Where to Paddle Board in the UK: The Most Scenic SUP Spots for 2026

Stand-up paddle boarding has become one of the UK’s most rewarding ways to explore its surrounding waters. Slower than surfing, more immersive than kayaking, SUP allows you to move through a landscape rather than simply admire it from the shore.

The rhythm is steady, the perspective elevated, and the experience often unexpectedly meditative. From Jurassic cliffs and Cornish coves to Scottish lochs, Welsh estuaries and the calm reaches of the Norfolk Broads, the UK offers remarkable variety for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.

For those drawn to landscapes that feel slightly undiscovered, our guide to the UK’s hidden places worth travelling for, here, explores a similar instinct - destinations where scenery and stillness take precedence over crowds.

Below are the most scenic places to paddle board in the UK, selected for beauty, accessibility and atmosphere.

The UK’s Most Scenic Paddle Boarding Locations

Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire

Runswick Bay is as close to cinematic as the Yorkshire coast allows. A tiny village clings to dark Jurassic shale and limestone, overlooking an award-winning crescent of sand. Paddle close to shore for calmer water, or, for more experienced riders, take the five-kilometre round trip across the bay towards Kettleness.

Lifeguards are present during summer months and conditions are often manageable, though tides demand attention. Avoid launching near the sailing club and aim for a morning start when the water is glassy. For coastal paddle boarding in North Yorkshire, this is hard to surpass.

Porthpean, Cornwall

Just five kilometres from St Austell, Porthpean looks modest from land but reveals far more from the water. Paddle along the coastline and you’ll pass sea caves and three secluded beaches accessible only by SUP or kayak. Above, Ropehaven Nature Reserve shelters house martins and fulmars, and seals occasionally surface alongside boards.

This stretch of Cornwall delivers some of the best scenic paddle boarding in the UK - calm enough for steady exploration, dramatic enough to feel adventurous. Choose light winds and favourable tides, and the experience feels extraordinary.

Beeston Canal & River Trent Loop, Nottingham

Urban paddle boarding rarely receives the praise it deserves, but Nottingham’s 22.5km Trent loop offers an unexpectedly varied inland SUP route. The circuit links Beeston Canal with stretches of the River Trent, passing historic architecture, waterside cafés and pockets of wildlife. Herons, kingfishers and swans are regular companions.

Canal sections remain sheltered and suitable for most paddlers, while the river near Beeston Lock requires more experience. A waterways licence is required, but accessibility makes this one of the best river paddle boarding routes in the UK - understated, practical and surprisingly scenic.

Ganavan Sands, Oban

Four kilometres north of Oban, Ganavan Sands offers classic west coast calm. Clear waters, soft sand and expansive views across to Lismore, Morvern and Mull create an ideal setting for SUP in Scotland.

The shallow shoreline and nearby lochs make it particularly well-suited to beginners, though more experienced paddlers will appreciate the open-water perspective. Pink sea urchins scatter the seabed below, and swimmers share the water in warmer months. On still days the sea flattens into mirror-like calm - perfect for steady paddling framed by Highland scenery.

Oxwich Bay, Gower Peninsula

Within Oxwich National Nature Reserve, this four-kilometre sweep of sand is one of Wales’ most beautiful paddle boarding beaches. Dunes, woodland and cliffs create a sense of enclosure, while the gently sloping shoreline suits relaxed SUP sessions.

On an incoming tide, experienced paddlers may venture towards the wreck of the Norwegian vessel Solar. Although largely sheltered, offshore winds can build quickly - conditions must be checked carefully. For beginners and intermediates alike, Oxwich remains one of the idyllic places to paddle board in Swansea and along the Gower coast.

River Tay, Perthshire

Scotland’s longest river offers scale and flexibility. The River Tay runs for 120 miles, weaving through mountain scenery before reaching the sea. While experienced paddlers may attempt longer stretches between Killin and Perth, shorter sections around Loch Tay or Aberfeldy provide accessible entry points.

The river is famed for Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearls. No licence is required, making it one of the most accessible scenic river paddle boarding routes in the UK - provided you choose your section wisely, as difficulty increases downstream.

Wastwater, Cumbria

In Wasdale Valley, Wastwater delivers Lake District drama at full volume. Surrounded by fells including Scafell Pike and Great Gable, England’s deepest lake (258ft) feels remote and imposing. At just three miles long, it’s manageable in distance but demanding in atmosphere.

Launch from Wasdale Head for the most direct access, and choose calm weather carefully - conditions can shift quickly. The reward is extraordinary: dark water reflecting sheer rock faces and open sky. For those seeking truly scenic paddle boarding in Cumbria, Wastwater is unforgettable.

Hickling Broad, Norfolk

Part of the Norfolk Broads and managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Hickling Broad offers expansive open water ideal for distance paddling. Launch from Hickling Staithe and pay the required toll before setting off.

The two-mile stretch provides ample space, though winds can build quickly across the exposed surface. Wildlife is abundant - marsh harriers overhead and reed beds alive with movement. It’s one of the best paddle boarding locations in Norfolk for those who favour nature reserves and wide horizons over coastal surf.

Mawddach Estuary, Snowdonia

The Mawddach Estuary combines shelter and scale. Flanked by Snowdonia’s mountains and protected at its entrance, it offers relatively calm conditions in favourable tides. Historic railway bridges and tidal flats add texture to the scenery.

Suitable for beginners in stable conditions, though strong tidal movements require respect and planning. Paddle inland and the mountains dominate; head outward and the estuary widens dramatically.

Elberry Cove, Brixham

Elberry Cove feels discovered rather than visited. A short scenic walk from Broadsands leads to this small, sheltered cove off the Devon coast. The calm waters make it ideal for relaxed paddle boarding sessions, particularly for those using inflatable boards.

Occasional water skiing nearby creates a gentle swell for more confident paddlers. Clear water and sheltered geography make this one of the UK’s quieter SUP gems - especially rewarding at sunrise or sunset when the sea settles and the cliffs soften in the light.

Charmouth Bay, Dorset

On the Jurassic Coast, Charmouth Bay offers versatility. Famous for fossils, the beach also features the River Char flowing into a lagoon that’s perfect for beginner paddle boarders. Calm, shallow water provides a controlled introduction to SUP, while more experienced riders can head out into the open sea for choppier conditions.

Paddle along the river to take in Dorset’s rolling countryside and birdlife, or drift across the lagoon in near-silence. It’s one of the most accessible and varied paddle boarding beaches in the UK.

Before You Paddle: Essential SUP Safety

• Always check weather, wind and tide conditions.

• Be mindful of offshore winds.

• Confirm local permissions or licences.

• Wear appropriate safety gear.

• Choose routes suited to your ability level.