The women's K-2 500 metres event was a pairs kayaking event conducted as part of the Canoeing at the 1988 Summer Olympics program.
15 crews entered in two heats on September 26.
The top three finishers from each of the heats advanced directly to the semifinals while the remaining nine teams were relegated to the repechages.
The top three finishers from each repechage advanced directly to the semifinals.
The top three finishers in each semifinal (raced on September 28) advanced to the final.