Winter paddleboarding in Florida? It’s not as chilly as you might think, but the right gear will keep you cozy and comfortable on the water.
In this post, I’ll be sharing the gear Robert and I use for our winter paddles, why we chose it, and why we recommend it. I’ll also talk about the gear we haven’t purchased yet, why we haven’t bought yet, and why we are considering buying it sooner rather than later.
Since I started paddleboarding in 2022, I’ve put our gear through its paces, replacing a few items along the way. With some trial and error and recommendations from more seasoned paddlers, we’ve found what works best for cold-weather paddling.
Keep reading to discover the essentials you’ll want for your winter paddleboarding adventures.
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Table of Contents
- Why Paddleboard in the Winter?
- Florida Winter Tips
- How to Find Warm Water Even on the Coldest Days
- Paddleboarding Outfits for Winter
- Wetsuit/Neoprene Items
- Paddling Booties
- Paddling Gloves
- What I Wear
- Dry Bags: A Must for Winter Paddles
- Life Jacket or Personal Flotation Device (Legally Required)
- Whistle (Legally Required)
- Sunblock/Sunscreen
- Lip Balm with SPF: Don’t Forget Your Lips!
- Sunglasses: Protect Your Eyes
- Other Gear
- Happy Paddling!
Why Paddleboard in the Winter?
You might be wondering why I’m even writing this. I mean, paddleboarding is a summer activity, right? It is a fantastic way to get out onto the water in summer and swim in some cool water locations. But, it can also be a winter activity. Especially here in Florida, where we get manatees migrating from colder waters to our (relatively) warm spring waters. And there’s really nothing quite like respectfully sharing the water with these amazing creatures.
Also, why limit an activity you love or want to try just because the temperature has dropped? And again, we are talking about Florida winters. There is no snow; if you go mid-day, some winter days feel spring and fall-like.
Another reason is that most people will be off the water in the winter season. This means you can have a lot of places all to yourself or have a relatively calm experience out on the water.
Florida Winter Tips
If you want to avoid a super cold paddle, watch the weather and plan your trip accordingly. Often, the tail ends of the day are coldest, with the middle of the day warming up, but this isn’t always the case. Some days, the start of the day is as warm as it’s going to be, and the temperature will drop as the day progresses.
Regardless of the temperature, I recommend watching the wind conditions. Even if it’s a warm winter day, you’ll want to stay off the water if it’s windy because it will make the paddle much harder. It can be very hard to navigate when the wind is going – it can blow you off course or just make it so you don’t make any progress. It can also turn into a dangerous situation if the weather changes or if you start losing daylight.
Keep an eye on the time you are out on the water since the days are shorter. You don’t want to find yourself out at night if you didn’t plan for it.
How to Find Warm Water Even on the Coldest Days
If you want to paddle in the winter in Florida but want to avoid cold water, I’ve got some tips for you. Or maybe just one.
Find a spring. Florida springs are 68°F to 72°F year-round. Just know you’ll be competing with manatees to enjoy that warm water, so you’ll need to research before you go to make sure that the spring run isn’t closed to water activities. For instance, Blue Spring Run at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City closes its spring run to water activities, including swimming and paddling.
Paddleboarding Outfits for Winter
Winter in Florida means mild temperatures. Of course, there are always outliers, with some extremely cold days or unseasonably warm days.
The best way to get started is to wear layers. You can remove them as you warm up or do the opposite if the paddle starts off warm and cools off as you go.
My recommendation is to dress for the temperature of the water, not the air temperature.
Avoid Cotton!
My mother-in-law would have a fit if she saw this. Cotton is her favorite material; granted, she doesn’t paddle.
Anyway, cotton absorbs water and stays wet. And you don’t want to paddle in wet clothes on a cold winter day.
Choose moisture-wicking fabrics instead. That way, if you get wet—and a part of you usually gets wet when you paddle— your clothes will dry quickly.
Dress in layers
- Bathing suit or non-cotton bra/underwear
- Moisture-wicking long-sleeved shirt/rashguard and long pants
- Fleece jacket
- Windbreaker/waterproof jacket
- Fuzzy hat
- Paddling Booties
- Paddling Gloves
Wetsuit/Neoprene Items
The wetsuit and neoprene layer keep a thin layer of water that’s heated by your body. You can wear a bathing suit under it. When you wear a wetsuit, you don’t really need anything else. If you are wearing a thin one, you can add a windproof outer layer, but it might not be necessary. I recommend bringing the outer layer with you, just in case.
There are variations: full suit, short sleeves and shorts, bottom only, top only, etc. If you are not sure which would work best for your paddle, ask an expert for recommendations.
Paddling Booties
Consider paddling booties if you want insulated and protected feet with great traction. They are especially important at launch, where you’ll step into the water to place your board and get on it.
The only way to avoid getting into the water is to launch directly from a dock: so the board goes in the water, you sit on the dock, and then scoot onto your board.
I love the idea of having warm(er) feet. Mine are almost always cold unless it’s hot out. So, paddling booties are now on my list of must-have items.
Paddling Gloves
You don’t want to wear regular gloves when paddling. You want paddling gloves that will allow you to grip a paddle while providing insulation. They will also keep your hands dry.
Make sure to select some that will keep your hands warm. Other boating gloves on the market help with grip but won’t insulate your hands.
What I Wear
On cold days, I wear quick-dry leggings (above my ankles), moisture-wicking long sleeves, a beanie, and a zip-up hoodie. If it’s extra cold, I’ll use hot hands to help keep me warm.
I have a wetsuit, but I’ve only worn it once, when I paddled to a spring run and then snorkeled with manatees on a cold day. I was very comfortable while snorkeling, but when I got out of the water and stayed in my wetsuit, I got really cold. I had to wrap myself up in towels and it was not enough. So don’t make that mistake!
I’ve been holding off on purchasing paddling booties and gloves simply because I’ve been trying to keep my paddle adventures budget-friendly. If I start getting out on the water more often, I will definitely make the investment.
Dry Bags: A Must for Winter Paddles
I’ve recommended wearing layers when paddling in the winter, but what do you do with those layers as you start peeling them off? That’s where a dry bag comes in handy—you’ll want to store that layer safely to keep it dry.
If you start your paddle during the warmer part of the day and the temperature drops later, you’ll need to pull layers out from your dry bag. Trust me; you don’t want to put on wet and cold layers when it’s chilly out!
A dry bag is also perfect for stashing a towel, just in case you get a wet booty (or any other part) and need to dry off to warm up.
Life Jacket or Personal Flotation Device (Legally Required)
Let’s start with a quick clarification: life jackets and personal flotation devices (PFDs) aren’t the same.
- Life Jacket: Designed to keep an unconscious person on their back with their face out of the water.
- PFD: A flotation device that helps keep you afloat and is more comfortable for all-day wear.
In Florida, as long as you aren’t in a swimming area, you are legally required to have either a life jacket or a PFD on your paddleboard wherever you’re paddling. The Coast Guard classifies your paddleboard as a non-motorized boat, so you’ve got to follow boating rules. Be sure to check your state’s specific regulations. For Florida paddlers, you can find the laws on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
It’s always a good idea to wear your life jacket or PFD as much as possible.
What I Do
I usually skip wearing my PFD when paddling in shallow waters unless it’s cold. Cold water can shock your system, and I like the extra security in those conditions.
When I’m not wearing my PFD, I keep it tucked under the bungee cords at the front of my board. It’s easy to grab if I need it.
I also wear my PFD whenever I am in a new paddle location.
Whistle (Legally Required)
Keeping a whistle on you is a simple but essential safety measure. Like life jackets or PFDs, whistles are required by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They’re lightweight, easy to carry, and can conveniently attach to your PFD.
A whistle is the fastest way to get attention in an emergency on the water. Just a quick blow and you’ll be heard. Hopefully, help will arrive quickly and you can get to safety sooner.
The good news? Whistles are very affordable. You can grab one for as little as $2, so there’s no excuse not to have one on your board.
My family and I keep ours attached to our PFDs, so we always know exactly where they are.
Sunblock/Sunscreen
Sun protection is a must in Florida, even in winter. The sunshine here doesn’t take a break—it’s called the Sunshine State, after all!
Did you know that sunscreen and sunblock aren’t the same? Sunscreen blends into your skin, while sunblock stays on top and is more visible. There are other differences, too, which you can check out on Forbes Health.
We wear sunscreen, and if we aren’t wearing it on a particular part of our bodies, it’s because we have protected our skin in other ways—hats, rashguards, long sleeves, etc.
Lip Balm with SPF: Don’t Forget Your Lips!
It’s easy to forget about our lips, but the delicate skin there needs protection, too. Lip balm with SPF is perfect for keeping your lips healthy and crack-free, even on those cooler days. You’ll want to use it not just on the water but all year round.
I recommend checking out Badger’s reef-friendly, water-resistant lip balm. It even comes in a handy 4-pack! If you’re looking for something that is both protective and supports assault and abuse survivors, this one’s a great choice.
Sunglasses: Protect Your Eyes
Sunglasses are more than just a fashion accessory—they’re a must for protecting your eyes from the sun. Polarized sunglasses are especially helpful on the water, reducing glare that comes from both above and below.
Personally, I love how my polarized lenses let me see clearly into the water (hello, manatees and fish!), and no more squinting for me!
I also recommend buying a strap (AKA an eyewear retainer) to keep your sunglasses secure and within reach. They’re inexpensive and will save you from losing them overboard!
Other Gear
Of course, there is other gear that you’ll need before you get on the water, like a paddleboard, paddle, and other things. Get all the details in my Paddleboarding 101 blog post!
Not sure what paddleboard to buy? Check out my “The Ultimate Paddleboard Guide: The 9 Best Picks for Every Need” blog post.
Happy Paddling!
Let me know if you have any questions in the comments. I hope this article helped you prepare for your next Florida winter paddle.
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