Five Boston Adventures to Take on the Water This Summer
Whether you’re looking to Zen out on a paddleboard or fly through the air on a power kite, it’s good to know there are still plenty of ways to have a wet ’n’ wild summer.
Illustration by Jeannie Phan
If you want to go fishing…
Cast a line in Boston Harbor
Touted as one of the cleanest harbors in the country (yes, you read that right), the city’s once-dirty water is positively teeming with fish to reel in. No boat? No problem. Purchase a saltwater-fishing permit online for $10 and head over to Castle Island, where you can drop a lure from the L-shaped pier that looks out onto the harbor. If you’re lucky, you’ll wrangle in a striped bass, bluefish, or winter flounder—and if the fish aren’t biting there, Carson Beach and Pleasure Bay are only a short walk away.
If you want a good workout…
Try standup-paddleboard yoga in Fort Point Channel
Mixing these two activities might sound intimidating (ever done tree pose on a 3-foot-wide paddleboard?), but have no fear: The sounds of the water mixed with the mindfulness of yoga provide the ultimate stress relief. Test your balance during a morning or evening class in Fort Point Channel, offered Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. with Jana Olenio from SUP Yo. She’ll provide the board and the paddle; all you have to worry about is staying dry.
978-361-5394, supyoadventures.com.
If you’re in it for the view…
Kayak around World’s End
If you thought World’s End was a drop-dead-gorgeous hiking destination, wait until you experience this 251-acre Trustees of Reservations property from the water. Just make a stop at Nantasket Kayaks in Hull, located a quick ride from Nantasket Beach, to pick up your gear. Then start paddling north to reach the World’s End peninsula, known for its beautiful tree-lined carriage paths designed by famed architect Frederick Law Olmsted. We recommend going right before sunset, both for the views and the extra shade.
781-962-4899, nantasketkayaks.com.
If you want to sail the seas…
Rent a boat at Boston Harbor Sailing Club
Sailing is about as synonymous with New England as lobster rolls and the Patriots. But you don’t need to have your own schooner to get in on the action: Just rent one from Boston Harbor Sailing Club, which makes its fleet of more than 60 boats available to seasoned skippers when not in use by members. Starting at $100 per day during the week, you can take out a Soling with three to five of your closest mates for a day cruise; beginning at $225 per trip, you can hunker down in the Pearson 26 for an overnight excursion. And don’t worry if you don’t have the chops to steer a sailboat: Coast Guard–licensed captains are available for charters.
617-720-0049.
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush…
Kite-surf at Revere Beach
Like windsurfing mixed with wakeboarding, this sport catches the eye of passersby no matter where you’re catching a gust. Beginners should head to New England Kite School on Revere Beach, where certified instructors with more than 10 years of experience will take you from learning ground skills to hitting the water under full control of a power kite. It takes some time to figure out—you are, after all, trying to flow with the wind, the waves, and your body—but once you do, you’ll enjoy the exhilaration of practically flying in midair.
617-378-1932, nekiteschool.com.
