6 Best Places to Paddle Board in Collingwood, CAN

Discover the serene beauty of Collingwood’s waters.

Ever considered gliding through picturesque bays along rugged coastlines?

The best places to paddle board in Collingwood, Canada beckon you.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure, and let’s explore the tranquil waters together. Are you prepared to paddle?

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Planning Your Paddle in Collingwood

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

Season: average daily highs clear 15 °C from May through September. July is the warmest month, averaging 24 °C, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: Transport Canada counts a paddleboard as a human-powered vessel once you use it to take a trip or a crossing. A Canadian-approved lifejacket or PFD of the right size is then required by law for every person, along with a sound-signalling device. No operator card is needed as long as there is no motor.

Where to Paddle Board in Collingwood

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 Georgian Bay

🏖️ Location Type: Bay
📍 Access Point: Sunset Point Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Mostly calm, can be windy at times
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Fish, ducks, beavers
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Nottawasaga Island Lighthouse, Blue Mountain and surrounding cliffs
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect local regulations

Georgian Bay offers a stunning paddleboarding experience along the shores of Collingwood.

The vast, sparkling waters showcase majestic views of the nearby Blue Mountain and rugged cliffs. With numerous access points to explore, this is an ideal location for paddleboard enthusiasts.

#2 Blue Mountain’s Mill Pond

🏖️ Location Type: Mountain Lake
📍 Access Point: Mill Pond Dock (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm and serene
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Ducks, frogs, turtles
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Lush park surroundings, mountain landscape
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Avoid overcrowding, respect park regulations

The picturesque Mill Pond is a hidden gem at the base of Blue Mountain in Collingwood. Its calm waters and lush park surroundings provide a serene paddleboarding experience.

Observe the flora and fauna as you glide through this mountain lake escape.

#3 Nottawasaga River

🏖️ Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: River Road West Park, Wasaga Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle currents, sheltered from strong winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Fish, herons, beavers
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Sand dunes, surrounding forests
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect private properties, avoid during high water

Nottawasaga River, located just north of Collingwood, offers a scenic and peaceful paddleboarding journey.

Surrounded by sand dunes and lush forests, it provides a serene riparian environment to explore. Meandering through the area allows for a refreshing escape from everyday life.

#4 Wasaga Beach

🏖️ Location Type: Oceanfront
📍 Access Point: Wasaga Beach access points (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Mild currents, afternoon winds can pick up
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Fish, gulls, and terns
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Beach shoreline, Nottawasaga Island Lighthouse
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for beachgoers, respect swimming zones

Located a short drive north of Collingwood, Wasaga Beach offers a picturesque and lively paddleboarding experience.

The long sandy shoreline stretches for miles, providing idyllic views and unique access points for boarders. Remember to respect swimming zones and share the beach with fellow visitors.

#5 Craigleith Provincial Park

🏖️ Location Type: Bay
📍 Access Point: Craigleith Provincial Park Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm bay waters, mild ocean swell
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Fish, ducks, geese
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, Blue Mountain
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Park fees may apply, respect designated zones

Craigleith Provincial Park, situated on the shores of Georgian Bay, offers a beautiful paddleboarding experience.

The park’s calm waters are nestled along the Niagara Escarpment’s cliffs, presenting remarkable views while you explore. Fees may apply for park access, so plan accordingly.

#6 Thornbury Harbor

🏖️ Location Type: Bay
📍 Access Point: Thornbury Fish Ladder Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm harbor waters, mild ocean swell
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Fish, birds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Thornbury Pier, surrounding shoreline
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect fishing zones

Thornbury Harbor, a short distance west of Collingwood, provides a serene and picturesque paddleboarding experience.

Surrounded by beautiful shoreline and bordered by the Thornbury Pier, this location offers stunning views and an ideal environment for tranquil paddling adventures. Remember to respect local fishing zones and watch for boat traffic.

Collingwood sits on Georgian Bay, where clear water meets a shoreline that changes with the wind. Oakville and Mississauga are the Lake Ontario alternatives, Meech Lake the sheltered one.

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