Challenge yourself with Cornwall Castaway, a hands-on adventure that combines bushcraft, coasteering, and Super SUP skills on the Cornish coastline. Teams tackle shipwreck scenarios while learning survival techniques and working together in a friendly, engaging environment. Each activity is guided by expert instructors, ensuring safety and fun throughout.
The session begins at the activity centre where participants are kitted out with wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets, hi-visibility vests, and paddles. Instructors provide a full safety briefing and teach essential coastal and wilderness skills. You’ll then move to the shoreline to begin your Castaway adventure, following the historic story of shipwrecked lifeboat crews.
Challenge One involves making dry land after being ‘shipwrecked’. Participants tackle wild sea swimming, climbing, rock traversing, natural sluices, and deep-water plunge pools. These exercises build teamwork, resilience, and confidence while providing an engaging coastal experience.
Challenge Two focuses on cave survival at Dead Man’s Cove. Here you will forage for food, collect driftwood to make fires, and learn about local marine and bird life. Challenge Three culminates in a raft escape using a Super Stand Up Paddleboard, where teams launch, paddle, steer, and navigate back to the shore, testing coordination and cooperation under real coastal conditions.
Newquay sits on Cornwall’s northern coastline and is famed for its dramatic cliffs, historic coves, and wide sandy beaches. Towan Headland and Dead Man’s Cove provide the perfect backdrop for a coastal adventure, combining natural beauty with historical significance.
The coastline offers varied terrain, from plunge pools and rock ledges to caves and sheltered coves. Participants experience first-hand the rugged environment faced by historical lifeboat crews, with the Atlantic Ocean providing both challenge and context for every activity.
Participants should be comfortable wearing a wetsuit and being active in and around shallow water. No prior experience in SUP, coasteering, or bushcraft is required, as instructors provide full guidance and support throughout the session.
A sense of teamwork, problem-solving, and willingness to follow safety instructions will help participants get the most from the adventure. Swimwear should be worn underneath the wetsuit, and appropriate footwear or water shoes are recommended.
The centre provides experienced, qualified instructors who specialise in coastal and wilderness adventure activities. Each session is designed to teach practical skills while keeping safety and engagement at the forefront. Participants receive personalised support and coaching, ensuring everyone can complete challenges confidently.
Facilities include secure lockers, heated changing rooms, hot outdoor showers, and optional discounts at local eateries and surf shops. Free photography captures the day, providing memorable keepsakes, while the structured challenges and historical story make the adventure unique and educational.
Cornwall Castaway is an adventure activity combining bushcraft, coasteering, and Super SUP skills along the Cornish coastline. Participants work in teams to complete challenges inspired by historical shipwreck survival scenarios, learning practical wilderness and coastal skills along the way.
The activity is suitable for ages 8 and above. No prior experience in coasteering, SUP, or bushcraft is required, as expert instructors provide full guidance. Challenges can be adapted for varying fitness levels, ensuring everyone can take part safely.
Each session lasts approximately two hours, providing time for instruction, practice, and completing multiple adventure challenges. The itinerary is designed to balance learning, physical activity, and team problem-solving.
Groups are limited to 10 participants per instructor. This ratio ensures personalised attention, supervision, and a safe experience throughout the coastal environment. Larger parties may be split into smaller teams to maintain engagement and safety.
Participants do not need advanced swimming skills, though comfort in shallow water is recommended. All water-based activities take place in safe, supervised areas, with instructors providing guidance and support.
For those less confident in the water, challenges can be adapted to focus on land-based bushcraft, climbing, and coasteering skills. Safety equipment such as wetsuits, buoyancy aids, and helmets are provided for all participants.
Participants receive wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets, hi-visibility vests, paddles, and Super SUP boards. All equipment is well-maintained and suitable for beginners and more confident participants alike.
Instructors demonstrate correct usage of all gear and supervise activities to ensure safety. Participants are advised to wear swimwear underneath wetsuits and may bring towels, sunscreen, and water shoes for comfort.
Activities include wild swimming, coasteering across cliffs and ledges, cave survival exercises, bushcraft skills like fire building and foraging, and raft navigation using a Super SUP board. Each challenge is designed to teach teamwork, problem-solving, and practical coastal skills.
Instructors tailor challenges to match group ability and safety levels. Participants experience a mixture of action, skill-building, and storytelling inspired by historical shipwrecks, creating a fun and educational adventure.
Cornwall Castaway encourages collaboration and teamwork rather than focusing solely on competition. Teams work together to solve challenges, navigate obstacles, and complete the raft escape successfully.
While friendly competition is incorporated in some scenarios, the primary goal is learning practical skills, building confidence, and enjoying the adventure safely. Instructors emphasise cooperation and encouragement throughout the session.
About the centre
Newquay Activity Centre, 60 Fore Street
We both loved it , the instructor was a gentleman . Clear , concise instructions and very helpful . Can’t remember his name sorry , very tall with long hair
Jamie was a good instructor but a bit disappointed with the time snorkeling and not seeing anything. The sighting of the seals and info about the coast was great
Everyone was so friendly. My crew leader Alex was really supportive and encouraging as I am not an avid swimmer and so easing my way into kayaking and coasteering was a breeze. The team back at their headquarters were amazing ... keeping my baggage safe as I toured and even…
We had a really good time with Heath today. He showed us all the safety information and kept checking we were all okay. Instead of just staying out snorkelling he showed us some caves and told us about the history and cool knowledge about the caves and rocks. Had a…
We had an amazing time with heath. He was so lovely and gave us a bit of history as we went along. Very caring and made sure we had a fab time
Fun and exciting. The guide Oleks made it really enjoyable for us
Olek was such a cool instructor…let you get on with enjoying the water whilst keeping you safe and giving lots of detail…dan was super helpful when we got there and having a chat afterwards 10/10 hope to be back next summer
Amazing time coasteering in Cornwall with our instructor James. Great fun and James was very knowledgeable and easy to chat to. Thanks for an amazing time
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.
Operated by Newquay Activity Centre, a partner of adventuro.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom
From £38.50
