Sun Dolphin Kayak Brand Review

Sun Dolphin is a great brand for kayaks, particularly for fishing and water sports lovers. These kayaks are built with specific sports in mind, so they have all of the necessary accessories and features that you need to fish or paddle against the fastest whitewater currents.

The company also has an excellent customer support staff and aims to give every customer a warm, small-town feeling when they call in with questions. 

Where you use your kayak determines what kind of kayak you need. If you plan to use your kayak on calm, shallow water, then a beginner or base model will be a great choice. However, deep water and rough water, such as whitewater conditions, will require more intermediate and advanced kayak models.

If you plan to fish, you will do best with a flat hull kayak. Rounded, v-shaped, and pontoon hulls are other kayak shapes available. Rounded hulls are typically best for choppy waters, and v-shaped hulls tend to be best for calmer water. All three types do well in deep water.

A sit-in kayak has an enclosed cockpit, so the kayaker is actually sitting below the water's surface. This positioning makes a sit-in kayak the best kayak choice for anyone who wants to handle choppy waters.

The secondary stability will keep the kayaker safer and avoid tipping problems. Since the kayaker has a lower center of gravity, the boat is steadier when in whitewater conditions and other more dangerous water areas. The sit-in kayak is also easier to maneuver and offers greater control.

A sit-on-top kayak has positioned the kayaker at or above the waterline. The kayaker is in an open cockpit, and they are "sitting on" the kayak. Beginners most often choose these kayaks because they do not make kayakers feel "trapped." Beginners tend to prefer the open cockpit. The sit-on kayaks are slower, but they offer greater stability when the water is calm.

Lightweight kayaks will be easier to transport, and that may make them a better choice for people who plan to adventure often. However, lightweight kayaks typically cost more. They may also have lower weight capacities.

Lightweight kayaks generally are made out of lightweight fiberglass, carbon-fiber, or ABS plastic. Heavy-duty kayaks are made out of polyethylene plastic.

The Sun Dolphin Aruba kayak is a great solo kayak for kayakers who want the best quality kayak at an affordable price. This kayak is at the top of Sun Dolphin's price range but remains an extremely affordable kayak overall.

The open cockpit is comfortable and won’t make kayakers feel claustrophobic. There is a lot of opportunity for gear storage so you can bring along supplies for an all-day trip. Adjustable foot braces make paddling more comfortable, and protective thigh pads help kayakers brace themselves while kayaking. This kayak weighs approximately 40 lbs. and comes in several color options, including green, orange, blue, red, and purple.

The kayak has a maximum load capacity of 250 lbs. and may not be strong enough to carry some people. The seat is also not completely adjustable and may be uncomfortable for some. A simple solution would be to buy a more adaptable and padded seat.

Sun Dolphin Kayaks made it easy to swap out seats and offer different upgrade options. Other brand’s seats will also fit in this kayak as long as the measurements match. Upgrading the seat is a recommendation for kayakers with back injuries and other health conditions.

Made out of UV-stabilized polyethylene plastic, this kayak is heavy-duty, and you won't find it breaking down. This kayak is 115 inches, or close to 10 feet long, and perfect for going out on calm water. Paddle holders add to the convenience, and carrying handles make it easy to bring the kayak out on the lake. This is the best overall Sun Dolphin kayak for recreational enthusiasts.

The Sun Dolphin Excursion is a sit-in kayak that comes in gray, tan, and dark green colors. This kayak is perfect for recreational fishing and comes with two rod mount holders as well as one swivel rod holder.

You can easily mount a fish finder or secure your fishing rods with the mounts. Adjustable foot braces add to your comfort and make it possible to quickly re-adjust your positioning. The padded seat adds to the support and protects your back from the hard plastic exterior. Thigh pads add additional comfort.

A storage hatch creates an easy space to store supplies for a long day of fishing out on the open water. This area is not meant to be used for live bait, but rather is a dry storage area for additional clothing, snacks, food, gear, and supplies. The kayak is made out of UV-stabilized high-density polyethylene plastic for a heavy-duty feel. The kayak weighs 41 lbs. so it won’t weigh you down as you adventure on the water.

The greatest downfall of this particular kayak is that it is not made for rough water conditions. Any waves or strong movement in the water, will not bode well for the kayak and may cause capsize.

If you wanted to purchase a kayak that you could take on serious fishing expeditions, this isn’t going to be the best choice for you. However, if you plan to stick exclusively to lakes and other calm water areas, then you couldn’t do better. This fishing kayak is affordable and comes equipped with everything you need to head out on the water to fish.

If you want an affordable fishing kayak that will be comfortable on open, calm water and comes with rod mount holders, then you want the Sun Dolphin Excursion. This is the best Sun Dolphin fishing kayak model in the marketplace.

The Sun Dolphin Bali 13.5 ft. Tandem is our favorite tandem model from this brand. The first notable element of this kayak model is that it can hold as many as three people. If you’ve ever wanted to kayak with three people, here is your chance.

For a tandem kayak that can hold three people, this model is a steal. This is a particularly great model for parents with a young child who wants to go kayaking together as a family. Numerous storage hatches and compartments allows you to bring along food, gear, and other supplies while still carrying your crew.

The padded and cushioned backrests are comfortable, and the adjustable foot braces help prevent fatigue. The kayak has a self-bailing mechanism to keep everyone safe so that if water enters the boat, the kayak will immediately drain it out on its own. This keeps everyone safe and afloat while kayaking out on the water.

This kayak, however, is listed at 500 lbs. max weight capacity, but users reported running into problems of stability around 400 lbs. You may need to test the weight capacity once purchased to determine whether or not you should return the model.

The material could also be stronger as the kayak is made from the same UV-stabilized polyethylene as other models rather than a stronger fiberglass. The price differential is substantial for beginners, and beginner to intermediate kayakers will be happier with the polyethylene price that this tandem kayak offers.

If you want the best beginner tandem Sun Dolphin kayak model, we recommend the Sun Dolphin Bali 13.5 ft. Tandem. This model is affordable, compact, and relatively lightweight.

The Sun Dolphin Camino SS 8-foot kayak model is an affordable option for beginners who want a solo kayak at a great price. This is a sit-on-top model, which may feel more comfortable for beginners. This kayak offers excellent stability and strength.

Made from UV-sterilized polyethylene, this kayak will give you many years of use. A large, open cockpit makes it easy to get in and out of the boat. It also gives you room to adjust yourself and find a comfortable position while paddling.

Footwells are used for keeping your feet in place. The square stern provides maximum stability. Self-bailing is also built into this kayak so that you won't find it easily capsized. If water does enter the vessel, it will be drained out.

There are built-in carrying handles as well that make it easy to transport your kayak. Along with the open cockpit, you’ll find several storage compartments to hold gear and supplies. This model is easy to set-up and will do best on rivers and lakes.

This kayak, however, is not the fastest model, and if speed is important to you, then you might want to look elsewhere. The square stern adds stability but also slows the kayak down. It also makes it unsuitable for ocean kayaking or rough whitewater kayaking conditions.

This is also an inexpensive model, so you won't find extra features here, such as an ergonomic fully padded seat or adjustable footrests. If your goal is to purchase an affordable sit-on-top kayak model that isn't too heavy but will remain stable in the water, then this is a great option. 

Sun Dolphin Kayaks is best known for its beginner line of kayaks that anyone can use, but they also have the market cornered on fishing kayaks. Their kayaks tend to offer greater stability with fewer custom choices and are primarily intended to be used on lakes and other calm water.

These kayaks are perfect for beginners because they are strong, affordable, and come with custom angler options. The low price point and quality build make for a winning brand.

When considering portability and lightweight flexibility, however, you should consider ORU Kayaks. ORU specializes in creating portable kayaks that can be folded down for storage and easily trekked on hikes for maximum adventure time. If you need a kayak brand designed for the ocean, we recommend looking at Vibe kayaks.

Vibe makes several kayak models perfect for the ocean. Both the ORU and Vibe brands are much more expensive compared to the Sun Dolphin brand.