Updated October 2026 · 5 tandem kayaks, no paid placements
A fishing day for two, or one angler with a kid and a dog: the five tandem fishing kayaks we'd look at first, ranked on buyer ratings, review volume and the seating each listing states.
See the ranking
Our top pickIntex Excursion Pro K29.4/10. The one we'd start with.$279.59 on Sep 30, 2026, may have changed
Most reviewed of the restBKC Brooklyn 12.5 Tandem, Camo123 buyer reviews, 7.3/10. After our top pick, the most owners to learn from.$898.99 on Sep 30, 2026, may have changed
Also worth a lookBKC 13.0 Pro Tandem, Storm Surge4.0/10. Worth a read if the first two don't suit your water.$1,349 on Sep 30, 2026, may have changedNeed one boat for two? Start with the Intex Excursion Pro K2; the other four differ in build, length and the capacity they state.
Best for: fishing for two without a roof rack
The catch: Its 4.3/5 buyer rating sits under this list's 4.4 average.
Best for: fishing for two, or one angler with a kid
The catch: Long and heavy for one person to load alone.
Best for: family days on calm water
The catch: Only 14 buyer reviews so far, so that average can still move.
Best for: couples and families who need a boat that packs into the car
The catch: No rod holders mentioned in the listing, while most of this list has them.
Best for: anglers without a roof rack or a garage
The catch: The listing states no weight capacity, unlike most of this list.
Product images: Amazon listings
Got a number in mind? Here is the best-rated model of this ranking in each price band, going by the price we recorded (it may have changed since).
| Under $400 | Intex Excursion Pro K2 · 9.4/10 · $279.59 · Paddle kayak |
|---|---|
| $400 to $800 | Niphean 12'6" Inflatable Tandem · 3.7/10 · $419.49 · Paddle kayak |
| Over $800 | BKC Brooklyn 12.5 Tandem, Camo · 7.3/10 · $898.99 · Paddle kayak |
All 5 on one screen. Tap a column header to sort by what matters on your water.
| Intex Excursion Pro K2 | Intex | 9.4 | $279.59† | Paddle | 400 lb | 12.7 ft | Two (tandem) | 6,373 |
| BKC Brooklyn 12.5 Tandem, Camo | BKC | 7.3 | $898.99† | Paddle | 600 lb | 12.5 ft | Two (tandem) | 123 |
| BKC 13.0 Pro Tandem, Storm Surge | BKC | 4.0 | $1,349† | Paddle | 800 lb | Not stated | Two (tandem) | 14 |
| Niphean 12'6" Inflatable Tandem | Niphean | 3.7 | $419.49† | Paddle | 500 lb | 12.5 ft | Two (tandem) | 13 |
| TIGERXBANG 12'8" Inflatable Tandem | TIGERXBANG | 3.3 | See current price | Paddle | Not stated | 12.67 ft | Two (tandem) | 9 |
† Prices as of Sep 30, 2026; they may have changed. The button always shows today's price.
Every product gets a rating out of 10 from its exact listing: what buyers give it, how many of them there are, and how completely the seller documents it. The highest result wins; on an exact tie, the listing identifier decides.
A commission never moves a rating or a rank.
Our pick is the Intex Excursion Pro K2, at 9.4/10 (excellent). It has 6,373 buyer reviews averaging 4.3/5. Close behind: the BKC Brooklyn 12.5 Tandem, Camo at 7.3/10.
We start from 9 fishing kayaks whose exact listing states two-person seating, with a buyer review record. Each one gets a score out of 10 that weighs its buyer rating, how many reviews it has and how completely the listing documents the kayak, plus our editors' read on how it stacks up against the others. The five best make the list.
Each price is the one we recorded on Sep 30, 2026, and it may have changed since. Kayak prices move with the season and the seller, so the button always opens the exact listing with today's price and delivery.
Some tandems say they convert to solo with a moveable seat, and the listing then says so. Without that, one paddler in the back seat of a long tandem sits off-centre and works harder in the wind. Check what the exact listing states before you count on it.
Add both anglers, both tackle bags, the cooler, the anchor and two life jackets, then keep a real margin under the stated capacity. Tandems reach their limit faster than people expect, so a seller maximum that only just covers the total is a reason to look at the next kayak.