Paddling InThe United States

Monterey County, California

Located on the Pacific coast of California, Monterey County offers everything from the panoramic views of the breathtaking coastline to exquisite wine and tons of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed every day. Whether you want to explore the culture and history of the area or navigate the crystal blue waters, there is something for you.

Southern California

If you don’t know, now you know – Southern California offers some of the best paddle boarding spots in the United States. From Coronado to Catalina Island, there are an abundance of amazing places to cruise on your SUP. Lucky for you, we picked out the best five.

30th Annual Hanohano Celebrates Record-Breaking Turnout

This year’s Hanohano Ocean Challenge drew an unprecedented 889 registered athletes, the largest short-course field in the event’s history.

Record Breaking Participation at Hanohano 2023

San Diego

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 - and where to rent a board (if needed) for the adventure.

Great Calusa Blueway, Florida

The Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, a 190-mile adventure, is truly a flatwater stand-up paddleboard (SUP) paradise.

West Coast Florida

Whether you like to surf, fish, sightsee, or simply just paddle, West Coast Florida has it all.

South Beach, Miami

Warm weather, golden beaches, great company – there’s nothing like a day at the beach. Folks who live in Miami can personally testify to that – specifically, the residents of South Beach Miami. This neighborhood has been a popular tourist destination for years.

Florida

Florida is a major hot spot for stand up paddling and is an extremely sought after destination to get in some good SUP fishing. With the state almost entirely surrounded by water it’s no wonder that fishermen come flocking to catch some dinner and have a good time while doing so. Here, Florida local and BOTE Ambassador Stephen Ferrell names his top 10 destinations for SUP fishing in Florida.

Rocky Hammock, Florida

Florida Outdoor Experience (F.O.E.) is located in a small settlement between Chiefland, Florida and Cedar Key, Florida along part of Florida’s West Coast that is known as “The Nature Coast.” With F.O.E.’s close proximity to miles of undeveloped Gulf Coast line, the Suwannee River, and several natural springs, F.O.E. has become one of Florida’s prime destinations for stand up paddle boarders.

Maui, Hawaii

The island of Maui is a perfect destination for a beautiful SUP getaway. With gorgeous views, wildlife, and an abundance of SUP spots, there's so much to enjoy about this Hawaiian paradise.

Coconut Island, Hawaii

Nestled in Kaneohe Bay, on the Windward side of Oahu, Coconut Island known as Moku o Loe in Hawaiian is a mini island surrounded by coral reefs. Coconut Island is home to the Hawaiian Institute of Marine Biology and is a beautiful place to visit on your standup paddle board. Coconut Island is a hub for marine research into tropical Pacific biodiversity and conservation.

Southern Oregon

I have always loved the water and when I was in Mexico several years ago I learned how to paddle board and fell in love with it. When I moved to southern Oregon from the Portland area, I discovered this was the perfect area to SUP year-round.

Oregon

Located in the heart of the beautiful Pacific Northwest, Oregon boasts a large collection of bodies of water and a myriad of environmental conditions to accompany them. Sun, wind, rain (so much rain!), Oregon’s topography manages to pull them all together some days, and sometimes all at the same time! What this means to a paddler is that flexibility in destinations, and knowing where the hidden gems are located, can make the difference between a picturesque day paddle and a grueling seven mile upwind grind back to your vehicle.

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Nantucket, MA, is a small island with a big reputation for being a leading vacation destination on the East Coast. Once recognized as the world’s most significant whaling hub, Nantucket has become a top tourist and an upscale summer vacation destination.

Texas

There’s a lot of water in Texas and many Texans love SUP fishing, spending their spring and summer days searching for great spots to try out their luck with a rod and reel. Fishing waters can be hard to navigate if you're not a local, which is why we present to you these top spots for stand up paddle boarding fishing in the Lone Star State.

Baja Arizona

The best way to tour the Sonoran Desert in Baja Arizona is by stand up paddleboard. That’s right. What you just read is not a mirage. There are people who hike, bike and the like, but stand up paddle boarders can see everything from the water. Think about it. Everything from the iconic saguaro cactus to trees (mesquite, palo verde and cottonwood), to reeds and grasses, grow near or next to water.

Central Idaho

Aptly known as the “Whitewater State,” Idaho boasts more navigable river miles than any other in the U.S. not to mention a profusion of pristine alpine lakes — all swathed in a tapestry of national forests (Boise, Sawtooth and Salmon-Challis), dramatic mountains, and deep gorges.

Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates the nation's second largest public transportation system. Trains and buses cover the City of Chicago and 35 surrounding suburbs. Zipping around on one of the shared Divvy bikes is also a convenient way to explore the city.

Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis, the state capital of Maryland, and commonly known as “America’s sailing capital, has been taken by storm by paddle sports!” Situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn river, Annapolis offers a wide variety of paddling conditions. Protected creeks, wide open rivers, and the iconic Chesapeake Bay are paddled daily by paddle enthusiasts ranging from novice paddlers to professional SUP racers.

Lake McDonald, Montana

If you have never heard of Lake McDonald, hopefully you have heard of Glacier National Park. Known for its glaciers, snow capped mountains, hiking trails, wildlife, cascading waterfalls, rivers, scenic valleys and vistas, and alpine lakes, Glacier National Park is a well known destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Las Vegas, Nevada

The City of Lights hides a hidden treasure for stand up paddle boarders that is just beyond the surrounding mountains.The Black Canyon National Water Trail was designated by the Secretary of Interior in 2014, making it the first in the Southwest and the first to flow through a desert.

Hudson Highlands, New York

The Hudson River is known as “America’s First River”. It was the colonists’ first major waterway into the interior of the nation, so to paddle the Hudson is to paddle into a rich history and tradition. From Ichabod Crane to Benedict Arnold to West Point, you are on one of the most famous waterways in the world.

Lake Powell

Lake Powell is one of the world’s top SUP destinations. The incredible canyons and natural landscapes are unlike anywhere else on earth. You may have seen photos of the amazing red rock cliffs and beautiful, crystal clear, warm water but there is nothing like experiencing it in person. With an average depth of 300 feet, there is no shortage of water here.

West Coast

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. Here, we’ve decided to list seven hot spots along the west coast that are worth a visit.

The 4 Best SUP Fishing Destinations In The USA

In the US, SUP participants have increased from 1.1 million in 2011 to 3.74 million in 2021. And with 60 million anglers in America, it is not a surprise that SUP fishing is growing more and more. Paddle boards are continuously developed to meet the various needs of SUPers, with some specifically made for fishing. SUP fishing lovers can therefore find more stable paddle boards with fishing accessories.

Top 5 SUP Destinations In USA

After about 5 years on the road with my trusty sidekick Shredder, we have explored countless coastlines, rivers, and lakes from coast to coast. After seeing so much diversity and opportunity to paddle in the US, it’s hard to narrow down the best to a select few, but here are a few that keep me coming back year after year