One of the more popular, practical and inexpensive ways of getting a different view of Long Island is via kayak. For beginning paddlers, the Sit On Top (SOT) kayak provides a safe introduction to the sport and can also develop into a platform that allows the paddler to pursue fishing and diving without investing in a costly boat.

There are as many good spots to paddle as there are coastline, but following are some special areas worth exploring. We’ll start on Nassau County’s north shore and work around the island.

Manhasset Bay: The entire coastline of this close-to-NYC bay provides miles of paddling, but the most dramatic views come from its northern reaches which provide beautiful panoramas of the City’s bridges and coast as well as the Sands Point lighthouse and Execution Rocks lighthouse (a good destination for experienced paddlers). The rest of the bay will make you forget there is a city nearby. Alternate: Hempstead Harbor.

Oyster Bay Harbor: An almost entirely enclosed harbor, open to its larger sibling, Cold Spring Harbor, in its southern reaches. Paddle the west side of the north along the coast into Mill Neck Bay, which offers some secret views and lovely shoreline that few Islanders even know exists. Alternate: The aforementioned Cold Spring Harbor, as well as Lloyd Harbor further east. For open water skilled paddlers tour the north coast along Camusett State Park.

Smithtown Bay: More open water than bay, this sports one of the best rivers for paddling on Long Island, the Nissequogue. Play in the river mouth or journey south into the nooks and crannies of the river itself. Alternate: Stony Brook Harbor, which sports a quaint north shore town at the head of the harbor. Good restaurants, etc.

Mt Sinai Harbor: Once called Old Man’s this is a “Downeast” sort of place that is well-enclosed and great for beginners, while offering experienced paddlers access to Long Island Sound. Beaches, boats, fishing and plain old exploring. Alternate: Busy and big Port Jefferson Harbor to the west. Paddle its west coast into Setuaket Harbor.

Mt. Sinai Harbor to Mattituck Inlet: While the entire coastline from Mt. Sinai to Mattituck Inlet is covered in “erratics,” large near-shore boulders dragged by receding Wisconsin glacier, that provide excellent fishing, diving and exploring possibilities, the next protected paddling area is Mattituck Inlet. Paddle to the head of the inlet and you’ll be able to walk to Mattituck’s Love Lane area. Alternate: The Shoreham area just to gaze at the old nuclear plant. Put in at Wading River.

Mattituck to Orient: More open, Sound-fronting coastline, until you pass East Marion. A beautiful stretch of water lies on both sides of the main road (called, er, Main Road) along the causeway. Herons and other waterfowl, beautiful coastal marshes and great sheltered paddling. Alternate: Long Beach Bay on the north side of Long Beach State park, which is well worth visiting.

Shelter Island: This Island between the two forks is accessible only by ferry — or boat— and you’re ion a boat. You paddle Shelter Island because it’s ridiculous not to experience it. Coecles Bay on the west side, West Neck Bay accessible from the south. Alternate: You won’t run out of places to paddle off Shelter Island.

Great and Little Peconic Bays: There are an unbelievable number of quality paddling sites for all levels. Try Cuthogue Harbor, the creeks off Hog Neck Bay, Noyac Bay and North Sea Harbor (north side of the South Fork), the little creeks and inlets around Mattituck, or even a trip down the Peconic River to the newly booming town of Riverhead (which has a very friendly paddle structure). Alternate: See preceding!

Shinnecock Bay: Paddling along the barrier beach side (south) of Shinnecock Bay lets you cross the Shinnecock Inlet, duck under the Ponquogue Bridge and provides miles of paddling, though skill levels probably shouldn’t be for beginners if you are crossing the Inlet (currents) or bridge (ditto). You’re a stone’s throw over the beach to the ocea. Alternate: Far off Three Mile Harbor in Easthampton, Tiana Bay, any of the inlets, creeks off Shinnecock Bay and I particularly like the Quogue/Quantuck Canal that connects Shinnecock and Moriches Bays.

Great South Bay: Another “anywhere you go” paddle. Paddle the coast of Fire Island and stop where you please. Paddle the north coast of the bay for Seatuck Cove, the Forge River area, Smith Point’s Outer Beach, Bellport Bay, Patchogue Bay, you name it, there’s something for every paddler on this huge shallow inland sea. Alternate: The Carmans River. The lower section starts on the south side of Route 27 and is a wilderness, but not terribly interesting paddle. The north part of the river starts in Cathedral Pines Park in Yaphank and is a great wilderness paddle to Southaven Park.

South Oyster Bay and west: This starts west of Fire Island Inlet and is rife with seagrass islands on its south shore along Jones Beach past Jones Inlet and into Middle Bay, and Broad and Reynolds Channels. The northern side of the bay is punctuated by a zillion inlets man-made and natural. This starts in the town of Babylon and gives access to every town from there to Woodmere. Alternate: Anywhere as mentioned.

So, there you have it. Choose a different spot far from home, or pick one out your backdoor. Regardless of where you choose to paddle on Long Island, you’re going to have access to vistas and experiences you’ll never be able to get from shore.

Pack you life jacket, sunscreen and water, and … well, what are you waiting for?