Filled with an array of scenic waterways, Florida offers the perfect environment for a day of stand-up paddleboarding. An exciting water sport that caters to all ages and skill levels, you can paddleboard through coastal dune lakes and mangroves as you get a full-body workout, admire native wildlife, or go fishing off your board. Perfect for a sunny day, spend a relaxing day out on the water at one of these premier paddleboarding destinations in Florida.
Santa Rosa Beach
Sitting west of Panama City is Santa Rosa Beach, where you’ll find a picturesque landscape of white sand beaches and emerald waters along its 26-mile shoreline. One of the best places to go paddleboarding in Florida, at this top beach in Florida’s Panhandle you’ll find calm waters and peaceful rides down the bayou. Paddle through Hogtown Bayou or head towards Choctawhatchee Bay, where you can admire beautiful homes that line the waterways. The Santa Rosa Sound is another hotspot near Okaloosa Island, where unspoiled views of Florida’s natural beauty is best taken in on the water.
Destin
One of Florida’s favorite getaway destinations in northwest Florida, the tranquil waters that surround Destin make it a perfect destination for paddleboarding. The fine and soft sand of the beach lures in beachgoers, while the bayous, Intracoastal canals and Choctawhatchee Bay gives paddleboarders the opportunity to explore the area via the waterways. You’ll have the chance to see plenty of marine life while paddling around, and the waters around Destin are great for beginners since they are usually smooth and clear.
St. Petersburg
Paddleboarders are spoiled for choice in St. Petersburg and the Clearwater area, as the bay and the gulf sit on either side and make it a great paddling destination. This area is popular with a variety of water sports enthusiasts, as the combination of beautiful water, abundant marine life, and perfect weather is appealing throughout the year. Paddleboard enthusiasts can seek out nature tours in the area, where you’ll have the chance to soak up the scenery of the surrounding bays, waterways, beaches and mangrove islands.
Florida Keys
It comes as no surprise that paddleboarding in the Florida Keys is highly recommended, as its abundance of natural beauty and colorful marine life can be seen through its crystal clear waters. A top activity in the Florida Keys, you’ll find incredible views while exploring the calm waters, where you’ll be given a chance to paddle past lush mangroves and colorful coral gardens. There’s a good chance you’ll spot wildlife, from dolphins to turtles, while capturing a sunset view of the water is considered a bucket list experience.
Miami Beach
You can add paddleboarding adventures to the long list of things you can do in Miami, and it’s a great way to combine sightseeing with an outdoor adventure. A sunny destination throughout the year, visitors who indulge in a paddleboarding excursion in Miami are treated to amazing views of the sparkling skyline. You can venture into Biscayne Bay, where the beauty of the Vizcaya Museum can be seen right from your board. Admire the beauty of the crystal clear waters of the lagoon, if you’re looking for a unique experience, take a sunset tour of the area.
South Walton
Located in Florida’s Panhandle, South Walton gives you plenty of choice in your paddleboarding location, from the Gulf to the Choctawhatchee Bay. A quiet escape with peaceful landscapes, this alluring destination allows paddleboarders to experience the sight of dolphins, beautiful springs and coastal dune lakes. Nearby Miramar Beach is another hotspot for paddleboard enthusiasts, as its pristine water sits alongside a picturesque white-sand beach.
Bahia Honda State Park
Considered one of the most remote places in all of Florida, Bahia Honda State Park offers a wonderful array of landscapes to enjoy a day of paddleboarding. A part of the Florida Keys, this lush island in Big Pine Key is singled out due to its premier paddleboarding location. Home to plenty of waterways, both beginners and experts alike can spend hours paddling past natural sights and diverse wildlife. You might spot shorebirds and wading birds on your adventure, or even a manatee if you’re lucky, and it’s also one of the best places in Florida for snorkeling if you’re looking for other water-based fun.
Naples
Naples is a great destination for your next paddle boarding adventure, as its calm waters and location on the gulf side of Florida cater to all skill levels. An idyllic place for beginners to learn the techniques, it’s also known as a great place for animal lovers to spot dolphins frolicking in the waters. A quiet escape where you won’t see as many crowds of tourists as other popular destinations, soak up the tranquil ambiance as you watch sea turtles floating through the water.
St. Augustine
The oldest city in Florida, St. Augustine is a paddler’s dream with easy access to the Matanzas River and Faver-Dykes State Park. Located just outside of Jacksonville on the Atlantic Coast, you can cruise by the Castillo de San Marcos and watch cannon firings for an epic water voyage. The gentle waters around St. Augustine provide the perfect backdrop for a day of lounging on the water, where you can take in scenic views of the unspoiled landscapes and diverse wildlife.
Jupiter
Located in the northern part of Palm Beach County, Jupiter is an excellent spot for paddleboarding. Nestled on the Atlantic Ocean side of the state near the Intracoastal Waterway, Jupiter is also near the Loxahatchee River and Blowing Rocks Preserve. Adventurous paddlers can try their hand at exploring the Jonathan Dickinson State Park or the River Bend Park, while the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area is an iconic way area to soak up the sights.
Grayton Beach State Park
Grayton Beach State Park is a hotspot for paddleboarding, due to its premier location between Destin and Panama City and its array of outdoor adventures on offer. Its beautiful stretch of beach is alluring through the year, as its emerald waters are great for water enthusiasts and its scenic hiking trails and camping opportunities appeal to nature lovers. For a unique paddleboarding experience, head to 30A’s famous Western Lake, a scenic coastal dune lake that is located within the park.
St. Andrews State Park
St. Andrews State Park is not only one of Florida’s most popular state parks for beach camping, but it is also a great paddleboarding destination. Escape the traffic of Panama City Beach to this nearby park, where wildlife viewing, fishing, and hiking are popular activities. Located along the Gulf of Mexico, St. Andrews Bay and the Grand Lagoon, you’re spoiled for choice in outdoor adventures. Make sure to take a ride to Shell Island and explore the unspoiled landscapes on its pristine beach.
