6 Best Places to Paddle Board in Seal Beach, CA

Welcome to Seal Beach, California: a hidden gem for water enthusiasts.

Looking for the best places to paddle board in Seal Beach? You’re in luck!

Discover scenic shorelines and marine life as we reveal top spots for an unforgettable adventure. Time to make a splash!

Map

Planning Your Paddle in Seal Beach

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024, rental counts come from OpenStreetMap. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs stay above 59 °F right through the year, so there is no closed season. August is the warmest month, averaging 81 °F.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.
Rentals nearby: OpenStreetMap lists one place within 16 miles that hires out boards, kayaks or canoes: Lido Paddle Sports. Call ahead, opening times outside the main season are short.

Where to Paddle Board in Seal Beach

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Seal Beach Pier

🏖️ ️Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Seal Beach Pier parking lot (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Mild to moderate waves, ocean currents, afternoon winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, sea lions, pelicans
🏞️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Seal Beach Pier, nearby coastline
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Always be aware of surf conditions, respect wildlife

Seal Beach Pier is a popular starting point for paddle boarding with a nearby beach and easy access to the ocean.

The picturesque pier provides a beautiful view, and the waters are usually calm, ideal for all skill levels.

#2 Long Beach Naples Canals

🏖️ ️Location Type: Channel
📍 Access Point: Mothers Beach (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, protected waters, mild currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Marine birds, occasional sea turtles and fish
🏞️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Naples Island, beautiful waterfront homes
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Adhere to navigation rules, watch for small watercraft

Naples Canals, located in nearby Long Beach, offer a unique paddle boarding experience through picturesque channels lined with magnificent waterfront homes.

The calm waters make it perfect for beginners and cruising past this idyllic scenery is a must.

#3 Los Cerritos Wetlands

🏖️ ️Location Type: Bay
📍 Access Point: San Gabriel River Bike Trail (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, often protected from strong winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Egrets, herons, marsh birds
🏞️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Alamitos Bay, nature trails
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Stay on designated channels, respect wildlife

Los Cerritos Wetlands, part of neighboring Alamitos Bay, offers paddle boarders a serene and nature-filled experience through the extensive wetlands ecosystem.

Birdwatchers will be delighted by the sightings of various marsh bird species in this protected habitat.

#4 Huntington Harbour

🏖️ ️Location Type: Bay
📍 Access Point: Sunset Aquatic Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, protected waters
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Sea birds, fish
🏞️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Premier waterfront homes, kayaking channels
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow navigation rules, watch for boats

Huntington Harbour, situated a short drive from Seal Beach, is a luxurious and vibrant destination for paddle boarding.

Glide through calm waters alongside impressive waterfront homes and take in the beautiful sights of the harbor.

#5 Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

🏖️ Location Type: Wetlands
📍 Access Point: Warner Avenue Bridge (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, light currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Year-round
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Shorebirds, fish, occasional rays
🏞️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Wetland trails, Huntington Beach coastline
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Practice caution near bird nesting areas, respect restricted zones

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve boasts a vast network of channels and creeks for paddle boarders to explore within its tranquil wetlands.

This picturesque location allows visitors to connect with nature while navigating its various waterways.

#6 Sunset Beach

🏖️ ️Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Nearby public parking lots (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle ocean swells, mild currents
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Dolphins, pelicans, shorebirds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Sunset Beach coastline, beautiful sunsets
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be aware of surf conditions, respect local regulations

Sunset Beach, a close neighbor to Seal Beach, offers an inviting oceanfront paddle boarding experience.

The vast, sandy beaches and picturesque sunsets make it a perfect getaway for a relaxing paddle session near the waves.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case