Georgia rules for kayaks and paddleboards
- Life jackets: every kayak, canoe and paddleboard needs a wearable, Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person aboard.
- Kids: children under 13 must wear a life jacket at all times on a moving vessel.
- Inflatable vests only count if you're wearing them.
- After dark: non-motorized boats must show a white light at night, at anchor or underway.
- Alcohol: Georgia's boating-under-the-influence limit is 0.08, and 0.02 for anyone under 21. It applies to kayaks.
- Registration: non-motorized kayaks and paddleboards don't need to be registered. Add a motor and they do.
Staying safe on Lake Lanier
Lanier sees drownings nearly every year. U.S. Coast Guard data shows that most people who drown in boating accidents weren't wearing a life jacket. Wear yours rather than stowing it.
- Stay near shore and out of the main channel where you can.
- Turn into large wakes instead of taking them broadside.
- Wear bright colors. Boat drivers look for boats, not paddlers.
- Tell someone your launch spot and return time.
- Get off the water at the first thunder. Summer storms build fast.
- In spring and late fall, the water is far colder than the air. Dress for a swim.
- Don't swim off your kayak in the main lake. Swim at a designated beach.
Where to start safely
For a first trip, pick a protected launch: Lake Lanier Olympic Park on the calmer upper lake, or the beach at Mary Alice Park. Most rental outfitters give a quick safety talk with the boat.
Regulations are set by Georgia DNR. Check the DNR Law Enforcement Division for current rules.