5 of the best stand-up paddle-boarding holidays around the world

From Cornwall to Costa Rica, you'll find SUP trips to suit all budgets

(Shutterstock)

Stand-up paddle-boarding, or SUP, is one of the world’s fastest growing sports, with holidays dedicated to the sport. A new paddle-boarding and yoga retreat is set to open in Sri Lanka in December (thesoulfulsup.co) with holidays available to book from July, while activity holiday specialist Neilson (neilson.co.uk) has introduced SUPs to all its beach clubs to meet growing demand. And they’re not the only ones.

Pedal and paddle in Cornwall

Navigate the beautiful scenery of North Cornwall by both bike and board, with new activity breaks at the Olde House Cottages (theoldehouse.co.uk) in Chapel Amble. Start your weekend by pedalling along the Camel Trail, before exploring the coastline on your SUP with a lesson at Polzeath beach on day two. The price, from £96pp, includes two nights’ self-catering accommodation and activities, and is available until October (excluding school holidays).

Tackling the Cornish waves on an SUP (Wavehunters)

SUP tour of Slovenia

See Slovenia through its waterways with Viados (vidados.com), which has a five-day, guided SUP tour that takes in some of the country’s most scenic rivers, lakes and coastlines. Paddling for around three hours each day, you’ll stop off for activities including a cycling tour of Ljubljana, a visit to Bled Castle and local food and wine tasting in Goriska Brda. The price of £598pp includes five nights’ accommodation, all meals, equipment, entrance fees and a qualified instructor. Excludes flights.

White water in North Wales

Inject some extra adrenalin by bouncing and splashing your way down white water rapids on your board. Stand Up Paddle Boarding UK (standuppaddleboarduk.com) offers thrilling half-day introductions to the fast-flowing River Dee from £55pp. More adventurous souls can sign up for a full day from £95pp, learning how to run rapids safely using advanced strokes. Stay in one of the on-site luxury wooden cabins, which come with hot tubs and sleep up to 12 people. Prices from £158 per cabin, per night.

Costa Rican retreat

At Tamarindo, on Costa Rica’s north-west coast, where Costa Rica SUP Adventures (costaricasupadventures.com) runs multi-day retreats. Master the art of paddling and good stance in daily lessons, run by bilingual, fully-qualified instructors. You’ll also hone your surfing etiquette and safety knowledge before hitting the Pacific, and can stretch out tired muscles in a post-paddle yoga session. The price of £773pp includes four nights’ B&B at the Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort, airport transfers, lessons, a photo analysis session and one yoga class. Excludes flights.


 Try a little bit of Yogo in Tamarindo, Costa Rica 
 (Shutterstock)

Himalayan expedition

Serious adventurers will enjoy this epic, three-week paddle-boarding expedition through Nepal and Bhutan that pass through areas that have never been paddled before. The 22-day, guided trip with Live The Adventure (livetheadventure.co) and Water Skills Academy (waterskillsacademy.com) starts in Nepal, where you will paddle the Kali Gandaki river. The second part of the trip sees you fly across the world’s highest mountain range to Bhutan, where you will journey along the Drangme Chhu, before becoming one of the first people to SUP through Manas into India. The price, from £6,010, includes 22 nights’ accommodation (mainly camping), most meals, internal flights and transfers, guides and equipment. Excludes international flights. The trip departs on 2 November.