The Best Places to Stand Up Paddle Board in Dorset

Branksome Dene Chine, Poole

Location: Branksome Dene, Chine, Poole, BH13 6JP

About: Based on one of the UK’s most beautiful sandy beaches at Branksome Dene in Poole Bay, Shaka Surf is perfectly located for all ages and abilities to have fun in the water. Shaka Surf offer SUP lessons, both solo and group, for learners of any age. These lessons will run for 1.5 hours, with an additional 30 minutes on your own after the lesson to put the lesson into more practise.

Hire: 

• Hire PLUS (Includes all equipment) - 1 hour 15 minutes for £35 (Including 15 minutes of tuition) 
• Standard Hire - SUP Board £22 per hour, with wetsuit etc seperately. 

Companies: Shaka Surf

Rockley Point, Poole

Location: Rockley Point, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4RW

About: Rockley Point is based in the beautiful Poole Harbour - Europe's largest natural harbour! Rockley offer a variety of watersports classes and hires, but for Standing-Up Paddleboarding, at Rockley you will have a fun range of SUP options. For team-building, Rockley offer a Mega SUP - Where you will all have to work together on one big board.

Hire:

• £12 - 30 mins / £20 - 55 mins

Companies: Rockley Point Activity Centre

Poole Park, Poole

Location: Poole Park Lake, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2SF

About: Poole Park Activity Centre nestled in the heart of Poole, along the tranquil shores of the UK's largest inland saltwater lake is home to some great watersports classes and activities. This is a great spot for paddleboarding for those looking either for a little more help and guidance, or to those wanting to participate in a course. The Stand Up Paddleboard Taster Session runs at Poole Park for 1 hour at £27.

Hire:

• £12 - 30 mins / £20 - 55 mins

Companies: Poole Park Activity Centre

Sandbanks Beach, Poole

Location: Banks Rd, Poole, BH13 7QQ

About: Paddleboarding around Sandbanks and Poole Harbour would be a great way to experience Dorset and paddle with a vew! For those more experienced at SUP, this lends a great opportunity to paddle over toward Brownsea Island - under the National Trust and is home to a range of wildlife, including the famous and rare red squirrels.

Companies: There are plenty of paddleboard rental companies in Sandbanks, check here.

Bere Regis, Wareham

Location: Puddletown Road, Bere Regis, Wareham, BH20 7NU

About: Buddens Activity Centre is situated in the heart of the historic and beautiful Isle of Purbeck and Jurassic Coast. 

Buddens, similarly to their sister site Rockley Point, offer both SUP hire and Mega SUP.

Hire:

• £12 - 30 mins / £20 - 55 mins

Companies: Buddens Activity Centre

River Frome, Wareham

Location: River Frome, Wareham, Dorset

About: Wareham is a picturesque riverside town nestled between the River Piddle and the River Frome. The River Frome flows through the heart of the town at Wareham Quay, offering a charming spot to enjoy a picnic, stroll along the riverside path, or paddleboard.

Heading east, you can navigate past boats and marinas towards the Arne Nature Reserve and Poole Harbour.

Companies: There are plenty of places to hire equipment in Wareham, check here.

Lyme Regis Beach, Lyme Regis

Location: Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3JF

About: Lyme Regis, often referred to as the "Pearl of Dorset," offers stunning views from the water. Paddle along the coastline to take in the beauty of Lyme Regis and its iconic Cobb Harbour wall. As your confidence grows, explore the crystal-clear waters of nearby Beachcombe, Eype Beach, and West Bay.

SUPs must stay within the swim line area, marked by yellow buoys from the North Wall of the Cobb to Church Cove near the clock tower, with an orange buoy at the eastern end.

Avoid paddleboarding in the harbour, across the Harbour Mouth, or near the mooring pontoons, as these are very busy areas.

If you paddle outside the swim line, wear a personal buoyancy aid, carry a means of calling for help, and inform someone of your expected return time.

Companies: There are plenty of places to hire equipment in Lyme Regis, check here.

Eype Beach, Lyme Regis

Location: Eype Beach, Lyme Regis, DT6 6AL

About: Eype Beach is just a short walk from Highlands End Holiday Park and is one of the most rural beaches in West Dorset. It offers fantastic SUP adventures when the sea is calm. For a longer trip, paddle along the coastline to explore the rest of Lyme Regis. 

Hire: You may need to travel further out to Lyme Regis beach to rent a paddleboard, or bring your own.

West Bay, Lyme Regis

Location: West Bay Road, Lyme Regis, DT6 4EL

About: West Bay Beach, in Lyme Regis, is renowned for its stunning cliffs and scenic coastline. This beach features golden sand and shingle, making it a popular destination for both relaxation and outdoor activities such as paddleboarding. Those wating to SUP in Lyme Regis should take advantage of the beach’s calm and clear waters. The area’s dramatic cliffs and scenic coastline provide a stunning backdrop for these activities.

Companies: Check out paddleboard hires, here.

Eye Bridge, Wimborne

Location: Cowgrove Rd, Wimborne, BH21 4EL

About: The River Stour winds throughout Dorset, eventually reaching the sea at Hengistbury Head. A great starting point for paddleboarding through he river is at Eye Bridge, located just outside Wareham. Downstream from the bridge, a small weir marks the boundary; exploring upstream from here allows access to approximately 4 miles of scenic river. It's advisable to wear wet shoes due to the stony and uneven riverbed. Please be aware that there are no facilities at this site. Exercise caution around wildlife, particularly swans inhabiting the river.

Companies: You can find the nearest paddleboard hire, here. The location is rather remote, so taking your own is advised.

Durdle Door, Lulworth

Location: Lulworth Cove, Dorset, BH20 5PU

About: Durdle Door stands as one of the most iconic spots on the Jurassic Coast, and paddling through its historic arch offers an unforgettable experience. Begin your paddleboarding adventure at Lulworth Cove, just a couple of miles along the coast, where you can access the clear waters from a small shingle beach nearby.

Hire: Lulworth Activities offer a variety of watersports hire for those visiting Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.

Kimmeridge Bay, Lulworth

Location: Kimmeridge Approach Road, Kimmeridge, BH20 5PF

About: East of Lulworth Cove, Kimmeridge Bay is a rocky bay situated within a Special Area of Conservation. On tranquil days, its crystal-clear waters reveal rockpools and fossil-rich ledges ideal for paddleboarding and snorkeling. The bay offers natural shelter, yet during rougher seas and windy conditions, it transforms into one of Dorset’s premier spots for surfing and windsurfing.

Facilities include a boat launch area and a stony beach for paddleboarding, along with ample parking and toilet facilities nearby.

Hire: Lulworth Activities offer a variety of watersports hire for those visiting Lulworth.

Studland Bay, Studland

Location: Studland Bay, Swanage, BH19 3AQ

About: Exploring the sheltered waters of Studland Bay on a paddleboard offers stunning views across to Sandbanks, Poole Harbour, Bournemouth, and even the distant Isle of Wight. Paddle along the picturesque golden sand beach or venture confidently towards Old Harry Rocks, where you can marvel at the sea stacks and cliffs resembling giant puzzle pieces from above.

Studland Bay’s protected environment makes it an ideal starting point for beginners looking to paddleboard.

Hire: Fore Adventures is located right by Studland Bay and offer rentals.

FAQs

Can you paddle board at Studland Bay - Visitors can hire equipment or bring their own before taking to the water for their desired watersport.

Can you take your own paddleboard to Poole Park - All paddleboarding in Poole Park must be overseen and distrubted by Poole Park Activity Centre.

Do you have to wear a life jacket to paddleboard - The RNLI recommends the below that you wear a life jacket. They recommend that everyone who goes on or near the water should wear a life jacket.