10 Enjoyable Methods to Go Boating and Paddleboarding This Summer season within the DC Space

This article was up to date on June 18, 2026.

All aboard! This summer season, absorb DC’s monuments and landmarks, be taught concerning the historical past of the realm, or social gathering it up with buddies on one of many many water adventures the DMV has to supply. 

Captain a ship

970 Wharf St., SW

Sail throughout the Washington Channel—no boating license vital—in a GoBoat you’ll be able to hire on the Wharf. The electrical boats journey virtually silently at a pace of about three to 4 miles an hour—excellent for leisurely sightseeing alongside the Channel. GoBoats carry as much as eight passengers, together with pets, for a further price. Bring no matter provisions you’d like, and it’s anchors away! (every day, $168+)

Explore on a paddleboard

Multiple areas in DC and Virginia

Test your stability and paddling abilities on a standup paddleboard (aka a “SUP”); leases can be found all through the realm. Just south of Alexandria, paddlers can discover Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, the most important freshwater tidal wetlands close to DC, with paddleboards rented from Belle Haven Marina. Boating in DC additionally rents boards in Georgetown, the Wharf, Alexandria, and Fletcher’s Cove (every day, $30+ for Boating in DC leases, $30+ for Belle Haven Marina).

Sail on a historic ship

201 N. Union St., Alexandria

Travel again to the 18th century aboard the Tall Ship Providence, docked in Alexandria. Guides wearing interval garb discuss concerning the lifetime of sailors within the Revolutionary War. Self-guided deck excursions are free; there are additionally dockside packages corresponding to tours ($24 per grownup).

Party with buddies

Multiple areas in DC

Choose a place to begin—DC’s Wharf or Navy Yard—and invite some buddies to cruise throughout DC waters on a Potomac Paddle Club pontoon. Sip and sail by websites such because the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge and the Pentagon. Boats can accommodate between 16 to twenty folks, and are outfitted with coolers, USB charging stations, and Bluetooth audio system. (The boats, as soon as outfitted with pedals for passengers to pump, have taken out the pedals and now function strictly on a motor.) Enjoy the on-boat bar on the Navy Yard location, or convey your individual drinks to remain hydrated on the water (every day, $45+).

Go on a Classic DC Outing

1501 Maine Ave., SW

Prepare to maneuver your ft on the Tidal Basin’s pedal-powered, four-passenger boats. Boating in DC presents one-hour leases for this basic DC expertise (every day, $38 on weekdays, $40 on weekends and holidays).

Take a culinary cruise

970 Wharf St., SW

Upgrade your boating expertise this summer season on a yacht. Nautiste—a woman-owned yacht-charter firm—launched in 2023. Choose from three luxe basic yachts: the 72-foot Patriot, the 42-foot Independence, or the extra intimate 32-foot American Pie. Despite their basic magnificence, every is supplied with lavish trendy facilities. Enjoy a two-hour glad hour or a three-hour full-service dinner cruise for as much as 13 visitors, or host a dockside reception for as much as 30. The fleet ports on the Wharf, however further boarding areas can be found for an added price (personal bookings, costs differ).

Throw a tiki social gathering

3100 Okay St., NW and 101 Market St., SW

If you’re searching for a booze cruise, Sea Suite Cruises has you lined. Potomac Tiki Club cruises that match eight to 18 folks depart from Georgetown and supply alcohol for buy or a corkage price for wine from dwelling. Whitlow’s on Water presents voyages out of the Wharf for as much as 47 folks, with alcohol accessible on the market on board  (every day, $50+ for Georgetown cruises, $45+ for Wharf cruises). (Here’s extra on Whitlow’s.)

Paddle the Anacostia River

4601 Annapolis Rd., Bladensburg

Spend a while exploring a quiet stretch of the Anacostia River by your self in a single kayak, or take a serene canoe journey with a companion. Rentals may be booked from Bladensburg Waterfront Park via October (every day, $25+ for Prince George’s and Montgomery County residents, $33+ for non-residents).

Enjoy sundown views

3000 Okay St., NW and 580 Water St., SW

Capitol River Cruises and City Cruises are nice boat choices for sundown excursions, date-night eating, and monument sightseeing round DC. On City Cruises, you’ll be able to have a three-course meal or dance to a reside DJ whereas coasting the Potomac ($106+); on particular events, there are fireworks exhibits, too. Capitol River Cruises ship out round 8 PM for 45-minute journeys previous the Kennedy Center, the Jefferson Memorial, the Capitol, and the Lincoln Memorial, with narration and refreshments (every day, $25+ for Capitol River Cruises; every day, $52+ for City Cruises).

Voyage to Mount Vernon

145 National Plaza, National Harbor; 0 Cameron St., Alexandria

Hop on a round-trip water journey to historic Mount Vernon. First, patrons cruise to George Washington’s former property by means of a water taxi, which departs from Pier 4 in Southwest DC. On-board guides present narration as visitors cross websites corresponding to Fort Washington. After the boat trip, passengers have three hours to tour Mount Vernon earlier than the boat trip again ($62+, together with admission to Mount Vernon).

Briana A. Thomas is a neighborhood journalist, historian, and tour information who specializes within the analysis of D.C. historical past and tradition. She is the creator of the Black historical past e book, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a narrative that was first revealed in Washingtonian in 2016.