Cape Cod kayaking is a wonderful way to spend time on the waters of the Cape without having to incur the cost and hard work that goes into owning a boat.

With a kayak you don't need to pay for fuel or mooring fees, you don't have to search high and low for a suitable boat ramp whenever you want to put it in the water, and you don't have to worry about where to store it in the winter.

And on Cape Cod, you don't even need to own it, with dozens of locations all along the Cape willing to rent you a kayak by the hour, by the day or by the week.

With over 600 miles of coastline, more than 350 freshwater ponds and endless miles of marshes, inlets and tidal rivers, there is certainly no shortage of wonderful places to enjoy all kinds of Cape Cod kayaking experiences.

Here are five tips to help you enjoy your Cape Cod kayaking trip to the full.

• Stick to Ponds, Marshes and Rivers

If you're not a very experienced kayaker, we recommend sticking to the ponds, marshes and tidal rivers. Ocean kayaking is not for the feint of heart. Even in the summer months, when the sea is calmer, the wakes of countless speedboats can easily swamp a low-lying kayak. It can offer a great workout if you're in good shape, but it can also possibly be a real problem if you get caught in an ebbing tide and don't have the strength to paddle back in.

• Watch the Tides

Unless you're kayaking in a pond, tides will always be a major consideration, and all successful Cape Cod kayaking trips should begin with a look at the local tide charts to determine both when is the best time of day to set out and when to begin your return journey.

Some of the tidal rivers in these parts empty out very quickly when the tide goes out. Water levels can drop by as much as two feet in less than an hour, and many novice Cape Cod kayakers have found themselves grounded on a mudflat, unable to move for several hours until the tide came back in to lift them out of the mud.

• Essential Safety Equipment

A personal floatation device (PFD) is an absolutely essential piece of equipment for all Cape Cod kayakers. Massachusetts law requires that a PFD must be worn (yes, actually worn) by each occupant of a kayak between September 15 and May 15, and the US Coast Guard mandates that one for each occupant must be at least on board at all times throughout the year.

Buy one, wear one, and never go kayaking without one. It's pretty simple really, when you put it like that.

• Dress for the Water Temperature, Not the Air Temperature

A beautiful sunny day on Cape Cod might still mean you are paddling in 45 degree water. I have jumped in to Scorton Creek in East Sandwich many times, for instance, and I am still shocked how cold the temperature is, even in July.

If your Cape Cod kayaking trip takes place in either the spring or fall (highly recommended, by the way, as the crowds thin considerably at that time of year), a t-shirt and a pair of shorts will leave you quite chilly, even if the weather is lovely.

• Check Out These Beautiful Cape Cod Kayaking Areas

Scorton Creek in East Sandwich is our local favorite, since it's just a few miles from our home and offers crystal clear waters and views of crabs, snails and even the occasional sea bass. Mashpee River offers a chance to see kingfishers, great blue herons, and osprey, while Grand Island, nestled between Osterville and Cotuit, offers spectacular views of the mansions and gardens of some of Cape Cod's wealthiest residents. Nauset Marsh in Eastham is within the Cape Cod National Seashore and offers shallow saltwater streams that are ideal for bird watching and otter-spotting. You may even catch a glimpse of a seal. Finally, Cliff Pond in Nickerson State Park in Brewster offers the calmest waters and is one location where there is no need to worry about tides. There are lots of places to land, and you can even take a hike on one of the park's many trails.