5 Best Places to Paddle Board in Windsor, CAN

Welcome to Windsor, Ontario’s southern gem.

Have you ever considered discovering the best places to paddle board in Windsor?

This charming city offers diverse paddling spots waiting for you to explore.

Get ready to embark on a thrilling adventure through Windsor’s beauty-rich waterways. Time to set sail!

Planning Your Paddle in Windsor

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 15 °C from May through October. July is the warmest month, averaging 28 °C, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: Transport Canada counts a paddleboard as a human-powered vessel once you use it to take a trip or a crossing. A Canadian-approved lifejacket or PFD of the right size is then required by law for every person, along with a sound-signalling device. No operator card is needed as long as there is no motor.

Where to Paddle Board in Windsor

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Detroit River

🏖️ Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Mckee Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate current, can be windy
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Various fish species, waterfowl
️🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Ambassador Bridge, skyline of Detroit and Windsor
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boat traffic, respect boundary between Canada and the USA

The Detroit River is one of the most iconic places to paddle board in Windsor. Separating Canada and the United States, paddling here offers stunning views of both Windsor and Detroit’s skyline, as well as the impressive Ambassador Bridge.

Make sure to respect the international boundary, and keep an eye out for boat traffic.

#2 Peche Island

🏖️ Location Type: Island
📍 Access Point: Peche Island Rear Range Light (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, but can be windy
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Birds and various fish species
️🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Lighthouse, Hiram Walker mansion ruins, woodland trails
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect sensitive ecosystem, avoid during high waters

Peche Island is a small island located near the mouth of the Detroit River. This hidden gem offers paddle boarders a sense of seclusion and adventure.

Filled with abundant wildlife, picturesque lighthouses, and historic landmarks, Peche Island is an ideal paddleboarding spot for those seeking a more tranquil experience.

#3 Lake St. Clair

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Windsor’s Lakewood Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, can be windy, choppy on windy days
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Various fish species, waterfowl, marsh birds
️🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Beaches, marinas, beautiful vegetation
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Stay within designated areas, respect local wildlife

Lake St. Clair is a popular spot for paddleboarders near Windsor. With its calm waters and scenic views, it offers a pleasant experience for paddlers of all skill levels.

Enjoy the sandy beaches, marinas, and lush vegetation as you explore this beautiful area just outside of the city.

#4 Little River

🏖️ Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Little River Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm to gentle current, may have occasional winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Various fish species, ducks, and herons
️🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Ganatchio Trail, lush wetlands
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be cautious of nearby golf course, respect local wildlife

Little River is a calm and scenic spot for paddleboarding in Windsor. Located near the Ganatchio Trail, it provides a tranquil and picturesque setting, making it perfect for a leisurely paddle.

Be mindful of nearby golf courses and respect the surrounding wetlands and wildlife.

#5 Lake Erie

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Colchester Beach (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm to moderate waves, windy at times
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Various fish species, waterfowl, swans
️🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Sand beaches, shoreline parks
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for sudden weather changes, stay within designated areas

Though located a bit further from Windsor, Lake Erie provides a stunning backdrop for paddleboarding adventures. The lake offers calm to moderate waters, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced paddleboarders alike.

Visit Colchester Beach or nearby shoreline parks to catch a glimpse of the lake’s beauty during your paddling session.

Windsor sits on the Detroit River, so current and freighter traffic decide where you put in. Nova Scotia is the Atlantic alternative, Kelowna the Okanagan one and Lake Louise the alpine one.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case