No boat? No problem.
North Shore residents are far from landlocked this summer. There are various ways to get out on the water — even if you don't own a personal watercraft.
Whether it's hopping aboard the Salem ferry for a day in Boston or renting a kayak off Salem Willows or Lynch Park in Beverly, there are ample chances to hit the water.
In Ipswich, for more than 50 years, the Foote family has been renting canoes on the scenic Ipswich River, offering passengers the chance to paddle through the Willowdale Dam, the wildlife sanctuary, state parks and Wenham wetlands.
For seafarers looking to put down the paddle, sit back and soak in their surroundings and views of local islands, harbor cruises set out daily, including the Fame replica schooner that departs Pickering Wharf in Salem and Mahi Mahi Cruises and Charters, which operates its sightseeing boat, The Finback, off Salem Willows.
There is food on the water, too. Floating meals are served at the Rockmore floating restaurant in Salem Harbor.
Prices for the various water activities range from free to more than $200 for adult boating lessons.
For example, it's free to get to Crowninshield Island in Marblehead (formerly called Brown's Island). The small island marks the entrance to Dolliber Cove, and people can walk there — at low tide only — to explore its tidal pools, a small sandy beach, a field, a salt marsh and a wooded hilltop, according to the Trustees of Reservations Web site.
For as little as $1, a child can sail for a week with lessons from Sail Salem on Winter Island, a nonprofit group that is also launching Monday night boat races for children involved in the sailing program.
"In a nutshell, our mission is to get kids out on the water," Sail Salem co-founder David Smith said, "breaking down economic barriers that prevent kids from getting there."
A round-trip ride on the Salem ferry can cost a minimum of $17.50 for a family of four, according to the ferry's Web site. For $15, adventurers can rent a kayak at the oceanside Lynch Park in Beverly, or for $30, kayak rentals are available at the Salem Willows.
Various coastal North Shore towns also offer youth and adult sailing lessons through the recreation departments, and Sail Salem offers adult sailing lessons, as well.
What's more, Lynch Park, run by Beverly's Recreation Department, also rents a six-person outrigger canoe with an instructor, which costs $100 for two hours.
Ways to get out on the water this summer
Boat lessons and rentals for adults and children at Sail Salem, Winter Island
Foote canoe rentals, Ipswich
Salem ferry boat rides to Boston
Kayak rentals and kayak tours at Salem Willows, run by Salem Kayak
Kayak rentals and lessons; six-person canoe rental, Lynch Park, Beverly
Harbor tours on the Fame replica schooner and Mahi Mahi cruises, Salem
Trustees of Reservations properties
Various town recreation departments offer for sailing lessons
