construction to use this on lakes. The 1000D Tarpaulin bottom with 840D nylon cover provides great protection from punctures. For more safety, it uses several air chambers. There are lots of features that will enhance your fishing experience. It’s a great fishing kayak for beginners to start catching the fish.

---

Emotion Glide Sport Kayaks

Emotion Glide Sport is one of the best kayaks for beginners. Unlike other cheap kayaks, this one is made of high-density polyethylene to provide excellent strength and durability.  Emotion Glide Sport Kayak is available in two different colors. It uses an ST performance Hull to offer good tracking, speed and decent maneuverability to the paddlers. There are plenty of other features like bottle holder, adjustable foot braces and more. Emotion Glide Sport Glacier Kayak offers a good comfortable seating system along with other necessary features to make kayaking much easier for beginners. If you are starting to kayaking, then this kayak from emotion is a great choice for you like novices.

---

How To Choose The Best Kayak For Beginners

There are a few factors to check before getting a beginner kayak. Once you check these simple and easy-to-understand factors, you will be able to grab a perfect kayak for your next journey.

• Sit on top vs. Sit-in kayak: Kayaks are usually two types: Sit-on-top and sit-in. In the sit-in kayak, you will be surrounded by the cockpit, and you will sit in the kayak. Sit-in-kayaks are used in cold areas, where you get to keep yourself warm while sitting in a sit-in kayak. On the other hand, a sit-on-top kayak allows you to sit literally on the kayak. Anglers usually choose a sit-on-top kayak for their smooth movement and upper level than the water level.
• Type: There are different types of kayaks based on the purpose of the users. There are fishing kayaks, recreational kayaks, sea kayaks, and more. Most beginners will look for either recreational or fishing kayaks.
• Size: Size is important when you are choosing a kayak for either adults or kids. Usually, an adult will be happy with a 10 feet kayak, but for a kid, you will have to choose a shorter kayak.
• Safety: Since you are looking for a kayak for beginners, you need to choose one with good safety. We have mentioned some top-safe kayaks for beginners.
• Inflatable or hardshell: If portability and managing are issues for you, you can choose inflatable kayaks. However, most of the time the Hardshell kayaks provide better security and stability. See best inflatable kayaks.
• Price: Usually, inflatable kayaks are cheaper than hardshell kayaks. Some hardshell kayaks can be found at a low cost too.

Conclusion

It is not a hard task to choose the best kayak for novices. If you follow the few factors we have mentioned, you will be able to decide which kayak is suitable for your need. If the price is a very important factor for you, you should go with the inflatable beginner kayak. Inflatable kayaks are much easier to carry and serve greatly to the occasional kayakers. We will continue to add more beginner kayaks to the list. Meanwhile, you can suggest or post your favorite beginner kayak in the comments section. Happy kayaking.

(7 votes, average: 4.86 out of 5)

Loading...