There’s no better way to see our local waterways than by kayak. You’re not alongside it or flying by on top of it. You’re in it and able to slow down to really see and appreciate the scenery and wildlife.

Here are just a few examples of places you can rent:

Blue Heaven Kayak and Paddle Rentals is right on the Mystic River. It’s now located at 37 Water St., and options include $25 to rent a single kayak for an hour, $30 for an hour use of a paddle board.

Black Hall Outfitters has an amazing location in Old Lyme, on the Great Island Estuary, and it has plenty of equipment options, like $45 for an hour in a tandem kayak or $50 for an hour in a pedal drive fishing kayak. And, of course, there are single kayaks and SUPs for $25 for an hour. Note that Black Hall has a location in Westbrook as well.

Cove Landing Marine in Lyme provides paddlers a chance to head out onto gorgeous Hamburg Cove. Sample of prices: $35 for two hours on an SUP, and the same price for a single kayak

If you have your own kayak, The Day’s outdoor columnist Steve Fagin suggests these as the best launches in the area, with details at https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Boating/Boat-Launches: Great Island, Four Mile River, Lieutenant River, Rogers Lake, all in Old Lyme; Bluff Point, Bayberry Lane in Groton; Barn Island in Stonington; Mystic River in Mystic; Powers Lake, Niantic River, in East Lyme; and Long Pond, in North Stonington.