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Step away from the everyday and enjoy a relaxing day on the water with our Kayak Paddle & Picnic experience in Newquay. You’ll have the choice of a calm river or the open ocean, guided by friendly instructors ready to tailor the session to your skill level. Along the way, you’ll learn essential kayaking techniques and enjoy a fresh, locally sourced picnic amidst beautiful surroundings.
Starting your adventure, you’ll receive a full safety briefing and equipment familiarisation. Instructors will guide you through the correct use of wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets, kayaks, and paddles, along with efficient paddling techniques and tips for managing tides and weather conditions. A short warm-up ensures everyone is confident before heading onto the water.
For those choosing the river route, the journey takes you along the Gannel Estuary to Penpol Creek, where you’ll observe local wildlife and explore the area’s historic lime kiln. The instructor will share insights into the estuary’s biodiversity and heritage, creating a peaceful and educational experience. Pause to enjoy your picnic with Cornish pasties and drinks while taking in sweeping views of the estuary and surrounding woodland.
Selecting the ocean route offers a contrasting adventure along Newquay’s coastline. Launching from a sheltered cove, you’ll paddle through hidden beaches, cliffs, and coves while your instructor highlights local marine life and coastal history, including tales of shipwrecks and smugglers. Opportunities to switch between single and double kayaks allow you to try different paddling experiences, with a scenic break for a picnic along the way.
Set on Newquay’s north coast, the ocean route provides access to semi-secret coves, impressive cliffs, and abundant marine wildlife. Kayaking here offers a close-up view of the Cornish coastline, from secluded beaches to historic coastal features.
The river route explores the Gannel Estuary, a tranquil environment rich in estuary birds, flora, and fauna. Paddle past historic sites like old lime kilns and shipyards while enjoying the calm waters and natural scenery, with views extending out to Crantock Beach and beyond. Both locations are easily accessible and provide a safe yet engaging environment for kayaking and picnicking.
No prior kayaking experience is required, and the session is suitable for beginners and families. All necessary equipment is provided, and instructors will offer step-by-step guidance throughout the experience.
Participants should be comfortable wearing wetsuits and spending time outdoors. A reasonable level of mobility is recommended to access kayaks and launch points safely.
The centre has won multiple Gold awards for tourism excellence, reflecting a commitment to safety, professionalism, and customer satisfaction. Experienced instructors and high-quality equipment ensure an enjoyable and well-supported experience for everyone.
A strong focus on flexibility allows most tours to run regardless of weather, with alternatives offered if conditions require changes. Combining kayaking, local history, and a Cornish picnic, this experience delivers a unique outdoor day suitable for families, friends, and groups of all ages.
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
Operated by Newquay Activity Centre, a partner of adventuro.
Surrey, East and West Sussex, United Kingdom
From £89
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom
From £110
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom
From £38.50
