Outfitters:
There are many outfitters across the state of Rhode Island and in nearby parts of Massachusetts who provide various services including selling and renting boats and gear and providing guided trips. Below is a map and list of the outfitters we know about, with some brief information about the services they provide. Many of these outfitters have generously contributed their time and resources to the Rhode Island Blueways Project. We particularly encourage you do business with the Sponsoring Outfitters and thank them for their support!
Unless otherwise noted, outfitters listed as having a sporting goods store sell canoes or kayaks as well as other paddling and camping related gear. As always, it is a good idea to call first before visiting a store to find out if they have the type of gear you are seeking. For boat rentals an "on the water location" means that you can rent a boat and put it in the water at the outfitter's location rather than having to drive the boat to another location in order to go paddling.
In both of the lists below, the outfitters are listed alphabetically and the number in front of each listing matches up with the numbers in the red dots on the map at right.
Sponsoring Outfitters:
The following sponsoring outfitters have made financial contributions that help make this project possible. We encourage you to patronize these businesses and thank them for their support! The number in front of the name of each outfitter correlates with the numbers in the red dots on the map.
3, 4, 5. Eastern Mountain Sports - Kayak School
Address: Lincoln Woods State Park, Lincoln, RI (5 on map)
Retail Stores: Garden City Shopping Center, Cranston (3 on map) and Middletown Square, Middletown, RI 02842 (4 on map)
Telephone: 401-762-8587
Services: Lessons, guided trips throughout New England and Maryland, boat rentals (on the water location), kids and special needs camps, American Canoe Association and British Canoe Association instructor certification training. Sporting goods stores.
7. The Kayak Centre of Rhode Island
Address: 9 Phillips Street, Wickford, RI 02852
Telephone: 888-732-5292
Services: Sporting goods store, lessons, guided trips, adventure travel, boat rentals (on the water location)
Address: 21 Glen Rock Road, Usquepaugh, RI 02892
Telelphone: 401-667-0434
Services: Boat rentals (on the water location) and guided trips
Address: 22 Chapel View Blvd., Cranston, RI 02920
Telephone: 401-275-5250
Services: Sporting goods store, adventure travel
Other Outfitters:
The number in front of the name of each outfitter correlates with the numbers in the red dots on the map above.
1. Blackstone Valley Outfitters
Address: 25 Carrington Street, Lincoln, RI 02865
Telephone: 401-312-0369
Services: Sporting goods store, boat rentals (on the water location), guided trips, lessons
Address: 206 Wheeler St. Rehoboth, MA 02769
Email: info@canoepassage.com
Telephone: 508-557-1356
Services: boat rentals (on water location), guided trips, lessons
3, 4, 5. Eastern Mountain Sports (Kayak School)
See listing above under Sponsoring Outfitter
6. Great Canadian Canoe Company
Address: 64 Worcester Providence Turnpike (Rt. 146), Sutton, MA 01590
Email: kayak@greatcanadian.com
Telephone: 508-865-0010 or 800-98-CANOE
Services: Builder and retailer of canoes, kayaks and other small boats; and related accessories
7. The Kayak Centre of Rhode Island
See listing above under Sponsoring Outfitters
8. Narragansett Pier Dive Shop
Address:145 Boon St., Narragansett, RI 02882
Email: charlie@pierdive.com
Telephone: 401-783-2225
Services: Boat rentals (also scuba diving supplies and services)
Address: 95 Middlebridge Road Narragansett, RI 02882
Telephone: 401-789-0334
Services: Boat rentals (on the water location), guided trips
Address: 573 Rockdale Ave., New Bedford, MA 02740
Telephone: 508-292-5632
Services: Lessons, guided trips, boat rentals (on the water location)
11. Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures
Address: 489 Old County Rd., Westport, MA 02790
Email: westport@ospreyseakayak.com
Telephone: 508-636-0300 or 774-930-2668
Services: Sporting goods store (new and used boats), lessons, guided trips, kids' camps, adventure travel, American Canoe Association instructor certification training, boat rentals (on the water location), boat repairs
See listing above under Sponsoring Outfitters
See listing above under Sponsoring Outfitters
Address:1009 Main Street Hope Valley, RI 02832
Telephone: 401-539-4050
Services: Sporting goods store
If you are looking for ways to get out on the water, don't forget to also check our links page for non-profit groups that run guided trips. RIC/KA and the AMC both run regular paddling trips (both are membership organizations). Many of the watershed councils also run occasional paddling events that are open to the public.
