The best paddle board light for most people is a tall, all-round white light like the Kayalu Kayalite-SUP, because a white light is what US navigation rules ask paddle craft to show after dark. Add a waterproof headlamp so you can see your own deck, and treat colored bow lights and underwater glow kits as extras, not your main light.
We haven’t tested these lights hands-on. We chose them from the US Coast Guard navigation rules, manufacturer specs, owner reviews, and whether you can actually buy them right now. Four of the six lights in the 2021 version of this list are now unavailable on Amazon, so this is mostly a rewrite.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overall: Kayalu Kayalite-SUP, a 360° white light on a mast that clips to your board.
- Best backup light: Kayalu R25, a handheld 360° white torch for about $21.
- Best headlamp: Black Diamond Storm 500-R, rechargeable and rated IP67.
- Best red/green bow light: Innovative Lighting 560-1110, a portable suction-cup bow light.
- Best budget “be seen” lights: Botepon red and green clip-on lights, a pair for under $10.
- Best underwater light: Nocqua Spectrum P2, color-changing light bars that strap under the board.
What the rules say about lights on a paddle board
The Coast Guard treats a paddle board as a vessel whenever you’re outside a swimming, surfing or bathing area. Florida’s wildlife agency (FWC) spells this out on its paddleboard page, and the same federal rules apply in other states.
For lights, a paddle board counts as a “vessel under oars” under Rule 25 of the Navigation Rules. That gives you two options between sunset and sunrise, and in fog or heavy rain:
- Show the same lights as a small sailboat (red and green sidelights plus a white sternlight), or
- Have a white light ready, such as a flashlight or lantern, and show it in time to prevent a collision.
In practice, almost no one fits proper sidelights and a sternlight to a SUP. Most night paddlers run an all-round (360°) white light that stays on, and carry a handheld torch as a backup. That’s the setup we recommend.
A few things to know:
- Colored lights alone don’t cover you. A pair of red and green lights on the nose only makes sense as part of the sailboat set, which also needs a white sternlight. On their own they help people see you, but they aren’t the white light the rule asks for.
- Underwater lights aren’t navigation lights. They look great and make you more visible from close by, but they don’t replace a white light.
- Anchored after dark? A vessel at anchor away from a dock should show an all-round white light.
- Light isn’t the only requirement. Paddle boards outside swim areas also need a Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person and a sound device such as a whistle. See do you need a life jacket on a paddle board.
Some states and parks add their own rules or close waters at night, so check locally before you go.
A 360° white light built for stand up paddle boards
Kayalu Kayalite-SUP
The Kayalite-SUP is a bright white, two-LED light on an 18-inch mast, so it sits above your legs and stays visible from every side. It clips to a leash plug, fin plug, D-ring or any eyelet on the deck, and you lock it with a tension cable.
Kayalu says it meets Coast Guard Rule 25 for SUPs and other paddle craft. It runs on three AA batteries, which are easy to find and swap.
Who it suits: anyone who paddles at dusk, after dark or before sunrise on waters shared with boats.
| Spec | Kayalite-SUP |
|---|---|
| Light | White, 2 LEDs, 360° |
| Height | 18 in (extension kit takes it to 21 or 28 in) |
| Mount | Clips to leash plug, fin plug, D-ring or deck eyelet |
| Batteries | 3 x AA (included) |
| Claimed runtime | 100+ hours |
| Waterproofing | IPX8, rated to 1,000 ft |
| Weight | About 13 oz |
| Price | Around $60 at the time of writing |
Pros
- The light type the rules point you toward, at a height other boaters can see
- Fits most boards without drilling or glue
- Long runtime on cheap AA batteries
- Made in the USA
Cons
- The mast can catch your paddle or knee if you mount it badly; put it behind you near the tail
- Not sold on Amazon at the time of writing
- Lights you up for others, but you’ll still want a headlamp to see your deck
Verdict
The light to buy first if you’re serious about paddling after dark.
A cheap handheld white torch for backup
Kayalu R25
The R25 is Kayalu’s handheld 360° white light. It meets the “white light ready at hand” option on its own, and it’s a sensible spare even if you run a mast light.
It has a bright orange body, a lanyard and a split ring, so you can clip it to your life jacket. Kayalu claims about 100 hours from three AA batteries and rates it IPX8.
Who it suits: paddlers who are usually off the water by dark but want a compliant light just in case, and everyone as a backup.
| Spec | Kayalu R25 |
|---|---|
| Light | White, 2 LEDs, 360° |
| Batteries | 3 x AA (included) |
| Claimed runtime | About 100 hours |
| Waterproofing | IPX8, rated to 1,000 ft |
| Attachment | Lanyard and stainless split ring |
| Price | Around $21 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Cheap
- Small enough to live in a life jacket pocket
- Bright orange body is easy to find if you drop it
Cons
- You have to hold it up or clip it high to be seen
- Not sold on Amazon at the time of writing
Verdict
Cheap insurance. Keep one on your life jacket from spring to fall.
A waterproof headlamp so you can see what you’re doing
Black Diamond Storm 500-R
A navigation light lets others see you. A headlamp lets you see your deck, your leash and the launch. The Storm 500-R is a rechargeable headlamp rated IP67, which Black Diamond says means it’s sealed and tested to work after 30 minutes at 1 meter underwater.
It puts out up to 500 lumens, and it has red night-vision modes so you don’t blind your paddling partners. The battery is built in and charges by micro-USB.
Who it suits: every night paddler, alongside a white navigation light.
| Spec | Storm 500-R |
|---|---|
| Max output | 500 lumens |
| Battery | 2,400 mAh lithium-ion, micro-USB charging |
| Claimed burn time | About 7 hr on high, 19 hr on medium |
| Waterproofing | IP67 |
| Weight | About 4.2 oz (120 g) |
| Price | Around $69 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Truly waterproof, not just splash-resistant
- Bright enough for launching and landing in the dark
- Red light mode for when you’re close to other paddlers
Cons
- A headlamp points wherever you look, so it isn’t an all-round light
- Micro-USB rather than USB-C
- Won’t float if it comes off your head
Verdict
The best way to see your own board after dark. Pair it with a white all-round light.
Red and green sidelights on a suction cup
Innovative Lighting 560-1110 Portable LED Bow Light
This is a proper red/green bow light in one buoyant housing, held on by a suction cup. It’s made for small boats under 22 feet, so it works on the smooth nose of most hard boards and some inflatables.
On its own it isn’t enough at night: you’d also need a white sternlight (or a white all-round light) to complete the set. It’s most useful if you want boaters to tell which way you’re heading.
Who it suits: paddlers who share busy water with powerboats and want to show direction as well as a white light.
| Spec | 560-1110 |
|---|---|
| Light | Red/green bi-color bow light |
| Mount | Suction cup, no drilling |
| Batteries | 4 x AA (not included) |
| Rated LED life | 100,000 hours |
| Size | About 6.2 x 2.5 in |
| Floats | Yes |
| Price | Around $47 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Shows other boats your direction of travel
- No drilling or adhesive
- Floats if it comes off
Cons
- Suction cups don’t grip textured deck pads or soft inflatable skins well
- Needs a white light alongside it
- Batteries not included
Verdict
A good add-on for busy harbors, but buy a white light first.
Tiny, cheap clip-on lights to be seen
Botepon red and green LED lights
These are two small silicone lights, one red and one green, with hooks that loop onto bungees, a rail or a life jacket strap. They run on CR2032 coin cells and have steady, flash and slow-flash modes. The pack includes spare batteries and a whistle.
They’re bright enough to catch someone’s eye, and Botepon claims they’re visible from over half a mile. They are not a substitute for a white light.
Who it suits: paddlers who want extra visibility at dusk for very little money, and anyone who wants a light on their life jacket.
| Spec | Botepon lights |
|---|---|
| In the box | 1 red light, 1 green light, 4 spare batteries, 1 whistle |
| Battery | CR2032 coin cell |
| Modes | Steady, flash, slow flash |
| Mount | Silicone body with double hook |
| Claimed visibility | Over 0.6 miles |
| Price | Under $10 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Very cheap
- Light and easy to attach almost anywhere
- Comes with a whistle, which you need anyway
Cons
- Not a white light, so it doesn’t cover you on its own
- Small; not as eye-catching as a mast light
- Coin-cell batteries are less common than AAs on a trip
Verdict
A cheap extra for dusk and dawn, clipped to your life jacket or bungees.
Underwater glow for night paddles on calm water
Nocqua Spectrum P2
The Spectrum P2 is the fun one. Two 37-inch LED bars strap under the board with an adjustable harness and light up the water around you in seven colors. Nocqua says it puts out 1,200 to 2,000 lumens and runs 3.5 to 6 hours on its rechargeable 12V battery.
It makes you very visible from close by and it’s great for night tours and SUP yoga. It still doesn’t count as a navigation light, so run a white light as well.
Who it suits: paddlers who do a lot of evening paddles on calm lakes and bays and want the glow.
| Spec | Spectrum P2 |
|---|---|
| Light bars | 2 x 37 in, 120 LEDs in total |
| Colors | Red, blue, green, orange, purple, teal, white |
| Modes | Slow color change, party mode, SOS strobe |
| Claimed brightness | 1,200–2,000 lumens |
| Battery | 4.4Ah 12V lithium-ion, water-resistant |
| Claimed runtime | 3.5–6 hours |
| Charge time | About 4 hours |
| Warranty | 12 months |
| Price | Around $250 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Lights up the water around you, which helps you see your feet and the water surface
- Harness fits SUPs, kayaks and canoes without adhesive
- Comes with a travel case
Cons
- Expensive
- Not a substitute for a white navigation light
- Shorter runtime than the battery-powered deck lights
Verdict
The pick if you want your board to glow. Treat it as a bonus, not your safety light.
