The men's K-2 500 metres event was a pairs kayaking event conducted as part of the Canoeing at the 1984 Summer Olympics program.
The top three finishers from each of the heats advanced directly to the semifinals while the remaining teams were relegated to the repechages.
The 12 crews first raced in two repechages on August 6.
The top three finishers from each of the repechages advanced directly to the semifinals.
The top three finishers in each of the semifinals (raced on August 8) advanced to the final.