Last Updated on May 17, 2023 by Editor
Whether it be for night SUP fishing or some night adventuress surfing under the moonlight, you are going to need some lighting. LEDs are small, they give out little heat, and they are efficient. These types of lights cope well with poor weather and even full submersion for extended periods.
There are two main types of paddleboard lights:
Underwater LED SUP Lights— for under the board.
Above water LED SUP Lights — for navigation.
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Underwater SUP Lights V Above Water lights
Underwater SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) Lights and Above Water Lights each offer distinct advantages and characteristics, catering to different types of paddleboarding experiences. When it comes to underwater SUP lights, they provide a mesmerizing illumination beneath your board, adding an extra dimension to your paddleboarding. These lights pierce through the water’s surface and light up the underwater world, making it ideal for those who enjoy nocturnal wildlife viewing or fishing. The underwater glow can attract marine life, transforming your paddleboard into a mobile aquarium.
On the other hand, above-water lights primarily ensure visibility and safety. They cast light onto the water’s surface and the surrounding area, making you visible to other water users and aiding navigation during low-light conditions or night-time paddleboarding. Above-water lights can be particularly useful in busy waterways, providing a clear signal of your presence to boats and other potential hazards. Additionally, they provide sufficient illumination for onboard activities, such as reading a map or setting up your fishing gear.
Your paddleboarding activities should dictate your choice between underwater SUP lights and above-water lights, the environment you’ll be in, and your safety needs. In many cases, a combination of both can create an optimal lighting setup for a wide range of paddleboarding adventures.
Underwater LED Lights for Under Your SUP
PoHo Surf Shop Northern Lights
- TWO SUP LIGHTS : BRIGHT, AAA battery powered, multicolor (13) LED UNDERWATER Lamps
- SHIPS NEXT DAY via USPS. Fully waterproof and submersible lamps to mount UNDER your Board or Kayak!
- 'LED life jackets' ensure your investment doesn't sink (may vary in color)
This comes as a pack of two paddle board lights, each waterproof, and designed for long periods of submersion. Each light has 10 LEDs that will mount to the underside of the craft with the supplied Velcro patches.
The LEDs of various colors and a remote control comes with the units, where you can turn them on and select colors. The remote is not waterproof, but this is easy to remedy by putting it in a watertight bag.
These SUP lights have life pods, so if they separate from the Velcro, it will not be the last you see of them. Each SUP light needs 3 AAA batteries to power them, which are not included. A bow safety light comes in the package, which is for attaching to the topside of the paddle board, for safety, and improved night visibility.
Features:
Package — Twin pack.
Number of LEDs — 10 per lamp.
Colors — 13 + 5 transition modes.
Remote — Yes, two.
Waterproof — Approx. IP67.
Batteries —3 x AAA each unit.
Pros:
Remote control.
Multicolored LEDs.
Submersible.
It comes with Velcro tabs.
Cons:
The remote is not waterproof.
The adhesive on the Velcro patches a little on the weak side.
Hooima — Submersible LEDs
- PERFECT HOME DÉCOR: Are you searching for a way to add a special touch of elegance and coziness to your home without having to spend tons amounts of money and time? Then we have the answer: the...
- EASY TO USE: All you must do in order to light up (with 16 colors) your favorite pond, pool, fountain or vase is simply adding the 3 AAA batteries, turn on the bad and place it in the water. You will...
- SPECIAL ACCESSORIES: In order for you to fully enjoy the comfort of having such a décor accessory, we have added four remote controls that allow you to turn on and off the led pad, as well as...
Hooima’s SUP LED lights offers 16 colors to choose from on the remote that comes with the units. The remote uses an infra-red transmitter, so it needs a direct line of sight with the front of the unit for it to work. There is one remote for each of the four lights supplied.
Rated to IP67, the LEDs will sit submerged in water in up to 1 meter deep without issue, making them perfect inflatable paddle board lights. But people also use these lights to jazz up vases in the home or even bathtubs.
Each unit uses 3 AAA batteries, which are not supplied. And there are 4-modes of lighting to choose from, which include flash, fade, strobe, and smooth. Strong submersible LED lights — perfect for the underside of a paddle board.
Features:
Package — Quad pack.
Number of LEDs — 10 per lamp.
Colors — 16 + 4 transition modes.
Remote — Yes, four.
Waterproof — Approx. IP67.
Batteries — 3 x AAA each unit.
Pros:
Comes in a pack of four.
Remote for each light, so you can share the pack with others.
16 colors.
IP67 waterproof.
Cons:
IR remote, so the light will need turning on before launching the board.
It does not come with a method of attachment.
Botepon — SUP Lights
- 【ONE YEAR WARRANTY】Buy with confidence, our product provide 1 YEAR WARRANTY from date of purchase.
- 【ADVANTAGE OF OUR LIGHTS】Compare to others, our lights comes with 4Pcs extra batteries and 1Pcs safety whistle. What's more, our lights warranty for 1 year.
- 【APPLICATION】Best idea for boat or kayak navigation lights, emergency lights, backup lights. These Lights can make your boat or kayak legal and safety at night, perfect for those who want fishing...
These are above water navigation light, to display to other boaters the direction in which you are heading. Two pieces come in the pack, a green light for starboard and red for port. There are two powerful LEDs in each light, with diffusers to scatter the light around the craft.
The lights’ mounts are inside a silicone case. This case will stretch around a pole or rope attached to a paddle board and clip into itself, meaning simple attachment. The on/off switch is a rubber button, mounted between the light for easy access when attached to a paddle board.
The power button will also choose the mode that you want to use. There are three modes: constant, strobe, and gentle flashing. On steady mode, the lights will say on for 35 hours, and in strobe an impressive 160 hours.
Features:
Package — Twin pack.
Number of LEDs — 2 per lamp.
Colors — Red and green.
Remote — No.
Waterproof — Approx. IPX6.
Batteries —3 x AAA each unit.
Pros:
Long battery life.
Powerful LEDs.
Attachment strap.
Convenient, small, and easy to power on.
Cons:
You need two packs of lights to make them worthwhile.
No method of attaching to a flat surface.
Kayalu — WaterTorch
Kayalu used marine-grade materials to build this torch. Rated to survive the murky depths of 300 meters, this torch will not fail after receiving a few light splashes. The Kayalu WaterTorch is 18 inches (45.72 cm) long, flexible, and built to survive extreme conditions.
The torch comes with a suction mount so you can attach it to any smooth surface without damaging your board. The torch also has a secure line to protect against getting knocked off the deck.
A white Lexan diffuser protects and disperses light from the single powerful LED inside the torch. The LED will run for 100 hours on three AA batteries, and the bulbs will last up to 10,000 hours. This little light exceeds U.S. Coast Guard standards and is a fantastic solution to keeping your paddle board illuminated.
Features:
Package — Twin pack.
Number of LEDs — 10 per lamp.
Colors — 13 + 5 transition modes.
Remote — Yes.
Waterproof — Approx. IP67.
Batteries —3 x AAA each unit.
Pros:
A powerful light that will get you noticed.
Durable, and it will last a long time.
Easy to detach from a paddleboard without leaving a mark.
Battery saving LEDs.
Cons:
One Color.
Omni-directional. If mounted in front, the light will be blinding.
The other option for lights is to buy a waterproof headtorch, which we use if you are in a area that is tricky to navigate; light will shine directly on the location you want it to.
Here’s the one I’ve been using for the last year:
Vont LED Headlamp
- ULTRA BRIGHT & LONG LASTING - Featuring super bright Proprietary VLEDS that can vividly light up your immediate vicinity, even in total darkness. Unbeatable battery life of up to 90 hours (2X of our...
- EASY 7 LIGHT MODE TOGGLE - Easy, quick and single button press to toggle through 7 light modes. Low/Medium/High/Strobe (Main Light) and Low/SOS/Strobe (Side Lights). Efficiently use only the light you...
- ERGONOMIC 45° TILT - Never strain or crane your neck again, thanks to the ergonomically designed light throw at a 45° angle. Competitor headlamps throw light at an awkward 30°, causing certain neck...
Port or Starboard?
All these lights have their place on a paddle board if you plan to take it out on a busy waterway at night. The port and starboard lights from Botepon are inexpensive and key in informing others of where you are heading.
The Kayalu WaterTorch is a perfect solution to have a super bright torch at hand and warn others that you are close. The torch will also be a perfect light to add to the rear of the paddle board to illuminate your torso as you sit low to the water.
The SUP lights from Hooima and PoHo; both have their place. Hooima is a great deal, considering you get four lights and four remotes in a pack. The PoHo has put flotation devices around each light to stop them sinking if they get pulled off the hull. And the PoHo comes with a small navigation light.
Do you legally have to have lights to paddleboard at night in the USA?
In the United States, federal law does not specifically mention stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) in its regulations. However, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, paddleboards are considered vessels when used outside of swimming, surfing, or bathing areas. Therefore, when paddleboarding at night, you are legally required to have a light available to prevent collisions.
According to the Navigation Rules, a vessel under oars (which a SUP would fall under) must have on hand a torch or lighted lantern emitting a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision. This essentially means you don’t have to have a light constantly on, but you need to have a light readily available to warn other vessels of your presence if you’re out on the water between sunset and sunrise or in times of restricted visibility.
However, the regulations can vary by state and even by local jurisdiction, so it’s a good idea to check the specific regulations in your area. Some states, for example, require all vessels to have a white light visible from all directions, while others may have more specific rules for paddleboards.
Regardless of legal requirements, having lights on your paddleboard when paddling at night is a good safety practice. Not only does it make you visible to other watercraft, but it can also help you see obstacles in the water, and it could be crucial in case of an emergency.