Best Winter Paddleboarding Spots in the US

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Stand-up paddleboarding, also known as SUP, is a popular and healthful water sport originating in the US state of Hawaii. Paddleboarding is a good way to have fun outdoors, relax and unwind in the lap of nature, while also strengthening your core muscles and improving your overall fitness levels. 

The only problem with stand-up paddleboarding is that it is limited by the weather outside. Paddling on the water might be fun and exciting when the days are sunny, the water warm, and the air balmy and comfortable. 

But what about the harsh winter months?

Taking a dip in the water – when your paddleboard tips over – might be no big deal in June or July. But depending on which part of the country you live in, a similar accident in December or January might lead to hypothermia. 

Paddleboarding During the Winter

Even if the winters are cold and harsh in your neck of the woods, however, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to say goodbye to your paddleboard once the temperatures start dropping. The fourth largest country in the world, the US boasts plenty of destinations with tropical weather, even during the winter months. 

So, regardless of the time of year, you can enjoy fresh air, gentle waves, and warm sunshine from atop your paddleboard – just as long as you know where to go. 

All the destinations we will suggest here are located within the US, so you won’t have to spend large amounts of money traveling abroad. You can simply pack up your portable, inflatable paddleboard and set out on an impromptu SUP-vacation, whenever the fancy strikes you. 

If you don’t want to wait around for the snow to melt and the sun to reappear, just take a trip to one of the sunnier parts of the country, where you can spend a long weekend paddling around on a lake or river, enjoying the novel sights, socializing with your fellow vacationers, and leaving the dreary chill of winter behind. 

Some of the best winter paddleboarding destinations in the US are as follows: 

A destination that offers summer-like conditions year-round, Havasu is the biggest among the warm, tranquil lakes of Arizona. Lake Saguaro and Canyon Lake are some of the other water bodies in the area, where you might want to go paddleboarding. 

While this area receives warm sunshine throughout the year, the surrounding mountains do get some snowfall during the winter months. This can make for some incredible views during your warm, temperate paddling sessions on the lake.

Due to the comfortable weather conditions and tranquil waters of Lake Havasu, this is a popular destination among beginner paddleboarders who want to break out their SUP boards during the winter months. 

The city of San Diego in California enjoys consistently warm weather throughout the year, including the winter months. For more than 10 months every year, visitors to San Diego can enjoy bright, sunny days and warm, calm waters. The water temperatures are so mild that you most probably won’t have to wear a wetsuit, when paddleboarding at one of San Diego’s many gorgeous beaches.  

Some of the most popular paddleboarding destinations in San Diego include the Coronado Island, the Mission Bay, and the La Jolla Shores. The versatile and scenic coastline of San Diego offers plenty of paddleboarding options for SUP enthusiasts at all levels of skill and experience. 

An island city in the state of Florida, Key West features lush mangrove forests, pastel-hued houses, and vibrant coral reefs. A large portion of the island ecosystem is protected, and visitors can get a guided tour of the area before engaging in popular water sports like diving, snorkelling, and stand-up paddleboarding. 

The dense mangrove forests block most of the harsh, cold winds during the winter, making Key West the perfect destination for some winter paddling. During one of your paddleboarding sessions, you might also encounter some unique marine creatures, such as white and green herons, mangrove crabs, manatees, and upside-down jellyfish. 

Aside from amazing, aromatic coffee, Seattle offers a wide variety of lakes and rivers that are perfectly suited to winter paddling. The water is a bit chilly, so you might want to pack a pair of booties, gloves, and a full wetsuit. The Ballard Elks Club beach offers calm, flat waters perfectly suited to beginner paddleboarders.  

Many paddleboarders visiting Salmon Bay actually prefer the winter months, since they offer a respite from the usual throng of boaters and holidaymakers. If solitude, tranquillity, and proximity to nature are important to you, then a winter spent paddleboarding at Salmon Bay, Seattle, will be a treat you’ll never forget. 

Concluding Note

If paddleboarding is a favourite hobby you would like to enjoy year-round, then this list of the four top winter SUP destinations in the US will prove invaluable to you. To make the best of your travels, be sure to invest in a high-quality inflatable paddleboard that you can take with you to all the above-mentioned locations. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced paddleboarder, each of these destinations has something that will enrich you and enhance your love for SUP adventures. 

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