Red Paddle Co’s 2026 Paddleboarding Holiday Planner

We can’t quite believe we’re saying this already, but the darkest and coldest parts of the year are creeping up on us, and the New Year is fast approaching. You’re certainly not alone if you’re already yearning for your first escape of 2026, whether that’s a winter getaway or a week in the glorious sunshine. 

It’s definitely not too early to start planning your next holiday; we’re certainly putting plans in place for our next trips here at Red Paddle Co. Of course, we’ll be going on a paddleboard holiday, and the travel-friendly nature of our inflatable paddle boards means that it’s easy for you to do the same. 

To help you get started with your trip planning, we’ve put together this handy 2026 paddleboarding holiday planner. Read on as we walk you through the key things you need to consider so that you can plan the ultimate SUP escape. 

1. Destination

The biggest decision you’ll make when planning any kind of holiday is the destination, and a paddleboarding holiday is no different. You might already have a specific location in mind, but if not, the world truly is your oyster. From the Devon coastline to Mediterranean beaches, there are plenty of places you can travel to for an awesome time with your SUP.

To narrow things down, have a quick think about how far you’re prepared to travel and the type of travel you’d like to do. Do you want to drive or are you happy to hop on a plane? Are you picturing yourself exploring the ocean, or do you want to try something more quaint like lake paddleboarding? Once you’ve settled on an overall vibe for your trip, it will be a lot easier to narrow down specific countries and locations. 

2. Events

Sometimes a trip on your own terms is all you need. We’re talking days at the beach and picnics via your SUP without any pressure of a strict itinerary. However, we’ve experienced first-hand just how welcoming the wider paddleboarding community is and would always recommend tying some kind of SUP race or event into your travelling.  Taking this approach to your paddleboarding holiday is the perfect way to balance time to explore with your competitive streak.

3. Accommodation

With location and events starting to take shape as you plan your paddleboarding holiday, you’ll start to get a natural feel for dates. This will give you what you need to start exploring accommodation options, and the choices are pretty varied. Naturally, it makes sense to stay somewhere relatively close to the water so that you’re not transporting equipment further than you need to. 

If you’re planning to take or rent a car, though, you don’t really need to worry about this. We particularly enjoy making our paddleboarding holidays a camping trip, as this style of break gives you the freedom to really retreat in the great outdoors, even when you’re not on the water.

4. Equipment

We’ve briefly touched on the fact that inflatable paddle boards are designed to be easy to travel with, so you’re probably starting from a good place as far as equipment for your holiday is concerned. However, it’s still worth having a think about whether you’ll be happy taking your current SUP with you - and whether that’s even possible.

If you want to make sure you’ve got a board that is as travel-friendly as possible, check out our Compact range. These inflatable SUPs are designed to be the most portable options on the market, packing our high-performance construction into a half-sized paddle board bag. Once your board is all set, make sure you’ve got the extras you’ll need, like a changing robe for chilly evenings and a microfibre towel for when you’re on the go. In some destinations, it’s also a legal requirement to wear a buoyancy aid or airbelt PFD.

5. Packing

Packing smart will make things easier both as you’re travelling and when you reach your chosen paddleboarding holiday destination. If relevant, check baggage restrictions well ahead of time so that you can pack lightly or purchase extra baggage if required. Then, when you’re actually packing, use soft items like clothes or towels to protect breakable items like your fin or pump and slot valuables into your dry bag or hand luggage for easy carrying. 

Before you set off, it’s also worth popping your full bag on your back and checking everything is okay. Adjust the straps tightly before you get going, and move things around if it doesn’t feel comfortable. This will avoid any awkward repacking experiences in the airport or station and ensure that you can head straight to the water when you arrive.