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.
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
Operated by Newquay Activity Centre, a partner of adventuro.
Paddle back in time on Newquay’s Heritage Kayak Tour, where history and adventure meet. Guided by friendly, knowledgeable instructors, you’ll explore caves, coves, and inlets while hearing tales of pirates, smugglers, shipwrecks, and dramatic coastal storms. No previous kayaking experience is needed, making this a perfect tour for all abilities.
The tour begins in our heated changing rooms, where you’ll be kitted out with a Rip Curl wetsuit, buoyancy aid, helmet, and paddle. Your instructor will provide a full safety briefing, teach basic paddling techniques, and explain emergency signals before a short warm-up leads you down to a sheltered launch point.
Once on the water, you’ll navigate a 2-kilometre stretch known as The Gazzle, a historic section of Newquay’s Atlantic coastline. You’ll pass craggy inlets, smugglers’ caves, natural rapids, and hidden coves while learning stories of the area’s seafaring past. The pace is gentle, allowing you to enjoy the scenery, take photographs, and practise your kayaking skills with the instructor’s guidance.
The tour also highlights local wildlife along the coastline. Seals, seabirds, and other coastal creatures may be spotted as you paddle through tidal zones and under overhanging cliffs. On many tours, you’ll have the chance to swap between single and double kayaks, providing a hands-on experience to develop your paddling techniques while seeing the coast from multiple perspectives.
This tour explores the north coast of Newquay, along a sheltered section of the Atlantic coastline. Launch points are carefully chosen to balance safety with access to dramatic cliffs, coves, and caves. From the water, you’ll enjoy perspectives of parts of the coastline that are otherwise difficult to reach, enhancing both the historical and natural experience.
Newquay is renowned for its beaches, but this stretch of coast offers a quieter, more intimate setting. The area is rich in heritage, with evidence of historic trade, pirate activity, and local folklore visible along the shoreline. The tidal waters provide an ideal environment for paddlers of all abilities.
No previous kayaking experience is necessary, and the tour is suitable for beginners as well as those with some paddling knowledge.
Participants should be comfortable in water and able to manage light physical activity. The tour is suitable for most people aged 8 and above, with pace and intensity adjusted to the group.
The centre is staffed by qualified instructors with extensive local knowledge, combining safety with informative, friendly guidance. Their expertise ensures participants gain both confidence on the water and a deeper understanding of Newquay’s coastal heritage.
With heated changing rooms, secure storage, outdoor showers, and free photography, every detail is considered for your comfort and convenience. Award-winning service and years of experience in coastal kayaking make this tour both memorable and enjoyable for all participants.
There’s much more to kayaking than simply paddling in a straight line from start to finish. Your session can include much, much more! Learning advanced paddling techniques. Fun games and races. Exploring smugglers caves. Getting up close with wildlife in the natural environment, especially the local Seal population and possibly dolphins. Navigating narrow gullies and riding the natural rapids created by the ocean swell. Learning about local history and points of interest. Watching our coasteering groups as they jump off cliffs is also a great spectator sport!
What better activity to do in the rain than a water activity? Rain or shine our kayak sessions are the ultimate activity for the family.
As you will be undertaking your session in one of our sit-on-top kayaks, falling in pretty unlikely, and even if it does happen, it is not a problem. You can just flip the kayak upright and climb back in. One of our qualified instructors will be on hand to make sure that you are ok and give you any assistance needed.
We can provide a wetsuit so you only need to bring a towel and swimwear. You can wear your own wetsuit if you have one or if you have your own kayak specific waterproofs you may bring these too. Footwear will also be required so bring either a pair of shoes that you don’t mind getting wet or you can hire from us for £3 a go. Most importantly please bring a sense of adventure and fun!
Your trip will take you on one of a couple of different routes that we use. The main route is along the Gazzle which is a large headland just a short paddle from our centre. Alternatively, we will take you along a sheltered stretch of river located a short drive from the centre. We are happy for you to let us know your preference, and we will use the conditions on the day to help us decide.
Our ocean-based route along Towan headland is rich in wildlife. Common sightings include Grey Seals, and an array of birdlife. There is also the possibility to see Dolphins, Sun Fish, Lion’s mane jellyfish, and Basking Sharks have previously been spotted in the area (don’t worry, they are completely harmless and have no teeth). Our river-based route in the Gannel estuary is very in rich in Birdlife including Herrings, Iceland and Franklin Gulls.
Providing you have fulfilled the minimum requirement of 50 metres swimming capability and you have no current health issues or injuries preventing you from participating in an adventurous activities you are welcome to come! Don’t worry, it’s not a race and you are not expected to be an Olympic-level paddler! Your instructor will make sure the group moves at the pace of the slowest paddler and will assist weak paddlers when needed.
All our Instructors are fully qualified British Canoeing Paddlesport leaders as well as Beach and Surf Safety Lifeguards. Our instructors have years of personal experience in the water, and attend regular site-specific staff training. We also work in close partnership with the RNLI to ensure your safety in and out of the water.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom
From £50
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom
From £50
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom
From £38.50
