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Paddle boarding must haves
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items Everything you need for a fun and stress-free day on the water! These are the beginner-friendly paddle boards, safety gear, waterproof storage, phone protection, food essentials, and accessories that we actually use or recommend.
Sections
5
Paddle boards and Kayaks
Safety essentials
Food, drinks and storage
Phone, camera and entertainment
Setup, care and transportation
Paddle boards and Kayaks
Beginner-friendly paddle boards and kayaks for getting out on the water without spending a fortune.
This is the paddle board I use! It’s lightweight, beginner-friendly, and felt stable even when I was still nervous about falling in. It comes with the essentials you need to get started, and the pink is even cuter in person.
FEATH-R-LITE Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board 10’6’’/11'
Perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the water but isn’t comfortable balancing on a paddle board. It fits two people, feels stable, and comes with the paddles and pump. It is a little bit of a pain to inflate, but once it’s set up, it’s worth it.
Intex Explorer K2 Inflatable Kayak Set
Another great beginner-friendly paddle board option. The wide shape and nonslip deck help you feel more stable while you’re learning, and it comes with the basic accessories you need to get on the water. It also has a built-in screw mount for attachi...
FunWater Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board w/ Accessories
Safety essentials
The safety gear we bring to stay protected and prepared while enjoying the water.
This is the life jacket my wife uses. The neoprene material is comfortable, it has a more fitted shape than the bulky orange-style vests, and it’s U.S. Coast Guard approved. The coral color is also really cute!
O'Brien Women's Traditional Neoprene USCGA Life Jacket
A life jacket is nonnegotiable, but I didn’t want one that felt huge and bulky. I chose this one because the neoprene design fits closer to the body, the belts are concealed, and it’s still U.S. Coast Guard approved.
O'Brien Women's Traditional Neoprene USCGA Life Jacket
A small but important safety essential anytime you’re on the water. Keep one attached to each life jacket so you can signal for help if you get separated or need someone’s attention. They’re lightweight, extremely loud, and come in a pack of two.
LuxoGear Emergency Whistles 2 Pack with Lanyard
Sunscreen, but make it pretty! This SPF 30 body oil adds the prettiest shimmer and glow without feeling like thick, chalky sunscreen. It’s moisturizing, water-resistant, and an easy 10/10 for paddle-boarding days.
Vacation Shimmer Oil SPF 30 Body Sunscreen, 2.9oz
This is the classic SPF 50 lotion, and I genuinely love the way this entire brand smells—it smells like an actual vacation! It rubs in without leaving a white cast, feels good on the skin, and is water-resistant. This three-pack is perfect for keepin...
Vacation Classic SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion 3.4oz x3
The spray version is perfect for quick, easy reapplication when you’re already out on the water. It’s lightweight, sprays on clear without leaving a white cast, and has that same amazing Vacation scent I love. The three-pack makes it easy to keep sun...
Vacation Classic SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray, 6oz, 3 Pack
This SPF 50 body mist smells SO good! The Whipped Coconut scent always gets me compliments, and people are surprised when I tell them it’s actually sunscreen. It feels lightweight, is easy to reapply, and is perfect for active days on the water.
Supergoop! PLAY Antioxidant Body Mist SPF 50
My pick for protecting my face without looking or feeling like I’m wearing sunscreen. It goes on completely clear with no white cast, feels weightless, and doubles as a smooth makeup primer. It’s also scentless, so it won’t compete with all my delici...
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 Face Primer
Food, drinks and storage
Everything you need to keep your food, drinks, valuables, and gear cold, dry, and secured.
A dry bag is a must for keeping your keys, wallet, clothes, and other essentials protected on the water. This 5L size is compact enough for a paddle board without taking up too much space, and it even includes a waterproof phone case.
HEETA Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack with Phone Case
The easiest way to pack a variety of snacks without bringing a bunch of separate containers. The divided sections keep everything organized, the lid makes it easy to carry, and it fits perfectly inside the paddle board cooler on this list!
Mfacoy Snackle Box, 2 Pack Divided Tray w/ Lid
A convenient little spot for both your drink and your phone while you’re on the board. The flexible silicone holds different cups and bottles, and the separate phone slot means you don’t have to choose between having a cup holder or a phone holder. P...
iKristin 2-in-1 Paddle Board Cup Holder Pink
This cooler is the perfect size for bringing lunch, snacks, and drinks out on the water. It attaches securely to the paddle board, keeps everything cold, and the pink matches my board perfectly. Definitely one of my paddle-boarding must-haves!
Waterproof SUP Paddle Board Deck Cooler
Extra bungee cords are so useful for securing your cooler, dry bag, or other gear to your paddle board. These are heavy-duty, a convenient 24-inch length, and of course I had to get the pink ones to match!
WORKPRO 24" Heavy Duty Bungee Cords 4 Pack
Phone, camera and entertainment
Water-friendly accessories for protecting your phone, capturing the memories, and bringing music along.
If you have an iPhone 12 Pro Max, this full-body case adds extra protection from water, splashes, sand, and accidental drops. It has a built-in screen protector, so you can still use your phone and take pictures while you’re out on the water.
Protebox iPhone 12 Pro Max Waterproof Case
Perfect for getting hands-free pictures and videos during your paddle-boarding day. The flexible legs work on uneven surfaces or can wrap around something secure, and it holds a phone, GoPro, or small camera. It’s compact enough to toss right into yo...
Portable Mini Flexible Camera Tripod Stand
Because paddle boarding is better with music! This speaker is small enough that it doesn’t take up much room, but it still has great battery life. It’s waterproof and designed to float, so I don’t have to panic if it ends up in the water.
EBODA Waterproof Bluetooth Shower Speaker
This is the waterproof case for my iPhone 15 Pro Max. It gives the entire phone extra protection from water, sand, and accidental drops while still letting me use the screen and camera. Perfect for taking pictures on the paddle board without keeping ...
AICase Waterproof IP68 Case for iPhone 15 Pro Max
This keeps your phone attached to you or your paddle board if it slips out of your hand. The coiled strap stays out of the way, and the carabiner clips onto your life jacket or a secure D-ring. It uses a universal tether tab with no adhesive, so it w...
Rugged Phone Lanyard with Coiled Strap & Carabiner
This tiny adapter is what connects a selfie stick or camera mount directly to the built-in screw hole on certain paddle boards. One end is M6 for the board and the other is the standard 1/4-inch camera thread. It comes in a two-pack, so you’ll have a...
2PCS 1/4-20 to M6 Male Adapter Screw
Setup, care and transportation
Helpful gear that makes inflating, carrying, cleaning, and storing your paddle board much easier.
This works great for cleaning up your paddle board after a day on the water while also adding UV protection. It leaves my board looking clean and refreshed—and somehow it smells like grapes, which makes cleaning it way more enjoyable! 🍇
STAR BRITE Paddlesports Cleaner & Protectant 22 OZ
This makes carrying an inflated paddle board from the car to the water so much easier. The shoulder strap takes some of the strain off your arms and wrists, so you’re not awkwardly trying to hug the entire board—especially helpful when the launch is ...
SUP-Now Paddleboard Carry Strap Shoulder Sling
Save your arms and your wrists before you even get on the water! This pump is rechargeable, lightweight, and inflates the paddle board without needing to stay connected to the car. It also comes with multiple nozzles and a storage bag—an absolute mus...
Hydrohero Electric Paddle Board Pump 20 PSI