10 Exotic Destinations That Warrant Packing Your Inflatable SUP Board

When you’re obsessed with paddling, then you most likely plan every vacation around kayaking, canoeing, or SUP boarding so you can explore exciting and unfamiliar waters. Endless paddling opportunities exist on this planet, from isolated atolls with powdery white sand beaches to Arctic fjords surrounded by snowcapped mountains. The key is ensuring you always have a paddling vessel in these distant lands when you need one.

Tahiti, Hawaii, the Maldives, Norway, and Aruba are very expensive paddling destinations, so bringing your own SUP board can save you a lot of money and hassle. Both Lake Tahoe and the Florida Keys are top American SUP destinations where it pays to have an inflatable board in the car. Croatia’s Dalmatian Archipelago and Italy’s Amalfi Coast are places where it pays to have a portable paddling vessel.

Some paddling locations are costly, and others are so isolated that you might struggle to find a place to rent paddling gear. This is why it’s a good idea to pack along an inflatable SUP board when visiting some of the world’s most iconic and exotic paddling locations. Below is a list of destinations where it’s a good idea to pack an inflatable SUP board along with your other paddling essentials.

Five Reasons Why Packing Your Inflatable SUP Is A Good Idea

1. Saves You Money

One of the top reasons to bring an iSUP with you on vacation is that it is almost guaranteed to save you money. Most iSUPs weigh about 25 pounds or less, which means you can add them to a luggage with all your other paddling essentials without having an overweight checked bag.

Even if you have to pay for an extra checked bag, it will save you money on rental fees if you plan on taking more than one paddling excursion.

2. Rentals Not Always Available

In addition to cost savings, there’s also the question of availability. SUP boarding is popular, but that doesn’t mean every beach and launch location has paddling rentals available. Remote destinations with limited infrastructure and with minimal tourism are less likely to have rental shops.

3. It Encourages More Paddling Adventures On Vacation

When you pack a paddling vessel, you are almost guaranteed to paddle more than if you hadn’t. When you have a SUP board at your fingertips, you can bring it with you any time you head to a coastline and explore waterways you likely never would have otherwise.

4. It’s Equipment You Can Trust

There are many potential red flags to watch for when renting paddling gear in unfamiliar destinations. Vessels can be dented and damaged, and paddles can have cracks. When you pack your own SUP board, you know the quality of the board and feel a greater sense of safety and confidence as you head into open water.

5. Makes Paddling Possible In Remote Locations

Another great feature of iSUPs is that you can carry them in a backpack. The ease of transport allows you to hike to remote coves that you otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to launch from.

If you aren’t planning to rent a car, an iSUP is a great option, as you can usually bring it on public transit and easily carry it while biking.

10 Paddling Destinations That You Should Bring Your Inflatable SUP

1. Tahiti

It doesn’t get much more exotic than Tahiti. This beautiful French Polynesian Archipelago is known for its fabled culture, stunning beaches, and incredible water activities. It’s hard to reach Tahiti, and its beauty and remote location make this one of the most expensive holiday destinations on Earth.

You can save a lot of money on your Tahiti vacation by bringing your own paddleboard. Tahiti has endless protected coves and bays that you can explore safely and for free when you bring your own board.

2. Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu is the most populous island on the Hawaiian archipelago. It is also the best island for those who don’t want to rent a car. You can travel all over the island by bus, which is excellent for budget travelers.

You can’t bring surfboards or kayaks on a bus, but you can take an iSUP if it’s deflated and in a carrying case. There are many great paddling locations on this Hawaiian isle. You can ride waves on the North Shore, or enjoy more tranquil waters in Waikiki and Kailua.

3. Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful freshwater SUP destinations in America. This lake is well protected, making it easy to paddle for hours in its crystal-clear waters. It is also rather expensive. When traveling here outside the peak summer months, it can be harder to find rental shops.

4. Aruba

Aruba is a Caribbean island with lots of waterways to explore. From small unoccupied islets to mangrove bays, this island is the perfect place to bring a SUP board. Packing your own iSUP will save you money and make it possible to paddle into some of this island's most secluded and hard-to-reach bays.

5. Exuma Islands, Bahamas

The Exumas are arguably the best region in the Bahamas to bring a SUP board. The vast Land and Sea park in this region can be explored by boat, but the narrow coves are best explored by a SUP board.

Many snorkeling reefs in the Exumas are just offshore and can be reached by a short paddle on your SUP board.

6. Northern Fjords, Norway

Norway is on most paddlers’ bucket lists, as its iconic fjords are truly mesmerizing when witnessed on a kayak or SUP board. Norway is also one of the most expensive countries on Earth.

Bringing a SUP board in your luggage will help you save money and ensure you can paddle in more remote locations, of which there are many as you head north. If you visit Northern Norway, pack a wetsuit and an iSUP, as these will help you easily and safely enjoy some of the region's most remote and beautiful waterways.

7. Amalfi Coast, Italy

Italy’s Amalfi coast is filled with fantastic food, beautiful people, iconic cliffside villages, and beautiful water. The best way to see these charming seaside villages is from the water. An iSUP allows you to take short paddling trips in various Italian coastal towns at your leisure, without having to hunt down an overpriced rental shop.

8. Maldives

The Maldives is a beach lover’s paradise. This Indian Ocean Archipelago features some of the best diving in the world. It is an island nation that consists of various atolls, meaning there are endless islets surrounded by protected waters that are perfect for SUP boarding.

The Maldives can be expensive, but if you book in advance and bring your own SUP board, you can make the Maldives an exotic yet budget-friendly paddling destination.

9. Florida Keys, Florida

The Florida Keys have some of the most beautiful waters in America, but there aren’t many beaches on these islands. Instead, the best way to experience the beauty of the Florida Keys is on a paddling vessel.

Bringing an iSUP allows you to easily enjoy all sorts of fun paddling adventures as you travel by car from one island to another.

10. Dalmation Archipelago, Croatia

Croatia has exploded in popularity in the last decade and has become one of Europe’s top travel destinations. The breathtaking Adriatic waters are a huge draw, and the Dalmatian Archipelago off the coast of Split is perhaps the best place to enjoy paddling in this country.

Islands like Hvar, Vis, and Brac are all filled with protected coves and ancient waterfront villages you can explore on a SUP board.

Paddleboard rentals, however, aren’t always easy to come by, especially as you venture outside tourist districts, so bringing an iSUP will make exploring this breathtaking coastline much easier.