Adirondacks

With over 3,000 lakes and ponds, and thousands of miles of rivers, streams and canoe routes, the Adirondacks offer tame and wild adventures on the water - from tranquil cruises and swimming in cool mountain lakes, to whitewater rafting and kayaking trips.

Following are some companies that offer boating, kayaking, canoeing and whitewater rafting in the region:

• Adirondack River Outfitters in Lake Luzerne, Adventure Sports Rafting in Indian Lake, Wild Waters in Warrensburg, the Adirondack Rafting Company and many more offer whitewater rafting and guided kayaking trips.

• The St. Regis Canoe Wilderness in the Adirondack Lakes region offers some of the best backcountry paddling in the U.S., and is the only designated canoe area of its kind in New York State.

Capital Saratoga

The Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, streams such as the Battenkill, the Champlain Canal and nearly 50 lakes as well as the east shores of Lake George and Lake Champlain offer many options for boating, canoeing and kayaking.

Catskills

Situated on the Hudson River, the region has a rich boating tradition. Riverboats and ferries brought trade and visitors to port communities.  Today the region's waterways are ideal for recreational boaters.  Launches and marinas can be found in many Hudson River Catskills.  Visitors can also rent canoes, kayaks and rowboats to explore the Hudson, streams and pristine mountain lakes.

Outfitters such as Wild & Scenic River Tours and Kittatinny Canoes & Rafts, in Barryville, and Lander's River Trips, in Narrowsburg, lead canoe, kayak or whitewater rafting trips on the Delaware River.

Chautauqua- Allegheny

Chautauqua Lake, the largest inland lake in western New York, is a popular destination for sailors and the site of many national competitions. Weekend regattas are common in the lake's northern basin near Chautauqua Institution and in the southern basin near Lakewood. Board the Summer Wind or Chautauqua Belle for a cruise on Chautauqua Lake.

The Great Lake Erie also offers wide open spaces for boating and sailing. Rafting and kayaking are also among the region's biggest attractions. Popular waterways include the Allegheny River, Conewango Creek and the challenging Cattaraugus Creek. Great swimming beaches and boat launches are found throughout the region, including at state parks such as Allegany and Lake Erie State Park.

Guided whitewater rafting trips are offered by Zoar Valley Canoe & Rafting Company in Gowanda.

Finger Lakes

With eleven pristine lakes extended like fingers in the region, this is one of New York state's most popular regions for recreational boating with many locations for launching private boats, sailing or taking a scenic boat excursion. 

Following are two suggested scenic boat tours:

•   Water to Wine Tours: Scenic boat tours with winery tastings, dinner cruises and "Happy 2 Hour" cruises on Cayuga Lake; private and group tours. Cruises depart from the Aurora Inn, in  Aurora, NY.

•  Canandaigua Lady: Tour Canandaigua Lake aboard a 19th-century replica of a double-decker paddlewheel boat that is a proud successor of the area's famous steamboats that operated during the 1800s.

Or do it yourself with:

•  Southern Tier Kayak Tours: Full service outfitter offering awesome river paddles in the Finger Lakes for beginners on up! Professional guides. Public /private tours available.  Location: Apalachin, NY

•  Canandaigua Sailboarding: Lessons, equipment, rentals and sales to get you out on the lake waterbiking, windsurfing, kayaking and paddleboarding on Canandaigua Lake.

For more information on boating tours in the Finger Lakes region please visit www.lovefreshair.com

Greater Niagara

The Greater Niagara region offers a wide range of opportunities to enjoy recreational boating or a cruise boat to enjoy beautiful lakes, explore the Erie Canal or experience the renowned Niagara Falls. Narrated cruises range from quiet canal tours ideal for bird watching and wildlife viewing, to the thrilling Maid of the Mist ride up to the base of the American Falls and the wildly exciting Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour.

Following are two companies that offer whitewater rafting, canoeing or kayaking:

• Adventure Calls leads exciting whitewater rafting tours in Letchworth Gorge and the Niagara River Gorge departing from Castile, NY

• Buffalo Harbor Kayak is located at Canalside. Kayaks (single and tandem) or stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) are available. They also offer kayak tours down the Buffalo River - some of which include hikes up into various grain elevators.

Hudson Valley

The Hudson River, Long Island Sound and smaller streams and lakes offer many options for boating, canoeing and kayaking. Sailing courses are available on Long Island Sound with the New York Sailing School at New Rochelle, and on the river with Great Hudson Sailing, a boat dealership in West Haverstraw.

 Following is a list of companies that offer sailing and motorboat charters:

• Blue Dolphin Charters: Private boat trips for six people or less aboard a classic 1962 Hatteras Sport Cruiser. Reservations required. April - October. Location: Kingston, NY.

• Hudson Sailing: Excursions and instruction aboard Cirrus, a 28-foot trimaran. Cirrus is fast, comfortable and safe.  Accommodates up to six passengers. All excursions are captained by Dan Feldman, a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain, and departs from Rondout Creek, Kingston, NY.

• Black Swan Sailing: U.S.C.G. licensed Captain Robert Henderson and crew sail the Black Swan, a 36' Catalina sailboat, on the Hudson River. Up to six guests. Departing from Saugerties, NY. Open daily May - Oct., with weekday evening sails, weekend all hours.      

Canoe and Kayak rental locations include:

• A Day Away Kayak Rentals: A paddle sport livery conveniently located on the south end of the Rondout Creek in Kingston. Single seat kayaks, tandem kayaks and canoes are available at hourly and daily rates. Late March - late Oct. Hours: 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

• Mountain Tops Outdoors, official kayak outfitter at Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park, Beacon. No experience is necessary to enjoy the changing scenery and majestic beauty of the Hudson. Get a taste of the River's rich scenery, history, native birds and wildlife.

• Catskill Outback Adventures: Canoes, kayaks, hiking/snowshoeing, fishing,  mountain bikes, rope course and rappelling, team building. Equipment rentals, lessons and guided trips. Location: Big Indian, NY   

• Four Points: Four Points in West Hurley blends outdoor guiding with therapeutic recreation by connecting all ages and abilities to nature. Typical outings include kayaking, canoeing, hiking, survival skills and snowshoeing. Weekends by appointment. Year-round.       

• City of Kingston Kayak Tours: Join the City of Kingston's Forsyth Nature Center for guided nature-oriented kayak tours on the Hudson River and Rondout Creek. Frequent sightings include Bald Eagles, Osprey, Turtles and much more.

• KENCO, the Work and Play Outfitter: Daily rentals of recreational kayaks, touring and tandem kayaks and canoes include paddles, life jackets and cartop carriers. Handicap accessible. Rentals from May - September, store is open year-round. Open daily in Kingston, NY.              

Following are some suggested locations for boating:

• Belleayre Mountain Pine Hill Lake Day Use Area: Lake, swimming, boating, rowing/pedal boats, fishing and hiking. Beach and picnic area, pavilions and snack bar. Bring your own canoe/kayak. Handicap accessible. Call 845-254-5202 for groups of 20 or more. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day.

• Kenneth L. Wilson Campground and Day Use Area in Mt. Tremper offers boat rentals, fishing, hiking, nature trails, launching site, horse shoe pits, picnic tables and rental pavilion. Tent and RV sites (no electrical hook ups). Mid-May - Columbus Day, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

• Saugerties Marina:  Motorboat and kayak rentals, ship's store, transient slips, dock use, local and long distance transportation. Hudson River tours. Year-round. Hours: Summer, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Winter, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Other boating options include:

• Hudson River Cruises:  Sightseeing cruises aboard the M/V 300-passenger  "Rip Van Winkle" include historic narration, full-service beverage and snack bar. Daytime sightseeing, evening music and mystery dinner cruises. Charters available. May - October, Tuesday - Sunday. Depart from Kingston, NY.

Thousand Islands-Seaway

The Black River Canyon features class III and IV rapids that offer thrilling adventures and national competitions including the famous Blackwater Challenge.