5 Best Places for Stand-up Paddle Boarding in Kauai

Stand-up paddleboarding (aka “SUP”) has been around for centuries in various forms all over the world. But one of the many cool Hawaii facts is that the modern take on SUP has its roots in Hawaii.

There are many great places to go paddleboarding in Kauai. The island is the only one in Hawaii with navigable rivers – and rivers are ideal SUP spots because the waters are placid.

Wailua River

The 20-mile Wailua River flows from Mount Waialeale in the center of Kauai to its mouth, about 15 minutes north of Lihue on the island’s east side.

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Kauai Beach Boys has a shack on Kalapaki Beach for lessons as well as rentals. The water is typically glassy and the sandy beach access makes entering the water easy with your board.

Kalapaki Beach

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Hanalei Bay

One of the best places to SUP in Kauai on the North Shore is Hanalei Bay. Kauai’s largest bay, it’s some two miles long, fringed by a white sand beach.

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Photo: Kauai SUP

Hanalei River

From Black Pot Beach on Hanalei Bay, you can paddle up the Hanalei River for about two miles, passing underneath the historic one-lane Hanalei Bridge.

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Photo: Kauai Beach Boys

Anini Beach

The beach entry is sandy and the water is shallow for a good ways out. Green sea turtles gather to feed around Anini Beach, so you might even spot sea turtles as you paddle!

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Photo: Outfitters Kauai

Photo: Kauai Beach Boys

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