PLACES TO Stand Up Paddle in India
The scope for Stand up Paddle in India is limitless with an extensive coastline. A growing number of accredited surf & stand up paddle schools by the Surfing Federation of India makes the sport more accessible for enthusiasts. The east coast of India - specifically the region of the Palkbay has super flat water conditions in summer & often sees no monsoons making it one of the best places to Stand Up Paddle in India. The scenic backwaters of Pondicherry, Kerala, Goa & Maharashtra make ideal locations for flat-water stand up paddle in India. There are annual SUP expeditions in the backwaters to support a social cause. The big lakes of India are also great places to stand up paddle - like the Chilika lake in Orissa which is India's largest brackish water lagoon! The beaches of Kovalam & Mahabalipuram have excellent waves for SUP surfing in India. Not all these locations have Stand Up Paddle schools or board rentals so if you are an experienced at SUP plan your trip with gear & an experienced buddy.
Our team has paddled & explored many places which has great potential for stand up paddle in India. It is important to know that requisite permissions must be secured before attempting to paddle in any region through the local surf or SUP school or the authorities. Our team plans their exploratory trips way in advance with the acknowledgement of all stakeholders to ensure a positive message for development of the sport in India. We urge all other experienced explorers to do the same: plan in advance, seek local advise, get your permissions & respect local traditions. Hope you have a great time stand up paddling in India!
10 places to stand up paddle in India
The Palkbay & Gulf of Mannar in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
The Gulf of Mannar in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Chilika Lake, Orrissa
Backwaters of Pondicherry
Backwaters of Mulki, Karnataka
Backwaters of Kerala
Backwaters of Goa
Marina Beach, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Kovalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
The Palkbay offers some of the best conditions for learning Stand Up Paddle in India during the summer season. Well known for its sprawling sea grass meadows & macro life. The deserted white sandy beaches & clear blue waters are teaming with marine life. There are a few extensive coral reef patches in the Palkbay which are shallow & great for snorkelling near Rameswaram. There are many Scuba Dive sites in the Palkbay which offer great diving experiences. Quest Adventure Sports Academy offers stand up paddle in Rameswaram for recreational as well as professional participants. The academy has a range of stand up paddle boards for different styles of paddle boarding. If you have never tried stand up paddle before you should definitely start your exploration with the Discover SUP course which is a two hour program highlighting the basics of SUP while giving you hands on experience on a short SUP trip. Their experienced instructor teach you the basic skills for stand up paddle & then lead you on a short stand up paddle trip along the coastline. You get a chance to explore the marine biodiversity of the Palkbay! If you are serious about learning the sport the SUP Levels 1, 2 & 3 are for you. You get independent at SUP Level 3 by gaining skills & knowledge to plan & execute your own SUP trips.
The Gulf of Mannar has super flat waters in winter for long distance paddle & in summer some excellent waves to SUP surf. Parts of the Gulf of Mannar is marked as a marine national park which cannot be accessed by civilians. This is a great way of preserving the marine biodiversity in the region. Outside the national park the coastline is extremely scenic & beautiful with turquoise blue waters! There are a number of SUP spots in this region which could easily be rated best in the world. Quest Adventure Sports Academy organises stand up paddle trips in the Gulf of Mannar during winter season. The half day stand up paddle trip takes you on an exploratory journey to explore an ancient abandoned fort & temple which is in ruins. A jungle book kind of experience on SUP's.
Chilika Lake in Orrissa is one of our favourite places to visit for stand up paddle trips. There is a raw feeling to adventure in the Puri region of Odisha. With a few home-stays & surf schools starting exploratory SUP trips are comfortable but the sheer size of the brackish water lake entails some preparation & study before setting out for a paddle. The lake harbours the three districts of Puri, Khurda & Ganjam making it India's largest brackish water lagoon. Connected at the mouth of the river Daya which flows into the Bay of Bengal. The region around Chilika is dense with wildlife with dense forests in some places. There are some excellent surf spots along the beaches where the river opens up to the sea.
Pondicherry is a quaint French settlement along the east coast of India. The union territory is famous for French cuisine & architecture. It's a great town to visit before planning a SUP trip into the backwaters around this town. An ancient ruined rock fort called Alamparai can be accessed through the backwaters which flow alongside Marakanam village. The backwaters here are scenic with large sand banks & few fishing villages along shore. There are other backwaters closer to Pondicherry town near paradise beach which is an excellent place to explore as well.
Mulki in Karnataka is home to one of the oldest surf schools in India which is part of an ashram style home-stay. The surf school has access to the backwaters of the Shambhavi River which flows out towards Sasihitlu beach. Beautiful for stand up paddle trips at sunrise or sunset the backwaters are fairly flat all through the year except the monsoon season. The bird life is really good in the marshy area of the backwaters. One has to be careful of the currents near the river mouth as it can be strong when tides change. The surf school is really friendly & offers guided trips, surf lessons & accommodation.
Kerala backwaters, one of the easiest places to get access to beautiful palm fringed backwaters. There are many house boats that navigate these waters from Cochin-Kochi to Alappuzha-Alleppey town. Lots of luxury resorts & home-stays along the banks of the backwaters as well. Its a haven for stand up paddle boarders as the water is calm & flat all through the year with plenty of places to stay. You could grab a meal at a local cafe alongshore or rent a houseboat to follow you on your journey. Kerala hosts an annual stand up paddle expedition down the Challiyar River to encourage social cause.
Goa, known for its beaches & parties! The palm fringed coastline is home too many shacks & surf schools. Lesser known are the beautiful backwaters of the Mandovi river, Divar Island & other hidden gems. Acclaimed for its hospitality & slow paced lifestyle the region is a paddlers delight. The backwaters are scenic & the beaches spectacular although it can get touristy in the hotspots. There are a few independent guides who can help organise stand up paddle trips in the backwaters of Goa. The experience of paddling here is great with a lot of choice in accommodation & the food is fantastic. Seek help from local surf schools before planning your SUP adventures in Goa.
Chennai & Mahabalipuram, known for great surf conditions the beaches along this coastline are really good for SUP Surfing. Being a hotspot for surf schools it is easy to get assistance & gear on rent to stand up paddle here. Some of India's strongest paddlers hail from a village along this coastline. The surf schools are friendly, have accommodation & a cafe to provide all the support required by SUPérs. Mahabalipuram-Mammallapuram hosts ancient temples along the shoreline making it a really scenic place to paddle & surf with opportunity for explorations.
Feel free to contact us for more information about stand up paddle courses & places to explore once you have learned the sport. To be able to rent Stand Up Paddle boards & plan your trips independently you must complete the Recreational SUP Level 3 course which is your passport to confidently execute your own SUP trips in India.
Stand up paddle boarding or SUP as it’s popularly called, uses a longboard and a paddle. It’s an easier way to surf waves or paddle the waters. The sport is fun when your balance is challenged by ripples or small waves in the water when you get started. In time it’s all part of the fun.