The Top 5 Spots for Paddle Boarding in Hawaii - Where to Paddle Board

Table of contents

1.Lanikai Beach to the Mokulua Islands, Oahu
2.Wailua River to Secret Falls, Kauai
3.Makena Landing Park, Maui
4.Popoia Island, Oahu
5.Hanalei River, Kauai

Hawaii has long been considered as where paddle boarding originated from. So there’s no doubt that you would easily find all kinds of paddleboarding spots in Hawaii. If you are a paddle boarding enthusiast and have never been there, you should. Here are 5 of the best paddle boarding spots in Hawaii.

Where To Go Paddle Boarding in Hawaii

(1) Lanikai Beach to the Mokulua Islands, Oahu

Want a challenge? At Lanikai Beach, you have one. Paddleboard for a mile to get to the beautiful Moks Islands (Mokulua) where you'll get to see birds perched on the trees and teeming ocean life beneath the crystal clear waters. It's somewhat hidden and you'll have to go through houses to get to the access point.

Pro tip: get there early to enjoy a colorful sunrise and grab a parking spot because space is often limited. After your paddleboarding session, you can relax on the protected sandy beach on your board and enjoy the endless greens and blues around the ocean.

Paddleboard rentals near Lanikai Beach: 

Kailua Beach Adventures

Website: https://www.kailuabeachadventures.com/

Address: 130 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI 96734, United States

Hour: 

Monday 8AM–5PM

Tuesday 8AM–5PM

Wednesday 8AM–5PM

Thursday 8AM–5PM

Friday 8AM–5PM

Saturday 8AM–5PM

Sunday 8AM–5PM

Phone: +18082622555

(2) Wailua River to Secret Falls, Kauai

Weren't expecting a river were you? After all, Hawaii is popular for the surrounding ocean. Wailua River is the only navigable river in Hawaii and around it once settled ancient Hawaiian royalty.

The river's tranquil waters are surrounded by a number of destinations where you can get off and explore. At the two-mile mark downstream, you can park your board to get the Kamokila village tour which runs daily from 9 am to 5 pm, or grab a snack.

After the village you can choose to keep going downstream towards the river fork or to turn back. If you do go ahead to the river fork, you'll have an option to continue with the northern fork and head towards the secret falls. The southern fork leads you to the Fern Grotto.

Paddleboard rental near Wailua River: 

Kauai SUP Stand Up Paddle

Website: http://paddleboardkauai.com/

Address: 4-361 Kuhio Hwy #106, Kapaʻa, HI 96746, United States

Hour: 

Monday 9AM–6PM

Tuesday 9AM–6PM

Wednesday 9AM–6PM

Thursday 9AM–6PM

Friday 9AM–6PM

Saturday 9AM–6PM

Sunday 9AM–6PM

Phone: +18084822900

(3) Makena Landing Park, Maui

If you're a fan of sea turtles, this is your spot. You're guaranteed to spot at least one. The water is surrounded by a rocky coastline with a shallow bay for easy entry.

In addition to being a fantastic spot for SUPers of all skill levels, it's got a number of amenities many other beaches don't have. There is paved parking, outdoor showers, public restrooms, and a shaded grass area for post-paddling picnicking.

Paddleboard rentals near Makena Landing Park:

Paddle On! Maui - Private Tours

Website: http://www.paddleonmaui.com/

Address: Makena Rd, Kihei, HI 96753, United States

Hour: 

Monday 6AM–8PM

Tuesday 6AM–8PM

Wednesday 6AM–8PM

Thursday 6AM–8PM

Friday 6AM–8PM

Saturday 6AM–8PM

Sunday 6AM–8PM

Phone: +18886630808

(4) Popoia Island, Oahu

Also known as Flat island, the island is a fossilized coral reef bed. Located just a quarter-mile off Kailua Beach Park, it's known as a home for wedge-tailed shearwater, migratory sea birds, and the occasional company of jellyfish.

Winds on the island blow against the shore and begin in late morning hours and intensify through the early afternoon, which means your hardest trip will be out of the shore--but coming back is a breeze. If you go paddle boarding in Hawaii, you shouldn't miss this place.

Paddleboard rentals near Popoia Island:

Kailua Beach Adventures

Website: https://www.kailuabeachadventures.com/

Address: 130 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI 96734, United States

Hour: 

Monday 8AM–5PM

Tuesday 8AM–5PM

Wednesday 8AM–5PM

Thursday 8AM–5PM

Friday 8AM–5PM

Saturday 8AM–5PM

Sunday 8AM–5PM

Phone: +18082622555

(5) Hanalei River, Kauai

If you're a fan of dramatic scenic backdrops to your paddleboarding adventure, you should visit Hanalei Bay. You'll have vast views of majestic volcanic rock mountains covered with lush greenery and dotted with waterfalls between ridges on the mountains.

Paddling through the rivers offers calm waters which even beginners can take on. Although the first leg of paddling will be against the current, it gets easier as you progress through the river. Along the way, you'll paddle under the historic Hanalei bridge and a myriad of diverse wildlife.

If you want an easy paddling experience, you can stay on the river and take in the lush surrounding forest. If you want something more challenging, you can experience slightly rougher waters as you head towards the ocean.

Paddle board rental near Hanalei River: 

Surfboard Paddle Board Rental Kauai

Website: http://kauaisurfrentals.com/

Hour: 

Monday 7AM–9PM

Tuesday 7AM–9PM

Wednesday 7AM–9PM

Thursday 7AM–9PM

Friday 7AM–9PM

Saturday 8AM–9PM

Sunday 8AM–9PM

Phone: +18086510541

There are a lot more nice spots for paddle boarding in Hawaii.Hawaii itself is a great place for vacation and relaxation and paddle boarding is also a perfect activity for a relaxing vacation. One of the stand up paddle benefits is helping you to relax. Hawaii and paddle boarding is the perfect match for a relaxing vacation.

A perfect paddle boarding session requires a decent SUP board. If you have yet to try paddle boarding, now would be a great time to start. Check out Goosehill Inflatable SUP, it's a new and strong competitor in the SUP board industry providing top-notch inflatable SUPs at a reasonable price.