A Guide to Paddle Boarding Ventura Harbor

Ventura County is an exceptionally great place to paddle board, whether you are a beginner paddle boarder on a rental, or a more advanced person who wants to backpack into a more remote, open ocean location. One of the most popular places for beginners to start SUPing is Ventura Harbor. Remember that you are required to have a lifesaving flotation device (such as a life jacket) with you at all times during your paddle.

There are three places to launch an SUP in Ventura Harbor. Marina Park has two boat launches that are open to the public from dawn until dusk. Parking is free. There are also public restrooms, a playground, and a beach with waves (and sometimes good surfing) if you want to make a day of it or bring the family and/or friends along.

From the two launches at Marina Park is is an easy paddle inland to the dock homes along the water. This is a great location on windyer days, as the homes add a little more wind protection. This park can get very crowded on weekends and holidays (probably because parking is free), so you may need to cary your board a ways if it is busy. If you can get a good parking spot, it is only a few short steps. If you are taking your dog with you, I would suggest using the launch attached to the sailing school, as it is lower and easier for a dog to get on and off of.

If you are wanting to ease your way into more advanced stand up paddle boarding, it is about a half a mile paddle out into the open ocean. The paddle get’s progressively harder as you get closer to the open ocean, so it is a good place to start testing your skills. Be warned, that as you get closer to the exit, one of the protective jetty is a home to hundreds of costal birds, and as you get close to it, the smell of their excrement is noticeable. However, once you get past it, the views of the coastline are gorgeous.

The Ventura Harbor has a separate public boat launch, Ventura Marina and Landing, that you can also launch out of. This launch is paid parking, but the first hour is free. Be sure to get a parking ticket, even if you will only be there for the free hour. This is a great place to launch out of if you want to explore the vacation atmosphere of the Ventura Harbor Village, and all of the beautiful boats, from a different view. You will have to work around larger water craft and boats making their way into the water, especially on the weekends. Cute little shops and restaurants are all along the harbor, as well as the Chanel Islands Visitor Center, which is free, and a fun place to visit, especially for children.

A third option is to rent a paddle board from Ventura Boat Rentals, a $23/hour. This is a nice option if you don’t want to carry a board with you when you are traveling. Their launch is also within easy walking distance of the restaurants and shopping.

Have any questions or insights about paddle boarding in Ventura? Leave me a comment below.