Where To Go Paddleboarding In North Wales: Top 5 SUP Spots

Going paddleboarding in North Wales is one of the best ways to explore an unspoilt and underrated corner of the UK. A great holiday spot for adventurers and easily accessible in a day from some of the most densely populated areas of the North West of England, there is a huge variety of great SUP spots that you can escape to. So, whether you’re looking for a coastal voyage or a float near mountainous surroundings, get your Red paddleboard packed and head to these great places for paddleboarding in North Wales.

Llyn Padarn

A visit to North Wales would not be complete without exploring glorious Snowdonia. There are all sorts of great spots for paddleboarding in Snowdonia, but we’ve just about managed to whittle it down to our top recommendation: Llyn Padarn. Nestled between the unspoilt woodland trails of Padarn Country Park, Llyn Padarn is a spectacular glacial lake that offers calm and flat waters for paddleboarding in North Wales. It’s easy to launch all year round, making this spectacular lake a great place to go as a family or if you are just starting to get to grips with standing up on your board. 

Harlech Beach

Just a short stroll from the popular seaside resort of Harlech is Harlech Beach. This very impressive and expansive stretch of sand spans a whopping 4 miles, providing an uninterrupted setting for paddleboarding in North Wales. Despite the fact that the beach can get busy, paddleboarding in Harlech really does feel like you’re in another world, with spectacular views back towards the sand dunes of the beach and a glimpse of the Snowdonia mountain range. Once you’re back on land and your SUP is all packed away, head into the town for a spot of lunch or a drink at one of the many unique independent cafes. 

Llangollen

Prefer a slower paddle or a gentle pace of life? Llangollen is the perfect place to go paddleboarding in Wales. You can enter the water from multiple points along this 46-mile canal, so there are different options available depending on whether you are planning a quick SUP trip, heading out for the whole day, or hoping to paddle along the whole stretch in different sections. On the Eastern side of the Llangollen Canal lies the spectacular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a world heritage site and impressive piece of engineering linking the valleys. It’s 126ft high, so paddleboarders are advised not to cross unless sitting down or kneeling.

Colwyn Bay

A short drive from the popular holiday destination Llandudno is the well-known watersports spot Colwyn Bay. The beach can get really busy, particularly in the summer, but is the perfect place to go paddleboarding in North Wales if you have kids that need to be entertained all day long. Colwyn Bay made its mark on the watersports map for being a pretty windy spot, so expect to see lots of windsurfers. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a trip out on your SUP here though. Just get the conditions right and you’ll find yourself successfully completing a more challenging paddle.

Porth Wen Beach

Situated at the very tip of Anglesey, Porth Wen Beach has everything you need to have a great time paddleboarding in North Wales with added historic charm. Just moments from the sandy shore are the unique brickworks that look truly spectacular from the vantage point of your SUP out at sea. The conditions here are particularly favourable for paddleboarding, as the secluded harbour location makes the water comfortably still and quiet. Plus, the beach itself is dog friendly so you can improve your own skills here and then try taking your paddleboarding to the next level with your pooch in tow!

If you need any safety tips or would like to find out more places to paddleboard in North Wales, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the expert team at Red!