Standup Paddleboarding (SUP) is one of the fastest-growing outdoor sports in Metro Vancouver. With calm lakes, sheltered inlets, and easy launch points, the region is a paradise for beginners looking to try their first paddle strokes. In this guide, we share our family’s picks for the best beginner paddleboarding spots near Vancouver — complete with parking tips, water quality notes, and insider advice from our own trips.
Before you go, be sure to review our paddling safety tips. Always wear a life jacket, check conditions before launching, and use your best judgment. The information here reflects our experiences only and may change with weather or park policies.
For beginners with little to no experience on paddleboards, we recommend practicing in smaller lakes or well-protected inlets with swimmable water quality. For those who are less likely to fall in, we also included a few destinations with less pristine water to broaden your options.
A good beginner’s destination should have the following characteristics:
- calm, flat water. This generally means sticking to small lakes and avoiding rivers and oceans. I’ve listed a few river destinations but they are inherently more risky.
- popular with other paddlers (in case you get into trouble and need help)
- few motorboats, traveling in a predictable and avoidable route
- easy to launch
- Easy to get to, with paved or well maintained gravel roads leading to the launch point
- Fair water quality at least good enough for secondary contact like watercraft, but I will note where the water quality is too poor for swimming so that complete novices who have a high chance of falling in can take that into account. Check up-to-date water quality data in Fraser Health Authority and Vancouver Coastal Health.
Quick Comparison: Beginner SUP Spots in Metro Vancouver
| Location | Lake/River Size | Parking | Motorboats | Water Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sasamat Lake (Port Moody) | 900m, small | Pay parking, stairs from lot | None | Warm, occasional closures |
| Buntzen Lake (Anmore) | 3.7km long | Free reservation required | Electric only | Good |
| Rolley Lake (Mission) | <1km across | Ample parking | None | Good |
| Hayward Lake (Mission) | Medium, ~3.5km | First-come, fills early | Electric only | Good |
| Whonnock Lake (Maple Ridge) | 650m across | Ample parking | None | Good |
| Hicks Lake (Harrison Hot Springs) | Small to medium | Day-use & campground | 10HP max | Risk of swimmer’s itch |
| Alice Lake (Squamish) | 450m, very small | Provincial park, busy | None | Occasional swimmer’s itch / E. coli |
Best Beginner Paddleboarding Lakes for First Timers
Brand new to paddleboarding? These calm, small lakes are nature’s swimming pools — warm in summer, easy to launch, and generally free of motorboats. Perfect for practicing your balance and getting comfortable on a board.
Sasamat Lake – SUP for Beginners in Port Moody
Sasamat Lake is a small, warm lake in Belcarra Regional Park. Its popularity makes it busy in summer, and water quality can occasionally close it to swimming. Launching is from a sandy beach, a short walk (with stairs) from the parking lot. Metro Vancouver has introduced pay parking to control crowds.
Buntzen Lake – Scenic SUP in Anmore
Buntzen Lake stretches 3.7km north to south, offering stunning mountain views. Launching is easy from a sandy beach or paved ramp, but afternoon winds can challenge beginners. BC Hydro now requires a free parking reservation during peak season.
Rolley Lake – Easy SUP Launch in Mission
Rolley Lake is small, motorboat-free, and has a sandy beach launch close to parking. Views aren’t dramatic, but it’s peaceful and beginner-friendly.
Hayward Lake – Family-Friendly SUP in Mission
Hayward Lake offers mountain views and onshore amenities. Parking is first-come, first-served, and summer weekends get busy. Only electric motors are allowed, making it quieter than nearby Buntzen Lake.
Whonnock Lake – SUP with Family Facilities in Maple Ridge
Whonnock Lake is tiny but charming, with a mountain backdrop, picnic areas, and playground. A sandy beach makes launching easy, and no power boats are permitted.
Hicks Lake – SUP at Sasquatch Provincial Park
Hicks Lake is smaller and calmer than nearby Harrison Lake. Day-use areas and a boat ramp are available, but note the risk of swimmer’s itch in shallow, warm water.
Alice Lake – SUP with Campground in Squamish
Alice Lake is very small (450m across) but ideal for practice. The provincial park has a popular campground, hiking loop, and picnic facilities. Water quality varies, with occasional E. coli advisories.
Next-Level SUP: Calm Rivers and Inlets for Confident Beginners
Once you’ve logged about 5+ hours on calm lakes, you may be ready to try slightly larger water bodies. These spots are calm but may have poorer water quality or light boat traffic — manageable for paddlers less likely to fall in.
Rocky Point Park – SUP in Port Moody’s Burrard Inlet
Rocky Point Park provides protected access to the innermost corner of Burrard Inlet. Launch from the paved boat ramp, not the mudflats, to avoid quicksand and barnacles. The water is cleaner than False Creek but not swimmable.
Deep Cove – Popular SUP in North Vancouver
Deep Cove is one of Metro Vancouver’s most popular SUP spots, with calm waters protected from Indian Arm. It’s busy on summer weekends, and parking is scarce, so arrive early or launch instead from Lowry Waterfront Park and paddle north. A great entry point for exploring Indian Arm, but beginners should stay near the cove to avoid boat lanes.
Deer Lake – Urban SUP in Burnaby
Deer Lake is a small, calm urban lake with scenic views of Metrotown. No motorboats, but water quality is poor — suitable for paddling but not swimming. Launching requires wading through a muddy beach shared with birds, which can be messy.
Burnaby Lake – Wildlife SUP in Burnaby
Burnaby Lake has a dredged 2km rowing strip, surrounded by shallow wetlands full of wildlife. No motorboats allowed. Launching is easy from a dock, but water quality is not swimmable. Check the rowing club schedule before visiting, as the lake can get busy with crews.
Bedford Channel – Calm River SUP in Fort Langley
Bedford Channel is a scenic branch of the Fraser River. Flow is usually gentle except during freshet (spring snowmelt). The water is muddy and not for swimming, but paddling here is calm and beautiful year-round.
Deas Slough – Protected SUP in Delta
Deas Slough is a still backwater of the Fraser River, perfect for flatwater SUP. Launching is easy from a beach or dock, though occasional speeding motorboats can cause wakes. Check the day-use schedule before going. Not swimmable.
Alouette River – Calm SUP in Pitt Meadows
Alouette River is calm and boat-free between Harris Road and Neaves Road. Watch for submerged hazards and always wear a quick-release leash. A hidden gem for flatwater paddling near Vancouver.
Jericho Beach – SUP in Vancouver (With Caution)
Jericho Beach is the choppiest spot on this list, but also one of the most iconic. On calm days (winds < 5km/h), the small cove near the kayak centre is manageable for confident beginners. Parking is paid, and boat traffic can make things tricky. Tina and I took our first SUP lesson here — lots of falls, but also lots of laughs!
Honourable Mentions (Not Ideal for Beginners)
These spots are beautiful but better suited for intermediate paddlers with at least 10–20 hours of SUP experience. Currents, winds, or heavy boat traffic can make them less beginner-friendly.
Nicomekl River – Usually calm, but frequent fishing boats and shallow mudflats at low tide. Poor water quality.
False Creek – Flat water but extremely busy with water taxis and pleasure boats. Poor water quality, not suitable for swimming.
Belcarra – Calm near the picnic area but risky to cross Burrard Inlet due to tugboats and commercial ships. Best for sticking close to shore.
Widgeon Creek – Gorgeous and calm once you’re in the creek, but requires crossing the busy Pitt River where boats travel at speed. Afternoon winds can be challenging.
A Few More on My To-Paddle List
We haven’t had the chance to try these yet, but they’re on our family’s radar. If you’ve paddled here, let us know what you think in the comments!
- Albert Dyck Lake – Abbotsford
- Hatzic Lake – Mission
Final Thoughts & Reader Tips
Metro Vancouver is full of amazing SUP spots for every skill level. Start with small, warm lakes like Sasamat or Rolley, then work your way up to bigger waters like Buntzen or Hayward. When you’re ready, try calm rivers and inlets such as Bedford Channel or Alouette River — but always paddle within your comfort zone.
Did we miss your favourite paddleboarding location? Drop a comment below — we’d love to hear your tips and experiences! And if you found this guide helpful, subscribe to OutdoorFam for more family-friendly outdoor adventures across BC below.