Imagine this: You’re at the beach. On the horizon, you spot a silhouette standing on the water. It’s no miracle; it’s standup paddleboarding, a fun new water sport craze visible on many local beaches. An emerging sport with Hawaiian roots, standup paddleboarding is a better fit in Miami than surfing, because of our flat, calm waters.
Rent a board and a paddle and head out on the open waters at one of the many Miami beaches that offer standup paddleboarding, or SUP, rentals.
A good place to start is Hobie Beach, also called Windsurf Beach, on Key Biscayne. Windsurfing is part of the Hobie Beach culture, combining surfing and sailing. The board looks much like an average surfboard, but with a sail attached. The beginner windsurfing sail is lighter and easier to maneuver than the more rigid sail for the experienced windsurfer.
Sailboards Miami is located on the Rickenbacker Causeway, and their colorful sails have long been an institution on the waters marking the entrance to beautiful Key Biscayne. Rent standup paddleboards, kayaks, or windsurfing boards from a company that is eager to help and teach. Take advantage of this beach with your dog on board - it's a dog-friendly beach so they're invited too.
Also located on the Rickenbacker Causeway right before the Miami Seaquarium, is the Key Biscayne Stand up Paddle Center, where you can rent a standup paddleboard, pedal boats, beach chairs and umbrellas. Be sure to try the sunset paddle hour.
Other SUP rental options include F1rst Surf Shop in South Beach. It's an institution in the surf community with SUP and surfboard rentals.
For a truly one-of-a-kind paddleboarding experience, try an hour of Vinyasa yoga on a paddleboard at the natural oasis of Matheson Hammock Park. Adventure Sports Miami is the SUP concession at Matheson Hammock Park. They offer kiteboards as well. SUP yoga is also offered at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne.
Whichever Miami water sport you choose, you’re guaranteed to have fun in a beautiful natural environment. Make time to go windsurfing, paddleboarding or kiteboarding on Miami’s gorgeous bay or ocean waters.