Stand Up Paddle boarding is an incredibly versatile sport. I can’t think of any other single activity that easily spans, and specializes in, so many different uses. Of course there are recreational all-around paddle boards, but we also have racing boards, expedition boards, fishing boards, group boards, and, of course, stand up paddle boards for yoga!
Whether you are a seasoned yogi or just like to stretch out occasionally, practicing yoga on a paddleboard can be incredibly fun. Most iSUPs have as much or more usable surface area as your average yoga mat. The soft but grippable deck pads make excellent surfaces for yoga of all levels.
While you can practice yoga on any paddleboard, some are made specifically for SUP yoga. So, what sets these paddle boards apart from others?
Any yoga-specific paddleboard will first focus on stability. This generally translates into SUPs that are wider (typically 33”+) and have long parallel sections through the board rather than aggressive tapers. Yoga SUPs will also normally have wider noses, wider tails, and lower rocker lines (how far the nose and/or tail lift from the water). All of these features work together to add stability to help with positions of all difficulty levels.
Many yoga-specific SUPs include other items to make your practice easier and more comfortable. Larger deck pads provide more grippable area. Minimized, moved, or removed “extra” features like action mounts and cargo areas keep the deck clean and free from tripping hazards. Lastly, many yoga iSUPs also move the position of their carrying handles away from the middle of the board.
With those features in mind, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite yoga paddle boards. Some are yoga-specific, others aren’t. They span a range of prices, sizes, and features, but all provide an excellent base for your sun salutation, sirsasana, or (my favorite) savasana.
Best Paddleboard for Yoga Comparison Chart
section-hd | Top-Rated Paddleboards for Yoga |
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BOARD | DIMENSIONS | CAPACITY | WARRANTY | PRICE | |
Sea Gods Medusa CX | Sea Gods Medusa CX | 11’ x 34" x 6" 21.0 pounds | 350 lbs | 10 years, 30-day return period | Check PriceRead Review |
Glide O2 Lotus 3.0 | Glide O2 Lotus 3.0 | 10’6” x 35" x 6" 22 pounds | 400 lbs | 10 years, 30-day return period | Check PriceRead Review |
Nixy Venice G5 | Nixy Venice G5 | 10’ 6” x 34" x 6" 23 pounds | 400 lbs | 3 years, 30-day return period | Check PriceRead Review |
Sea Gods Diatom Ten6 CX | Sea Gods Diatom Ten6 CX | 10’ 6” x 34" x 6" 19 pounds | 340 lbs | 10 years, 30-day return period | Check PriceRead Review |
Thurso Tranquility | Thurso Tranquility | 10’ 8” x 34" x 6" 27 pounds | 240 lbs | 2 years, 30-day return period | Check PriceReview Coming soon |
iRocker Cruiser 7.0 | iRocker Cruiser 7.0 | 10’ 6” x 34" x 6" 24 pounds | 435 lbs | 3 years, 45-day return period | Check PriceRead Review |
Retrospec Weekender Yogi | Retrospec Weekender Yogi | 10’ 8” x 33" x 6" 19.6 pounds | 300 lbs | 2 years, 50-day return period | Check PriceRead Review |
Bluefin Aura Fit | Bluefin Aura Fit | 10’ 8” x 35.5" x 6" TBD pounds | 350 lbs | 5 years, 60-day return period | Check PriceReview Coming soon |
Sea Gods Medusa CX
11’ x 34″ x 6″
Availability: US, CAN, AUS
Read Full Review Here
The Sea Gods Medusa CX is a supremely stable, high-quality inflatable paddleboard built specifically for SUP yoga. Its Cross-Weave (CX) construction is extremely lightweight without compromising on rigidity. Although it is a large and boxy-shaped paddleboard, the Medusa CX weighs only 21 pounds.
The 34” width runs through the majority of the board, giving it equal-feeling stability along its length. The wide, square tail adds even more tipping resistance to the already stable shape. Last but certainly not least, in keeping with their other iSUPs, the Medusa CX is covered with incredibly beautiful artwork.
Bottom Line:The Sea Gods Medusa CX is a beautifully designed, yoga-first iSUP with state-of-the-art construction.
Check the best price for the Sea Gods Medusa CX iSUP
Glide O2 Lotus
10’ x 35″ x 6″
Availability: US, International Shipping Available
Read Full Review Here
The Glide O2 Lotus is a built-to-last yoga SUP with a retro vibe. The full-length brushed EVA deck pad has the most coverage with the fewest interruptions of all the paddleboards on our list. There is a small cargo area in the front for your water bottle, dry bag, and yoga block, and the side-mounted D-rings are set to work with a kayak seat and shoulder carry strap included with the O2 Lotus.
Glide uses dual-layer heavy-duty PVC material for the shell and rails of the board, and heat-welded seams to create a rigid and extremely durable board.
Bottom Line:With its large space dedicated to SUP yoga practice and excellent durability, the Glide O2 Lotus is a favorite choice for SUP yoga instructors worldwide.
Check the best price for the Glide O2 Lotus iSUP
Nixy Venice G5
10’ 6” x 34″ x 6″
Availability: US, International Shipping Available
Read Full Review Here
The Nixy Venice G5 is a lightweight cruiser/yoga combination iSUP. Built with the same high-quality FusionTech materials and construction as Nixy’s other iSUPs, the Venice has excellent rigidity thanks to the woven drop stitch core and fusion PVC shell. The 34” width is carried through the board’s length, and the wide, square tail helps reduce rolling while balancing along the center of the board.
The full-length embossed deck pad is clear of all distractions throughout its length. There is a large cargo area on the tail of the board and a small one on the nose, giving you plenty of room to bring everything you need for your yoga session and a day of paddling on the water without getting in the way. There is also a bungee cord paddle holder on the nose of the board and several threaded accessory mounts.
Bottom Line: The Nixy Venice G5 is ready for your yoga session and a full day on the water without you needing to change your setup.
Check the best price for the Nixy Venice G5 iSUP
Sea Gods Diatom Ten6 CX
10’ 6” x 34″ x 6″
Availability: US, CAN, AUS
While the Diatom Ten6 CX by Sea Gods is not specifically designed for yoga, it shares many of the same features as those specialty iSUPs.
The 34” wide board has a large deck pad free of clutter but retains plenty of cargo space, threaded accessory mounts, and additional tie-down points found in many all-around paddle boards. The Ultra Light Fusion shell and new woven drop stitch core make the Diatom very stiff while remaining lightweight.
The Diatom Ten6 CX is also available in two different colorways. The first is the brilliantly patterned “standard” Diatom Ten6 with an arrow-motif deck pad. The second is the new Mandala version with the same board artwork but a new CNC-milled deck pad that creates a 3-D mandala shape with multiple layers of EVA foam.
Bottom Line: The Sea Gods Diatom Ten6 CX is a wide, stable, all-around iSUP that’s ready for anything – including your sunset yoga session.
Check the best price for the Sea Gods Diatom Ten6 CX iSUP
Thurso Tranquility
10’ 8” x 34″ x 6″
Availability: US, CAN, UK, EU
The Thurso Tranquility yoga iSUP blends Thurso Surf’s excellent construction and stable shapes with a clean, but feature-filled deck.
The Tranquility is built with woven drop stitch fabric, dual-layer PVC, and carbon fiber rail reinforcements for amazing rigidity and durability. The logo-embossed deck pad is kept clear of distraction and potential trip hazards, but there are still two cargo bungees, a paddle holder, and a threaded/GoPro-ready action mount on the nose of the board.
Bottom Line:The Thurso Tranquility yoga iSUP blends a yoga-centric paddleboard with all of the features of a versatile all-around paddleboard.
Check the best price for the Thurso Tranquility yoga iSUP
iRocker Cruiser 7.0
10’6” x 34″ x 6″
Availability: US, International Shipping Available
Read Full Review Here
The Cruiser 7.0 is the latest iteration of this popular cruiser-style paddle board from iRocker and is a newcomer to our list of best Yoga SUPs. While not a yoga-specific paddle board, the new updates for this seventh-generation iSUP make it a strong contender.
First, iRocker updated the Cruiser 7.0 with a cleaner deck pad for more unencumbered space. However, multiple cargo areas, threaded accessory mounts, and kayak seat-compatible D-rings keep the Cruiser 7.0 versatile on the water.
Second, iRocker widened the Cruiser’s overall shape to 34” (previously 33”) and increased the size of the square tail to over 24”. This new shape makes the Cruiser 7.0 extremely stable and a great choice for the occasional SUP yoga session.
Bottom Line: The iRocker Cruiser 7.0 blends versatility and stability making it an excellent choice for a multi-use paddle board, including SUP yoga.
Check the best price for the iRocker Cruiser 7.0 iSUP
Retrospec Weekender Yogi
10’ 8” x 33″ x 6″
Availability: US
Read Full Review Here
Paddle boards designed for special use (like SUP Yoga) tend to be more expensive as they require specific design features and sizing and don’t have quite the mass-market appeal of a more all-around paddle board. However, that’s not always the case, and part of Retrospec’s brand is its commitment to making the outdoors accessible for all.
The Retrospec Weekender Yogi is a specialty iSUP at an incredible price. Its wide tail and broad nose help increase its stability, and the full-length deck pad allows you to use the entire board for your yoga practice. While there are a few trade-offs to keep the Yogi at a wallet-friendly price point, the care in construction and customer service aren’t among them.
Bottom Line: The Retrospec Weekender Yogi is a budget-friendly specialty iSUP designed for SUP yoga.
Check the best price for the Retrospec Weekender Yogi iSUP
Bluefin Aura Fit
10’ 8” x 35.5″ x 6″
Availability: US, UK, EU, AUS
The Bluefin Aura Fit iSUP balances dedication to yoga/fitness use, paddling versatility, and price. At nearly 36” wide, the Aura Fit offers great primary stability for both paddling and yoga, but it may be harder to paddle for shorter users. The ESL—Exo Surface Laminate construction offers great rigidity and durability but tends to be a heavier construction method.
The main area of the deck is kept clear for uninterrupted flow during your yoga practice. There is a large cargo area and a threaded accessory mount on the nose of the board. There are four carrying handles (nose, tail, and each side), though the extra width of the board and distance between the center handles can make it tricky to carry by yourself.
Bottom Line: The Bluefin Aura Fit is a great budget-friendly option for a dedicated yoga iSUP.
Check the best price for the Bluefin Aura Fit
Paddleboards for Yoga FAQs
What Makes a Paddleboard Good for Yoga?
When picking a paddleboard for yoga, the two most important characteristics are stability and space. Yoga boards should be 10’6” or longer and 33” or wider to provide enough primary stability (stability while the board is flat on the water) and enough room for your yoga practice. Boxier shapes (versus tapered shapes) and wider noses/tails provide extra stability as you move across the length of the paddleboard. Feature placement is also important. The best iSUPs for yoga have large, clear areas to allow you to move through your practice without catching or stepping on handles, bungee cords, D-rings, or accessory mounts.
What Do I Need to Start Practicing SUP Yoga?
You technically don’t need anything to start practicing SUP Yoga beyond what you’d normally need for paddle boarding. However, a Yoga-specific iSUP can make your journey into SUP Yoga easier and more comfortable. Beyond a Yoga SUP (or other extra-stable paddle board), we recommend a lightweight and comfortable PFD (a low-profile life jacket or inflatable belt pack), a small dry bag for your daily essentials, sunscreen, water, and a friend!
Should I Take a SUP Yoga Class?
Absolutely! Taking a SUP yoga class is a great way to get oriented to practicing yoga on your paddleboard with the help, guidance, and safety that a SUP Yoga instructor can provide.
Recommended Gear for SUP Yoga
In addition to a paddle board suitable for SUP Yoga, the only other items you need are a PFD (I recommend belt-style inflatable PFDs for the best mobility) and a plan! An anchor can also help keep you from drifting too far away from your starting point if there is a breeze. I like to write my routines on index cards and keep them in a zip-lock bag on the board.
Final Thoughts – Best Paddleboards for Yoga
SUP Yoga is a great way to expand your paddleboarding repertoire. Practicing yoga doesn’t have to be full of difficult poses to be effective. Even gentle stretching and movement can increase your flexibility, strength, and balance and help you focus and calm your mind. Namaste.
Editor’s Note
After seeing our list above, you may be asking yourself “what about XYZ brand or model?” First and foremost, we will only review and recommend products we have personally tested. You won’t find spec-only reviews and blind recommendations here. You may notice a few highly rated boards in our reviews are not on this list. While we stand by our reviews and ratings of those boards, last year several companies ceased their affiliate programs. This prevents us from being compensated for the hours, days, and weeks we spend with these products for testing and reviewing (though they still receive the benefit of our content). If you enjoy our content or find it helpful, we ask that you help support Inflatable Boarder by considering brands that continue to support us first. You can read more about how we make money and the reviewing industry as a whole in our recent blog post.