Newquay’s coastal habitats take the spotlight on this eco stand-up paddleboarding experience. A calm alternative to faster-paced SUP sessions, this guided tour lets you explore sea caves, sheltered coves, and marine life while learning about the biodiversity that makes Cornwall so special. With expert instructors by your side, you’ll enjoy a balance of adventure, learning, and appreciation of the coastline.
The experience begins with a safety briefing and introduction to SUP basics, giving you the chance to get comfortable on the board. Most people start out paddling on their knees, moving to a standing position when they feel ready, and there’s no pressure to progress faster than you’d like. Our instructors are there to guide and support you throughout, keeping the session relaxed and enjoyable.
Once you’re on the water, you’ll paddle from one of Newquay’s tucked-away coves and follow the coastline to hidden caves, craggy cliffs, and sheltered inlets. These routes, developed with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, highlight the region’s rich marine life. You may spot seals lounging on rocks, seabirds soaring overhead, or even dolphins alongside your board. Each trip adapts to the group and sea conditions, making every outing unique.
This eco SUP tour is based in Newquay, Cornwall, a town known for its golden beaches, rugged headlands, and thriving surf culture. The coastline here offers a mix of sheltered waters and dramatic scenery, perfect for paddleboarding.
The coves used for launching are quieter and away from the busier beaches, which adds to the sense of exploration. From the water, you’ll have a different perspective of Cornwall’s cliffs, sea caves, and natural rock formations, with plenty of opportunities to pause and take it all in.
No prior paddleboarding experience is required as the session is designed for beginners and those who want a relaxed coastal adventure. Instructors provide all the support you need, from handling the equipment to gaining confidence on the water.
Participants should feel comfortable in the water and be able to swim a short distance unaided. All necessary safety gear is provided, and wetsuits keep you warm throughout the activity.
The centre is passionate about offering more than just paddleboarding—it’s about connecting people with Cornwall’s marine environment. Working in collaboration with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, the tours are designed to combine fun with education, ensuring you leave with a deeper understanding of the coastline and its wildlife.
Instructors are experienced, friendly, and dedicated to tailoring each session to the group, whether it’s families, friends, or solo adventurers. With quality facilities, excellent equipment, and a strong focus on customer experience, every detail is looked after so you can simply enjoy your time on the water.
Stand up Paddleboarding or ‘SUP’ for short is one of the fastest growing waters sports in the world. Using a very large, stable board (similar to a surfboard) and a single-blade paddle you can navigate your way along coastlines, rivers and lakes.
Rain is no problem for a water-based activity! In fact, there’s no better way to make the most of a damp day than to get wet anyway! You will get changed into your wetsuit in our warm, dry changing rooms, then when you have your wetsuit on the rain isn’t an issue.
No need to worry, it’s all part of the learning process and can actually be quite fun! You can climb back onto your board relatively easily, but if you struggle your instructor will be there to help out.
Everybody is different and the conditions on the day can greatly affect how quickly you will learn the basics. In calm conditions, most adults will learn to effectively knee paddle in the first 10 minutes and be stand-up paddling within half an hour.
You need to bring a towel and swimwear. Footwear will also be required so bring either a pair of trainers that you don’t mind getting wet or wetsuit boots. If not you can hire from us for £5.
Yes. We require that anybody taking part in any of our water sports, including SUP, is able to swim 50 metres.
Sessions last for approximately 2 hours from when you have got all your kit on. You can expect to be with us for around 2 and half hours overall.
We will explore one of two routes. ‘The Gazzle’ is our ocean-based route along Newquay’s famous Towan Head. We will launch from either Towan beach or the old Lifeboat slipway depending on tide and surf conditions. Our river-based route is on the beautiful Gannel estuary, only a 5-minute drive from the centre.
We regularly see the local seals up close; we have also seen dolphins in Newquay bay, as well as Sunfish and Lion’s mane jellyfish. Basking sharks have also been seen on rare occasions (don’t worry, they are completely harmless and have no teeth). There is also an impressive array of birdlife, especially on our Gannel estuary route.
We primarily use inflatable boards, however we do have some hard boards for more experienced paddlers to use.
Providing you meet the minimum requirement of 50 metres swimming capability and you have no current health issues or injuries preventing you from taking part in physical activity you can come. Don’t worry, it’s not a race and your instructor will make sure the group moves at the pace of the slowest paddler and will assist weak paddlers when needed.
All of our SUP Instructors are qualified British Canoeing Paddlesport leaders. They are also Beach and Surf Safety Lifeguards. They have years of personal experience in the water, and attend regular site-specific staff training. We also work in closely with the RNLI to ensure your safety in and out of the water.
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 £80
