Step onto your paddleboard and see Newquay’s history unfold from the water. This guided heritage SUP tour combines gentle adventure with stories of smugglers, lifeboat rescues, and dramatic seafaring events. Along the way, you’ll paddle past caves, coves, and wildlife that bring Cornwall’s coastline to life in a unique way.
The experience begins at the centre where you’ll change into your wetsuit and meet your instructor. After a full safety briefing and introduction to equipment, you’ll head down the rock path to one of Newquay’s semi-secret coves where the paddleboards will be waiting. Here, you’ll learn the basics at your own pace — starting on your knees before standing up when you feel ready. The session has no pressure; you can enjoy the coastline from whichever position feels most comfortable.
Once confident, the group sets off to explore the historic stretch of coastline near Towan Head. Your guide will share stories of Cornwall’s past as you paddle through sheltered waters and hidden bays. Expect to hear the legends of Dead Man’s Cove, Witches Peak, and the smugglers who once used these routes to transport contraband. Alongside the history, you’ll experience striking cliffs, caves, and caverns, while keeping an eye out for the seals that are often seen here. The route is shaped by conditions on the day, with options to pause and take in the scenery or explore deeper into sheltered areas.
The tour is based around Towan Beach, one of Newquay’s most accessible and well-sheltered beaches. Its position means that even when other areas face strong winds or surf, Towan often remains calm, making it an ideal place for paddleboarding. From the shoreline, the coastline quickly reveals its mix of craggy cliffs, caves, and rock formations that provide both interest and shelter along the paddle route.
Beyond the natural scenery, this section of Cornwall is rich in history. Newquay once thrived as a fishing and trading port, and its surrounding coves played host to smuggling and shipwrecks. The stories of lifeboat rescues and seafaring dangers add context to the striking landscape. Paddling here means you’re not just enjoying the coast’s beauty but also connecting with centuries of heritage that shaped the town’s character.
This tour is open to all ability levels, including complete beginners. Instruction is tailored to each participant, so whether you’re brand new to paddleboarding or looking to refine your skills, you’ll be fully supported.
You should be able to swim 50 metres unaided and be comfortable in the water. All equipment, including wetsuits, buoyancy aids, and SUP boards, is provided to ensure you’re safe and comfortable throughout.
The centre is located just a short walk from Towan Beach, offering quick access to some of the most interesting sections of Newquay’s coastline. With on-site heated changing rooms, hot showers, and secure storage, your comfort is looked after before and after your session. The team are highly experienced, friendly, and passionate about combining SUP with heritage storytelling, ensuring your time on the water feels both safe and memorable.
What sets this activity apart is the balance between learning new skills and experiencing the coastline in a unique way. The guides don’t just teach paddling; they bring the area’s history alive with tales of smugglers, myths, and rescues. Paired with opportunities to watch wildlife and take free photos of your experience, it makes for a session that goes far beyond a standard SUP lesson or tour.
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 £38.50
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom
From £80
