Attention kayakers! It's that time of year again when the sun starts shining and the temperatures start rising, which can only mean one thing: it's time to hit the open water!
But before you do, make sure you're prepared with the right gear. And that includes kayak lights - something that is often overlooked but can be crucial for your safety while on the water.
Whether you're a seasoned kayaker or just starting out, it's important to have the right gear to stay safe and enjoy your experience. Kayak lights are a key part of that equation and something that should not be ignored.
With summer finally here, now is the perfect time to get out on the water and explore everything it has to offer. Make sure you're prepared for your next kayaking trip by getting yourself some kayak lights today!
We hope you find your next favorite thing from the kayak lights below! Each one was carefully selected by our editors and a few may have been sent as samples for us to evaluate, but all opinions in this article are our own. GroundedReviews may collect a share of the sales or compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something (at no additional cost to you). Our reviews have been edited for length and clarity. Enjoy finding your next favorite thing!
How We Selected These Kayak Lights
It can be overwhelming trying to figure out what kayak light is right for you - there are so many different products on the market! Not to mention, you don't want to spend unnecessary time researching or wasting your time or money on the wrong product if you don't know if they work at all for you.
That's where our expert reviewers come in. They've spent the time reviewing the best products for your needs, so you can find the perfect kayak light without all the hassle. Check out our list and find the one that's perfect for you!
Why It's a Great Choice:
Kayak lights are a necessity for any kayaker who wants to stay safe on the water this summer. The Kayalite kayak deck-mounted lights are a high-performance, portable navigation light that lasts 100 hours on just 3 AA alkaline batteries. This tough little light is virtually loss-proof and indestructible, capable of taking a blow if you smack it with your paddle or catch it on a branch. The tension cable holds the mast upright while preventing it from snapping or accidentally detaching.
Top Things to Know:
Kayalu's Kayalite Portable LED Kayak Light is a buoyant, deep water submersible light that is waterproof to 1000 feet (300 m). The light features two bright white LEDs with a white titanium-infused diffusion lens. It meets USCG regulations for kayaks and can be attached to any eyelet or pad eye on deck with the steel clip and nylon-coated bungee tensioning cable.
Stay safe and be seen this summer with this kayak deck light from Kayalu, it makes for a fantastic stern light. You will love it!
YakAttack VISICarbon Pro Kayak Light Flag
Best Kayak Light Providing Great Visibility & Safety For Kayak Anglers
Why It's a Great Choice:
Summer is in full swing and that means kayaking along the river, through the canals, or out in the open ocean. Stay safe while you paddle with YakAttack's VISICarbon Pro Kayak Light Flag. This bad boy will make you highly visible to boats and other watercraft during the day and night. Plus, it features SilentSlip foam that fits most flush mount and tubular rod holders - meaning you can keep your fishing gear right where it belongs without fear of it slipping loose. Get yourself seen on the water this summer with this excellent flag and light combo!
Top Things to Know:
Kayak fishermen need kayak lights to stay safe and seen and the best no-compromise option we have found for kayak lights is the YakAttack VISICarbon Pro Kayak Light Flag. This flag is 48" long when deployed, but collapses down to 14" for easy storage inside the flag itself.
The LEDs burn for 100 hours on 3 AA batteries (included) and have a lamp life of 10,000+ hours. So whether you're fishing at night or in foggy conditions, the VISICarbon Pro Kayak Light will make sure that you're seen and safe on the water both during the day and at night.
GearLight S1 LED Safety Lights
Best Kayak Lights For Safety Sidelights (Port & Starboard)
Why It's a Great Choice:
If you're kayaking this summer, make sure you have the GearLight S1 LED Safety Kayak Lights. These lights are insanely bright and can be easily seen from hundreds of feet away - perfect for keeping yourself safe on the water. They come preinstalled with batteries that last up to 100 hours of continuous use, so you can rest assured that they'll stay lit even during foggy or rainy days. And because these red and green lights are so bright, they also make great port and starboard sidelights. So if you want to be safe (and seen) this summer, pick up a set of GearLight S1 LED Safety Kayak Lights.
Top Things to Know:
While kayaking during the daytime is often safe, it can be more dangerous to kayak at night or in low-light conditions. That's why it's important to have the proper lighting equipment installed on your kayak before hitting the open waters.
GearLight S1 LED Safety Kayak Lights are designed to provide superior visibility while kayaking in low-light or nighttime conditions. The lights clip on easily and stay securely attached, even in rough waters, and feature three different lighting modes - steady, flash, and strobe - for maximum safety and visibility. With a beam distance of over 1000 feet, these mini led light strips will keep you seen and safe no matter how late or dark it gets outside.
Why It's a Great Choice:
Summertime means kayaking! But make sure you stay safe with these kayak lights from Boao. With three light modes, you can choose the best one for your needs. The simple design also makes it easy to hang the light wherever you want- no tools required! These are a great budget option for use as safety sidelights on your Kayak.
Top Things to Know:
Kayak lights are a necessary safety precaution when kayaking on dark or foggy nights so you can be seen by other vessels. The Boao 12 Piece Navigation Kayak Lights are a great option for kayakers looking for an affordable and durable set of lights. These lights feature two LEDs apiece that can provide more than 0.6 miles of visibility at night. They also have an impressive battery life of up to 160 hours (not confirmed by us) before needing to be replaced. The 12 pack is a great value and ensures that you'll always have a spare light on hand in case one runs out unexpectedly.
Best Kayak Lights FAQ:
We know that searching for the best kayak lights can be confusing with so many options and opinions out there and even after reading our article you likely still have a lot of important questions about kayak lights, maybe even more questions than when you started.
There’s nothing for you to worry about since we’ve created a list below of the most frequently asked questions for you about kayak lights so that you can make your next purchase with total and complete confidence!
What kayak lights should I buy?
Kayaks, like any other water vessel, are required by law to have lights after dark.
There are a couple of different types of kayak lights - some people opt for the more affordable option of sticking a light on their kayak with adhesive, while others prefer to buy lights that are either built-in or attached to the kayak in some way. Here at Grounded Reviews we avoid the adhesive options because we find they just don't last long enough to be worthwhile!
No matter which type of kayak light you choose, it's important to make sure they're bright and highly visible. You don't want to be the one who ends up being mistaken for a log or rock in the water!
How do kayak lights work?
When it comes to kayaking, darkness can be your worst enemy. Not only is it harder to see where you're going, but kayaks are also difficult to spot from a distance. That's why kayak lights are so important - they allow you to see and be seen, keeping you safe on the water.
Kayak lights come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all of them work in basically the same way. Most kayak lights are LEDs that are attached to the Kayak with a clamp, suction cup, or clips, and they use battery power. For total safety at night you want 2 types of light, a white light for seeing what's ahead of you, plus a red and green light kit that can be used as sidelights for letting other people see your port and starboard sides.
So next time you hit the water, make sure to bring your kayak lights! They may just save your life.
Are kayak lights necessary?
Whether or not kayak lights are necessary is really up to the paddler. Some people feel safer with them on, and others find them annoying and just end up taking them off. It really comes down to personal preference.
That being said, kayak lights can come in handy for a few reasons. They can help you be seen by other boaters, which is especially important when paddling at night or in low-visibility conditions. Kayak lights can also help you spot obstacles and hazards before you run into them. So, if you're someone who likes to kayak in less-than-ideal conditions, kayak lights might be a good idea for you.
In addition to helping you stay safe, kayak lights are also required by law in some states- so it's important to know the laws where you live before heading out on the water.
Do kayak lights attract fish?
Kayak lights are a safety feature that every kayaker should have. Not only do they make you more visible to boats and other watercraft, but they can put out enough light to also attract fish. While this may not be the primary reason for wanting kayak lights, it is an added benefit that can make your fishing trips more successful.
Final Thoughts About Kayak Lights
Kayaking at night can be a lot of fun, but only if you have the proper kayak light kit! Not all kayak lights are made equal so make sure you stay safe on the water by using one of our recommended light kits. With one of these bad boys, you’ll be able to do some night paddling with ease and avoid any potential accidents. Plus, they make you look really cool – like a total kayaking pro! So what are you waiting for? Pick up some kayak LED lights today and get ready for some serious nighttime paddling action!
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