Best Paddleboard Accessories

Once you launch your paddleboard and get out on the water, a whole new world opens up! You begin to see groups of friends geared up for an all-day adventure, paddleboarders with their dogs, and people anchored in the middle of the water sipping on drinks and taking photos.

Today there are so many awesome paddleboard accessories to choose from, as stand-up paddleboarding has gotten increasingly popular, and nearly half of stand-up paddleboarders are women! You’re in good company, Sis!

If you’re wondering where everyone is discovering these fun and functional paddleboard accessories, look no further. We put together this guide of best paddleboard accessories to elevate your experience, including what to look for when you’re shopping your options. These SUP products are affordable and easy to use and install. Many of them also make great gifts for your paddleboard buddies!

Love paddleboarding? These are must-have SUP accessories for paddleboarders.

Paddleboard drink holder

Want to make it easier to access your beverage while paddleboarding? Look for drink holder products like this Paddleboard Cup Holder found on Etsy. This nifty gadget fits onto the bungee to stabilize and hold your beverage. “This is such a great idea!” said Lacie, who shared a five star review. “It sits in place and holds drinks of any size!”

This design is best for 12 oz cans and cups, but this particular product maker says they can take custom orders, too. Paddleboard accessories like this cup holder can level-up your time on the water and make you feel a little more comfortable.

Photo: Lacie/Etsy Listing Product Review

SUP Bungee Deck Tie-Downs

Most inflatable stand-up paddleboards come with deck bungees already built into the design, but if you have a hard paddleboard, you might be missing this essential feature. Having a bungee tie-down system on the front of your SUP helps you stash dry bags, coolers, sandals and more. If your SUP didn’t come with these, you can purchase deck cord bungee attachments for an affordable price. Search for “SUP deck bungees” or “stand-up paddleboard deck bungees” when shopping online – always try to support your local shops first!

Paddleboard accessories like this Heavy Duty SUP Bungee Deck Kit found on Every Market are easy to install – just clean off the deck, measure out where the attachments should go, and apply the D-ring patches, that stick onto your board and hold on tight. I applied this to my SUP and never had an issue with it falling off, even after years of paddling.

Photo: SUP Deck Bungee System found on Every Market

Floating Waterproof Phone Pouch

If you’re going to bring you phone with you paddleboarding, make sure you protect your valuable asset! Some people think their iPhone is totally waterproof and doesn’t need to be protected while out on the water…I’ve seen enough dead phones to know this isn’t true. Even if we think it could be risky, many of us want to bring our phones with us while paddleboarding for photos, coordinating with friends, and in case of emergency. That’s totally fine because there are waterproof cases designed for this!

A floating waterproof phone pouch will keep your phone dry, secured, and easier to find if you drop it. They’re affordable and worth the investment, as your phone costs much more! The AquaBuddy by Casely is a cute option, designed with crossbody strap so you can keep it closeby, hands-free. The Famoby Waterproof Phone Pouch also has thousands of positive reviews.

What to look for in a waterproof phone case:

Waterproof
Floats
Touchscreen compatible (so you never take it out of the case)
IP68 certified (protection if it sinks)

Dog grip pad

How sad would it be to go paddling without your pup? SO sad. Bring your best friend on your adventure with a doggy grip pad for your paddleboard. Install this grip pad on the deck of your paddleboard to provide traction for your dog, improving their stability while you paddle. This also provides them with a “place” they know they should go to on your board.

This paddleboard accessory is affordable and easy to install. Search online for “paddleboard dog grip pad” to browse the best options for your SUP and pup. They come in different colors to match your SUP design, too. Ashley Enriguez shared in the Facebook Group: Paddling with Dogs suggests making sure all of the material is applied to the deck, not the rails. “I have this traction pad on my board. It hasn’t impacted rolling it up at all! The adhesive works great.”

Photo: Facebook Group Paddling with Dogs: Ashley Enriguez

Dry Bag

It’s a smart move to take a dry bag with you while stand-up paddleboarding. Using a dry bag is the best way to stash your things like car keys, extra clothing layers, sunscreen, and other loose items. These bags are watertight, with a roll down design that then clips together, and also clips to your paddleboard deck bungees for extra security (deck bungees are essential and can also be found on this list!)

What size dry bag should you get for stand-up paddleboarding?
A 10L or 20L dry bag should be big enough to hold everything you’ll need on the water. Consider a 30L or 40L dry bag if you’re carrying gear for more than one person, or plan to paddle all day. Isle and other brands design dry bags for stand-up paddleboarding. And honestly, you can get an affordable one at your local shop that will hold up for years.

Detachable Paddleboard Seat

If you prefer to sit on your paddleboard, you might consider getting a detachable seat for long paddles. A seat will offer back support to prevent sore muscles and encourage good posture. I’ve been seeing more of these on the water, and it’s a great SUP accessory for paddleboarders who prefer to sit, cruise, and relax.

HALA Gear and other brands design detachable paddleboard seats that can be easily taken on and off. Some are designed with lightweight waterproof materials while others are inflatable. The seat you see here is affordable, but some brands can be a little pricey for these (head’s up to shop your options if you’re on a budget).

Huggea Jellybean Crossbody Strap Bag

If you’re like me and walk around the town or marina after paddling, this tiny and mighty dry bag is made to go from SUP to street. The Huggea Jellybean Crossbody Strap Bag folds up and seals items securely, keeping them safe and dry while you’re on the water. Ideal for stand-up paddleboarding, this bag can be worn across your body, or clipped to the bungees on your paddleboard.

The bag is easy to clean, and can be rinsed off after paddling. You don’t have to worry about your essentials getting wet with the watertight design, so you can bring your car keys, chapstick, phone and more. The bag has a 4.9 out of 5 average star rating, with more than 1,200 verified reviews.

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SUP Electric Pump

If you have an inflatable paddleboard but don’t own an air pump, this might be a game changer, especially if you’ve had trouble getting your paddleboard inflated to the proper PSI. Unless you’re hiking down to the launch spot, you’re likely already blowing up your inflatable stand-up paddleboard by your car. Getting an electric air pump that connects to your car cigarette lighter or generator will make getting ready to launch that much easier.

You’ll need to purchase a SUP pump with a H/R valve – you can’t use the same pump as your air mattress. Many electric pumps also have a deflation feature to make pack-up easier, too. You also have the option to shop rechargeable battery pumps, but those could be less reliable if they don’t have a full charge. The SHARK 3 Rechargeable Electric SUP Pump offers both options.

Do I need a special air pump for an inflatable paddleboard?
Yes. You’ll need an electric air pump with a fitting for your paddleboard plug, and one that inflates to the recommended 20 PSI (pounds per square inch) to fully inflate your SUP and make it stable on the water.

What to look for in a paddleboard air pump:

20 PSI
Electric pump
H/R Valve: Halkey-Roberts valve
Locking nozzle

Tip: Make sure to fully inflate your SUP to the recommended PSI, which is usually 20. Under-inflated paddleboards will be squishy and shaky once you launch. (My friend calls this “the taco” effect.)

Anchor

Have you ever reached a spot on your paddleboard and thought, I could stay here forever…but then you begin drifting as the wind or wake comes through. Just like a boat, you can get an anchor for your paddleboard to help you kickback and stay in once place.

Look for a lightweight anchor that folds up and is easy to transport. Isle sells a complete SUP anchor kit, you can find affordable options at sporting good stores and even Walmart – where you can buy the BeGrit Kayak Anchor.

What to look for in a paddleboard anchor:

Lightweight
Folding grapnel anchordesign
1.5-3.5 lbs
30-50 feet of rope

Learn more about paddleboarding safety tips for windy days

Here’s your list for best accessories to elevate your paddleboard experience – check out your options and find what’s right for you. Don’t forget to support your local outdoor shop whenever you can!