With over 1.2 million paddlers across the globe, it is clear to see why stand up paddling is popular among travelers. When planning the next ultimate paddling trip, SUP enthusiasts have their own favorite destinations to visit. The conversation usually talks of calm waters, stunning scenery, and pristine lakes– mainly across the United States. However, with so many places to visit for SUP travelers, why not take the path less traveled?

Are you searching for unique and epic locations to go paddleboarding? If so, you are in the right place. Here you can learn about some of the best of the best places to take your standup paddleboard and have an amazing experience.

Although small in size, Japan is one place that has no shortage of places to stand up paddle board (SUP). As a nation completely surrounded by water there are endless opportunities to grab your SUP and find the perfect place to get on the water.

Built around the beautiful Caribbean Gulf and the shores of Clearwater, St Petersburg and the famous Treasure Island, Tampa Bay has become the ultimate watersports hotspot. With sheltered bayside causeways and keys to protect you from big waves, Tampa is the Floridian SUP paradise!

Nicaragua offers variety of SUP experiences for SUP surfers and SUP yogis alike. By many standards Nicaragua is somewhat of a new frontier in Central America. Years of political and civil unrest left Nicaragua off the radar for most travelers.

With constant sunshine, ocean views, and an abundance of flat-water locales, San Diego is a fantastic SUP city. Below are the best places to go paddle boarding in San Diego.

300 days of sunshine, warm temps year round, and countless places to standup paddle. Where is this dream SUP destination? Sevilla, Andalucia, Spain. Voted Best City in the world to travel to in 2018. Sevilla, Spain is a year-round SUP destination.

Hue city is renowned for being one of Vietnam’s imperial cities with a unique landscape with the west being mountainous and the east so blue with the ocean. One of the more picturesque sights is Pha Tam Giang (Tam Giang Lagoon).

French Polynesia is the dream location for just about any paddle boarder. Raiatea, located in French Polynesia is an island with tall volcanic peaks surrounded by a lagoon and coral reef. Its particularity is that it shares the same lagoon as the neighboring island, Tahaa.

It’s safe to say that a major part of the stand up paddle (SUP) industry lies on West Coast of the United States. The West Coast of the U.S. is lit with a vast amount of places to paddle, not to mention that they are drop-dead gorgeous locations to match.

Vanuatu is a scattering of 83 tropical islands amidst the blue waters of the South Pacific. Often referred to as the Happiest Place on Earth, stand up paddle boarders, divers and cavers will be left with serious face-ache after visiting Santo’s palm-fringed shores.

If you’re interested in stand up paddle boarding or simply a fan of the outdoors, you’ll have a great time in Australia. The low population density has enabled much of the coastline to remain in pristine condition. You’ll come across national parks with native wildlife, and marine reserves with an abundance of fish species, dolphins and whales, situated close to all capital cities.