Last Updated on May 12, 2023 by Editor

Image Source: bostoncommon-magazine.com

Boston is an amazing and diverse city which can be located in the state of Massachusetts in the USA. Founded in 1630 Boston is one of the United States of America’s oldest cities and is the Capital of Massachusetts. It is the home of the world-famous baseball teams the Red Sox as well as the last Superbowl winners of 2017, 2015, 2005, 2004 and 2002 the New England Patriots. Many people don’t realize that Boston has some of the most incredible spots to go stand-up Paddleboarding!

In this article we explore some of the places the Boston SUP community are using to paddle.

SUP Boston

The Charles River

Charles River is one of the best spots to go Paddleboarding in Boston. Not only will you see some incredible views if you decide to venture down the river; but it is also a great opportunity to have fun with friends.

Paddle Boston (link below) offer group coaching and tours of the river on your SUP, this is great if there is a member of your group who isn’t confident on and/or has never used a Paddleboard before as a highly trained individual can teach them the ropes. They also have a rental shop, meaning you don’t need to purchase your SUP if you don’t plan to become a regular visitor.
http://www.paddleboston.com/resources/SUP.php

Boston Harbor

Another stunning spot to visit is the Boston Harbor. Boston Paddle also offers a tour of the harbor, but it must be for groups of 10 people or more (could be a good idea for a work trip?). You get to take an amazing route; after exploring fort point channel, you would then take a short trip to the harbor where you can view Bostons incredible Skyline.

All of this will be accompanied by stories of Boston’s history from your local tour guide. If there are inexperienced riders, they will get the opportunity to have a quick lesson before the tour, so don’t worry if you’ve never tried Paddle Boarding!

Marblehead

Marblehead, located in the northeastern part of Massachusetts, is a desirable destination for paddleboarding enthusiasts. This location is particularly known for the immersive paddleboarding experience it offers. It is a unique spot where your journey can take you to two striking islands: Gerry’s Island and Crowninshield. The starting point of this route is at the Little Harbor Boathouse, a well-known spot among the paddleboarding community.

As you paddleboard across the water, you are greeted with tranquil scenes of nature and the gentle lapping of the water against your board. The length of the journey is significant enough to burn a substantial amount of calories, making it a popular choice for fitness enthusiasts as well. Once you’ve concluded your journey on the water, downtown Marblehead is a great place to refill your energy stores. The area is renowned for its vibrant food scene, and whether you’re in the mood for a quick snack or a full meal, you’ll find plenty of options to satisfy your appetite.

Marblehead is approximately 18 miles north of Boston, which makes it easily accessible for day trips. Travel times can vary based on traffic and the method of transportation, but typically, it’s a drive of around 40 minutes to an hour from Boston. This makes it a convenient choice for Bostonians looking for a quick escape from the city to enjoy leisure time on the water.

Lake Cochituate State Park

Lake Cochituate State Park is an appealing destination for paddleboarding, located just a short distance from Boston. The park features three interlinked ponds – North, Middle, and South Lakes, collectively forming the expansive Lake Cochituate. With miles of shoreline and an abundance of flatwater, it is a perfect place for both beginners learning to paddle and experienced paddleboarders seeking a relaxing trip on the water.

The beautiful green shorelines of Lake Cochituate offer a breathtaking backdrop for your paddling adventure, allowing you to connect with nature without straying far from the city. The lake is accessible via a series of bridges and tunnels, which add a unique aspect to your paddleboarding journey. As you navigate the water, respect the speed limits, especially around the ramp, channels, tunnels, piers, or moorings. The speed limit on Middle Lake is 22 mph, but it is reduced to 5 mph within 150 feet of these specific areas.
Being located just 10 minutes from Framingham and easily accessible from the Mass Pike and Route 9, Lake Cochituate is a convenient getaway for paddleboarders based in or around Boston.

Nantasket Beach SUP

Nantasket Beach, although not directly mentioned in the provided web search results, is a popular spot for various water sports activities, including paddleboarding due to its beautiful coastline and favorable conditions. Located in Hull, Massachusetts, it’s known for its sandy beach stretching for over 3 miles, offering ample space for paddleboarders to enjoy.

The beach faces the Atlantic Ocean, providing more challenging conditions for paddleboarding than enclosed bodies of water due to tides and waves. These conditions can make it a great spot for more experienced paddleboarders looking for a bit of a challenge. However, beginners and intermediates can also enjoy the area during calmer weather conditions.

In addition to paddleboarding, Nantasket Beach is also an excellent location for other activities such as swimming and beach volleyball. Its vibrant boardwalk with shops and eateries makes it a complete day-trip destination.

Nantasket Beach is approximately 20 miles south of Boston. Depending on traffic and the chosen route, the travel time from Boston is typically around 45 minutes to an hour, making it another easily accessible location for paddleboarding enthusiasts living in or visiting the city.

Pavilion Beach

If you’re looking to improve your skills or maybe even try a bit of SUP Yoga you might want to visit Cape Ann SUP (about 30 miles away from Boston). Experienced and enthusiastic Paddleboard riders are waiting for you to come and tire yourself out whilst creating some new amazing memories.

No matter your age, height or anything else there will be a lesson to suit you, offering Child and Adults lessons as well as lessons for more experienced SUP riders. There will be a board waiting for you in the barn! Go Check out the link below to see their different location as well as Cape Ann.
http://www.capeannsup.com/

Boston SUP Map for locations and lessons

We hope that we found a SUP spot near you, if not then don’t lose hope there are many other spots around Boston that we didn’t mention. However above are the most popular and in our opinion the best. Not only is Paddleboarding a great source of exercise but is also undoubtedly a fun activity to do with family, friends and even colleagues. Boston has many different areas you can go and test your skills as well as improve on them by getting lessons from trained professionals.