The best kayak lights for nighttime navigating are ones that can be seen from a distance and illuminate the water around you. This curated list of kayak lights will help you see what is coming up ahead of you, but also keep your hands free to paddle. You’ll want to choose a light that has all of these qualities: visibility, battery life, water resistance, durability, portability, and more. Check out the list below for some great options!
Kayalu High Performance Water-Resistant Portable LED Navigation Kayak Light
Kayalu
There may be a lot of kayak lights on the market today, but none have been engineered specifically for night paddlers like Kayalu's High-Performance Water-Resistant Portable LED Navigation Kayak Light. Whether you're looking to avoid obstacles or just want to see more of your surroundings while you paddle after dark, our team can decide which is best.
- 100 Hours on 3 AA Alkaline Batteries
- IPX8 Waterproof
- 360° Dual LEDs
- Manufacturer Does Not Specify Lumens
- Made in USA
- Easy to Install and Use
Night Time Navigation LED Safety Kayak Lights - Water-Resistant - 3 Light Modes
Set of two (2) white LED safety kayak lights for the bow, stern, or anywhere on your boat. Easily installs around any pole or cylindrical object on your boat; it’s made with water-resistant material which means no more worrying about damaging them by accident! Simply turn the knob and select between 3 light modes: solid brightness, strobe & slow pulse.
- 3 Modes: Steady, Flash, and Strobe
- 4 LED Lights with Batteries
- Waterproofing Could be Better
- Easy Clip-on Install
- 3 Colors: Red, Green, and White
Shoreline Marine Propel LED Kayak Light 360 Degrees of Bright Light, Water Resistant, Heavy Duty
Shoreline Marine
The Shoreline Marine Propel LED Kayak Light for all your outdoor activities. It features 360 degrees of bright output, three modes, water-resistant parts, and materials, heavy-duty locking pin mount with stainless steel hardware. Designed by people who know what you need because they're out there too! Get one today and be able to see the shorelines no matter where you are.
- 3 Lighting Modes: On, Off and Strobe
- Lightweight Construction
- Waterproofing Could be Better
- 360-degree LED
- Easy to Mount and Use
GearLight Safety LED Kayak Lights - 4 Pack Clip-On - Three Lighting Modes - Water Resistant
GearLight
Whether you're looking for some extra visibility, staying on course during golden hour, or just need a little extra light on your outdoor adventures, the Gearlight LED safety kayak lights are here to help. Durable and water-resistant, they provide three light modes at a very affordable price.
- 3 Lighting Modes - Steady, Flash, and Strobe
- IPX4 Water Resistant
- 100+ Hours of Continuous Use
- Battery Replacement is a Little Tricky
- Excellent 4-Pack Value
- Bright - Visible 1000+ Feet Away
- Easy Clip-On Install
Attwood Water-Resistant Portable Clamp-On LED Kayak Light Kit
Attwood
Attwood Corporation’s Water-Resistant Portable Clamp-On LED Kayak Light Kit has been designed for easy installation and versatility. The C clamp conveniently mounts to the top of a surface, or removes for use in other areas, while it securely holds any device that can attach with a universal attachment. Powered by three AAA battery packs, these lights will safely light your way.
- 150 Hours of Run Time on 3 AAA Batteries
- Kit Includes: Red/Green LED Bow Light and White LED Stern Light
- Quality Could be Better
- Easy to Install C-Clamp
- Sealed Electronics in a Shock-Proof Housing
- Bright
Bright Eyes
Simple, flexible, and waterproof. Hassle-free no-tools required installation. The Bright Eyes LED Boat Light is essential at night for any water vessel to stay safe, aware of surroundings, and delightfully illuminated while keeping the battery life long on your boat. Enjoy 3 light modes: solid brightness mode for full visibility; strobe light mode so you never get surprised by an object in the water again; slow blink mode so you'll enjoy each piece of scenery while you navigate through them. No need to worry about if it will rain or stain because these lights are water-resistant.
- 4 Count - Green, Red, White
- Inexpensive Solution
- 3 Modes - Solid, Strobe, and Slow Blink
- Waterproofing Could be Better
- Bright
- Easy to Use
- Portable
YakAttack VISICarbon Pro 360 Degree LED Kayak Light with Visibility Flag
YakAttack
This 360-degree LED kayak light with a visibility flag is great for night fishing or simply trying to increase your visibility day or night. It fits most flush mount rods and tubular holders is waterproof to depths of 1000 feet and runs for 100 hours on 3 AA batteries.
- 360-degree LED Light
- 100 Hours on 3 AA Batteries
- Easy to Use
- A Little Pricey
- Visibility Flag for Daytime Use
- Bright Light, Sturdy Pole
- Made in the USA
FAQs:
Kayak lights are not strictly necessary, but they can be very helpful in low-light conditions. Kayakers who paddle in areas with little natural light, or who frequently paddle at night, may find that kayak lights make their experience much safer and more enjoyable. Many kayakers also find that kayak lights help them to be visible to other boats and vehicles on the water, making it easier to avoid collisions. While kayak lights are not required by law in most jurisdictions, they are always a good idea for safety purposes.
In the United States, the U.S. Coast Guard has established rules for what is considered a “vessel under oars.” These rules state that any vessel that is propelled solely by oars must be equipped with certain navigational lights if it is operated during periods of reduced visibility.
While kayaks are not specifically mentioned in these rules, they are considered to be vessels under oars and therefore must comply with the lighting requirements.
The lighting requirements for vessels under oars are as follows:
– A white light that is visible for at least two miles
– A green light that is visible for at least two miles
– A red light that is visible for at least two miles
1. Clip-on – These are the most popular type of kayak lights. They are easy to attach and remove, and can be used on a variety of kayaks. Some even come with different colored lenses so you can change the color of the light.
2. Permanent mount – These are lights that are mounted to the kayak permanently. They are more difficult to install, but they offer a more secure connection and are less likely to fall off.
3. Drill mount – These are similar to permanent mounts, but they require that you drill a hole in your kayak in order to install them. This provides an even more secure connection but is not recommended for beginners.
4. Track Mount – These are lights that mount to the tracks on your kayak. They are very easy to install and remove, but they can get in the way if you need to use the tracks for other purposes.
5. Underwater – These lights are designed to be submerged and can be used to attract fish or help you see underwater obstacles.
6. Suction Cup – These lights attach to the kayak with suction cups and are easy to install and remove.
7 Solar – Solar kayak lights are powered by the sun, so you don’t have to worry about batteries. They are usually not as bright as other types of lights, but they are a good option if you want to save money on batteries.
8. Handheld – Use handheld lights when you need to signal for help when you’re paddling at night, or during daylight hours in low-light conditions such as fog.
9. Strobe – Strobe lights are ideal for use as safety lights since they are very visible and can help attract attention in an emergency situation. They can also be used for general night paddling or daytime paddling in low-light conditions.
10. Headlamp – A headlamp is a great option for hands-free lighting when paddling at night or during the day in low-light conditions. It can also be used as a backup light if your primary light fails.
11. Helmet – A helmet light is another great option for hands-free lighting. It can be used for general night paddling or daytime paddling in low-light conditions. like a headlamp, it can also be used as a backup light if your primary light fails.
12. Paddle – A paddle light is a good choice for general night paddling or daytime paddling in low-light conditions. It can also help you keep track of your paddle if it gets lost in the water.