Best SUP Launching Spots Around Seattle

‘SUP guys? Looking for a place to launch your paddle board?

We got you covered! There’s plenty of water around Seattle, but finding the right place to launch a paddle board can still be tricky if you aren’t familiar with the many beaches, boat ramps and piers around the area. 

Here are a few tried-and-true paddle board launches that are sure to get you on the water in no time at all!

Where to launch paddle boards around Seattle

Puget Sound launches

Lowman Beach

Nestled in Seattle's West Seattle neighborhood, Lowman Beach Park is a tranquil spot that offers a delightful escape from the city's hustle and bustle. The park boasts scenic views of the Olympic Mountains and a grassy area perfect for picnicking before or after your paddling session. With its relaxed atmosphere and easy access to calm waters, Lowman Beach provides a serene backdrop for both novice and experienced paddlers alike!

Alki Beach

Also located in the vibrant West Seattle area, Alki Beach is one of the most popular spots for paddle boarding in Seattle. This bustling beach offers a wide, sandy shoreline and stunning views of both the Seattle skyline and the Olympic Mountains. Its waters are also generally calm and great for paddling, making it an ideal destination whether you're cruising along the shore or exploring the neighborhood. The area around Alki Beach also features a long, picturesque boardwalk, numerous cafes and public restrooms, so there’s plenty to do before and after your paddle.

Golden Gardens

Golden Gardens Park is a gem of Seattle's waterfront that’s well known for its breathtaking sunsets, stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and its picturesque marina. 

This expansive park stretches along Puget Sound and offers a wide, sandy beach that's perfect for launching your paddleboard. The park also features well-maintained picnic areas, trails and ample parking, making it an ideal spot for a day of paddling and relaxation.

Lake Washington launches

Pritchard Island Beach

Situated on the southwest shores of Lake Washington, Pritchard Island Beach is tucked away between Rainier Valley and Rainier Beach. This small, tranquil park with lawns and picnic areas offers a peaceful spot to launch your paddleboard, with stunning views of the lake and the surrounding cityscape.

Union Bay

Located between Lake Union and Lake Washington, the calm waters of Union Bay are perfect for a peaceful paddle, and you'll often see local wildlife, including swans and ducks, as you glide along. There are plenty of access points here, including East Montlake Park, Belvoir Place, Waterway 1 and NE 31st St Public Shore.

Colman Beach 

Nestled on Lake Washington’s western shore, Colman Beach is known for its lush green spaces, scenic views of the lake and well-maintained walking paths. Technically, it’s also connected to Mt. Baker Beach, so we’ll loop that one into this list as well. Whichever one you end up going to, though, you’re sure to enjoy the convenient parking and easy shoreline access at this well-loved green space. 

Denny Blaine Park

This small, sweet park offers a small, sandy beach that’s ideal for launching your board. Parking might be a bit tricky here, but the access to the water more than makes up for it. 

Matthews Beach Park

Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Washington, Matthews Beach Park offers a welcoming and well-equipped spot for all sorts of outdoor activities. This expansive park has plenty of parking and features a sandy beach with easy access to the lake, making it perfect for launching kayaks or paddle boards. 

Magnuson Park

Just south of Matthews Beach Park is a much larger green space that includes a web of walking trails, fields, ecological areas and swimming areas. Several large parking lots and a boat launch with plenty of beach access makes this a perfect spot for paddle boarding the waters of Lake Washington.  

Juanita Beach Park

Tucked away on the northeastern shore of Lake Washington just north of Kirkland, Juanita Beach Park has plenty of parking and beautiful views of the lake. Launch your paddle board here and meander down the bay to the Juanita Bay Park wildlife habitats, where you can see plenty of foliage, songbirds and waterfowl enjoying the water, too!

Marina Park

Marina Park, located in the heart of Kirkland, offers a charming and easily-accessible spot for launching a paddleboard on Lake Washington. Its central location is ideal for those looking to combine paddleboarding with a visit to local shops and eateries, and the park itself also includes walking paths, picnic areas and beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding cityscape.

Seward Park

This sprawling green space jutting out into Lake Washington is a great place to paddle board. The small peninsula offers great views of the lake and mountains, and the quiet waters are good for beginners or casual learners. 

Lake Union Launches

Goose Beach

This small, pebble-strewn beach next to Lake Union Park is less crowded than some of the more popular spots nearby, offering a more tranquil and paddling Lake Union experience. The surrounding parkland includes grassy areas that are ideal for post-paddle-picnics, and the neighboring Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) and The Center for Wooden Boats always have interesting exhibits to look at if the weather conditions aren’t quite worth the paddle. 

Sunnyside boat ramp

This boat ramp beside the Puget Sound Yacht Club is an easy access point to the water near Gas Works Park. The area’s a little more industrial than most, but as far as boat launches go it’s a pretty decent spot to start a paddle! 

Ship Canal

Connecting Lake Union to Puget Sound, the long, narrow Ship Canal is a great place to paddle past parks, boats, neighborhoods and more. There are plenty of places to access this canal, but the tried-and-true spots are at Fisherman’s Terminal and near the Salmon Bay Marine Center. Just be sure to stick to the sides of the canal, as this is a well-traveled waterway for some pretty big ships

Gas Works Park

With more parking, more launches, bigger views and more space overall, Gas Works Park across from our Wallingford apartments is the perfect spot for launching a paddleboard on Lake Union. Can’t beat those views! 

Discovery Park launches

West Point Lighthouse

Set against a stunning backdrop of Puget Sound and providing breathtaking views of the Seattle skyline and the Olympic Mountains, this launch spot at the tip of Discovery Park will guarantee a much wilder paddle boarding experience. Here, you’ll deal with waves, wakes, winds and weather that you’re not likely to get on the shores of Lake Union. It’s a lot of fun, but be prepared for anything!

Green Lake

Green Lake Park and Woodland Park both offer parking lots and boat launches around Green Lake. There’s far less boat traffic on this little lake, so the waters are sure to be calmer and less crowded than other waters in the area.

If you live in any of our luxury Seattle apartments, then be sure to check out these launch spots next time you take your SUP out for a paddle! 

Have fun!

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Featured photo by OC Gonzalez on Unsplash