If someone in your life is passionate about kayaking, giving them a kayak-related gift is a wonderful way to highlight their favorite hobby.
Luckily, kayaking has a lot of accessory options, from kayak cup holders to paddle leashes to dry bags, so there are plenty of gifts for kayakers to choose from.
Below are 25 of the best gifts for kayakers, including awesome gear, insightful books, and cute, casual products. You’re sure to find the ideal gift for your favorite kayaker on this list!
Fifty Places to Paddle Before You Die Book
If you’re looking for a gift for an ambitious kayaker with big dreams of kayaking worldwide, this book is a brilliant present.
The book was created by kayaking and rafting experts from around the world, so the fifty destinations chosen are the best of the best when it comes to kayaking. This book will inspire and encourage the kayaker in your life to chase their wildest kayaking dreams!
Hiearcool Universal Waterproof Phone Pouch
To keep their phones safe from water, some kayakers leave them on shore while they’re in the water. But this means they cannot contact anyone while on the water.
This universal waterproof phone pouch makes bringing their phone easy, even on the roughest waves. It’s easy to use and takes seconds to slip over your phone. It also comes with a clip and wrist strap, so it’s easy to hold onto!
HotSox Kayak Crew Socks
When people shop for kayak enthusiasts, sometimes the different accessories and gear can be overwhelming, especially if you know nothing about kayaking. You can always gift them a cute product like these kayak-themed comfy socks, so they can express their boating passion even when they aren’t on the water!
HotSox makes exquisite socks that are durable but buttery soft, and warm, so they’re the perfect gift for anyone.
Stained Glass Kayak Suncatchers
Another artistic gift for kayakers is these dazzling kayak suncatchers. The stained glass kayak suncatchers are impeccably handmade and capture the outdoorsy energy of kayaking.
It’s a lovely gift if the kayaker in your life has a vacation home or particular spot where they like to kayak, but they also make a wonderful addition to any room or porch. And you can select from five color options!
Blue Dot Outfitters Kayak Cooler
Some kayakers will stay on the water for hours and hours, spending the majority of the day paddling around. With this high-end kayak cooler, they can pack a lunch for when they get hungry or keep drinks ice cold to combat the scorching sun.
It’s a leakproof and flexible design that can keep items cold for up to 36 hours! It universally fits all kayaks and folds flat for easy storage when not in use. They thought of everything when they designed this cooler, from the durable vinyl material to the convenient side pockets to the comfortable shoulder strap.
Kayak Christmas Tree Ornament
These charming kayak Christmas tree ornaments are the perfect Christmas gift for the kayak lover in your life. You can personalize these kayak ornaments by choosing a color and opting for the person’s name to be inscribed on the side.
It’s a thoughtful gift that someone can keep for years and years, showcasing their love for kayaking every time the holiday season rolls around. And many kayakers can’t go out in December, so it’s a nice way to feel connected to their hobby.
GoPro HERO8 Waterproof Action Camera with Touch Screen
This waterproof camera is a more lavish gift option for kayakers. These compact and super durable cameras are perfect for kayakers who want to capture the most exciting moments on the water.
It’s less than 14 ounces, so it’s lighter than your average water bottle and is 100% waterproof. It can fall to the bottom of a lake and still be okay. With this gift, kayakers can take sensational videos and pictures to remember their outings forever and share their experiences with friends and family.
JBL Clip 3 Bluetooth Speaker
As much fun as kayaking is, you can sometimes get lonely on the quiet water alone. The solution? This stellar waterproof speaker delivers crystal clear, powerful sound wherever you are.
The battery has 10 hours of life, so they can jam to their favorite tunes while paddling about. It has a handy carabiner clip, making it easy to attach to a backpack or rope, so it doesn’t take up much space. You can choose from a dozen colors and patterns, giving the gift a personalized touch.
Sea to Summit Access Kayak Deck Bag
This deck bag from REI is the ultimate backpack for kayakers. It’s made from tough nylon and plastic and has a stiff design to make accessing items easy. With a water-resistant zipper, detachable dry bag, reflective strips, and side mesh compartments, it’s perfectly designed for a kayaker’s needs. The bag is easy to hook onto the front or back of the kayak for easy access.
Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Sports CGA Life Vest
Kayaking isn’t typically risky, but things can always go awry on the water, especially for ocean kayakers. Gifting the kayaker in your life this high-end life jacket shows how much you care about them and will help them stay safe while enjoying their hobby.
It has a comfortable but comprehensive design, giving kayakers plenty of arm and shoulder range to paddle normally. It has convenient pockets ad reflective strips for added safety.
Sohinda Kayak Paddle Grips
If you hear your kayaking friend complaining about blisters, callouses, and sore hands, surprise them with these impeccable kayak paddle grips. They’re made from anti-slip silicone that offers excellent grip even when wet inside and out.
They’re comfortable and easy to use, fitting all kayak paddles. This affordable and simple gift can make kayaking exponentially more comfortable for your friend!
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Dry bags are a must for serious kayakers, helping them keep their belongings perfectly dry, even if they capsize. Earth Pak makes the best of the best when it comes to kayaking dry bags, offering five different size options and eight colors to choose from.
It can help kayakers keep everything dry, from their phone to their wallet to their dry change of clothes. It even includes a waterproof phone case on the inside.
Cute Kayaking T-Shirt
Your favorite kayaker can express their passion for paddling with a cute and stylish T-shirt like this! This shirt perfectly showcases someone’s love for kayaking, but it’s just one of the many adorable and funny kayaking shirts you can gift. Etsy has an abundance of artistic and clever kayaking shirts that are the perfect gifts for kayakers.
Personalized Kayaking Mug
Your favorite kayaker can start every day with this personalized kayak mug! It features a classy and simple image of a kayaker near a mountain range. It can be personalized in many ways, such as adding a quote, a date, a name, or a sweet message. It’s also a stellar gift for kayaking couples.
Waterproof Stickers for Kayak
These waterproof kayak stickers and decals can help a kayaker personalize their boat and express themselves! This pack of stickers has kayak-themed decals, but you can buy any durable and waterproof sticker or decal for them to put on their kayak, whether it’s a reference to their favorite TV show, their home state, or an artistic illustration.
Explorer K2 2-Person Inflatable Kayak Set
What if you bought the kayak lover in your life a whole kayak? They’d probably be psyched! This inflatable two-person kayak is the ultimate gift for kayakers who love to travel or couples who love to kayak together.
It’s a comfortable and spacious kayak that comes with everything you need, including aluminum paddles, an air pump, and a carry bag it can fit into when deflated.
Multi-Functional Kayak Cup Holder
This multi-functional kayak cup holder is an affordable and clever gift for kayakers who want to enjoy a beverage while paddling. It can hold snacks, cellphones, or drinks, making it a versatile and convenient product. It’s easy to install on any kayak, and you can buy multiple to give your friend or family member more storage space in their kayak.
OceanMotion Ergo-Fit Kayak Seat
Kayaking can do a number on your back and tailbone. Many kayaks do not come with a built-in seat, so kayakers sit on a hard plastic surface that can cause back pain and discomfort.
An ergonomic and plush kayak seat like this one offers back and lumbar support, making it easier to stay out on the water for hours without being incredibly sore the next day. The extra thick padding and the universal design make it perfect for kayakers of all ages and sizes.
GOT Sports Gloves
Along with the paddle grips mentioned above, kayaking gloves are another solution to sore hands, blisters, and callouses. These GOT sports gloves are made from premium materials, offering a comfortable fit, durable design, and UB protection.
They’re lightweight and breathable, so no sweaty hands! They can also enhance and steady the kayaker’s grip on the paddle, making paddling easier and more satisfying.
Along with the paddle grips mentioned above, kayaking gloves are another solution to sore hands, blisters, and callouses. These GOT sports gloves are made from premium materials, offering a comfortable fit, durable design, and UB protection.
They’re lightweight and breathable, so no sweaty hands! They can also enhance and steady the kayaker’s grip on the paddle, making paddling easier and more satisfying.
Werner Kalliste Carbon Bent-Shaft Paddle
If you want to spoil the kayak enthusiast, a new, high-end paddle is an exciting gift. Paddles are not cheap, so many kayakers on a budget will use a subpar paddle for months or years before springing for a new one.
But you can be their Fairy Kayak Godmother (or Godfather) by gifting them a premium paddle like this one. You can also opt for a more affordable paddle, but make sure it’s a step up from what they have now.
The Art of Kayaking Book
If the passionate kayaker in your life is still new to this sport, this book can give them expert tips and techniques to enhance their experience.
From paddling to finding the right equipment to the best times and places to kayak, this book is the ultimate guide to enjoying kayaks to their full potential. While it’s a kayaking manual, it also gives thoughtful insight and a few interesting anecdotes, so it’s an engaging read.
Orange Kayak Painting Art Print
A stunning kayak-themed piece of art like this one is a lovely gift for the kayak lover in your life. Paintings and illustrations like this are inspirational and sentimental for people who feel at home in a kayak on the water.
They can have a taste of that amazing feeling every time they look at the kayak artwork! And this image is just one of the many beautiful kayak prints you can find on Etsy.
Adults’ NRS Hydroskin .5mm Socks
Socks in a kayak? Yes, this is a thing. These Hydroskin socks have a special waterproof and grip design that will keep the kayaker’s feet warm, even in the coldest water.
The socks are lightweight and flexible, making them comfortable and easy to wear while keeping feet toasty warm. If you’ve heard your kayaking friend complain about chilly toes while paddling, this is a wonderful and affordable gift for them.
Field and Stream Kayak Paddle and Rod Leash
Nothing is quite as stressful or frustrating as watching your paddle drift away from your kayak. If your kayaking friend doesn’t already have one, a kayak paddle and rod leash is a must-have accessory that attaches the paddle to the kayak so it won’t float away.
This Field and Stream leash uses the best materials and has a long-lasting design that ensures that the paddle isn’t going anywhere!
Dark Lightning Wetsuits
Wetsuits can be a little pricey and aren’t 100% necessary, so kayakers on a budget are often hesitant to buy one for their excursions. But buying a top-notch wetsuit for your favorite kayaker can keep them warmer ad more comfortable on their outings.
It’s an excellent way to elevate the kayaking experience for your friend, treating them to a high-end kayaking product. Just make sure you get the right size for them!
Choosing the Perfect Gift
It’s helpful to know what your kayaking friend already has regarding gear. You don’t want to get them anything that they already have.
If they’re the kind of kayaker who has everything, more casual and artsy gifts for kayakers are ideal, like socks, ornaments, and books. And you can always combine two or more of the affordable gifts to create a little kayaking gift basket!

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