The Best Guided SUP Tours
Although it can be exciting to do your own thing, guided tours can be an amazing experience. Guided tours can ensure that you see the sights, highlights of the area, and get the history behind it. There are many exciting guided SUP tour options throughout the world. Let’s take a look at some of the best to help you plan your next SUP vacation.
Turks and Caicos Islands of the Caribbean
SUP Provo offers two options for guided paddle board tours. Private tours allow for a more intimate experience with just your friends and family.
Tour guides are knowledgeable of the area, the plant life, and marine biology. They are often able to identify and locate things that tourists would overlook.
Kids are allowed on the tour and can ride with a guide. Tours last around 2-3 hours.
Here are the two options:
Mangrove Island– This is the recommended tour as it offers a wide variety of things to see. Mangove Island has many hidden trails throughout and knee deep shallow waters.
This tour is suited for beginners. Paddlers will travel to a small nearby island. Some of the marine life that you will experience up close include turtles, sting rays, herons, star fish, snapper, baby sharks, pelicans, small reef fish, and more. Tons of opportunities for pictures of majestic scenery.
Chalk Sound– This tour is better suited for advanced SUP riders. One of the highlights is an island that is loaded with iguanas.
A pitstop will occur on this island for a closer look. Chalk Sound is an immaculate nature preserve. In the middle of the sound is several smaller islands that give the appearance of being above the water.
Click here for current pricing and reservations.
Maui, Hawaii
Hawaii is the mecca for surf and paddle boarding. Paddle on Maui is one of the more reputable guided tour options on the island and has been established for several years.
They’re speciality is ocean photography. Several optioins are available for paddle boarders of all levels or just diverse experiences on a paddle board.
Here are the options:
- Celebrate Hawaiian Style-Flowers and Leis with a Maui Style Ocean Blessing to get a taste of the traditions of Maui on a paddle board
- Whale Watch Tour- Check out Whales from your SUP
- Silver SUP Tour for ages 65 and older
- Turtle and Snorkel Combo Tour- Look for giant sea turtles, while stopping for a picnic
- The Cruise-1.5 Mile ride along the Maui coastline
- Paddle Boarding 101- Learn the basics of SUP
- Sunrise Tour- Paddle through coral reefs, enjoying the sunrise, and guided meditation
- Yogasana- Yoga Instruction
- Bluewater Photo- Ocean photo experience both below and above water
Click here for current pricing and reservations.
Destin, Florida
Experience the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico with guided SUP tours provided by Green Fin Paddle Co. Inexperienced riders are welcome and provided guided instruction prior to starting the tours.
Pictures are taken by the tour company throughout the tour and uploaded for everyone to have afterwards. Tour Guides will help you to spot dolphins, turtles, fish, and more.
Options include Sunrise, Sunset, Daytime, Nighttime, and Private Lessons.
Click here for current pricing and reservations.
Asheville, North Carolina
Wai Mauna Asheville SUP provides several different guided tour options throughout the day. A wild experience you can try with family and friends on a 6 person paddle board.
All tours take you on the French Broad River, which allows you to get a feel for SUP riding on a river. 4 mile and 7 mile tour options are available and lessons are provided for beginners.
Click here for current pricing and reservations.
Portland, Oregon
Portland Paddle provides guided tours on the beautiful Casco Bay harbor. Intro lessons occur before each tour. Each tour is around two hours in duration.
As you paddle out on the Casco Bay, you’ll get picturesque views of the harbor with the Portland skyline. Tours are available thorough out the day to allow for experiencing sunrises or sunsets.
Tour guides will help you to spot the wildlife like seals and loons in the area.
Click here for current pricing and reservations.
Phoenix, Arizona
Ok, So I had to add this to the list since it’s in my own backyard. Surprisingly enough, we have a few lakes here in the desert. AOA-Adventures provides a paddle board tour of Saguaro Lake and the Salt River which is located just outside of the Phoenix, Arizona area.
Saguaro Lake/Salt River– Beginners are welcome on this tour as instruction will occur on how the basics of SUP prior to starting the tour. Tour guides will help paddler identify the desert flora and fauna that is totally unique.
See what the Sonoran desert has to offer. Warm air temps and year round sun makes this tour available all year long. Tour options are available for more advanced riders that are more river based for faster currents and winding areas.
Click here for current pricing and reservations.
Please comment below on anything that you’ve enjoyed from this post or your experiences with guided SUP tours. Take a look at my post on SUP Festivals and Events.