Jindabyne Kayak And Canoe Hire Guide
There are two local businesses that hire kayaks in Jindabyne. Sacred Ride runs a Water Sports Centre on the lake shore, and Boss Outdoor Sports hires from its shop in town. If you want a canoe, Sacred Ride is the one to call.
This guide puts the answers in one place: who hires what, what it costs, where to launch, and the lifejacket rule that applies on this lake.
Where can you hire a kayak or canoe in Jindabyne?
You can hire a kayak or canoe from Sacred Ride at its lakeside Water Sports Centre, or a kayak from Boss Outdoor Sports in town. The practical difference is where you start paddling. Sacred Ride puts you on the water at the boat ramp. Boss hands you a kayak to take to the launch point you choose.
| Operator | Location | Hours (daily) | Craft | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacred Ride Water Sports Centre | 6532 Kosciuszko Road, at the boat ramp | 10:00 to 17:00 | Canoes, kayaks, SUPs, catamarans | Launching on the spot |
| Boss Outdoor Sports | 8 Kosciuszko Road, in town | 09:00 to 17:00 | Single and tandem kayaks, SUPs | Picking your own launch point |
Sacred Ride’s Water Sports Centre sits at the boat ramp, just past Discovery Holiday Park, opposite the Thredbo turnoff. The Sacred Ride watersports fleet covers canoes, single and double kayaks, SUPs, catamarans, Waydoo e-foils and Manta5 water bikes. Book through the main store at 1/3A Gippsland Street (Jindabyne Adventure Booking) on 02 6456 1988. While the lake is cold, the centre opens by booking only.
Boss Outdoor Sports is open every day, you can connect them on 02 6456 1959. Each hire can include a lifejacket, a cart and foam roof racks at no charge. The business does not list canoes.
If you would rather not load a kayak onto your car, choose the lakeside centre. Discovery Parks Jindabyne – next to Sacred Ride Water Sports Centre, has canoe and kayak hire on site, however, it is generally restricted to registered guests rather than open as a public recreational facility.
Oaks Lake Crackenback Resort offers canoes and kayaks free to resort guests on its own lake, andnon-guests can access canoeing, kayaking, and other activities by purchasing a $15 Resort Day Pass.
For time off the water, see our guide to things to do at Lake Jindabyne.
How much does kayak, canoe and SUP hire cost in Jindabyne?
Kayak hire in Jindabyne starts at $20 for one hour and reaches $100 for a full day, depending on the operator. A canoe from Sacred Ride costs $40 for one hour or $110 for the day.
| Craft | Operator | 1 hr | 2 hr | 4 hr | Full day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single kayak | Sacred Ride | $25 | $40 | $65 | $100 |
| Single kayak | Boss | $20 | $35 | $50 | $75 |
| Canoe or double kayak | Sacred Ride | $40 | $60 | $75 | $110 |
| Tandem kayak | Boss | $30 | $45 | $60 | $85 |
| SUP | Sacred Ride | $20 | $35 | $50 | $65 |
| SUP | Boss | $20 | $35 | $50 | $75 |
Both businesses set their own prices, so confirm the rate when you book.
Lifejackets are free with hire at Boss, with a minimum wearer weight of 40kg. Sacred Ride lists lifejackets at $20 a day under extra equipment. Sacred Ride refunds 90% if you cancel seven or more days ahead and nothing inside 24 hours.
Kayak, canoe or SUP: Which should you hire?
A single sit-on-top kayak is the easiest choice for a first paddle on Lake Jindabyne. The right craft depends on who is coming and how much wind is forecast.
- Single kayak: Suits beginners and solo paddlers. It is stable and quick to learn.
- Canoe or double kayak: Suits a parent with a child, a couple, or anyone carrying lunch and a dry bag.
- Stand-up paddleboard: Suits calm, glassy mornings. It is the hardest of the three in wind.
- Children: Check lifejacket sizing before you book. Boss lifejackets need a wearer of at least 40kg.
Where to launch and paddle on Lake Jindabyne
The simplest launch on Lake Jindabyne is the boat ramp at Sacred Ride’s Water Sports Centre, because the hire craft are already there. If you hire from town, or bring your own kayak, these are the launch points paddlers use.
- Claypits boat ramp, close to town
- The town foreshore near Banjo Paterson Park
- The sandy beach at the bottom of Barry Way
For a first outing, follow the town foreshore and keep close to the bank. The lake is large, and you could spend most of a day on it, so a short loop near shore is plenty for beginners. The official NSW boating map of Lake Jindabyne shows the bays, inlets and ramps.
Paddlers with more experience head out to Lion Island and Cub Island. Allow two to three hours return from the main beach.
Start early whichever route you choose. The water is calmest in the first hours after sunrise, and wind off the mountains builds through the day. The same quiet mornings suit anglers, and our guide to trout fishing on Lake Jindabyne covers licences and seasons.
Experienced paddlers also run sections of the Thredbo River, which is moving water and a different undertaking from the lake.
Can you hire a sailboat or boat on Lake Jindabyne?
Yes, you can hire a sailboat on Lake Jindabyne from Sacred Ride. The Water Sports Centre hires 14ft and 16ft catamarans, so sailing the lake on a fast Hobie-style cat is a summer option. The 14ft catamaran costs $50 for one hour or $150 for a full day. The 16ft costs $60 for one hour or $180 for the day.
Sacred Ride also hires Manta5 water bikes at $100 an hour and Waydoo e-foils, with lessons from $200 for one person. These operators hire sail and paddle craft, not motor boats. Also, dedicated self-drive fishing boat hire directly on Lake Jindabyne is limited compared to skippered charters or non-motorized options.
What to know before you paddle
Everyone in a canoe or kayak on Lake Jindabyne must wear a lifejacket at all times. The lake is classed as alpine waters and the NSW Government sets out when to wear a lifejacket for each type of craft.
- Wear the right lifejacket. On alpine waters the rule calls for Level 50S or above, worn the whole time you are on the water.
- Respect the cold. Lake Jindabyne is cold all year, and autumn water sits around 14 to 18°C. If you capsize, get out of the water quickly.
- Check the wind and stay near shore. Read the forecast before you launch, and keep close to the bank as a beginner.
- Tell someone your plan. Say where you are launching and when you expect to return.
Where to stay near the lake
Several Alpine Country Holidays homes sit close to the water, which makes an early start easier.
- LakeShore: Across the street from the lake, sleeps 6
- The Wolery: Lakeside, with direct access to the lake trail, sleeps 4
- Cobb and Co 2: Opposite the lake, sleeps 3
- Mogul Lakeside: East Jindabyne, with boat access to the lake
- Little Rocky Retreat: At Lake Crackenback Resort
Lake Jindabyne Accommodation
Book your Jindabyne stay directly with Alpine Country Holidays for the best available rate.
Plan your day on the water
Hiring a kayak or canoe in Jindabyne takes one phone call once you know which operator fits your plans. Choose Sacred Ride for a canoe or a lakeside launch, and Boss Outdoor Sports for a kayak you can take to your own spot. An early start matters more than the craft you pick.
Staying close to the shore makes that early start simple. Browse available properties in Jindabyne, and book direct for the best rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a kayak in Jindabyne?
A single kayak costs $20 for one hour or $75 for a full day at Boss Outdoor Sports. Sacred Ride lists $25 for one hour and $100 for a full day on its price list. Tandem and double kayaks cost more, from $30 an hour. Confirm the current rate with the operator when you book.
Can you hire a canoe in Jindabyne?
Yes. Sacred Ride hires canoes from its Water Sports Centre at 6532 Kosciuszko Road, beside the boat ramp. Its price list shows canoes and two-person kayaks at $40 for one hour, $60 for two hours and $110 for a full day. Boss Outdoor Sports hires single and tandem kayaks but does not list canoes.
Do you have to wear a lifejacket on Lake Jindabyne?
Yes. NSW rules require everyone in a canoe or kayak on alpine waters to wear a lifejacket at all times, rated Level 50S or above. Lake Jindabyne is classed as alpine waters. Boss Outdoor Sports includes a lifejacket free with hire. Ask Sacred Ride whether one is included when you book.
Do I need to book kayak hire in advance?
Booking ahead is the safer plan, especially in the summer school holidays. Sacred Ride’s price list asks customers to book in advance to avoid disappointment, and its lakeside centre opens by booking only while the lake is cold. Sacred Ride refunds 90% for cancellations made seven or more days before the booking date.
