Urban Kai
Urban Kai
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view

About
In Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg Florida, Urban Kai Stand Up Paddle Board Shop (located in two locations on Tampa Bay) is teaching, touring and offering fitness classes for stand up paddle boarding (SUP), and it’s the latest recreational, low impact, and fun activity to get into top shape! It looks like the miracle of “walking on water” but you are actually floating on water while standing up and paddling. We offer fitness classes, private lessons, adventure tours, and rentals in the Tampa Bay and florida areas. We also provide kayaks for rent.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
94 reviews
Excellent
83
Very good
3
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
5
gaylordm
Phoenix, AZ99 contributions
Jun 2021
Family trip for 7 of us. Booked for an hour and we stayed an extra 30 minutes. Interesting tour (we were at the Gandy location), deep into the mangrove. The kids jumped off the boards and swam. Lots of mullet jumping. We had 5 first timers, youngest kid was 8, she had her own board. Good guides. Get a waterproof case and bring our own camera/phones. Our guide asked us to leave our phones and said she would take pictures. She did not.
Written July 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sallie T
Tampa, FL1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
Today, my grandson and I enjoyed going out with Sam as our guide. She knows the area well and makes it fun and interesting. If you want a fun morning with friends or family, make this outing a must. You'll enjoy the beautiful water and friendly staff.
Written August 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane L
1 contribution
May 2020 • Friends
By far my experience with the entire staff has been outstanding. They are so kind and helpful. We have engaged in the mangrove tours, social paddle events, moon light paddle trips and general guidance as to where to paddle. The board repairs have been done well. I can’t speak more highly about Urban Kia.
Written June 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AngelK
Tampa, FL11 contributions
Nov 2021 • Solo
I’m pretty new to standup paddle boarding so I thought I would take the SUP 101 class. It seemed easy to sign up and cost less if you BYOB (bring your own board), but I think that was a bad idea as I didn’t get as much help as the ones who rented a board, probably my first mistake. In their defense I don’t catch on as fast as others but to leave someone behind seemed a little harsh.
The instructor gave us pretty detailed instructions at the beginning and I even asked him if someone falls off their board will you come back, he said yes. That did not happen. In fact, no one checked on me after I was rescued by 3 random strangers either.
After the group went so far ahead of me (I’m a slow poke) I decided to head back alone and eventually fell off my board. I struggled to get back on and so started to swim to the closest shoreline. I hugged a pole off a broken dock until a random paddler came to help me. Luckily after her a couple of guys on a boat also came to help me. They all got my board onto the boat and the two boater dudes brought me back to where I originally launched. The other instructor saw me get off the boat, didn’t ask if I was okay or even acknowledged I was there. He just stared at me like I was some weird person…I realized then that I had a few cuts on my hand, cut and bruised knee and a few bruises and cuts on my arm, so a little beat up. That’s probably part of it though.
I thanked everyone else for helping me and took my soakin wet self back to my car. I packed up my board and hoped someone would say glad you’re okay or something, but nope…I was left behind like a dead fish. If you’re like me and don’t pick up on things as fast as others then maybe go it alone or have a friend who knows what they are doing take you out for free. I’m sure this class worked out well for everyone else but just know if you’re slow then they will leave you behind. If you fall on top of that you’re probably going to be on your own. I think it would have made a difference in my day for one if they noticed and two if someone would have just asked if I was okay. Luckily I am, just wanted to warn those who are slow to learn like me.
The instructor gave us pretty detailed instructions at the beginning and I even asked him if someone falls off their board will you come back, he said yes. That did not happen. In fact, no one checked on me after I was rescued by 3 random strangers either.
After the group went so far ahead of me (I’m a slow poke) I decided to head back alone and eventually fell off my board. I struggled to get back on and so started to swim to the closest shoreline. I hugged a pole off a broken dock until a random paddler came to help me. Luckily after her a couple of guys on a boat also came to help me. They all got my board onto the boat and the two boater dudes brought me back to where I originally launched. The other instructor saw me get off the boat, didn’t ask if I was okay or even acknowledged I was there. He just stared at me like I was some weird person…I realized then that I had a few cuts on my hand, cut and bruised knee and a few bruises and cuts on my arm, so a little beat up. That’s probably part of it though.
I thanked everyone else for helping me and took my soakin wet self back to my car. I packed up my board and hoped someone would say glad you’re okay or something, but nope…I was left behind like a dead fish. If you’re like me and don’t pick up on things as fast as others then maybe go it alone or have a friend who knows what they are doing take you out for free. I’m sure this class worked out well for everyone else but just know if you’re slow then they will leave you behind. If you fall on top of that you’re probably going to be on your own. I think it would have made a difference in my day for one if they noticed and two if someone would have just asked if I was okay. Luckily I am, just wanted to warn those who are slow to learn like me.
Written November 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good Advice
Central Arizona, AZ4 contributions
Mar 2022
My family went out for nice day of paddle boarding and kayaking. This company had a beginning 101 class that was slow and VERY expensive. We didn't need it. My kids could have done it easily without a lesson and my wife stood up in a second.
I can not recommend it.
On top of that, during the class, the wind kicked up and it was so bad, we all got out of the water within 30 minutes. No refund, no apology for taking us out in this type of wind, when they knew better. The owner had no business sense to Not give us back some $.
I had paid for our entire group and it was a wash.
I run a business myself, and part of that is keeping the customer happy. Not this company...it is all friendly until you discuss a refund.
Choose another SUP/KAYAK company. There are many, maybe even at the beach!
I can not recommend it.
On top of that, during the class, the wind kicked up and it was so bad, we all got out of the water within 30 minutes. No refund, no apology for taking us out in this type of wind, when they knew better. The owner had no business sense to Not give us back some $.
I had paid for our entire group and it was a wash.
I run a business myself, and part of that is keeping the customer happy. Not this company...it is all friendly until you discuss a refund.
Choose another SUP/KAYAK company. There are many, maybe even at the beach!
Written April 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
t-j-Mill
Tampa, FL25 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
Drove the 1/2 hour to the local shop, but it was not open even thought it was supposed to be as posted on the internet. I have tried to contact the owner multiple times but have not received a call or any communication back... I just do not get it.
Terrible customer service.
Terrible customer service.
Written August 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S G
Sarasota, FL4 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
For my 65th birthday my wife set up a paddle boarding lesson at Urban Kai. The location and facility are very good. Our instructor (Ida) could not have done a better job in preparing us to enjoy our experience on the water. She got us on the boards and moving comfortably while continuing to give us instruction out on the water.Thanks Ida! It's very easy to tell that the owners, Mike and Aimee, are very focused on providing enjoyment for their customers.These guys are great and I'm happy to give them a high recommendation.
Steve G.
Steve G.
Written August 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marjorie063
Manchester, United Kingdom19 contributions
Jun 2011 • Solo
As it happened I did only have one day in Tampa and this turned out to be the perfect way to spend it. I am no sports woman, but I love the water and wanted to see something of the Tampa Bay area. Amy and the Urban Kai crew were patient and passionate teachers/enthusiasts and really made my day. These people can teach you to paddle board with the best of them, keep an eagle eye out to show you all the different wildlife surrounding you, whilst chatting about everything from the art of dog rescuing, to the finer points of starwars vs harry potter. I challenge you to find something they can't hold a conversation on (particularly Christian who can combine film tips with paddle tips in one seamless flow). Urban Kai's trips are simply a wonderful way to learn new skills, explore places you'd never get to normally see, and work out muscles you had no idea you had, all in the company of some of the nicest people you could meet.
Written June 27, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natasha R-Traveling Yoga Teacher
North Potomac, MD9 contributions
Jan 2021
Paddleboard to the setting sun and then stay for a drink and food after. Love the vibe! I brought my own paddleboard, but it's easy to rent one. The water was shallow but that was seasonal.
Written January 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louis F
Altus, OK1,270 contributions
Jun 2020 • Friends
Went to the location near armature works. Rented a kayak from them for 2 hours. They were very helpful getting you all set up to go. Prices were very reasonable. Staff were really nice.
Written June 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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