Dorset offers excellent opportunities for paddleboarding, also known as stand-up paddleboarding or SUP, in sheltered harbours, calm rivers and along sections of its coastline. Beginners can learn on the shallow waters of Poole Harbour, while more experienced paddlers can explore Studland Bay, the River Frome and the protected waters of Portland Harbour.
Watersports centres across the county offer paddleboard hire, lessons and guided tours. Most hire prices include the board, paddle and a buoyancy aid, although the equipment provided and permitted paddling areas vary between operators.
Price information: Prices were checked on 25 July 2026 but may change. Confirm current prices, opening arrangements and availability with the operator before travelling.
On this page
- Paddleboard Hire in Sandbanks
- Paddleboard Hire in Studland
- Paddleboard Hire in Wareham
- Paddleboard Hire in Portland and Weymouth
- Best Places to Paddleboard in Dorset
- Which Paddleboarding Location Should You Choose?
- Before You Hire a Paddleboard
Paddleboard Hire in Sandbanks
Sandbanks is one of Dorset’s best places to learn paddleboarding. The southern side of the peninsula opens onto the sheltered waters of Poole Harbour, where the water remains shallow for a considerable distance from the shore.
The Watersports Academy
Address: 15 Banks Road, Sandbanks, BH13 7PS (Google map)
Telephone: 01202 708283
Website: https://thewatersportsacademy.com
The Watersports Academy occupies a waterside location at Sandbanks and offers paddleboard hire, professional tuition and guided harbour tours. The sheltered setting makes it particularly suitable for beginners and families.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Paddleboard hire – 1 hour | £15 per person |
| Paddleboard hire – 24 hours | £65 per person |
| 1 hour lesson | £25 per person |
| 2 hours lesson and tour | £40 per person |
| 2 hours harbour tour | £40 per person |
Paddleboard hire includes a board, paddle and buoyancy aid. Lessons also include tuition and a wetsuit. Harbour tours require a minimum of three participants.
Fluid Surf Shop and Red Boat Hire
Address: 4 Banks Rd, Sandbanks, BH13 7QB (Google map)
Telephone: 01202 619327
Website: https://www.redboathire.co.uk
Fluid Surf Shop sells wetsuits, clothing and beach equipment and also provides paddleboard and kayak hire through Red Boat Hire. Its location opposite the main Sandbanks car park, together with on-site lockers and changing facilities, makes it a convenient starting point for paddling on Poole Harbour.
| Paddleboard Hire | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 hour | £15 |
| 2 hours | £25 |
| 24 hours | £65 |
Hire includes a paddleboard, paddle and buoyancy aid.
Paddleboard Hire in Studland
Studland Bay provides a more coastal paddleboarding experience, with sandy beaches, clear water and views towards Old Harry Rocks. Conditions can be more exposed than inside Poole Harbour, so beginners should remain close to the beach and avoid paddling in unsuitable weather.
Studland Watersports
Address: Knoll Beach, Studland, BH19 3AX (Google map)
Telephone: 07980 559143
Website: http://studlandwatersports.co.uk
Studland Watersports operates from a beach hut at Knoll Beach and hires a wide range of watersports equipment, including paddleboards, kayaks, pedalos, water bikes, windsurfers and sailing dinghies. Standard, double and giant group paddleboards are available, making it suitable for individuals, families and larger groups.
| Paddleboard Hire | 30 Minutes | 1 Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Standard SUP | £10 | £18 |
| Double SUP | £15 | £25 |
| Monster SUP | £25 | £45 |
Hire includes a paddleboard, paddle and buoyancy aid. Wetsuits are available separately.
Fore Adventure
Address: The Hutquarters, Middle Beach Car Park, Studland, BH19 3AP (Google map)
Telephone: 01929 761515
Website: https://www.foreadventure.co.uk
Fore Adventure is a family-run coastal adventure company specialising in guided activities rather than simple beach equipment hire. Its paddleboarding experiences include beginner sessions, tuition and guided coastal trips around Studland and towards Old Harry Rocks.
| Service | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Paddleboard hire – 1 hour | £21 | — |
| Introduction to SUP – 2 hours | £57.20 | £41.60 |
| Intermediate SUP trip to Old Harry Rocks – 3 hours | £72.80 | £52 |
Lessons and guided trips include tuition, a paddleboard, paddle, buoyancy aid and wetsuit. Minimum group sizes apply.
Paddleboard Hire in Wareham
The River Frome at Wareham offers calm, sheltered paddling through attractive Dorset countryside. It is one of the best inland locations in the county for beginners and families.
Wareham River Boat Hire
Address: Abbots Quay, Wareham, BH20 4LW – on the opposite side of the bridge from the main Wareham Quay and Old Granary restaurant. (Google map)
Telephone: 01929 550688
Website: https://www.warehamriverboathire.co.uk
Wareham River Boat Hire operates from Abbots Quay, on the opposite side of the bridge from the main Wareham Quay. In addition to paddleboards, it hires canoes, kayaks, rowing boats and small self-drive motor boats.
| Paddleboard Hire | Price |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes | £15 |
| 1 hour | £20 |
Hire includes a paddleboard, paddle and buoyancy aid.
Paddleboard Hire in Portland and Weymouth
Portland Harbour provides a large area of comparatively sheltered water and is one of Dorset’s main centres for sailing, windsurfing and paddleboarding.
The Official Test Centre
Address: Osprey Quay, Portland, DT5 1SA
Telephone: 01305 230296
Website: https://otc-watersports.com
The Official Test Centre is based within the grounds of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. It offers paddleboard hire and tuition alongside windsurfing and wing-foiling activities.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Paddleboard hire – 1 hour | £15 |
| One-hour Paddleboard tuition | £45 |
Hire includes a board, paddle, leash, buoyancy aid and wetsuit.
Adventure4All (Portland / Weymouth)
Address: Activities take place at several locations around Weymouth and Portland.
Telephone: 07870 659081
Website: http://www.adventure4all.co.uk
Adventure4All provides instructor-led outdoor activities around Weymouth, Portland and the Jurassic Coast. Its programme includes paddleboarding, kayaking, coasteering and rock climbing, with sessions tailored to different ages and levels of experience.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Taster SUP Lesson – 1.5 hours | £35 |
| SUP Explorer session – 2.5 hours | £55 |
Best Places to Paddleboard in Dorset
Sandbanks and Poole Harbour
The sheltered side of Sandbanks is one of Dorset’s best places for beginners. There is easy access to the water, several nearby parking areas and extensive shallow water close to the shore.
Poole Harbour is still a working harbour with channels, ferries and commercial vessels. Paddleboarders should remain clear of shipping routes and follow any instructions given by the hire operator.
Studland Bay
Knoll Beach, Middle Beach and South Beach provide scenic coastal paddling with views towards Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Purbeck coastline.
Studland is more exposed than Poole Harbour, and conditions can change quickly. Paddlers should check the wind and sea forecast before setting out and avoid venturing far from shore unless they have suitable experience.
River Frome at Wareham
The River Frome offers a peaceful inland route through reeds, meadows and open countryside. Its calm water makes it particularly suitable for beginners, families and anyone looking for a gentle paddle.
Portland Harbour
Portland Harbour offers a broad expanse of comparatively sheltered water and is one of Dorset’s principal centres for sailing and watersports. It is well suited to lessons and supervised paddleboarding, although paddlers should remain aware of other harbour users and local operating zones.
Which Paddleboarding Location Should You Choose?
| Location | Best For |
|---|---|
| Sandbanks | Beginners, lessons and easy access to shallow water |
| Studland | Coastal scenery and views of Old Harry Rocks |
| Wareham | Calm river paddling through the countryside |
| Portland Harbour | Tuition and sheltered open-water paddling |
Before You Hire a Paddleboard
Check the weather and wind forecast before setting out, even when paddling in a harbour or on a river. Wear the buoyancy aid provided, remain within the operator’s permitted area and keep clear of boats, ferry routes and marked navigation channels.
Hire businesses often operate seasonally and may close during poor weather. Prices, opening times and equipment availability are subject to change, so check directly with the operator before travelling.
Information last updated: 25 July 2026.
Related Pages: Boat Hire / Bike Hire / Paddleboarding / Kayaking / Windsurfing / Dinghy Sailing / Surfing / Kitesurfing / Jet Skiing / Diving / Snorkelling / Horse Riding / Sea Fishing / Crabbing / Camping