So you want to test your balance and find inner peace? There’s no better way to zen out than diving into a SUP yoga session. Stretch those forgotten-about muscles and escape into nature. Paddle board yoga is the hottest thing to do this summer!
But first, you’re going to need one of the best paddle boards for yoga to get you on your way.
There are some things you need to know before buying a SUP. We’ve done the research and gathered a comprehensive list for the best of the best SUP yoga paddle boards.
From dimensions and buoyancy to budget and style – these pointers will help you choose the best paddle board for yoga to suit you.
Inflatable SUP Boards | Length / Width | Weight Capacity | Budget | Price |
GILI Komodo | 10'6 / 33" | 340 lbs | Budget | Check Price |
GILI Meno | 11'6 / 35" | 460 lbs | Mid-range | Check Price |
GILI Manta Ray | 12' / 45" | 725 lbs | Premium | Check Price |
Bluefin Aura | 10'8 / 36" | 198 lbs | Budget | Check Price |
Thurso Surf Tranquility | 10'8 / 34" | 240 lbs | Mid-range | Check Price |
NIXY Venice | 10'6 / 34" | 300 lbs | Mid-range | Check Price |
Advanced Elements Lotus YSUP | 10' / 32" | 200 lbs | Mid-range | Check Price |
PEAK Fitness | 10' / 32" | 240 lbs | Budget | Check Price |
Driftsun Balance | 11' / 34" | 400 lbs | Budget | Check Price |
Isle Scout | 11' / 33" | 315 lbs | Mid-range | Check Price |
ROC Explorer | 10' / 32" | 300 lbs | Budget | Check Price |
Awesafe iSUP | 10' / 32" | 320 lbs | Budget | Check Price |
Best for Meditation
Are you after the most zen-looking yoga stand up paddle board? Our GILI Komodo Inflatable Paddle Board comes in a choice of three colors: blue, teal, or a combination with a beautiful yogi mandala on the deck.
With a 33” width, this board gives a stable and rigid surface which is perfect for beginners and advanced yogis’. The widened stance is partnered with a slightly pointed nose, so no speed is lost with the stability for when you take the board for a paddle in between yoga sessions.
The deck pad is made from a super comfortable EVA foam, running from nose to tail. We’ve utilized a triple layer fusion technology so it is 20% lighter than most other boards.
Our GILI Komodo iSUP is a great choice for the more advanced paddler. As it’s slightly shorter than the other GILI boards, balancing in certain yoga poses can be more challenging.
Bundle includes:
Complete with our standard high-quality care, versatile fin setup, and manufacturer’s 2-year warranty. The GILI Komodo Inflatable Paddle Board is a fantastic choice for yoga and advanced riders.
Best for Tree Pose
Our very own GILI Meno iSUP is a ‘do everything’ board, perfectly stable to support you in your yoga flow and be your trusted yoga board. There are two lengths to choose from – we recommend the 11’6 model to give you a larger area to stretch out on.
The Meno series are the most stable boards in our collection. The 35” width provides an excellent surface, complete with a full-length deck pad, so you can stretch those fingers up high in tree pose knowing you’ve got a secure deck underfoot.
Constructed with our dual-layer Fusion Technology, the GILI Meno board is one tough piece of kit. The dual-layer PVC is the strongest yet lightest in the industry, making the perfect durable SUP with the best possible rigidity.
If this wasn’t enough, our GILI Meno Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board comes as part of an epic bundle package so you can get all the gear needed for an awesome day of fun, right from the get-go.
Bundle includes:
We promise you’ll have a blast with this board. Without a doubt, this is one of the best paddle boards for yoga, if not the best.
Best for Acro Yoga
Next up is our GILI Manta Ray range. This Multi-Person Inflatable Paddle Board is the largest SUP going, perfect for bringing the crew along for a paddle or try out Acro Yoga with a partner. Choose between a 12’ or 15’ board – the 15 footer is truly epic!
The 15’ SUP has a whopping 56” deck width, while the 12’ GILI Manta Ray SUP has an equally amazing 45” width. Both options are perfect for giving you a decent stable deck for SUP yoga. The 12’ will comfortably carry 2-3 people with a weight capacity of 725 lbs. The 15’ board can handle 5 or more people!
Made with the same superior materials, the military-grade PVC construction is guaranteed to last. And what’s more, despite being a huge SUP, it’s still lightweight and easy to handle – 35/52lbs (12'/15').
It goes without saying that our GILI Manta Ray Multi-Person Inflatable SUP brings the life to any party. We’ve bundled everything together, as always, to give you everything you need to take to the water right away.
Bundle includes:
If you are after the best SUP yoga board for the easiest session, the GILI Manta Ray is the one for you. The insane width and length of the board makes for a smooth ride, almost as if you are on land.
Best for Cobra Pose
Bluefin’s Aura Fit Yoga SUP has found a great balance between paddle boarding and yoga in a board design. This SUP performs well as a cruiser but can also be used as a floating yoga mat when wanted. With a 28 PSI level, this SUP is super stable and insanely rigid.
A 36” width and all-around shape make this ideal for beginners who need extra stability to help them balance. Especially when you’re in a headstand!
The Bluefin Aura Fit Yoga SUP is a good all-around option, ideal for taking your yoga practice or pilates class to the water. Just be aware though, even though this is an all around SUP, you are limited on the amount of gear and additional accessories you can add on.
Best for Warrior 2
Thurso Surf’s Tranquility SUP is an excellent choice for SUP yoga lovers, but always difficult to get hold of due to low stock numbers. This stable board has a wide design from nose to tail, providing you with an excellent deck for yoga and workouts.
Again, this board makes good use of a lotus flower design to the board. This is perfect for reminding you to stay calm and focused throughout your practice.
This SUP yoga board from Thurso Surf is one of the best yoga SUPs going. You’ll be able to keep your feet firmly in place and feel comfortable throughout a yoga session.
Best for Side Plank
Nixy’s Venice Cruiser SUP is one of the best paddle boards for yoga. The super comfy deck pad is perfect for a yoga session out on the water. This stable board is great for beginners, taking passengers, or simply having a gentle cruise.
This yoga board features a side bungee system to hold your paddle while out on the water. There is also storage on the nose of the board for your bag and water bottle.
Complete with mounts, d-rings, and bungee cords, Nixy’s Venice Yoga board really is the real deal for practicing yoga on the water. Nixy includes a carbon fiber paddle, fins, hand pump, leash, and backpack to get you going right away.
Best for Warrior 1
The Advanced Elements Lotus YSUP is designed with yoga practice in mind. From nose and tail to a completely clear deck, this is a great SUP board for yoga.
If you want a board that looks a bit different then this is the SUP for you. The Lotus YSUP has a unique shape and color scheme that will make sure you stand out from the crowd.
This is one of the best stand up paddle boards for yoga out there. Beginners may struggle with the length of the board being slightly smaller than other options. But if you are an experienced paddler and a yoga lover wanting to try paddle board yoga, then this is a great SUP to try.
Best for Downward Facing Dog
Peak’s yoga paddle boards are a good option for anyone on a tighter budget. They have been designed specifically for yoga, pilates, and fitness workouts. With a wide deck from nose to tail, finding your balance will be easy.
The Peak 10’ may be smaller than other SUP yoga paddle boards, but the EVA pad fills the deck and is comfortable underfoot. You’ll be stretching into downward facing dog in no time!
So if you need a SUP yoga board on a budget, check out thisPeak 10’ iSUP. It’s unfortunate the carry handle has no indent to go into as this is a major flaw for a yoga board.
Best for Dancers Pose
Driftsun’s Balance SUP is a relatively large board with a wide deck perfect for SUP yoga. The 6” thick board gives great stability and rigidity, perfect for a dancer pose if you’re a more experienced water yogi.
With a drop stitch technology and rugged PVC material gives durability. The inner core can be inflated to a 15 psi level allowing for a good level of performance perfect for yoga.
This is another good budget SUP yoga board. However, again the center grab handle is an obstacle. This may be okay for beginners, but as you master the yoga sequences this will be an annoying feature to stretch around.
The best for Sun Salutation
It’s no secret that Isle’s Scout model is one of the best paddle boards for yoga. It is soft underfoot, 33 inches wide, and has a full grooved deck pad running the length of the board. SUP yoga is a breeze with a board like this.
The retro design is timeless. And just like our GILI Komodo, this board has a paddle holder on the rail so you can keep your hands free for a full sun salutation flow. Grab handles, bungee cords, and mounted d-rings make this an excellent stand up paddle board.
The Isle Scout is an excellent yoga board and has all the same features as many other mid-range inflatable yoga boards. The width is slightly narrower than the GILI options which does reduce the weight capacity.
Best for Childs Pose
Roc SUP Co.’s Explorer series is an alternative board to consider if you want to take on SUP yoga. This is more of a general all around type board that is versatile and has a good amount of buoyancy to keep your yoga above water.
You can choose between four bold and vibrant colors: hot pink, lime green, blue, or black. All come with the essential gear needed to get you out on the water, as well as a small waterproof bag for valuables as a bonus extra.
There is a lot to like about this low-budget paddle board. It is smaller than other recommendations. But for a peaceful yen or restorative practice, with plenty of child’s pose, this is a great choice of SUP for yoga.
Best for Table Top
And last but not least, Awesafe’s Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board – the cheapest yoga board recommended. Despite the low price, this board is still made with high-grade materials to give a rugged finish. This may not be the softest deck pad underfoot, but you certainly won’t slip.
Awesafe has bundled the board into a package deal to include the paddle, leash, fins, pump, and bag. Just keep in mind these are also basic and low-end quality, so perhaps don’t expect the longest life from this gear.
While this board struggles to compare to the others, it’s still a great consideration for paddle board yoga on a tighter budget. Awesafe’s iSUP is a fantastic entry-level board for beginner paddlers.
There are some key aspects you should consider when buying a yoga paddle board. From specific dimensions to the material of the deck pad, these features will help you have a better yoga experience out on the water.
Generally, the best paddle boards for yoga need to be at least 10 feet long and 32 inches wide. This will give you the best stability and rigidity, making the deck solid for your routine.
The larger the board, the higher the buoyancy/volume. With a larger volume, the SUP can carry more weight. So if you want to try out acro yoga with a partner, make sure you look to get an oversized yoga paddle board designed for multi-person use.
Ideal board proportions are 11’/12’ x 35” x 6”.
The deck pad needs to be comfortable. The best yoga boards will feel like you are practicing yoga on your mat on the land – soft, rigid, and without any slip.
Most inflatable paddle boards generally come with traction pads built-in. However, not all of them are full-length. Make sure you get a board with a decent-sized traction pad to get the best yoga experience.
Even though you aren’t going to be moving, you still need a stable fin system underneath you for support. Having side fins in place will help you stay balanced as you move from downward dog to cobra, warrior two to tree.
We have only mentioned inflatables in our guide to the best paddle boards for yoga. This is simply because iSUPs are better for yoga. The increased thickness means the board sits higher out of the water and gives you a great amount of stability.
Hard boards get super slippy if they don’t have a full-length deck pad installed. And they can also cause more injury if you slip or fall onto them.
So, for this round of debate, inflatables do beat the hard boards this time!
Once you get your own board and are ready to give SUP yoga a go, it’s helpful to keep some useful tips in mind for a better experience.
To make the most of the best paddle boards for yoga, you need to know what you are doing. Look for groups or paddle schools near you. They may be running SUP yoga classes that you can join to get to grips with the paddle board yoga basics.
Learning a handful of intro yoga poses is enough to get you started. As you progress and discover greater balance you can push your yoga practice to the next level. Try to master these yoga poses, to begin with:
SUP yoga is a traditional yoga practice that has been combined with paddle boarding. The mat is substituted for the stand up paddle board, adding an extra element to the balance and practice. Generally, SUP yoga poses are a combination of hatha and vinyasa sequences.
SUP yoga is best done on an inflatable paddle board, rather than a solid board. This is because inflatable boards sit higher out of the water due to having a higher volume and buoyancy. iSUPs are also more comfortable with larger EVA traction pads providing an excellent yoga mat alternative.
The minimum width of the paddleboard should be 32” when doing SUP yoga. The wider the board, the better the stability and more space to stretch out. Having a narrower board will make yoga on a paddle board more difficult.
An inflatable general purpose, all-around paddle board is the best choice for beginners. We recommend our GILI Meno or GILI Air inflatable paddle boards. Not only are these the ideal dimensions to learn on, but they also are superbly versatile and are still fun as you progress.
There are so many popular brands on the paddle board market. GILI, Isle, and Thurso Surf are all in the mid to high end range, providing excellent quality SUPs at affordable prices.
When doing SUP yoga, you should wear comfortable and flexible clothing. You don’t want to be restricted in your movements and hold back your stretches because of what you are wearing. Most people choose to wear their swimwear so they can have a refreshing dip after the session.
SUP yoga is safe as long as you don’t push your body too much. Remember to only do poses that you are comfortable with. And be sure to check the weather and wind forecasts before you go into the water for the safest practice.
SUP yoga provides an excellent workout for the whole body. There is an increased element of balance when you practice on the water, so your core muscles will have a good session. You will be surprised at how many calories you can burn!
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