Getting out of the city to enjoy nature is always a bit (a lot) of what brings us joy.
Here are 5 paddle board spots less than 1 hour from Montreal (without traffic, of course) that you'll love!
5. Lake of Two Mountains
Paddling among anchored sailboats? The lake of Two Mountains is the place to do it. Access is easy via Félix Leclerc park: there's even a parking lot and steps for easy access to the water. An incredibly beautiful SUP spot between two mountains, close to home, to enjoy our many Quebec waterways.
4. Saint-François Bay
If you want to enjoy a paddle board session at the end of the day and watch one of the most beautiful sunsets, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield is the place to be. You can launch your board at des Hirondelles park and paddle quietly into Saint-François bay. Come back and stop to admire the spectacle.
3. Chambly Basin
The Chambly basin is a simply magical paddleboarding experience. Our advice: go there at the end of the day when the captains have put away their boats and are sipping their sparkling wine on the terraces of old Chambly. The water will be calm and you can walk without falling into the water due to the waves caused by the bigger boats. For the best view, go to Fort Chambly and admire this fortress from another angle.
For the more fearless, a stationary wave on the Richelieu is accessible through the des Rapides park.
2. Riviere-des-Milles-Îles
If you like birds, turtles and want to SUP between dozens of islands near Montreal, go to Riviere-des-Mille-Îles. Animals, you may see them, and quite a bit more. For launching, there are 2 places:
- from the dock located immediately after the highway 117 bridge. Then you take a right towards the islands
- by the Rivière-des-Mille-Îles Park in Sainte-Rose.
These two access points are easy to find and promise a memorable paddle board experience.
1. Îles-de-Boucherville National Park
The closest place to downtown Montreal, but where you also feel the furthest? Definitely the Îles-de-Boucherville National Park. Part of the SÉPAQ network, there is an entrance fee to have access to the water, but it doesn't bother us too much; it's beautiful and offers TAIGA boards rental. The journey is a roughly 2 hours loop where you'll pass tall grass and small islands.
For those who have an inflatable SUP and who live in Montreal, there is now a free shuttle service that leaves from the Longueil-Université-de-Sherbrooke Metro. We love this!
Whether you're from the city or not, don't hesitate to contact us to find out about the most beautiful SUP spots in your region. We will be happy to help you, or even accompany you!