Laura
Absolutely brilliant experience, would highly recommend to everyone!
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The paddle heads out around Thatcher Rock as the light drops, then into a quiet cove for a guided forage and a beach fire. Edible plants and inter-tidal finds are talked through on the sand, with a taste of what the shore offers that evening. The route stays short so there is time to cook and sit, not just cover water.
Meet on the sand in the late afternoon, get kit fitted, and hear the plan for Thatcher Rock and the cove. Once everyone is afloat, the guide leads an easy loop, then lands for foraging and a fire while the sun goes. Seasonal start times sit around 17:30 in midsummer and earlier as the evenings shorten.
Pack a little extra food if you want more than the tasting at the fire. We confirm the clock when we approve your date. Come a few minutes early so kit does not eat into the last good light on the water.
Oddicombe sits on Babbacombe Bay, with Thatcher Rock just offshore and caves along the cliff line. The launch is sand, and south-westerly wind is blocked here, which helps an evening forage stay in kinder water.
The cove we use depends on tide and swell. Changing rooms and lockers are at the base when we are operating. There is no parking on the beach, so most people use the cliff railway or walk down Beach Road.
No previous kayaking is needed. Be happy getting a little wet and able to follow a brief on the sand. Children from 4 can join when they fit a buoyancy aid, and anyone under 18 paddles with a responsible adult.
Bring a warm layer for sitting by the fire after you land. Mention any allergies or dietary notes when you request a date so we can plan the tasting. A phone light helps on the path up if you finish close to dark.
Guides on this outing talk through what is safe to pick and what to leave, then cook a little of it at the fire rather than handing out a printed list. The paddle around Thatcher Rock is the start of the evening, not the whole point.
Technical clothing is fitted before you launch, and the group stays together at an easy pace. Mixed ages can share the same forage without a long-distance plan.
Meet at Oddicombe Beach, Beach Road, Torquay, TQ1 3LB. There is no parking on the sand. The cliff railway from Babbacombe Downs is the usual way down, or walk the path from the road above.
Look for the watersports desk beside the slipway. Arrive a few minutes before the start so we can fit kit without cutting into the last good light.
About three hours from check-in through to packing kit away, including the paddle around Thatcher Rock, the forage and time at the fire.
Seasonal starts sit around 17:30 in midsummer and earlier as the evenings shorten. We confirm the clock when we approve your date.
A tasting of what the shore offers that evening, talked through on the sand and cooked a little at the fire. It is not a full evening meal.
Pack extra snacks if you want more than the tasting. Tell us allergies when you request a date so we can plan what to pick and cook.
No. The guide coaches a forward stroke and how to stay with the group before you head toward Thatcher Rock. First-timers share the same evening as people who already paddle a little.
Say if anyone is nervous so we can pair them in a tandem and keep the first minutes inside the bay.
Four, when the child fits a buoyancy aid. Anyone under 18 paddles with a responsible adult. Younger children usually share a tandem.
Tell us ages when you request a date so we put the right boats out. The pace stays with the slowest boat.
Oddicombe Beach, Beach Road, Torquay, TQ1 3LB. Walk down to the watersports desk beside the slipway. There is no parking on the sand.
The cliff railway from Babbacombe Downs is the usual way down. Allow extra time on busy summer evenings, then come to the desk ready to change.
A kayak, paddle, buoyancy aid and technical clothing suited to a cooler evening on the water. Everything is fitted on the sand before you launch.
Bring a warm layer for sitting by the fire. Leave phones in the car unless you have a case you are happy to get wet.
Yes. A group of four can take the group option shown when you request a date, which keeps the forage and fire for your party.
Tell us your headcount in advance. Extra people cannot just join on the sand without warning.
Warm layers for sitting by the fire, a towel, old or wet shoes, and a light for the path up if you finish close to dark. Extra snacks help if you want more than the tasting.
Sun cream can still matter on a bright evening. Mention allergies so we can plan the forage.
We shorten the loop or stay inside the bay if wind or swell makes Thatcher Rock or the cove unsafe. Rain alone does not stop the outing.
We contact you as early as we can if the start has to move. The fire only happens when the shore is usable.
Seals and seabirds use this coast toward dusk, and we watch from the boats. The forage itself is plants and inter-tidal finds, not a wildlife guarantee.
We never promise a sighting. The cave line, Thatcher Rock and the fire are the sure part of the evening.
We are a passionate team of experienced sea kayakers based in the beautiful Torbay area. Our mission is to provide safe, fun, and memorable guided kayaking trips that showcase the breathtaking scenery and rich wildlife of the English Riviera.
From our base at Oddicombe Beach within Babbacombe Bay, we are a specialist adventure operator in geology and wildlife tours throughout the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark. Whether you are learning a new paddle sport or planning an unforgettable family day out, we deliver sea kayak and SUP training, tours, and watersports beach hire with expert guidance and all the equipment you need.
Absolutely brilliant experience, would highly recommend to everyone!
Kieran was an organised, pleasant, knowledgeable and interesting tour guide. Also clearly, a very good kayaka. The only critique would be the size of the group. It was just too long to get everyone geared up and at the cave for all kayaks to go into and out. Otherwise a…
Great, good local knowledge, friendly instructor. Lots of wildlife and little adventures had. Recommend.
Amazing experience, would highly recommend to anyone!
Jose was very friendly and helpful! The bikes he provided were great for the price, and we enjoyed a unique gravel bike adventure in Spain. There were very few other companies offering gravel bike rentals. I would 100% recommend this adventure with Jose to any travelers in Spain looking to…
It was really enjoyable. I had never done kayaking before but after some short, simple clear instruction I was confidently making it way along the coastline. It was great to see things from the water you would've otherwise have been able to get a view of. I would definitely do…
Excellent day out with super efficient Kieran and Sam. Even a novice like me finally cracked the code to a good kayaking. The caves, guided tour on geological formations punctuated by marshmallow roasting and fossil hunting truly enhanced the overall experience. Would love to do it again. Plus - a…
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