SeaGods USA recently covered the Best Places to Paddle in Orange County CA. In doing so, we already named a pair of popular stand-up paddleboarding destinations in Newport Beach. However, if you’ve ventured through this idyllic coastal community, you know how much it has to offer compared to other OC towns and cities. With approximately 10 miles of coastline and an additional collection of nautical nooks and crannies within Newport’s Balboa Peninsula, it begs for further investigation for visiting SUPers. If you have plans for paddle boarding Newport Beach in the seasons to come, add the following to your itinerary.
Top 5 Paddle Boarding Destinations to Bring Your Sea Gods Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard to When in Newport Beach CA
Balboa Island
Skill Level: Beginner
The above-mentioned Balboa Peninsula is a harbor community in Newport Beach, and its crown jewel is Balboa Island. The 0.2 square mile island and surrounding waterway is a beginner paddler’s paradise. Paddling around the calm circumference provides beginners with a laidback experience and offers a close-up look at quaint yet high-dollar homes. When ready for a break and refreshments, you can tether your inflatable stand-up paddleboard (ISUP) to the pubic dock (or deflate and carry) to explore the island and its cafes/shops by foot. If you happen to visit Balboa Island during the month of August, you may catch The annual Kids Sandcastle Contest - it’s pretty impressive! Access Balboa Island by one of the many launch points found along Balboa BLVD near Balboa Fun Zone if parked or staying on the coastal side of the peninsula. There are also a number of launch points on the opposing “inland” side along Bayside Drive.
Recommended Sea Gods SUP and Accessory: Elemental Wave CX and Essential Gear Pack with a kayak seat and paddle.
Lido Isle
Skill Level: Beginner
If you only have one morning or afternoon to paddle within Balboa Peninsula, then Balboa Island (above) is where to be. However, if staying in the area for longer, add a paddle around the adjacent Lido Island to your schedule. The manmade island has less to offer in the way of on-island amenities, but it delivers exploratory views of Balboa Bay Resort, the Balboa Marina, and a slew of impressive waterfront residences. It’s also enjoyable to paddle through the West Lido Channel and under the Via Lido bridge when doing the full trapezoid-esque tour around the island.
Recommended Sea Gods SUP and Accessory: Elemental Wave CX and cup holder for refreshment.
Balboa Coves
Skill Level: Beginner
If you really want to get into the weeds of Balboa Peninsula, venture north passed Lido Isle, under Newport BLVD bridge, and into Balboa Coves. The name is admittedly misleading, as it sounds like it’s at the base of a rugged cliff along the Orange County coast (we’ll get to that below). Instead, it’s the most protected waterway on this list of paddle-boarding destinations in Newport Beach. The emerald green water is a sheet of glass, allowing you to stroke passed the four small “coves” that delineate the space between the neighborhood’s luxury homes. As an alternative to entering from Newport Bay, you can launch your craft and return at Channel Park, which offers a sandy entry into the waterways of Balboa Coves.
Recommended Sea Gods SUP and Accessory: Medusa CX ISUP and a Waterproof CaliCase in case you need to hop on a Zoom call while paddling within this luxury real estate zone.
Santa Ana River Mouth
Skill Level: Intermediate and up
We took it easy on beginners with our recommendations above. Now it’s time for some fun for our more experienced paddlers. The Santa Ana River Mouth separates the oceanfront of Huntington Beach (north) and Newport Beach (south). During the spring and summer months, when conditions are relatively calm, intermediate and advanced paddlers can stroke into and ride the small waves that dissipate into the river mouth. Hop off and repeat the process over and over again, or spend the rest of the time touring the shoreline between Lifeguard Tower 71 and the first river jetty. Lifeguards do “black ball” SUPing during certain times of the day and year, so be sure to inquire at Tower 71 before paddling out. Otherwise, the Newport Beach edge of the Santa Ana River mouth is a blast for intermediate (and up) SUPers. You can launch where Seahorse Drive meets Summit. Street, right here.
Recommended Sea Gods SUP and Accessory: Skylla CX Cross Touring ISUP and a Mustang Survival Khimera Dual Flotation PFD.
Corona Del Mar State Beach
Skill Level: Advanced
Time to level up, folks! Corona Del Mar is a seaside community in Newport Beach on the southern side of the Newport Avalon Channel. Its ridiculously picturesque state beach is best known as a place to sunbathe and to explore sea caves, tide pools, and rock formations. However, when conditions permit (view surf report) and when armed with the right equipment, it’s a great destination for adventurous open-water paddling. Time your session to end just before sunset, then walk along the sand to Inspiration Point for one of the most inspiring and romantic views in Newport Beach.
Recommended Sea Gods SUP and Accessory: Ketos CX Racing ISUP and a Mustang Survival Khimera Dual Flotation PFD.
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