Step into the outdoors with our Kayak & Bushcraft Experience in Newquay, a hands-on adventure combining paddling and wilderness survival skills. Whether you prefer the open ocean or the calm of the Gannel Estuary, this experience is tailored to suit beginners and experienced paddlers alike. With expert guidance, quality equipment, and a friendly atmosphere, you’re in for a day full of fun and learning.
Your day will begin with a full safety briefing and equipment familiarisation, including wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets, kayaks, and paddles. Instructors will guide you through land-based kayaking techniques so that you’re confident before entering the water. Once on the water, you can choose between an ocean or river setting, each offering unique landscapes and wildlife experiences.
For the river adventure, you’ll launch from the Gannel Estuary and paddle to Penpol Creek, navigating tidal flows while your instructor explains local history and ecology. Once ashore, you’ll gather materials and learn practical bushcraft skills, including building fires and identifying useful flora. The session finishes around a fire, toasting marshmallows and listening to maritime stories from your instructor.
If you select the ocean option, you’ll begin at a sheltered cove along Newquay’s coastline. After practising kayaking techniques, you’ll navigate secret beaches and coastal inlets, spotting marine life and exploring caves. Along the way, your instructor will share tales of shipwrecks and smuggling, giving context to the Cornish coastline. Both experiences combine practical bushcraft lessons with the chance to enjoy the outdoors safely.
The ocean-based experience takes place along Newquay’s north coast, where sheltered coves and secret beaches offer calm waters and dramatic coastal views. Expect impressive cliff lines, marine life, and the unique charm of Cornwall’s coastline.
The river option is based on the Gannel Estuary, a quieter and more sheltered location surrounded by woodlands and wildlife. Paddle past historic sites such as old lime kilns while learning about local history and natural habitats. Both locations are easily accessible and offer the perfect setting for paddling and bushcraft lessons.
No prior experience is required for this experience, and it is suitable for beginners and families. All equipment is provided, and instructors will teach you essential skills step by step.
Participants should be comfortable wearing wetsuits and spending time in outdoor environments. A reasonable level of mobility is recommended to navigate kayaks and access riverside or coastal launch points safely.
The centre is a two-time Gold winner at the Cornwall Tourism Awards, with a strong reputation for safety, professionalism, and customer satisfaction. Experienced instructors and high-quality equipment ensure that every session is educational, safe, and enjoyable.
With excellent bad-weather options and a focus on flexibility, most tours run regardless of conditions. If adjustments are needed, the team provides alternative experiences to ensure you still enjoy your day. The combination of kayaking, bushcraft, and local history makes this a unique outdoor experience suitable for individuals, friends, and families alike.
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.
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
