Alvina's Canoe & Boat Rental

Julie Woodruff

2023-07

We had the BEST time on our kayak trip! We cannot say enough about how great the experience was. We were treated very well by Marlene and Marissa, the two sisters who run the business. They went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time. The river was calm and serene, and the scenery was beautiful. We even saw some wildlife, including a deer. We will absolutely be visiting this place again and again!

Patrick M. O'Connor

2023-07

We had an awesome time on the Betsie River thanks to Alvina's Canoe Rental! The river is beautiful, and if you like fishing, bring your rod because the river is full of bass, bluegill, and perch. The ladies that helped us were super nice, and they said that Alvina's has been family owned and operated since the 1930s!

Matt Sloan

2023-08

Took my family of 5 kayaking here. From the initial phone call to the experience this place is amazing. Both the ladies (sisters) are sweet hearts. Very welcoming and friendly. The river is crystal clear and beautiful to paddle down and the lake is huge and got my son some fishing time. A+++ experience and we will return!

Leah

2023-05

My boyfriend and I came here twice this week while camping in Interlochen. We went the first time with my sister and her friend. My bf and I rented 2 kayaks for 2 hours for $20 dollars. My sister and her friend got 2 paddle boards for the same price. The 2 ladies that work here are really great and gave us all an extra 15ish minutes. They also let my bf fill up his water bottle with their hose. My bf and I had a great time and decided to come back again a few days later. On our second visit, my bf and I got a 2 person kayak for 2 hours for $30. They also gave us an extra 20 minutes this time as well. You get to paddle down a beautiful river with turtles and fish or you can go the other way out to the lake or you can do both.

Zac

2023-05

If you’re in the area camping or just looking for something to do this is a must stop, we went twice while staying at interlochen state park this week each time it was amazing to go down the river and to the lake. the river it’s self is no deeper then 5ft at the deepest point and it’s crystal clear and filled with wildlife. The first time we took single person kayaks and paddle boards each where 20$ for 2 hours then our second time we took the 2 seater kayaks for 30$ for 2 hours the owners are genuine people and made sure we ready to go out into water

Jonathan Glowinski

2022-05

Super cool, little out-of-the-way place run by a couple of really friendly sisters. Had a super quiet, relaxing float/paddle. If you’re looking for the opposite of the over-crowded, over-polluted Platte River paddles, definitely check this place out!Great customer service and prices!

Sarah Cummings

2021-05

My friend and I got Kayaks for about 2.5 hours, and it was only $20 each! We had such a great time moseying down the river. It was a very calm and easy ride. Took a bit more energy to paddle upstream on the way back, but not particularly difficult. Loved it. Would do it again if we were in town longer.

ken bishop

2023-09

What a great experience. Marlene and Marissa, the owners of the company were knowledgeable, helpful and and just so friendly and nice! River is beautiful early in the morning. Beginner friendly and really feels like you're in the wilderness. The rental process was quick and easy. We did the 2 hour float down the river. Easy to paddle back! 6 out of 5 stars from us!

Karen H

2022-05

Marissa was EXCEPTIONAL!! Super accommodating for our group of 16 young adult cancer survivors and staff. Great equipment, great service and very responsive. HIGHLY recommend using Alvina's rental to enjoy the beauty of the area on the water!

Nancy Hartley

2023-10

We rented kayaks and had one of the most beautiful and relaxing trips down the Betsie River. The water was crystal clear, area is so private and weather couldn’t have been nicer. One of my favorite experiences and the owner and her sister are fantastic.

Tamara Treanore

2023-08

My hubby and I were searching for a kayak rental site. We did not want to kayak a full developed lake -we wanted something off the track. Alvina’s was the perfect option. The Betsie river is pristine, calm, has great visual depth and water clarity. We were given straight forward directions at the site and paddled off. No noise but birds and frogs, saw only 2 other kayakers but lots of fish, turtles and ducks. A relaxing paddle with a beautiful surround. Folks at site welcoming and friendly. Take the plunge - very well worth it. Great for beginners or the intrepid. We will be back .

MJ

2023-07

We did their 3.5hr trip. Had 5 canoes for 6 adults, 2 teenagers, and 4 under 10yo. The staff was friendly but very unorganized and pretty unprofessional. At the end of our trip, they picked us up in 3 rusted out personal vehicles. Made the everyone feel pretty uncomfortable. Canoes were tossed on a flat trailer and kept falling off. Had to stop every 1/4 mile to readjust straps. Looked like they had never done this before.Michigan offers endless miles of beautiful rivers. When you rent canoes, you’re paying for the service and overall experience. This place was way off the mark. Will not be back, nor would I recommend

Mike M

2023-08

Wonderful experience at Alvina's. The owners are delightful. Their equipment is excellent. The stretch of the Betsie River is isolated and beautiful. And the access to Green Lake is a great bonus. A very different experience from the upper and lower Platte River, and a first rate alternative.

holly begin

2023-08

They were wonderful, the river was calm and clear. We had a issue with our vehicle after the trip and had to get it towed, they offered to take us back to our campground and were so helpful with everything. We couldn’t thank you enough, definitely added to our yearly trip to interlochen. Highly recommend!

Mariah Althoff

2023-08

Me and my fiancé visited interlochen and rented a canoe here two weekends ago. It was super easy, they were really friendly, and it was very reasonably priced. We caught so many fish and the water was so clear. We went out on the lake as well as down the river. Will visit again if we’re in the area!

Joseph Wilds

2023-05

This was our first time kayaking and this was the perfect first time experience. The river was easy to navigate and the scenery was fantastic. I also want to say that the staff at Alvina's was helpful, polite and patient with all of our questions about kayaks and kayaking. We will definitely be back and would recommend using Alvina's to anyone who is looking to kayak in the Benzie, Grand Traverse county areas.

V J

2023-05

A beautiful, peaceful way to start out the day kayaking down the river and back. A nice paddle out to the lake and back to the dock was perfect.The owner and her sister provided awesome customer service and were fun to chat with after our adventure.This was our first time kayaking while staying in the area. We have no other boat rental businesses to compare Alvina’s to and we won’t need to find another the next time we are camping because we’ll be back!Thanks ladies 😊👍🏻

Angela Hartman

2023-07

WOW! What a wonderful family! We had a wonderful time and got the best customer service you could ever ask for. They will get a lot more of our business for sure!!! If you haven't been, you definitely need to check them out, you won't be disappointed. Reasonable prices and solid equipment.

ed roth

2023-07

We’ve been there multiple times, if you enjoy the most wonderful natural beauty, this is the trip for you. Such a beautiful river, lots of wildlife, an easy paddle down and back. Highly recommended.

C.J. Winokur

2022-05

Awesome experience! The ladies working there were super friendly and helpful and made the experience a lot of fun. Prices were great for two plus hours of kayaking and the kayaks were beautifully balanced so I didn't flip over and fall in the river! Would definitely come back and kayak with them again the next time we're camping in Interlochen.

Diana Kyle

2023-05

Awesome customer service! These ladies enjoy what they do! Rented kayaks went down Betsie river. Very beautiful and relaxing day on the river. Also can't beat the price! Will definitely be back when in the area!

Amanda Marshall

2021-05

Great customer service the owner was very friendly. We took the two hour trip it was very relaxing and scenic. We saw lots of fish and turtles.

Mike

2023-05

Great scenic kayaking trip down the Betsie River. Owners Marlene and Marissa are so very nice and helpful. Very reasonable price with many options to rent from. And that section of the Betsie River is so beautiful. I would highly recommend them and i definetly will be back.

Stacy Hayes

2021-05

Such a nice place! The two sisters running the place are fantastic. The kayaks were clean and the river was really nice. We saw a lot of turtles which was awesome too. The river itself was very scenic. We would come back again for sure! I recommend Alvina's without a doubt.

Joel Richeimer

2023-05

We (a family of 6) rented individual kayaks. Good price. On a river that connects to Green Lake. Beautiful river. Friendly and helpful staff. We all had a great time.Additional bonus: Near the town of Interlochen. So there are restaurants near by. And one can walk around the astonishing Interlochen Art School

Danny Hirschel-Burns

2022-05

Had a great experience here! Alvina was super friendly, and it's very affordable and relaxed. You have the choice to paddle down a quiet river with very few other people around (with a chance to swim after about 40 minutes) or go the other way out onto a sizable lake. Would highly recommend for anyone looking for several hours of relaxed fun!

Elizabeth George

2022-05

Really enjoyed our kayak experience at Alvina’s. You can either kayak down the river or go to the lake in the opposite direction. It’s really peaceful and good exercise at the same time. The water is clear and we enjoyed seeing the fish and turtles and ducks doing their thing. The women that work there are really friendly and make it a great experience. Highly recommend!

Kathy Naber

2020-05

We just had the best afternoon kayaking on Green Lake and a small portion of the Betsie River. Thank you to Alvina’s Canoe and Boat rental! The service was great and I can’t recommend this setting enough. It was quiet and peaceful. When we came in for our lunch break the owner came out and took pictures of the boys and made sure I got them before we left.3 open Kayaks for 2 hours for a very reasonable price. I took the kiddos up the river ( 5 minute paddle at most) to Green Lake so they could practice/ learn without having anything to run in to. They both did great (5&10 yrs).If you have little kids I think this is a great choice- keep in mind I’ve been on the Crystal, Bestie, Platte, and Manistee (some with and without kids) and I’d choose this again in a heartbeat!And a bonus for those that understand- no swimmers itch in these bodies of water!!!

Ryan Wilkinson

2023-08

Love this place. The people were so nice and the rates were super reasonable. We caught some nice fish right down the river about 100 yards.

John Zoerner

2019-05

We have rented kayaks and stand up paddle boards from Marissa and her family for the last four years. They are always so helpful and friendly. They work very hard to make sure you have a great time. We visit the area every summer, and Marissa makes sure we get what we need to have a fun. They deliver and pick up whenever it works for us. We always look forward to renting from Alvina's.