The Top 5 Spots for Paddle Boarding in Hawaii | Where to Paddle Board
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.
Paddle Boarding in Hawaii
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Sport Inflatable SUP, it's a new and strong competitor in the SUP board industry providing top-notch inflatable SUPs at a reasonable price.