Laura
Absolutely brilliant experience, would highly recommend to everyone!
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
Our 90-minute taster tours are built for families and groups of four or more who want a first taste of sea kayaking on the English Riviera. Explore hidden sea caves, spot marine wildlife, and pick up introductory skills on calm Geopark water with a certified guide.
Your session starts on the beach with kit issue, buoyancy aid fitting, and a clear briefing on launching, steering, and staying together on the water. Once everyone is comfortable in the chosen craft, your guide leads a short coastal route suited to the day's conditions.
We contact you ahead of your date to confirm the most sheltered launch for the forecast. That might be Oddicombe, Meadfoot, Paignton Sands, or another Torbay slipway where the sea state is kindest for beginners and younger paddlers.
Taster tours use the best sheltered launch on the day across Torbay, including Oddicombe Beach, Meadfoot slipway, Paignton Sands boathouse, Brixham Breakwater, and Oxon Cove when conditions allow.
Oddicombe on Babbacombe Bay is a long-standing favourite for beach launches, with calm water that suits first-time paddlers and families getting used to the craft.
Children from age 8 are welcome when they fit a buoyancy aid; we recommend tandem paddling with an adult. No previous kayaking experience is required.
Guides can paddle tandem with nervous guests or arrange an assisted option where appropriate. Tell us about any mobility or confidence concerns when you request a date.
All technical clothing and equipment are provided, including Reed Chillcheater layers for cooler days, so you can paddle year round with the right kit.
Our guides know paddle sport across sit-on-tops, sea kayaks, and open canoes, and they focus on safe, low-impact access to caves and coastline you cannot reach on foot.
There is no Beach parking at Oddicombe and it fills up quickly at Babbacombe. However, we have a fabulous 1920s Cliff Railway service that gives breath-taking views of the area.
On a cooler day, we'd always advise you to bring gym gear to wear under our dry gear. While it's usually possible to keep your feet dry, we advise you to bring old or wet shoes. You may also bring a swimsuit or change of clothes in case you want to swim.
We welcome children from age 8 when they fit a properly adjusted buoyancy aid. Under-18s must paddle with a responsible adult, and we often suggest tandem seating for younger or less confident paddlers.
Your guide will check fit and comfort on the beach before anyone launches, and can adjust the route or pairing on the water if needed.
The guided time on the water is about 90 minutes in total. That includes roughly 30 minutes on the beach for briefing, kit, and practice before you head out along the coast.
The exact route length depends on wind, tide, and your group's pace; we always prioritise a relaxed introduction over distance.
We supply boats, paddles, buoyancy aids, and technical outer layers suited to the season, including Reed Chillcheater clothing when it is cooler on the water.
On mild days you may only need gym or beach layers underneath; your guide will advise at check-in based on the forecast.
Bring old shoes or wet shoes, even though many guests keep their feet dry. A swimsuit or spare clothes is useful if you want to swim or get splashed in warmer weather.
Pack water and a snack for after the session, plus sun cream and a hat in summer. Transport to the meeting point is not included.
We choose the most sheltered launch on the day from our regular Torbay sites, which include Oddicombe, Meadfoot, Paignton Sands, Brixham Breakwater, and Oxon Cove slipways.
We confirm the exact meeting point when we approve your date and again by message if the forecast shifts closer to the session.
Taster tours are scheduled in the morning or afternoon through the operating season, subject to weather and minimum group size.
Because we need at least four paddlers in the party, tell us your preferred dates and we will match you with another group when possible.
No prior experience is required. The taster format is designed for beginners, families, and anyone trying sea kayaking for the first time.
Your guide teaches basic forward paddling, steering, and how to stay with the group before you explore caves and sheltered bays at an easy pace.
Yes. Guides routinely paddle tandem with guests who want extra reassurance, and we can shorten the route or stay in the calmest water inside the bay.
Let us know when you request a date so we can plan pairings and craft choice before you arrive at the beach.
For some guests an engine-assisted craft can be arranged where it helps you take part safely and enjoy the coastal scenery.
Mention this when you send your request so we can confirm availability and the right boat for your group on the day.
We regularly host extended families, school groups, and celebrations above the minimum four paddlers. Larger parties may qualify for adjusted group rates shown at checkout.
Send your headcount and preferred dates when you request a place and we will confirm craft, guides, and timing for your party.
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…
Operated by Sea Kayak Torbay, a partner of adventuro.
