Where To Go Paddleboarding In Dorset

There are so many awesome places to go paddleboarding in Dorset. With access to the Jurassic Coast, magnificent views and a huge variety of different locations, Dorset makes for a great destination for paddlers of all experience levels. If you’re in the area or visiting any time soon, pack up your Red paddleboard and make sure you check out some of these top places to paddleboard in Dorset.

A very forgiving location that’s great for going stand-up paddleboarding for the first time, Studland Bay is our first pick for the best locations for paddleboarding in Dorset. The bay is quite sheltered, making the water relatively calm. It’s shallow as well, which means that budding SUP enthusiasts will be able to give it a go in confidence.

One of the most popular places to go paddleboarding in Dorset is Poole Harbour - and for good reason. After all, it’s one of the largest harbours in the world (Europe’s largest natural harbour, to be exact) and has some really beautiful scenery to immerse yourself in. Do note that there are rules you have to follow when visiting here. Steer clear of the harbour entrance, the main shipping channels and tidal flow around Brownsea Island at certain states of the tide. Fortunately, this shouldn’t be a problem given the vast size of the water at your disposal.

One of the best places to paddleboard in Dorset is Lulworth Cove. Situated right in the heart of the Jurassic Coast, it’s an incredibly popular SUP spot during summer. The iconic Durdle Door is visible from all around the cove, and the marine life is abundant. Make sure you’ve got your camera with you and mounted to your board, as you may even be able to spot a seal or two while you’re there!

For a more tranquil experience, the River Frome provides a relaxing, scenic paddle through Wareham Forest. You’ll be able to spot plenty of wildlife, including kingfishers and otters, on the route through the forest, which will make for an awesome natural paddling experience. Just be aware that the river is tidal, so you’ll need to check on that to make sure you aren’t paddling against the current.

Known as the ‘Pearl of Dorset’, Lyme Regis and the iconic Cobb Harbour wall make an incredible spot for paddleboarding in Dorset. The location is stunning, particularly in summer, and is sure to be an amazing SUP experience for paddleboarders of all levels of experience. There are a number of places you can launch from, but make sure to check what the tide is doing before you go. It’s easy to get swept up paddling downriver as the tide falls, but the journey back can be a challenge (particularly if you’re inexperienced) as you turn around.

Not far from Lulworth Cove is the rocky Kimmeridge Bay, which is an amazing SUP spot for more experienced paddleboarders. The crystal clear waters are beautiful year-round and allow you to spot the huge variety of wildlife in this marine conservation area. Beginner paddlers should remain in the bay, but the pros will enjoy exploring the coast beyond. Be sure to keep an eye on the wind, though, as it can get quite powerful at Kimmeridge, creating some good surfing conditions but not necessarily great for inflatable SUPs.

The last location in our list of destinations for paddleboarding in Dorset is Christchurch Harbour. Well known as a birdwatching haven, the harbour also makes for an awesome paddleboarding spot. There’s a good mixture of both open and narrow pathways available to you, and you can enjoy the varied wildlife and scenic views.

Do any of these awesome spots for paddleboarding in Dorset interest you? There’s plenty to explore along the Jurassic Coast, and we hope you have a blast on your own trip. If you find yourself in need of any equipment for your SUP adventure, then check out our range of paddleboarding equipment available from the Red store, or get in contact with us for any further tips and tricks ahead of your visit.