With the right paddle board accessories, you can have even more fun out on the water. So what SUP accessories should you get? We’ve done the hard work for you and compiled this overview of the best paddle board accessories available.
By the way, these paddle board accessories also make for great gift ideas for the favorite paddle boarder in your life.
Are you ready? Read on…
Best Paddle Board Accessories
Read on for our recommendations:
1. SUP Electric Pump
Manual inflation of your paddle board is often quite the workout. Wouldn’t it be nice to not wear your arms out before hitting the water?
Inflatable paddle board electric pumps are convenient, easy to use, and work fast.
For people who SUP a lot or have to inflate multiple boards, an electric paddle board pump is a must-have.
To learn more about the pros and cons of each type of SUP pump and to find the best pump for your needs, we highly recommend our article about the best SUP Electric Pumps.
2. PFD For SUP
SUP is one of the safest physical activities. But since it is a watersport, fatal accidents can happen. They are often caused by not wearing a personal floatation device.
You don’t want something as awesome as paddle boarding to end in a tragedy. It is important that you go back home to your loved ones at the end of the day.
For some of the most popular SUP life jackets, check out our article about the best PFDs for SUP.
3. SUP Cooler
Imagine how refreshing a cold drink would be after you’ve been paddling for hours under the hot sun on a beautiful summer day.
But if the weather is hot, your drinks will get warm. And you wouldn’t want that, would you?
That is a problem you can solve with a SUP cooler. You can go on a day-long cruise or fishing trip and enjoy your drinks ice cold the entire time.
SUP coolers come in all shapes and sizes. So pick the one that best suits your situation.
4. SUP Deck Bag
Without a paddle board deck bag, how will you bring smaller items with you like your keys, snacks, dry clothes, etc?
You need a bag—ideally, one that is made for SUP. It should be waterproof or water-resistant with a waterproof insert.
These SUP deck bags are all the perfect size. They are not too big for a stand up paddle board and not too small that they can’t fit your stuff.
Some of them are waterproof and will hold your valuables. To use this paddle board accessory, your board should have tie-down points. But others have self-adhesive points.
5. Waterproof Waist pouch
Once you get a waterproof waist pouch, you’ll wonder how you ever SUPed without one. Keeping your stuff dry while paddle boarding is a real challenge because the deck is open. Besides, having to reach for your mobile phone or snack in the dry bag every time you need it can be exhausting.
A waist pouch keeps your valuables dry and easily accessible. You don’t have to kneel or sit and search through your deck bag every time you want to take a photo or make a call. The Geckobrands dry waist pouch has three sections which make organizing easier. It is also ultra durable and perfect for SUP boarding.
You can also check out the Geckobrands waterproof tarpaulin pouch if you want something a little more stylish.
6. SUP Leash
Like a PFD, a SUP leash is one of those essential paddle board accessories that you should never go paddling without.
A leash ensures that you are always attached to your SUP and this could save your life.
A good leash is comfortable and you even forget that you have it on after a short while.
To learn more about the pros and cons and to find the best leash for you needs, read our article about the best paddle board leashes.
7. SUP Anchor
Paddle boarding is not just about paddling and covering distance. When you get to your fishing spot, the board has to stay in place if you plan on catching anything. This also applies to SUP fitness.
And that is what SUP anchors are for.
Stand up paddle board anchors keep your SUP stationary. They are small and lightweight. So don’t worry about them weighing your paddle board down.
Most SUP anchors also fold compact making storage and transport a breeze.
8. Paddle Board Cart
If you have to walk a long way with your SUP, across rough terrain, a strap may not be enough.
SUP carts make it easy to travel with a paddle board. They are even more useful if you want to transport several boards.
Most paddle board carts have airless tires.
Nobody wants to deal with a punctured tire in the middle of nowhere. They are adjustable to fit different board sizes while others are designed for multiple boards.
9. Floating Sunglasses
The sun’s glare can ruin your paddle boarding experience by hindering your vision and causing eye strain. This is why you need sunglasses. However, good sunglasses aren’t cheap – so you definitely don’t want to lose yours in the water!
This is where floating sunglasses come into play. Since falling off your stand up paddle board is expected, having a pair of sunglasses that float can be an absolute game changer – as they won’t end up at the bottom of the lake.
Rheos polarized sunglasses have a sleek design, do a great job of protecting your eyes, and they float!
10. Paddle Board Roof Rack
Solid paddle boards are awesome in many ways—one of them being performance. But when it comes to traveling with them, you can get frustrated.
Unless you have a pickup truck, you will need a roof rack. Transporting your paddleboard on the roof of a car is safer. And the chances of damaging the board are almost non-existent.
There are hard roof racks and soft roof racks. The soft ones are cheaper and installing them is quick and simple. Hard roof rack systems can be installed permanently on the roof of your car.
11. Paddle Board Storage Rack
Unlike inflatable paddle boards, you can’t deflate your epoxy board and throw it into a bag. You need sufficient storage space.
And not just that—you have to be careful about how you store it. In the garage, something heavy could fall on your SUP and cause damage.
Paddle board storage racks give you options for storing your SUP. There are wall racks, ceiling racks, and free-standing racks. Most of them will hold more than one paddleboard.
12. SUP Rack For Your Boat
How do you store or transport your solid or inflatable paddle board on your boat?
While there are a few ways to do this, using a paddle board boat rack is the best. Your board stays secure and out of the way.
Choosing a SUP boat rack is not something you can do blindly. You don’t want your boat or paddleboard to get damaged.
13. SUP Kayak Seat
Kayaking and SUPing are both fantastic activities. The problem is that sometimes, you may be forced to choose between the two.
But what if you don’t have to?
SUP kayak seats allow you to enjoy all the benefits without having to buy both a board and a kayak. You can sit when the wind is too strong and stand when you want to stretch your legs.
The good thing about converting a SUP to a kayak is that you don’t need extra tools. Most of the time, all you need is the kayak seat and a SUP board with D-rings.
14. SUP Led Lights
If you have never gone paddleboarding at night, you’re missing out.
While it is an experience like no other, night SUPing is more dangerous than day paddling, as you can imagine.
So SUP lights, among other essentials, are necessary for your safety. They’ll keep you visible to other water users. In some places, it is illegal to go night SUPing without a light.
15. Waterproof Speaker
Waterproof speakers are a nice way to take your paddling adventures to the next level. You can listen to your favorite music as you paddle leisurely, letting all the stress melt away.
The Speaqua waterproof speaker is small–you can hang it around your neck or carry it in your pocket. It has a built-in bottle opener and even a mic that allows you to make calls hands-free as you SUP.
The Vibe Speaker attaches to your SUP board and is compatible with all iRocker and Blackfin inflatable paddle boards. It has a 4GB memory, enough to store about 1000 songs, which is a great benefit when you consider that you’re not likely to be able to stream music while you’re out in the wilderness.
16. Paddle Board Bag
Every standup paddle board needs a bag—this goes for both inflatables and traditional boards.
Paddle board bags protect SUPs from the elements and damage, in general.
While many boards come with their own bags nowadays, some of the bags don’t last. They are cheap and come apart easily. In other cases, the bag you get may not be the bag you want.
Paddle board bags should be spacious, able to fit the board and accessories (for iSUPs).
17. Lightweight SUP Paddle
Paddling is work—it is exciting, but it is work. If you are using a heavy paddle, you’ll get worn out quickly.
Most paddleboards come with an aluminum paddle. While it is great for beginners and light paddling, it’s not the best for avid paddlers.
Lightweight paddles let you SUP faster and with efficient strokes, saving your energy.
Fiberglass paddles are light but they are not the most durable. Carbon fiber paddles, on the other hand, are the lightest and very efficient.
18. SUP Carrying Strap
A SUP strap lets you comfortably carry your solid paddle board or inflated iSUP over longer distances.
While choosing a SUP carry strap, be careful not to get a cheap one that will dig into your shoulders.
The Jinvun SUP strap is a perfect choice. It has a thick padded shoulder strap that minimizes pressure and increases comfort. It is adjustable to suit different paddler heights and SUP sizes. It also has a paddle holder for your paddle.
19. SUP Dry Bag
Some of the things that you bring with you, can’t get wet. This is why every standup paddler has to invest in a good paddle board dry bag.
When buying SUP dry bags, don’t get the cheapest option. This may cost you a lot if it gets submerged with your valuables in it.
The Earth Pak waterproof dry bag is outstanding for SUP and all kinds of water activities. It has adjustable straps, comes in multiple colors, is rugged, and reliable.
20. Cup Holder
Paddling while holding your water bottle doesn’t sound like fun.
Thankfully, you don’t have to if you get yourself a cup holder. You can attach your bottle securely to your paddle board and only reach for it when you need it.
This iRocker cup holder attaches to a SUP’s action mount — most SUP boards now come with action mounts.
21. Watertight Phone Case
There are amazing SUP apps that you’ll need a phone to access. And you will want to take stunning photos for your virtual friends and followers too.
But most phones aren’t exactly waterproof. That is why a waterproof phone case is another necessary paddle board accessory.
Some, like the Hiearcool Universal waterproof case, have a transparent cover that allows you to operate your phone. You can take photos and videos while it is still inside the cover.
22. Cell Phone Holder
A cell phone holder is a great SUP accessory if you’d like to operate your mobile phone without having to hold it.
The iRocker cell phone holder is one of the best paddle board accessories you can get. It will hold your phone vertically or horizontally. You can also adjust it to different angles.
This cell phone holder attaches to your SUP board’s action mount and it comes with a screw adapter.
23. Paddle Board Camera
SUP has many benefits. It helps with your physical health, reduces stress and you get to take some really cool shots. You can use your phone to take photos and videos. Smartphones now come with outstanding cameras and large memories.
But who wants to spend most of their SUP time fiddling with a phone? No one, I assume.
More manufacturers are starting to make boards with fixed action camera mounts.
The Go Pro Hero 8 comes with remarkable features that let you take breathtaking photos and videos. It has three stabilization levels and includes a 64 GB microSD card.
24. SUP Lock
Stand up paddle boards get stolen more often than you think. To protect yourself from the financial loss (and heartache), you will need a paddle board lock.
When going for a quick paddle, you’ll not have to worry about losing your SUP. But if you spend the whole day outside, you’ll have to get away from the board at some point—either to grab lunch or visit the restroom.
With the DocksLocks SUP anti-theft system, you can secure several boards to a tree, car roof, or anywhere else.
25. Rashguard / Sun Protection
A good paddling trip should never end with a painful sunburn. So in addition to applying your sunscreen, you may want to consider getting a rashguard.
Rashguards offer protection from the sun’s harmful rays. The good thing about these shirts is that they don’t hinder movement, which makes them comfortable and perfect for paddle boarding. They also have moisture-wicking capabilities to keep you nice and dry.
26. Red Paddle Co Silent Air Remover
Deflating an inflatable board is super easy–unlike inflating, especially if you don’t have an electric air pump.
However, you might be familiar with the loud noise that your iSUP produces with the initial rush of air. It attracts unwanted attention and can create awkward situations.
The Red Paddle Co silent air remover is a one-of-a-kind device that is designed to eliminate this problem. The Silent Air Remover reduces that initial sound from about 130 decibels to less than 80 decibels. That’s a huge difference.
27. Landing Mat
Inflatable boards may be tough and durable, but they can still get damaged if you don’t take care of them. Hard surfaces, for instance, can scratch the SUP and cause cosmetic damage. The material will weaken over time, making them less durable.
You need a landing mat for when you have to place your SUP board on concrete or any other hard surface. It is especially useful when setting up or packing up your stand up paddle board.
Nixy’s landing mat is large, water-resistant, and sand proof. It folds into a small package so it doesn’t take up a lot of space. You can also get it in three colors: green, blue, aqua.
28. Scuff Eraser
Cleaning your SUP after every paddling session is important if you want it to last. But it is not always easy, especially if it has stubborn stains. You also don’t want to use harsh cleaning detergents because they may ruin your board.
Fortunately, there are products created specifically for cleaning SUPs.
This SUP cleaner and protectant from iRocker removes dirt from your paddle board–both inflatable and hard boards. It offers UV protection too and can make your board last longer.
There is also the iRocker scuff eraser which is the best for removing stubborn stains from your paddle board. It doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals and you can use it for all your paddle board accessories and gear.
29. Fishing Rod Holder
You can’t risk losing your fishing rod while SUP fishing. Not only would that be a tragic waste of a fishing trip – it would be a waste of money too! So if you’re an angler, you should consider investing in a good fishing rod holder.
The iRocker fishing rod holder easily attaches to the action mount on your paddle board. It has a sliding lock mechanism to ensure that your fishing rod stays in place. You will also love the fact that it allows you to adjust the tilt of your rod.
ALSO READ: What are the best SUP Fishing Accessories of 2023?
30. Pop Up Beach Tent or Cabana
Why not spend a little more time outside?
If you get tired of paddling or it gets too hot, you can take a break and set up your tent at the beach. This OutdoorMaster beach tent is the best for paddlers because it folds into a small package that you can carry on your SUP. It is also easy to set up and you don’t need any complicated tools.
It is especially useful for paddlers who love to bring kids on their trips. The kids will have somewhere to rest, keep out of the sun, or even take a nap.
Also read our review of the 10 Best Beach Tents for Families in 2023
31. Beach Hammock
One great thing about paddle boarding is that you can discover some beautiful hidden gems in nature. If you find a spot you like, set up your hammock and just enjoy. There’s no need to hurry and you don’t have to lie on a hard, uncomfortable surface.
The Nixy hammock is designed for the adventurous paddler who is always exploring and it’s ideal for SUP camping. This hammock can fit two adults and supports up to 500 pounds. It comes with carabiners, stretch loops, and suspension straps.
32. Inflatable Dock
If you love spending time in or on the water, you’ll love a floating inflatable dock.
The iRocker inflatable dock is large and has a weight capacity of 1100 pounds. You can use it for fishing, yoga and fitness, relaxing on the water, or family fun. It is pet-friendly too, so don’t leave your furry family members behind!
This iRocker floating dock has eight action mounts and is compatible with other iRocker paddle board accessories, including the anchor kit and speakers.