Fun Time for Nurses: Best Kayaking Spots in Connecticut
Nurses work in some tough environments. We’re often surrounded with the smells, sights, sounds, touches, and tastes of all things medical. Returning to nature can often help us reset our senses.
We leave the ringing alarm bells of a dozen medical devices for the sweet singing of a dozen songbirds.
We leave the odor of cleaning solutions and sickness for the scents of pine and cool, green growing things.
We strip the gloves from our hands and dip them in refreshing waters teeming with life.
Sounds good, doesn’t it?
There are lots of ways to leave the medical profession behind and enjoy nature, but one of our favorite ways is kayaking.
Whether you're looking for a workout or just a relaxing afternoon on the water, kayaking is an easy, affordable way to spend some hours on the water.
From now through October is prime kayaking weather and Connecticut has some terrific spots for you to visit. Here are a few for you to enjoy.
Best Kayaking for Beginners
Whether you’re really a beginner or you just don’t want to work too hard when you kayak, these spots guarantee tranquil waters and picturesque scenery perfect for bird watching and picture taking.
Squantz Pond State Park, New Fairfield, CT
You can rent kayaks and stand up paddleboards on site, making this a perfect spot for true beginners. A boat launch makes getting in and out simple. This is also a beautiful site with plenty to do when you’re done kayaking. The large pond has a sandy beach area perfect for lounging and it is surrounded by wooded hills that are great for hiking.
Check out these other great spots for beginning kayakers here.
Best Places to Rent Kayaks
Right now you can score some excellent deals on Facebook Marketplace for gently used kayaks or you can buy new ones for a decent price at BJs, Ocean State Job Lot, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
But not having a kayak of your own shouldn’t stop you from enjoying this pastime. There are many excellent kayak rentals across the state so you try out kayaking before committing too far.
Collinsville Canoe and Kayak, Farmington River, Canton, CT
Owned and operated by Sue and John Warner for the past 28 years, Collinsville Canoe and Kayak is a wonderful operation for beginners. Not only is the Farmington River a gentle, scenic location, Sue and John offer lessons for kayaks and stand up paddleboards.
Check out these other great kayak rental operations here.
Best Places for Experienced Kayakers
Keep in mind, we’re not talking about white-water kayaking like you see in the Olympics. However, some of these locations will take you out onto Long Island sound where you are contending with more open water, tides, and currents. However, venturing out into salt water also opens up your wildlife experiences.
Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven, CT
This 82-acre park on Long Island Sound of Ponce Inlet is one of the few parks where dolphins frequently visit. What could be better than kayaking with dolphins!? The park is also home to miles of nature trails and plenty of racoons, possums, armadillos, and skunks (watch out for those!) There is also an extensive bird sanctuary with a wide diversity of shoreline birds and birds of prey like ospreys and hawks.
Check out other top kayaking locations in CT here.
NursePower Empowers Nurses!
We’ve all got to make time to have some fun. We owe it to ourselves and we owe it to all the people we take care of. If kayaking isn’t your thing, don’t worry. The nurses at NursePower have so many wonderful activities to share with you all that I know you’ll take away so many great ideas on how to have fun in our beautiful state.