Charles River Canoe & Kayak is happy to work with you to create the perfect outing for your group. The possibilities are endless — canoes or kayaks; at our rental centers or a location of your choosing; guided trips or on your own; top-notch catering and expert instruction; we can do it all.

For more information on creating the perfect custom event for your group, browse the ideas described below. We're sure you'll find the ideal outing!

To start planning your outing, try our Instant Quote form, or contact us by phone at (617) 965-5110 [M-F, 10am–5pm] or by e-mail for more information.

You can choose from any of our available rental boat types, though the favorites are kayaks (single and double) or canoes (standard and Tripper XL).

Most groups spend one to two hours on the water. If you plan to stop along the way (for a snack at the Esplanade, for example), add extra time.

All our guides are also instructors, and they can help your group members with boat control and paddling efficiency. They're sure to enhance your experience on the water. Learn about our group rates for guiding!

You may bring your own food or have your event catered, and we are happy to arrange catering for a fee. Learn more about catering with us, or consider one of our pre-planned tours that includes food (listed below)!

Groups love the combination of paddling and food, so talk to us about the many tasty options!

Our Barbeque Tour is our all-time favorite group event. Spend about 90 minutes on the water and come back to a glorious barbeque picnic catered by Redbones of Somerville. The Barbeque Tour can be held at any of our locations.

From our Cambridge location in Kendall Square, we offer our spectacular Skyline Tour. Enjoy about 90 minutes on the water basking in the best skyline view in Boston and exploring the lagoons of the Esplanade. You can opt for light snacks on the water or a full meal to finish the tour!

Also from our Cambridge location, we offer a unique Harbor Tour that combines amazing skyline views with the excitement of venturing onto Boston Harbor! During this three-hour tour, see the Esplanade, Museum of Science, Zakim Bridge, and U.S.S. Constitution. As with the Skyline Tour, choose between light snacks on the water or a full meal to finish the tour.

We will deliver canoes and kayaks according to our boat delivery rates, and can provide guiding/instruction at our group instruction rates. Groups looking to paddle on the ocean should consult our custom sea kayaking trip rates.

Upper Charles River: There are several wonderful trips on the Upper Charles River. Between Rt. 109 in Millis/Medfield and Rt. 27 in Medfield/Sherborn (5 miles), the river winds extensively and has a wide, marshy flood plain. Before Rt. 27 you will pass the hidden entrance to South End Pond.

Continuing beyond Rt. 27, you'll reach Pleasant St./South Natick Dam (5 miles). In this stretch, the river is much straighter and passes through conservation land, including Rocky Narrows Reservation and Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. You'll see some exciting rocky outcrops, like Rocky Narrows and King Philip's Overlook.

We also like the 5-mile stretch between Elm Bank Reservation (South Natick) and Red Wing Bay (Needham). This stretch of river has more houses along the shore, but winds past some interesting marshy areas with lots of wildlife.

Sudbury/Concord River: The Sudbury and Concord Rivers pass through the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and encompass the longest stretch of flatwater in Massachusetts. In general, the river in this area has a wide floodplain surrounded by marshy areas and lots of wildlife. Possible put-ins/take-outs include Sherman's Bridge Road (Wayland/Sudbury), Rt. 117 (Lincoln), Lowell Road (Concord), and Rt. 225 (Bedford).

For pricing information, see our custom sea kayaking trip rates!

We are happy to provide a trained staffperson to assist with people entering and exiting the boats, as well as provide a dry-land orientation, for $25 per hour.