Hourly rentals are available for sea kayaking and standup paddleboarding on a reservation basis.
Rentals at the UC Aquatics Center at the Berkeley Marina
The UC Aquatic Center at the Berkeley Marina is open on Friday afternoons (when tidal conditions permit) and weekends for complimentary kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals on a reservation model to currently enrolled UC Berkeley students. Others may rent kayaks or paddleboards on a fee-based by-appointment basis during these open hours. Those renting a kayak may bring one additional person, who will sign a waiver once at the Aquatic Center.
We will be open for rentals on weekends: April – November, 2025.
Those participants who have taken and passed our Windsurfing or Sailing classes can rent that equipment AFTER approval from the course instructor of Boating Programs Manager. Email: morganjcollins@berkeley.edu for more information.
| Equipment | Non-Student | Students* |
|---|---|---|
| Paddleboard | $20 | $0 |
| Kayak (Single) | $20 | $0 |
| Kayak (Double) | $20 | $0 |
|
Sailboat |
$20 | $0 |
| Windsurf Board | $20 | $0 |
*Fees offset by the Berkeley Recreation & Well-being Opportunity Fund.
Reservations
All users need to make a reservation on the Recreation & Wellbeing online store. Users can reserve up to 5 days prior to the start time of the rental. Users can cancel their reservation up to two hours before the rental start time.
Uses are limited to 2-1/2 total hours, from check-in to check out. Participants will need to show a copy of their reservation before they are allowed access to the UCAC or the equipment.
Watercraft are limited. Participants may schedule one session per day.
To reserve a kayak or paddleboard
Students and all others:
See a listing of available days/times on our UC Student Kayak/SUP Rental page. Visit the Recreation & Wellbeing online store to get started.
Berkeley Recreation & Well-being staff reserve the right to close the UCAC at any time.
To cancel a reservation
- Log on to your account at shop.rs.berkeley.edu.
- Click on your username (or UID) in the upper right.
- Click profile.
- In your profile, click on Programs>Registrations.
- Find your reservation and click CANCEL.
- Students who do not show up for reservations will face future restrictions.
Questions
Rules and Regulations
Users may utilize the boats for up to 2-1/2 total hours, from check in to check out, but shorter use is welcome. Facility closes at 5:00pm. All rentals end at 6:30pm regardless of start time. Check in is 15 minutes prior to rental start time.
What to Wear / Bring
- Adventures will provide you with a life jacket (PFD), wetsuit (optional) and spray top (optional).
- If the air temperature added to the water temperature is under 100F, we will require you to wear a wetsuit (provided). Please wear a swimsuit under the wetsuit.
- We require wearing shoes in our boats (sorry!) due to sharp shells in the bay mud, and dock hazards. Shoes must be secured at the heel (NOT flip-flops)
- You may bring your own equipment if you have it. You will get wet, please bring a change of clothes to change into afterwards.
- Changing rooms are extremely limited. We encourage you to arrive as prepared as possible.
- There are no lockers at the UCAC. You may choose to leave your gear on land at the UCAC, however we cannot be responsible for personal items stored at the facility (typically not an issue). Do not leave gear, or anything else, in cars in the parking lot.
- Any items left behind (water bottles, equipment, personal items, etc.) will be discarded at the end of each day.
Other Notes on Use
- Restrooms available via the public bathrooms in the parking lot east of the UCAC.
- Paddlers are required to clean and disinfect their equipment after use, with the assistance of UCAC staff.
- All paddlers must follow the direction of Berkeley Recreation & Well-being staff at all times.
- Berkeley Recreation & Well-being staff reserve the right to close the UCAC at any time.
Accessibility and Accommodations
The UCAC is accessible to all. However, at low tide the ramp up from the docks is difficult. For additional accommodations, please contact the Customer Service Center at crcinfo@berkeley.edu.
Directions to the Marina
The UCAC is at the Berkeley Marina. The address is 124A University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710. The facility can be accessed via bike, the 51B bus, car or ride sharing apps like Uber/Lyft. We are at the bottom of University Avenue.
