To enjoy canoeing, you will need a boat designed for this activity. If you have ever looked at the current prices on the market, you know most brand-new canoes will cost between $500 and $1,000 or maybe even more. So it can be very expensive.
But you don’t have to make such an investment right off the bat. Renting a canoe might be an excellent alternative for paddling on the water without breaking the bank. Now you probably wonder how much it will cost you if you decide to go down that route.
Average Rates For Canoe Rental
In general, renting a canoe will cost between $40 and $70 per day. But the daily rental fees can go from $30 to over $120. The price will vary according to many factors, such as the boat, geographic location, and company rates. You can also rent a canoe for around $25 per hour.
| Canoe Rental Price | Per Hour | For A Full Day |
| Low-End | $15 | $40 |
| High-End | $30 | $70 |
| Average | $25 per hour | $55 per day |
Thus, you can still get into canoeing without investing a lot of money at the start. Now let’s see in more detail why the rental costs will vary from one place to another. I will then try to help you figure out whether you should rent or buy a canoe.
What Makes The Cost Of Renting A Canoe Vary?
Since I gave you a wide range of prices, it’s worth explaining why some canoe rentals cost under $40 per day while others are more than $20 per hour. How much you should expect to pay for such a service will depend on…
The Canoe Itself
Not every canoe is worth the same, so the cost of renting one will vary according to the model you choose. The features, performance, number of seats, and many other details can influence the rental fees. A modern 4-person canoe will be more expensive to rent than an old single model.
Your Location
Where you plan to rent a canoe might impact how much you will pay. Some places have higher standard renting rates than others. It can be explained in many ways, such as the level of competition or the cost of living.
The Company Rates
Another factor to consider is the company you’re dealing with. The service they offer, the experience you will have, and other details about their business can influence their price. So two canoe rental shops might have different rates even for a similar service at the same location.
How Long & When Do You Rent The Canoe?
The duration and time at which you rent a canoe also influence the cost. In general, the longer you rent something, the lower rates you can get. But it will still cost you more overall. For example, the average daily canoe rental fee is $55 for around 6 hours or more (~$9/h), while the standard hourly rate is about $25.
So if you’re good at maths, you can quickly see that renting a canoe per hour is usually not cost-effective, except for short trips. In some locations, the day can impact how much you will pay. Certain rental shops will increase their rates during the weekend or holidays.
Other Fees
A few extra costs could add up when you rent a canoe. First of all, you need some other equipment. Although the paddle and safety gear is generally included with the boat, it’s not the case for all rental shops.
Then, you might also need to take a class if you don’t have any paddling experience. Renting a canoe without knowing how it works is kind of useless.
Another potential expense is transportation. The gas and shuttle fees can sometimes add up to a significant amount. So how much you will pay to rent a canoe also depends on the extra costs involved.
Examples Of How Much It Cost To Rent A Canoe!
Now that you understand better why canoe rental rates can vary, it’s time for real-life examples. Looking at how much actual shops charge their clients to rent a canoe will give you an excellent idea of what you should expect.
Canoe Rental Cost In Austin – Rowing Dock
| Rowing Dock (Austin) | Per Hour | For A Full Day |
| Canoe Rental Price | $30 per hour | $65 per day |
Princeton Canoe Rental Rates
| Princeton Canoe | Per Hour | For A Full Day |
| 2-Seater Canoe | $23 per hour | $50 per day |
| 3-Seater Canoe | $28 per hour | $55 per day |
With those two examples, you can have an excellent idea of how much it will generally cost to rent a canoe. The rates are close to average, so the numbers are very representative of most rental shops.
On the other hand, some places might have much higher rates while you will be charged less elsewhere. So let’s take other concrete examples that aren’t average.
How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Canoe On The Buffalo River?
Renting a canoe to paddle on the Buffalo River is very expensive. You should expect to pay around $80 for a one-day rental. For example, you can rent a canoe from the Buffalo River Outfitters for $76 per day or $81 on Saturdays. Other rental shops around this destination also have similar daily rates.
Canoe Rental Rates In Ontario, Canada
Renting a canoe in my local area is almost the same price as in popular paddling destinations in the US. I could rent a canoe for about 30$ CAD (~$22 USD) per hour or 90$ CAD (~$70 USD) for a day (24 hours) at the Escape Tours & Rentals. Sog a canoe in Canada is generally as expensive as in the US.
As you can see from all the examples above, the cost of renting a canoe will vary a lot from one place to another. However, it’s safe to say that the average price for such a service is around $25/hour or $55/day. With that in mind, it’s now time to figure out if renting is the right option for you.
Cost Of Renting VS Buying A Canoe!
The average cost of a brand-new canoe is $900, while a used one will cost around $400. It might seem like a lot of money, but renting fees can add up quickly too. Paying $55 instead of $400-$900 for a one-day canoeing trip is a no-brainer.
But if you plan to go on the water more regularly, having your own boat might be a good idea. At a certain point, you will spend the same amount of money whether you rent or buy a canoe. Let’s do some maths.
With a daily rate of $55, it would take around 16 days before you spend $900. It’s enough money to buy a brand-new canoe that you will be able to use as much as you want for years. When buying, you also have an asset you can sell once you’re done with it.
Therefore, I would generally not recommend renting a canoe unless you want to try it or it’s more convenient. In the long term, buying one will always be more profitable.
However, sometimes renting is inevitable or more appropriate for your situation. For example, you might not have a proper vehicle to transport a canoe or space to store it. So the decision comes down to your personal needs and conditions.
Last Thoughts About The Cost Of Renting A Canoe!
In general, renting a canoe will cost around $25 per hour or $55 per day. Nonetheless, the rates can vary a lot from one place to another. How much you should expect to pay will depend on the canoe, location, duration, company, and other details of the rental.
Although renting a canoe isn’t expensive, all the fees can add up to a big amount and cost a lot over time. So if you’re into canoeing, I highly recommend buying a boat unless it’s not advantageous in your case. Now stop worrying about the money and have fun paddling!
See You On The Water!
Have you considered renting a kayak instead of a canoe? If yes, here’s more information about how much it cost to rent a kayak!
